Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1915-01-23
DRIVING OUR COMMERCE. OFF
THE SEAS.
(Editorial from the Washington
Post.


Post.)
Great Britain is trying to stop all
exports from the United States to
Germany She dare not state her in
tentions quite SO plainly as they are
stated here, but her actions speak
louder than words
1t being inexpedient to invite war
with the United States by boldly de-
claring war upon its commerce,
Great Britain resorts to another
method, which would be quite as ef-
fective if the United States would
acquiosce in it,
First-Great Britain posts mCn-oi-
war at the mouth Of American har-
bOrs to SPY upon outgoing vessels.
She cannot blockade German ports,
and therefore she establishes the
blockade at the point Of departure
instead Of the point OF destination.
Second-She increases the list of
contraband articles as fast as she
thinks the United States viii tolerate
it. BY declaring an innocent article
OF commerce Y conditional contra
band" and q little later absolute
contraband," Great Britain has man
aged to make practically every ar
ticlc OF American commerce contra
bard and soizablc. Raw cotton is
virtually the only article that is not
subject to seizure Everything else
produced in this country is construed
70 be useful to the German army or
navy, and Is deemed to be on its way
to assist the enemy.
Third-When Great Britain can
not make out q prima facie case Of
contraband it accOmplishes its pur-
pose by seizing the cargo, anyhow,
and paying for it, rather than have it
reach the Germans And if it cannot
use the cargo and cannot show that
IL is contraband. it holds the vessel
for an indefinite time, subjects 1t to
the menacos Of warships, terrori1es
the master and owner, and thus ef-
fectively disrupts commercial rela-
tions, and drives vessels off the usual
routes. Insurance rates are boosted
on account Of tho threats of seizure
and the danger of mines, SO that
business is made Improbable.
If the United States were at war,
and If American war vessels were
posted at the mouth Of the Mersey
and the Thames, ready to pouncc
upon every English merchantmen
bound to sea, we may imagine the
howl OF protest that would go up
from British traders.
II the United States should declare
contraband Of war every article pro-
duced in Great Britain, and should
assert the right 90 seize British car
goes as prizes, or should harass Brit
ism commerce with the intent to ter
rori2o 1t and drive it off the sea, we
may be sure the British government
would enter a protest at Washington
that would mako the pending Amer
lean protest very mild in comparison.
Americans have O right to carry on
commerce with Germany Most Of
the articles exported are not used for
military purposes. They ere innocent
articles Of peaceful commerce, OF the
same character as those usually
transported in times OF peace Con-
traband is seizable, and no American
can or does object to its seizure. In
nocent articles should not be made
seizable, and the attempts of Great
Britain to seize or drive away this
commerce is an arrogant and un-
friendly aggression misuse of the
British navy and menace 10 the
peaceful relations OF the two coun-
tries.
No subtle setting forth of the case
can confuse the American people
Their right to carry on business in
the United States hinges upon their
right to sell their goods abroad The
seizure of their cargoes means the
disruption OF their business, the loss
of customers, and eventual bank
ruptcy. They may sympathize with
Great Britain in her fight against
Germany, but they are not willing to
ruin themselves for the sake Of Great
Britain.
In protesting against the British
attempt to make the Atlantic Ocean
an English lake the United States is
actins as q champion for all nations
that arc at pence. IL Is acting in be-
half OF justice for all nations II is
pursuing q true policy OF neutrality
Of friendship with al nations and
partiality toward none And finally,
It is defending the right Of its own
people to make a living in their GUS
tomary peaceful commerce. The ag-
gressions OF Great Britain must cease
If friendship is to continue between
the two nations.