NEUTRALS AND THE BLOCKADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1916, Page 4

NEUTRALS AND THE BLOCKADE.

Tliat public fooling in London lias been keenly aroused over the failure of the failure of tile Government to make the blockade against Germany thoroughly directive is evident from the meeting of protest held at the Cannon Street Hotel on Monday, presided over by Lord Bevonport. It is advisable in connection with any such meeting to allow for that element of political discontent v.hich is unfortunately always in evidence and ever 011 the lookout for a favorable opportunity of embarrassing and discrediting the Government, but there can be 110 question that facts and figures establish beyond all doubt that the intended efficacy of the blockade lias been largely voided by by tile action of neutrals, and especially by Holland and Denmark. The resolution which was passed referred to the enormous quantities of commodities reaching Germany through the. North Sea, aiul urged the Government to make full use of its sea power in forcing an absolutely effective blockade. We have 011 several occasions, forcefully contended that if the blockade weapon is to effect its purpose it must be applied thoroughly, even at the risk of offending neutrals. The object of the blockade is to deprive Germany of the essentials of trade and livelihood in older to shorten the duration of the war. The British Government lias been clothed with all necessary powers for making the blockade an absolute success, but there is a strong feeling that Ministers liave been hyperscrupulous in wielding the effective weapon placed in their hands. Lord Devonport quoted from records showing that 557 ships with over two million tons of iron ore bad gone to German ports within the last eiglit months by means of re-exports from Sweden and Norway, and he rightly pointed out that Britain and her allies were fighting for these neutrals as well as for themselves. There is much force in the contention oi Mr. Shirley Benn that neutrals would respect Britain more if she made the biockade more effective. Sir Edward Grey has, 011 more than one occasion, explained that the matter wrs su'Tounded with difficulties consequent on the necessity for respecting the rights of neutrals, but when non-combatant nations engage in the lucrative trade of supplying the enemy with means for carrying 011 the war they are no longer neutral, and deserve no consideration whatever. Now that public feeling is thoroughly aroused it may be hoped tlu; Government will regard their duty in a new light—that of necessity, with no mitigating clauses for traitorous neutrals. The Empire certainly desires that there will be no more half-heartednese in dealing with neutrals, but that the full force of tile, blockade wiil be stringently utilised, and thai 110 loophole or leakage will be allowed to mar the full and ceft'ctive blockade 0/ our unscrupulous enemy.