Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-04-18
GERMNNN'S BUNGIuNG DIPLO-
MACY.

service have challenged the admiration
Of the world the mistakes Of German
diplomacy have been no less surprising
and disappointing In the correspond
euce preceding the open declaration
Of hostilities, when all Of the powers
were playing for points the German
chanccllcry was not at a disadvantage
I'm all Of the foncns carried on be-
tween the Russian, French and
British foreign offices there was no
fumbling Of the ball. In fact so
adroitly and so speciously did the Ger
man letters and notes state the case
from their standpoint that, for long
time, there was grave doubt in the
minds of impartial students of history
and dIsintorcstcd spectators of current
events as to which nation was actually
responsible for the greatest conflict in
the history Of the world
But In the past four months the
German diplomats have somehow or
other appeared to miss a stroke here
aind there In the first place the
dclimtation of the waters surround
ing the British isles are a war zone
and the notice to all nations that YES
.sels Of neutrals would enter that zone
at their peril was a grave mistake.
II is q recognized rule Of international
law and has been a recognized rule
for moro than a generation that when
a blockade was declared and main
tanned vessels Of neutrals entered the
blockaded port or ports at their own
risk and that the blockadng power
was not responsible. This was the
case during our civil war when the
United States declared and main
tanned an effectual blockade of all
southern ports 1t was also true of the
Balkan war when Turkey closed the
Dardanelles. II was true in the Russo
Japanese war when Japan closed the
ports Of Manchuria and Korea to the
commerce of the world. Germany,
however, did not declare blockade Of
British ports for the simple reason
that It's navy was bottled up and it
could not enforce such a declaration.
The sum total Of the effect of the
German declaration Of the war zone
was to notify the nations of the earth
engaged in commerce with Great
Britain and her allies that Germany
reserved the right, hitherto unasserted
in any war by any power large or
small, to disregard treaty provisions
guaranteeing protection TO neutral
vessels carrying non contraband, 10
make her own rules and regulations
and to sink ships whenever and
wherever found and afterward inquire
into their nationality and the quality
Of the cargo. The sinking Of the relief
ship sent by the people Of New York
state TO the Relgians is a case in point.
The sinking of the American ship
William p. Frye is another case. The
destruction Of Norwegian and Dutch
ships but adds to the enormity of the
offcnsc against all decency and hu-
mantarian considerations.
Great Britain and her allies vry
naturally and properly protested
against the German policy OF destruc-
tou of neutral vessels and very nat
urally and properly retaliated by de-
Glazing that all foodstuffs intended
for Germany, whether for the civilian
and non-comhatant population or not,
were contraband Of war and would
not be permitted TO land at German
ports or at ports where they could be
into Germany. Great Britain
and her allies agreed that in every
case the neutral vessels seized would !
be taken before a prize court and the |
quality Of the cargo investigated and |
I'm case II was found the vessels did |
not carry contraband in the accepted |
sense OF the term the English govern
ment and the governments OF Russia |
and France would pay the value OF the |
II was the contention Of the |
British foreign office. supported by |
the foreign offices Of the allies, that |
as Germany, through the war zone
order, had attempted 20 prevent the
shipment OF foodstuffs TO England. |
France and Russia, they were justl
fled in making a similar order as re-
garded the shipment OF like material |
10 Germany.
Now comes Germany with q whine |
TO the state department Of the United |
States that the prohibition OF the ex-
port OF foodstuffs from this country
intended for the non-combatant and
civilian population Of Germany is a
violation Of international law. and as
serts that because this country has