New-York tribune., 1902-12-18
4 STATE OF VAR EXISTS.
No Such Thing as ''Pacifc Block
ade." Says BabOm-.

London, Dec 17.-'Tf the seizure Of Venez-
uelan gunboats does not result as we all hope
IT will be necessary TO proceed blockade"
Tn the speeeh in the House of Commons to-
day. during which Premier Bnlfour made the
sbove statement. he conveyed the impression
OF possible, though as yet unnecessary. further
hostilities or that arbitration on some
basis might be accepted.
Immediately after having spoken these words
the Premier said that in the event of a blockade
no difference would be made between the ships
of neutral powers who would not be consulted
He then ridiculed the idea of peaceful block
ade When he said, 81 think it quite likely that
the United States Government would not think
there is such thing pacific blockade and
I personally take the same view, that evidently
a blockade does involve state of war, the
House EXPRESSED it's appreciation. Throughout
the discussion the tenor of the questions and
answers showed regard for the views or the
United States. M. Balfour assured the House
that the papers in the Venezuelan matter were
in course of being prepared as rapidly az poss1-
bic and answering a question OF Sir William
Vernon Harcourt he said they would include
the cou1muntca tions with reference to Vene2-
government and the United States. Sir William
Vernon Harcourt asked this question. so that
may know how we stand with reference 10
the government of the United States"
Premier Balfour gave hint to the House as
to the ultimate result of the arbitration pro-
posnl, and nothing further in this respect has
been given the Foreign Office,
The Premier also said the operations we're re-
1ucfsntly undertaken not TO recover debts. but.
after a long and patient delay, to recover COM
pensatfon for assaults on British subjects and
the seizure of British vessels.
Mr. Balfour's statement made in reply to
the desire of the Liberal leader Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerman for information on the
Venezuelan situation. After reiterating Lord
Transformers brief statement in the House of
Lords yesterday the Premier continued
The blockade will be carried out by Great
Britain and Germany along different portions or
the coast and though the two fleets will have
the same objects. they will not act as one force
We never had any intention of Landing troops
in Venezuela or of occupying terr1tory even
temDorarily. We do not think 1t desirable on
either military other grounds. All the con-
ditions governing such a blockade have been
carefully considered. and will be published in
due time for the information of neutrals. The
government is most anxious that these opera
tions the necessity for which we deeply re
gret should be as little incoDvenient 20 neutrals
as they can possibly be made. NO diHerence
will be made between the VI S5els or the various
neutral powers. think 1t is quite likely that
the United States will think that there cannot
be such thing a pacific blockade, ana
personally take the same view. Evidently
blockade involves state or war;
Mr. Balfour concluded his statement with say
ing he could make announcement as TO
whether the offer of arbitration from Venezuela
would be accepted by Great Britain.
The Premier said he believed that the Ger
mans also had claims besides the financial ones
Mr. HeaIy Irish Nationalist, asked II the
United States assented to blockade whlch
would exclude United States vessels. MI Bal
four replied;
"NeutraIs are not consulted when you are III
state of war with third party.
"Is war decIared?" asked Mr.. Heaiy.
The Premier replied:
Does the honorable member suppose tnat
without state of war you can take Nessei'
nd have blockade"