The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-02-18
still maintained by the German gov,

still maintained by the German gov
eminent.
Another circumstance which is now
coming to light is that an elaborate
machinery has been organized by the
enemy for supply of foodstuffs for the
use of the German army from over
seas. Under these circumstances II
would be absurd to give any definite
pledge that in cases where the sup
plies can be proved to be for the use
of the enemy forces they should be
given complete immunity by the simple
expedient of dispatching them to an
agent in neutral port.
.The reason for drawing . distine-
ton between foodstuHs intended for
the civil population and those for the
armed forces or enemy government
I'm any country in which there exists
such tremendous organization for war
as now obtains in Germany. there Is no
clear division between those whom the
government is responsible for feeding and
those whom It is not. Experience shows
that the power to rcquisitiOn will be used
to the fullest extent to make sure that
the wants OF the military are supplied.
and however much goods may be import
ed for civil use il Is by the military that
they will be consumed il military ext
gencies require II. especially now that
the German government have taken con-
troll of all the foodstuffs in the country.
Suspicious Increases.
II do not wish to overburden this note
with statistics. but in proof Of my state
ment as to the unprecedented extent to
which supplies are reaching neutral ports,
would like to instance the figures OF
the exports Of certain meat products to
Denmark during the months of Septem-
Der and October. Denmark Is a country
which in normal times imports certain
quantity of such products. but exports
still more. In 1918, during the above two
months. the United States exports of lard
to Denmark were nil. as compared with
% Co.. 59s pounds in the same two months
of 1914 The corresponding figures with
regard to bacon were: 1918. nil: 1914. 1.oe2.-
49, pounds: canned beef. 1918. nil; 1914.
151.2OO pounds: picked and cured. 1918.
AZ eO1 pounds: 1914. 1910 pounds: picked
pork. 1913, nil: 1914. s12,s72 pounds.
In the same two months the United
States exoprted to Denmark 2sl,oi6 gal
Ions of mineral lubricating oil in 1914 as
compared with 1852 in 1919; to Nor
way 33o. as gallons in 1914 as against
Isl. 119 gallons: to Sweden Ss6, 1873 gallons In
1914 as against 3S, as gallons in 1873
MY hope il that when the facts which
i
when 1t Is seen that our naval operations
have not diminished American trade with
neutral countries. and that the lines on
which We have acted are consistent with
the fundamental principles of information
al Law. 1t will be apparent to the gov
eminent and people OF the United States
that his majesty's government have
hitherto endeavored to exercise their bel
ligerent rights with every possible con-
sideration for the interests Of neutrals.
TT vii still be our endeavor to avoid
injury and loss to neutrals. but the An
nouncement by the German government
of their intention TO sink merchant YES
sells and their cargoes without verifica-
ton of their nationality or character.
and without making any provision for
the safety Of non-combatant crews or
giving them q chance Of saving their
lives, has made II necessary for his ma
jesty's government to consider what
measures they should adopt to protect
their interests. It Is impossible for one
belIigerent to depart from rules and pre-
cepents and for the other to remain bound
by them"