The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-03-17
America Will Tell England
That She Cannot Establish
a Blockade on the
High Seas.
s-,E MUST BE DEFINITE
Until Coast Line is Designated and
Blockade 10 4 Real One, There
Will be No Recognition
From Uncle Sam.

WASHINGTON, March T.-That
Engiand's attempted justification OF
her German commerce embargo. will
meet with no response in administra-
tion circles, was plainly indicated to-
day The request that this country
look upon the latest order in council
as modified blockade and the claim
that it parallels the north's action in
the civil war, is to be ignored.
Persons enjoying the confidence OF
the administration, today insisted that
there is to be no change in the pro-
gram. Explicit and pointed protest
will be made against interference with
American overseas trade that is not
contraband of war. This nation will
relinquish no right it enjoys to force
payment of full damages for any
violation OF its recognized and treaty
rights.
Senators Hoke Smith ana Walsh,
after comforting with President Wilson
ana Secretary of Commerce Redfield.
today estimated that stoppage Of Ger
man imports to the United States, even
under existing conditions, will mean a
loss in customs duties alone of more
than 100000 daily. In addition, the
shutting off of cotton exports to Ger
many, direct and through Rotterdam,
will mean a reduction in consumption
estimated at not less than 10000 bales
weekly and the latter figure Is only a
minimum, according to Robert +.
Rose. the state Departments for
Leign trade advisor. The cotton trade
with Germany was just getting well
started when the British blockade was
announced
In the protest which the United
States will make to Great Britain, 1t
will be fatty stated that this govern.
ment does not recognize any bellig.
erent powers right to establish q
blockade against commerce on the
high seas. While it will be admitted
that development of submarine and
aerial navigation to its present point
has brought with it notifications OF
methods of warfare, it will be insisted
that definite coast line must be In
cluded and provisions made for estab.
lishment of what will be in fact IN
actual blockade, in order to check an
enemy's commerce And this is the
glaring omission from the British plan,
the United States will contend.
In preparing the protest, undue haste
will be avoided. Counsellor Robert
Lansing, of the state department, will
be assisted by experts on naval law,
because the present question Is en-
tirely a naval one. 1t is expected that
every possible argument raised in Eng
land will be met by this country so
that, If relief is not given, the ques-
ton can be renewed and demands
made for damages after the war is
over
ElteI viii Intern.
WASHINGTON, March 17-Though
convinced that Commander Thierich-
ems intends the German converted
cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich to be
interned at Newport News, naval ex-
perts here did not believe today that
he would say as much.
They we're of the opinion that It
would be suicidal for the Eitel to at
tempt to leave and that Thierichens
knew it, but did not think his admis-
sion of it would have a good moral
effect.
They guessed therefore, that he
would deliberately overstay the time
allowed him to make repairs, that nv
might be able to plead compulsion by
the United States authorities as his
reason for failing to go out to meet
the enemy.