Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-02-28

LONDON. February 27.-Great Brit
ain, France and their allies have ad
vised neutral countries that they hold
themselves at liberty to stop all ship
ping to and from Germany and the
countries of her allies.
Public announcement OF this action
will be made early next week. prob
ably Monday. The text Of the declara-
tion will set forth that this decision
is necessary because Of German sub
marine attacks. but that Great Britain
and France will respect the lives of
crews and passengers in any steps they
may take.
Not a Reply to q. 8.
The declaration is not a reply to the
American representations looking to a
cessation of German submarine activity
and the admission of food to Germany
for civilians. The declaration will not
affect cargoes shipped before the date
of this advice to neutrals. The exact
date carried by the declaration has not
been announced, but 1t Is proDaDiy Feb-
ruary 26 or 21.
No special articles Of commerce will
be mentioned in the British French
declaration. Cotton and foodstuffs. for
example. will not be specified. but the
terms will be general. The situation
created will be entirely justified, ac-
cording to the English view, because
Of Germany's unprecedented action In
attempting a submarine blockade, re-
gardless of danger to the crews and
passengers Of ships.
Shipping in Baltic.
Shipping in the Baltic will not be af-
fected except as Great Britain and her
allies prevent supplies from entering
Norway, Sweden and Denmark for re-
expectation to Germany. Holland. by
making it's prohibited export list con-
form with the British contra band list
and by the creation of the Netherlands
interseas trust--to which virtually all
cargoes entering Holland are consigned
with the government guarantee that
they will not be exported to Germany
has put its shipping In a position which
will be affected little by the declara-
ton.
scandinavians May Act.
It is believed here that the Scandi-
navian countries doubtless will take
similar action to insure continuation of
supplies from America and elsewhere for
home use
While Denmark, Sweden and Norway
have repeatedly modified, the lists of
prohibited exports. their regulations
for the prevention of re-exportation
apparently have been unsatisfactory to
Great Britain. or the administration of
| the regulations has been unsatisfac-
| tory. as cargoes have not moved to the
Scandinavian countries with the same
freedom as to Holland.
German Reply Not Ready.
| Germanys reply to the note concern
ling the problems which have grown out
of the establishment OF the naval war
zone around the British Isles by the
German government Is not yet ready
for delivery to Ambassador Gerard, dis
| matches from Berlin say. It had been
hoped that the reply would be trans
mitted to the amba ssador today. but 1t
was found that additional time was re-
departments before completing the
Anal draft. The note. however. will
soon be ready.
! Offer Deemed Impossible.
| The London Times, in an editorial to-
day. describes the proposition assumed
| TO be contained in the note from the
limited States. and based on a state
ment from Germany. that II Great Brit
ain would refrain from seizing food
stufYs consigned to Germany the latter
country would cease her submarine
| warfare on merchantmen. as an offer
which it is impossible for Great Britain
| TO accept because II would be an ad
mission that she had lost the command
OF her home waters and that her navy
i was helpless before the German sub
marines.
i Germany Would Exult.
Were we 80 lost to all sense of ma
tional dignity says the Times "the
Germans would justly exult at such
conclusive proof that we feared them
The British nation and government,
have the strongest respect for Ameri-
can interests and American feeling
They have done much to satisfy both
and whenever military considerations
permit will gladly do more. but they
cannot, will not submit to German
blackmaiI and they believe In this
Americans will feel they do WELL
The Morning Post. in an editorial
similar in tenor to that of the Times
ldeclines to believe that the Washing-
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