THE DECLARATION OF LONDON

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 223, 26 January 1911, Page 5

THE DECLARATION OF LONDON

ITS RATIFICATION POSTPONED.

A GERMAN VIEW. By Cable—Press Associations-Copyright. Received 25, 9.50 p.m. London, January 25. Some newspapers announce fiat the ratification of the Declaration of London will be postponed until the Imperial Conference has discussed it. Berlin, January 25. The Berlin Post declares that the campaign against the Declaration <equires foreign Powers to reckon with the peril that must arise if ratification is refused and old privateering lights re-affirmed. The Post adds that the recent British naval manoeuvres showed that to sacrifice an enemy's fleet would make possible the almost complete destruction of the British mercantile marine, and such crippling of the mercantile marine would perpetually jeopar--1 dise British supremacy in the shipping ♦ trade. LITTLE ATTENTION IN CANADA. Received 25, 9.50 p.m. London, January 25. The Daily Mail's Ottawa correspordent reports that, owing to meagre despatches, the Declaration of London attracted little attention. The general opinion is that the Dominions shouicl not be overlooked in a matter of this kind. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Premier, -,n\ > he has not studied the matter, and before he comes to a definite decision t'ie Government experts will analyse the Declaration.

The South Australian Agent-General, interviewed, said the Declaration ought not to be ratified without due discussion. < A FURTHER PROTEST. BRITAIN'S ALTERNATIVES. Received 25, 10.50 p.m. London; January 25. The Manchester Guardian regards.the Declaration of London as unwise. It would mean the abandonment of the principle which England defended for a century, namely, that the onus of proof lay with the captor, while the Declaration of London lays the burden on the owner. If the Declaration can be made binding, it would be as easy to secure the prohibition of capture of private property altogether. England has two courses open, either to make the sea in war time British territory, involving enormous cost; or to secure* the complete freedom of the seas to commerce.