Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-03
MAY YIELD TO DEMAND
FOR FORMAL BLOCKADE
Under Pressure to Adopt This
Course Both at Home and
From Abroad.
NORWAY IN A DEFIANT MOOD
Stands Out Against Either Eng
lands or Germany's Right to In
terfere With Non-Contra-
band Shipping.

LoN)ON, MARCH ,S.-1 TIC dL-
titude OF the neutral powers over
Great Britain's proposal to shut
off all sea traffic with Germany
forms the basis of most of the
political comment published today
in England.
The London papers, through
their Washington correspondents,
al have been told that the United
States will protest vigorously, and
protests are expected also from
Holland and the Scandinavian
countries
Not Likely to Yield.
Yet is It is not believed that Great
Britain will recede one whit from her
announced intention, but that If necessary
she will define her blockade measures
and seek to make them effective.
It is argued in London that Germany.
without domination Of the sea and car
rying on an attempted blockade by
means of submarines. is quite natural
1y willing to make concessions regard
Sng her marine war zone in return for
Great Britain's relaxing the pressure
designed to cut off her supplies. The
British view is that Germany has
everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Nevertheless, Great Britain is still
considering the American note, and
reply to this communication. together
with further pronouncement concern
ing details Of the blockade of the Ger
snan coast, may be Forthcoming.
Interest in Dacia Case.
There is much speculation in London
ss to whether the American steamer
Dacia will be treated by France in the
same manner as England had stated
she would handle the ship and cargo
II the Dacia reached an English port.
The English position was that the
cargo of cotton would be forwarded
directly to Rotterdam in another ship,
without cost to the owners. while the
Da cia, which was formerly a German
vessel. would go to a prize court
spoke only for England. not for the
allies, according to the present view
point, and France is in no way obli-
gated by the English position.
Formal Blockade Urged.
The Manchester Guardian. comment
ing on the British statement. expresses
the wish that Premier Asquith had
been more explicit with regard to neu-
trails, who. the Guardian points out,
have the right to trade with the
enemy iii other articles than contra
band except where there is blockade"
The Guardian continues: why then is
nj blockade proclaimed? Apparently lest
judicial nceties should strangle our eff
forts Obviously there is need of some
further explanation here, for the United
States. and perhaps other neutral states,
TOO. are likely, II past experience is any
guide, to be greatly attached to these
niceties So ts country, when it IL Q
neutral
Though Germany has lost her rights
At sea. neutral nations have not. and we
cannot understand why, when a formal
blockade would have left them with no
Tlght OF protest, we should present them
With q grievance by stopping short of a
else over neutral ships which are detained
the right OF pre-emption-that Is of buy-
ing their cargoes at their valuation? Here
again we are without information"
Recalls Civil War Days.
ring to Lancashire's suferinss owing
to the blockade in the American civil
war. despite which Lancashire's sym-
pathies remained true to the north
says:
I'VE do not think that the American
people will be less magnanimous than
the Lancashire operatives of other
days"
The News considers that good will
on both sides may be trusted to solve
the delicate problems likely to arise
between England and friendly neutral
countries.
With regard to the German reply to
the American note, the News says: 'It
is skillful attempt at once to placate
America and bring her into conflict
with England. but it can in no way di-
vert Great Britain's policy
Neutrals Worst Sufferers.
ROME, March 3-The press of Italy
is practically unanimou- in argui
that with Germany attempting tn
blockade England and Great Britain
retaliatins with reprisals intended to
cut off all supplies from GERMANY.
those who suffer most are the neutral
nations where conditions are becom
ing daily more serious. especially in
those whose economic life depenrs
chiefly on maritime commerce
The Rome Tribuna urges neutraIs m
unite and affirm their rights against
the excesses of belligerents' by main
tanning the validity of international
conventions.
Norway to Enter Protest.
0RISTIANIA. March 2. via London
lGgoA l-The Morgenbladt, discussing