The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1915. THE BLOCKADE.

Southland Times, Issue 17476, 3 April 1915, Page 5

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1915. THE BLOCKADE.

The action of Great Britain and France in deciding to blockade Germany has proved an effective counterstroke to Germany's reckless action in proclaiming a blockade of the British coasts, it was obvious from the outset that the Kaiser’s blockade could never be effectual; but the best proof of the pudding is in the eating of it. The German war craft have been feverishly active, and they have done their utmost to substantiate the Kaiser's vaunts, but they have failed utterly to do more than prove themselves a nuisance and to lend an excitement to travel in a comparatively small sea area. Almost one can believe that a disguised Britisher has been directing the Kaiser's naval policy. From the beginning of the war British statesmanship has been on a strain to discover some really valid reason to excuse the Government ordering the Imperial Navy to prevent commodities of any and every kind reaching or leaving Germany. As far back as in August it was realised that Britain could employ no more powerful weapon against Germany than this form of economic pressure. But how coulc she enforce it without giving a legitimate cause of umbrage to all the neutral Powers. Britain sought everywhere for a suitable expedient to justify blockade, but she could find none. As a consequence she was obliged to wait for several months in humiliating impotence, and. notwithstanding her overwhelming naval might, to sanction the passage to and from Germany of innumerable cargoes carried in neutral bottoms. She was keenly aware that the commerce strengthened her adversary, but while Germany abstained from provoking her to extremities she was compelled to hold her hand. Fortunately for the civilisec world. Germany mistook Britain's exemplary patience and forbearance for weakness and timidity, and out of her unparalleled arrogance the Kaiser at length took the step of attempting to do what Britain had steadfastly refrained from doing. He declared a German blockade of the coasts of Britain, and he formally notified the neutral Powers that his submarines on and after February 18 would indiscriminately sink all vessels entering or leaving the coastal waters of the United Kingdom.' A proverb has it i hat whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad. In the supreraest possible degree it was to the Kaiser's interest to avoid as a plague any course calculated, howsoever remotely, to justify Britain before the neutral world in blockading Germany. Yet that is the course the Kaiser deliberately adopted. By declaring bis blockade he virtually prohibited the outer world trading with Britain —the* central market and commercial axis of civilised humanity. How, then, could he appeal to the neutral Powers for succour if Britain should retaliate? How could he make ->■'■'ol believe that Britain would

wrong them by forbidding them to trade with Germany, seeing that he had forbidden them to trade with Britain? Britain immediately perceived the error into which German diplomacy had plunged, and she recognised, too, the tremendous advantage it had given her. But she did not retaliate immediately. British*- diplomacy does not proceed by jerks and spasms. Its movements are orderly aud wise. It appreciates the doctrine of festiua lente, and it seldom fails to give a blunderer the rope he covets. Britain quietly consulted with the Allies, and also put her case before the neutral Powers, stating her necessities and sounding their opinions. Meanwhile German submarines rapidly attacked every vessel in their range, and incidentally sent to the bottom more than one neutral ship. Thus the British cause for blockade became unanswerable: aye, and capable of strict assertion and enforcement without alienating neutral sympathies. And the British blockade of Germany has now been applied. In the circumstances no critic can say that it has been hastily resorted to, or that it is unnecessary. On the contrary, the patience that Britain has exhibited is of a monumental character; and Britain may contend with perfect truth, in answer to all external objections, that for seven months she has given more consideration to neutral interests than to her own. Her exemption has been acquired as a gift from German folly, and she is free now to devote her undivided attention to the economic reduction of her enemy. It may be predicted with entire confidence that the British blockade of Germany will differ substantially from the feeble German campaign of commerce raiding of which the Kaiser boasted so wildly before its commencement. The inexhaustible resources of our Empire’s Navy afford us ample assurance that the British blockade will be the real thing, and that it will presently accomplish its intent —absolutely to prevent commodities of any sort reaching or leaving Germany by sea.