Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-01
BLOCKADE OF ALL
TEUTONS' PORTS
TO Be DECLARED
Entente Advises Neutrals Prepared
to Bar All Traffic to and
from Germany and It's
Allies.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT SOON
Assert Lives Of Passengers and
Crews Will Be Respected in
Any Steps Taken
NO ARTICLES ARE sPEcIFED


LONDON, Feb. 2S.-Great Brit
ain, France and their allies have ad-
vised neutral countries that they hdld
themselves at liberty to stop all ship
ping to and from Germany and the
countries Of its allies.(
Public announcement will he made
early next week, probably Monday.
The text OF the declaration will set
forth that this decision is necessary
because OF German submarine war
fare, but that Great Britain and
France will respect the lives of crews
and passengers In any steps that may
be taken.
Carsccs Affected.
The declaration will not affect car
goes shipped before the date Of this
advice TO neutrals. The exact date
carried by the declaration has not
been announced. but II is probably
February &c or 81.
No special articles OF commerce will be
mentioned in the British and French
declaration. Cotton and foodstuffs, for
example. will not be. specified, but tho
terms will be general The situation cre-
ated will be entirely justified, according
20 the English view. because OF Germany's
unprecedented action In attempting sub
marine blockade regardless OF doing in
Jury to the crews and passengers OF ships.
shipping In Baltic.
Shipping in the Baltic willNnot be at
fected, except as Great Britain and it's
allies prevent supplies from entering Nor
way, sweden and Denmark for re-exporta-
tlon to Germany Holland. by making Its
prohibited export list conform with the
British contraband list and by the crea.
ton of The Netherlands interseas trust
to which virtually all cargoes entering
Holland are now consigned. with the gov
ernment guarantee that they will not be
! exported TO Germany-has put It's ship
ping in a position which will be affected
little by the declaration.
/ II IL believed here that the Scandinavian
countries doubtless win take similar Hc-
tiOn 10 insure continuation OF supplies
I from America and elsewhdfe for home.
While Denmark. Sweden and Norway
! have repeatedly modified the lists of pro-
tlilbited exports. their regulations for the
! prevention OF re-exportation apparently
have been unsatisfactory to Great Britain
or the administration of the regulations
I has been unsatisfactory. as cargoes have
not moved to the Scandinavian countries
with the same freedom as to Holland.
Confirmation LaclSinE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. discrimination
was lacking here tonight Of a report from
London that neutral governments had
been notified by Great Britain and It's
allies that a general blockade OF German
ports would be declared next week Press
dispatches 20 that effect aroused wide in
terest IN official and diplomatic circles.
however. as to the probable course the
United states government would pursue
| Authorities on international law agree
that a beliiserent has the right TO block
ade an enemy's ports with competent
force" and that neutrals are bound to re-
spect that right. They divide such~block-
ades into two classes, simple or defact.
and public. The latter class Is defined
ms, one, where the inv estment IL not
actually established, bu. where also
public notification OF the fact Is made
TO neutral powers OF the government or
officers OF state. declaring the block
ade."
Considered binding,
Such notification, It Is added by the
same authorities. Is considered binding
not only upon a neutral state. but also
lupon its citizens. The result is 20 throw
| the burden OF proof upon the captured
vessels seized. while attempting 10 enter
blockaded port. The blockade is held
20 be In force until formal notification
OF its withdrawal has been received.
! srhe exact date OF the issuance OF the
blockade notification. IL Is held VIII be
of the utmost importance since a vessel
sailing for blockadsd port in ignorance
OF the fact that II has been blookaded
has been held not liable to condemna-
tIon. A treaty of 1894 between Great Brl-
tain and the United States made this
specific provision and proclamations is
sued In Washington, declaring blockades
during the civil war follow this theory
II has been the general international rule,
Ia is said. for neutral vessels In ports
10 be bloekaded TO be allowed at least
fifteen days after the blockade Ia an
nounced in which TO leave those ports
without cargo. After that time they are
subject to seizure