DECLARATION OF LONDON.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 109, 29 June 1911, Page 5

DECLARATION OF LONDON.

SPEECH BY MR. BALFOUR. London, June 28. Mr. Balfour, in the course of a speech to members of the Stock Exchange, said that in war time, starvation, not invasion, was Britain’s danger. A weaker naval ' Power, without an effective blockade, might fco interfere with the supply of foodstuffs that no self-secrifice or patriotism would enable us in time of stress to deal witli tho situation. Such a national emergency might arise under the Declaration of London. To the treatment, first, of food as contraband, secondly, the converting of mercantile vessels into cruisers on the high seas, and thirdly, the capture and sinking of neutrals, the enemy might say: “No matter what it costs two years hence, we will use out privateers in order to secure an immediate advantage in a life or death sLi ugglo.’ Mr. Balfour continued: “The Decimation of London is equivalent fo tho destruction of Britain’s groat naval power. The invasion of Britain would be a very risky operation. That was an advantage which no parchments could take away. It is an as set which cannot be tossed in tho gutter by a Government, however careless, but her insular position makes it very difficult for Britain to exercise pressure on a belligerent Power. Blockade and the power of seizing an enemy’s vessels and goods are almost Britain’s only methods of exorcising pressure. Tne present Government expressly refused, two years ago, to try to get property at sea nvmc nonliablo to capture, because it was il:e only method of sealing with the belligerents. You do net promote peace by making it relatively cheap at d easy to go to war with Britain

FURTHER PR( (TESTS. London, inno 28. At Herloy, Mr. .15. R. Jones, M.P , seconded a protest against the Declaration of Londe". He •■•outenc.ed the matter involved no Lihetal Party interests, and -.va? solely a maltei of national concern. Admiral Lord Charles I’ercsfurd, Mr. Gibson Bowloo, .M.P . and Mi-. A. J. Balfour addresso 1 a great overflow meeting. Admiral Sir H M.vorth Lamblon in a letter to the i'owsj ag'-i s, stmngjy opposes the v aT .i ien. •,j ~f the leclaration of Loud.ni. BRADFORD WOOLCOMBERS o BREAK INTO A MILL. FIGHT WITH POLICE. (Received 29, 8.5 a.m.) London, June 28. Several hundred Bradford avoo!combers broke into a mill and stopped the machinery. The police intervened,- Avhon stones Avero throAvn at them. The police used their, truncheons. •• r ' . THE RECIPROCITY WAR. (Received 29, 8.55 a.m.) Washington,. June 28. The defeated motion submitted, by Mr Penrose proposed that the reciprocity vote bp taken on July 24th, the avool vote on July 26th, and the Free List Bill on July 28th. The reason Mr Penrose Avas defeated is believed to he in the intention of the Democrats to pass the Wool and Farmers’ Free List. Bills before the Reciprocity Bill thus compelling President Taft to accept them or lose reciprocity. The Reciprocity Bill -.dv meed a stage in a remarkable mariner. Wlnle the Senate executive was in session fifteen minutes, Mr Sherman, finding no one ready to speak, announced that the Bill Avould be reported from the Committee of the avliolo to Hie Senate. The Bill Avas actually passed a stage before members realised Avhat Avas happening. There Avere angry protests as it precluded the possibility of a vote on the measure. Mr Penrose finally acceded to the Bill being returned to the committee stage.