BULLYING NEUTRALS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 926, 29 January 1917, Page 6

BULLYING NEUTRALS.

BLUNDERING GERMANY. HAGUE CONVENTION RECALLED. Mr A. J. Balfour, the First Lord of the Admiralty, made a most effective speech at the Lord Mayor's banquet. It should have the widest possible publicity, says an English exchange.

"I am confident when the Germans entered the war they supposed the German Fleet was going to rival the historic deeds of the British Fleet, French Fleet, Dutch Fleetnations which have made naval history of modern times. But I think they have given up that view, and I think you can mark the moment at which they gave it up. The moment they gave up that view was when they took instead to drowning peaceful traders and destroying women and children, not by licet action but by submarine treachery. I think you can tell the moment at which they gave up the nobler hope and took to the meaner and more criminal method. Mark the Moment.

"The day before war was declared between Great Britain and Germany—August 3, HlM—the Germans reissued their prize code, a code signed by the Emperor and by von Tirpitz. May I read you three lines relevant to this particular point? This is the procedure laid down for a German ship which slops and searches a vessel, neutral or otherwise:— "In stopping and searching a vessel under a neutral flag the commander must avoid as far as possible diverting her from her route. He will in general endeavour to cause the vessel as little inconvenience as possible. "May I remind you of what happened to a particular neutral vessel only the other day—a Norwegian vessel called the "Ravn." It was attacked by submarine in the middle of a raging storm. The ship was sunk, the crew were given five minutes to get into their boats. One of those boats containing the captain has never been heard of since. The other boat, under the command of the mate, reached the shore, but of the 10 persons who comprised the crew, two perished from hardship before the shore was reached, and two perished on the rocks when they ultimately reached the land. A happy illustration of 'avoiding as far as possible diverting' a neutral vessel from, her route—sending her to the bottom! A happy illustration of endeavouring to cause the vessel 'as little inconvenience as possible.' Nothing can be more criminally hypocritical than the line the Germans have taken in this connection.

"I Say It Loudly."

"I tlo not like rending extracts on any occasion, but I must, if you will allow me, read yon a very short extract from an indignant address made by Baron Marschall, for a short time Ambassador in this country, who about seven years ago represented Germany at The Hague. There was a question before The Hague Conference as to what should be done with regard to mines. The British objected to German methods, and said it was hard upon neutrals. The German representative spoke as follows: — " 'Military action is not solely governed by the stipulators of international law. There are other facts, conscience, good sense, and that feeling of the duties imposed by the principles of humanity will be the safest guide for the conduct of the sailors, and will afford the most effective guarantee against abuse. The officers of the German Navy, I proclaim it loudly, will always fulfil in the strictest manner the duties which result from the unwritten law of humanity and civilisation.' "What are we to say of a nation which makes that speech through the mouth of its chosen representative at an assembly of the nations to consider international law, and only a few years afterwards strikes medals for the 'Lusitania,' (asked Mr Balfour). We all know what if means.

"ft means that the Germans have deliberately come to the conclusion that to inspire terror is the best way of success. Frightfulness is their object, and if is on the altar of fritmlfulness that all these crimes are permitted. "What they are doing, uiu) hnve been doing, to weak neutrals like Norway in fhc last month is simply a repetition on the sea of what they did in Belgium, of what they have done elsewhere, and what they will do anywhere where they have the power. They hope to utterly disorganise the carrying power of the world, to intimidate neutrals, and, if possible, to intimidate even the British sailor engaged in commerce. They are mistaken. (Cheers). They do not understand the men with whom they have to deal. They blunder in this instance as they have blundered wherever they come across human nature."