EFFECTIVENESS OF BLOCKADE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15182, 29 March 1917, Page 2

EFFECTIVENESS OF BLOCKADE.

FOOD SHORTAGE IN GERMANY. I• ' CUTTING OFF OF OTHER NECESSITIES.

(Reuter.) LONDON, Maich 28. ■ln. the House of Commons, replying to criticisms on the effectiveness of the blbckade, Lord Robert Cecil declared that the tightening of the blockade had resulted in the complete cessation of oversea importations into enemy countries. He admitted that the question of the home produce of neutrals adjoining Germany was much more difficult. He opined that the only way to stop such exports to Germany was an agreement wuth neutrals- For exariiple, Norway had agreed to restrict trade with Germany provided we supplied her with refined copper. Lord Robert Cecil proceeded to snow that there was a steadily increasing diversion of Danish and Dutch agricultural products to England instead of Germany. He emphatically declared that Denmark had honestly endeavoured to carry out the terms of the existing agreement. ■' He would be deceiving the country if he did not say there was the greatest shortage of food in Germany as a result of the blockade. There was also the greatest shortage of wool, cotton, lubricants, and other necessities. He was not inclined to disbelieve the repeated and well-authenticated reports of food riots in Germany.