Arizona republican., 1915-02-08
The Submarine Blockade

The latest and what will undoubtedly become inc most perplexing international problem of the European war is presented in the German pro ,!amation of :, war zone in territorial wa,crs of the British Isles and France. amounting to the de- ,larsition 0 a submarine blockade, something un- heard of in warfare. There have been two kinds of blockadcs, the paper blockade and the effective blockade. It has been agreed neially that q blockade which the nation declaring it cannot en- force physically, is not bound to be observed by other nations, that is, that the mere declaration ur q state of blockade does not actually cause it exist.
 The surprisingly wide range of the German sup- marines which have been destroying British scls commerce the west coast of Ireland indi- cates that such a blockade has been declared can be maintaned that s that is is not a mete paper blockade but a fairly effective one
 This appearance is given it by the amazing ac- ton of the British liner Lusania flying the An'- crican flag in what the Germans have declared ,o he "a war zone and stealing into her home port Ike blockade This incident strengthens the German position and affords stronger reason why the Germans should prevent in any way they can the landing of vessels flying neutral flags, at British ports
 The Germans find this problem in the way: The
  refuse to recognize the blockade in the case of the usual effective blockade the warships of the nston declaring it could take possession of the merchant vessels disre sarding it. Sometimes they have found it advisable sink them, but ths crews ana passengers were always taken off
 But the German submarines could thus cue the crews and passengers. All that could be would be set them adrift in the small boats "f the doomed vessel. But that would be risky business for the Germans, for many of the mcr- chant vessels carry armament which would be effective against the frail submarine whose work must heztlne stealthily and without warning There can be no firing of shots across bows
 The German submarine activities would probabl, have been directed only against British vessels of commerce but for the action of the British in seiz ing :. neutral vessel laden with food plies of character which has been recognized con 1aband The German proclamation is reply to that
 The effect of submarine blockade would be damaging to the commerce of this country whcl, would lose the markets of France and Great Br tain until there could be rc;djment. in way. of the asserted British sovereignty the face of the aud asserted German crcignty below the surface. We cannot very well complain of ibe German proclamation until the complaints we have already made against the Br
 sh course which provoked Il. have been needed and the cause Of them removed
 Many strange and unexpected situations have come out of the war If the British had been told at the beginning that within few months. in spite of their undisputed control of the sea, the islands would be in q state of blockade or that their paiatial liners would be seeking pro lection under foreign flags, it would have impress
 .hn had toIIf fhaft thu. islands would soon be nestled alongside the ken continent of Atlantis.