THE NAVY: AN EFFECTIVE BLOCKADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3280, 24 January 1917, Page 55

THE NAVY: AN EFFECTIVE BLOCKADE.

(By Cable.) Reassuring details regarding the efficiency of the blockade, given in an interview byLord Robert Cecil to the Radio Agency to be published in the Paris newspapers have been transmitted to London by a wireless press correspondent. Lord Robert Cecil emphasised that the basis upon which the blockade rests is the Allies' maritime supremacy. Without that supremacy it would be impossible to cut off Austro-German supplies, of which there is every indication that both are in such desperate need. It would also be impossible for the Allies to satisfy their own wants and carry on oversea operations conducted with all parts of the world. As far as the blockade is concerned the operations are chiefly entrusted for geographical reasons to the British Navv, but it has been proved to have associated with it many units of the French fleet, which have performed most valuable and gallant services in the common cause. Lord Robert Cecil said : "We are undoubtedly entitled to use our sea power to cut off the enemy's supplies. The Germans endeavoured to cut off all supplies from Britain, and lack of the necessary power alone prevents them from succeeding. They had in 1370 a kindred power as far as Paris Avas concerned, and exercised it ruthlessly. Our methods are strictly in accordance with international law, and have not been disgraced by the outrages committed in too many instances by the enemies' naval forces. " How do we deal with neutrals' rights? We maintain neutrals adjacent to Germany who are not penalised. As far as their real home requirements are concerned we facilitate their obtaining the goods necessary. In this connection the Allies, controlling many sources of raw material, are clearly entitled to impose conditions before parting with the goods controlled. They are prepared to supply them if neutrals agree to limit their demands to their own needs and not become the basis of supply to the enemy. The effect of this policy is seen in accounts appearing daily with added force in newspapers, gathered from enemy and neutral sources, testifying to Germany's steadily increasing want. The blockade is riot a failure, when the enemy is commandeering all available domestic supplies of copper, introducing substitutes of dubious value for rubber, and issuing tickets for food and clothing. The ration for every German is supposed to include half a pound of meat weekly and a few thimblcfuls of butter and egg fortnightly, but this is frequently not forthcoming. Bread is bad and scarce. The potato crop has largely failed, and the hopes of the Germans founded thereon have been largely disappointed. The position in Germany appears to be very grave, and there is every reason to believe that, the condition of her allies is even worse. "Regarding the question as to whether an undue amount of materials was allowed to reach countries adjacent to Germany in 1916, thus assisting her powers of resistance, I give the total imports of commodities into Scandinavia and Holland for the first nine months, as compared with normal pre-war imports for home requirements for three years preceding the war. Corn and flour, corn fodder, and oil-cake pre-war importations totalled 6,170,000 tons, and of that home consumption accounted for 3,250.000 tons. The total imports during 1916 were 3.000,000 tons. The respective figures for copper arc 100,000, 24,000, and 22,000 tons,- animal and vegetable oils and fat. 440.000, 256.000/ and 250.000 tons. These' examples are typical of other commodities. Their value is that they show the efficiency of the blockade, proving, apart from inevitable cases of smuggling, that the enemy is prevented from obtaining supplies from overseas. The question of the disposal of the home-grown produce of countries bordering on Germany is moro difficult. The prices in Germany are high, and the difficulties of transport to the Allies' countries are not small. Naturally, where the produce mentioned is dependent upon raw materials or the facilities offered by the the latter takeadvantage of "the fact. Steps, moreover, arc taken to make large purchases in these countries, and every effort is made to ensnro that neutrals adjacent to_ Germany should treat Germany with strict impartiality. Some of them were at one time Inclined, and tempted by the largo prices offered, into becoming the basis of supplies for our enemies. This has been stopped altogether, so far as overseas goods arc concerned, and with respect to home-grown produce the position is much improved.