CONTRABAND CONTROL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 287, 5 December 1939, Page 8

CONTRABAND CONTROL

INTENTIONS OF BRITAIN RESTATED EXPERIENCE OF PAST WEEKS I British Official Wireless J RUGBY, Dec. 3. In view of reports which show that some doubts still exist in certain quarters regarding the intentions of the British contraband control, it may be well to recall the recent Ministry of Economic Warfare statement most emphatically declaring that no cargoes other than those genuinely suspected of being destined for Germany would ever be seized During the first three weeks of the war, when there were many cargoes consigned to Germany on the high seas, 42 cargoes were wholly seized, while 86 were wholly released. During the subsequent nine weeks 21 cargoes were wholly seized and 698 wholly released. These figures do not include cargoes partly seized. The experience of the last nine weeks serves to illustrate that an overwhelming proportion of genuine neutral cargoes is permitted to pass without interference. The time of detention has been greatly reduced since the early days of the war, at least half the ships subjected to control nowbeing released within a few days. SEIZURE OF GERMAN EXPORTS PRECEDENTS CITED L British Official Wireless. 1 RUGBY, Dec. 3. To-morrow the war enters upon its fourth month and there comes into operation the Order-in-Council signed by the King last Monday which, as a reprisal for German violations of the laws and customs of war, provides for further restraint on her commerce by making liable to seizure German exports in neutral ships. The doctrine of reprisals is very ancient. A celebrated example of its application occurred during the Napoleonic wars when Bonaparte illegally purported by a Berlin decree, to forbid neutral trade with England. England replied by Orders-ir.-Council which had the object of cutting off all enemy commerce. A more recent example occurred in the last war when a situation very similar to the present one arose by reason of illegal German submarine and mine action which was answered by an Order-in-Council of March 11, 1915. The object again to-day is that of preventing enemy commerce without danger to life at sea and without involving loss lo neutral interests by confiscation. German action taken against British commerce on the contrary threatens not only neutral shipping and neutral cargoes, but neutral life.