New-York tribune., 1915-03-02
Britain and France An,
nOunce They May Stop
All German Trade.
COVERS ARTICLES
OF EVERY CLASS
Assurance Given, However, That
Neutral Lives and Ships Will
Not Be Harmed.
(From Tie Tribune Bureau J

Washington, March I.-Duplicate an
nouncements OF :hc proposed "long
range blockade" of Germany were de-
livered TO Secretary Of State Bryan TO-
dav by Ambassadors Jusserand ana
Spring-Rice, on behalf Of the trench
and British governments, respectively
They announce the blochaue only on
behalf of themselves as the two active
agents engaged in its enforcement,
hut il is understood that the JOINT &C
tion of Great Britain and France mas
been taken after interchanges with the
other powers allied against Germany
Austro-Hungary and Turkey, hotabiy
Russia. japan. Servia and Montenegro
The action is in retaliation for the Ger
man war zone declaration of febru-
ary 4, 1915. ,,,.
The announcement that the Allies
plan TO arrest ships carrying goods OF
presumed enemy destination, owner
ship or origin means that goods direct
ly consigned 10 Germany and goods OF
German origin will be seized. and that
goods of suspicious destination through
neutral territory will be subjected to
trial before 81 prize court TO determine
their neutral destination beyond per-
adventure.
As TO Contraband Goods.
The staemert that it is not intended
10 confiscate vessels or cargoe5 uhle's
they would otherwise be liable to con
demnatlon IS thought to convey inc IN
tention of the Franco-British combina-
ton not to declare contraband Such
goods. wares or merchandise as may
fall into the hands of their cruisers
which are not pat tly contra0and Oh
way or conditional contraband' maze
.-.h through proof that they are des-
uned Tor the aid and comfort OF lhe
armed forces Of the enemy.
The announcement Of the Brlush
ard French governments that they VIII
detain and restrain all commerce over
seas with the German Empire Is ac-
cepted by high officials ~ Washington
as tantamount to a BLOCKADE. IL was
pointed out by one international i""-
yer that modern conditions OF ~hIIare'
with the introduction Of the submarine
torpedo and the submarine contact
mine. with wireless telegraphy' 'he
aeroplane and the dirg'ble, had 50
changed the circumstances OF "arIal .
that the older interpretations oI
blockade" a. meaning systematic
patrol of any enemy coast with a view
10 arrestng inbound cargo carry 'ng
ships within a few miles OF thelr
destinations, were impossible OF en-
forccment.
Modern invention and the infinitely
higher speed Of all war and mercnah'
craft have broadoned tho areas o. N
ffs1.
+ention Of ships in the hlPn seas ana
their forced escort to parts Of me Allies
will be the modern system Of blockade.
should protest against the policy OF
Great Britain and France be registered
bv any of the neutral powers, .nclud-
INC the United States, the answer OF
the Allies. II is believed, viii be found
in modified setting forth OF the
changed conditions of warfare. Great
Britain and France are expected 70
hold that their system OF blockade IS
entirely tenable in view OF the action
of Germany in attempting TO enforce
the war zone decree
No Comment by Bryan.
Secretary Of State Bryan said that
for the present at least there would be
40 official comment on the notes by the
The direct effect Of the general
blockade of German ports will cut of
utterly the commerce Of the United
states with both Germany ard Austria.
American shipments Of cotton alone
destined for Germany have been about
50. 600 900 q month. Austria also has
been expressing d crying neel for cot
ton. FOodstufs expectations for Ger
many had begun TO increase with rapid
strides lust at the time the German
expropriation decree induced Great
Britain 70 halt food carrying ships.
The direct loss to the United States
is not to be measured for the present,
as calculations Of American CONNER