The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-03-20
ENGLAND DEGliRES BLOCKADE
ANNOUNCES THAT AID TRADE
BETWEEN GERMANY AND
NEUTRAL COUNTRIES
WILL BE STOPPED.
British Order. Signed by King. Shows
How She Expects to Prevent ships
from Entering Germon Ports--wnl
Pay for Goods Seized Unless Con-
tvAband.

made known TO the world today in
formal proclamation signed In council
by the king and issued from Bucking-
ham palace. how she proposes to
cover the arteries OF sea commerce TO
and from Germany during the war.
The term blockade" is not used
and no prohibited area Is defined
Nevertheless. the text OF the order
makes plain England's purpose to pre-.
vent commodities of any kind from
reaching or leaving Germany during
the war.
British officials tonight frankly
called the movement a blockade, the
foreign Office describing II us an ef-
festive blockade. differing from the
effective blockades OF history only In
that the property seized will not be
eonfiscated outright. but sold. the
proceeds eventually going TO the own
ers
The last clause of the proclamation
contains the proposal most interesting
60 neutrals. This Is a fiat agreement
TO nft the blockade" in case any ma
ton will certify that the ships flying
Its tax shall not carry goods TO Ger
many or goods originating therein or
goods belonging to the subjects Of the
German empire. II is notable that the
order declares no intention TO cap
ture ships proceeding TO and from the
countries OF Germanys allies, Aus
tffa and Turkey. the reason being, no
doubt. that the measure in avowediy
reprisal against Germany's subma-
rine warfare.
Gordon OF ships will be maintained
to shut OF the commerce OF German
ports and regulate trade in the war
zone. although ships voyaging east
ward across the Atlantic will, Il is
expected. be seized before they reach
the North sea.
When n neutral vessel is held up. in
all cases except where there Ia false
declaration OF destination or other at
tempt at subterfuse. the cargo only
viii be seized.
A copy OF the order In council was
handed to the American ambassador
tonight.
The foreign Office emphasizes the
fact that wide discretion is allowed
prize court officials handling neutral
claims and that instructions will be
given these men to act with the great
cot dispatch consistent with the prop
er performance OF their tasks.
The foreign Office has called atten-
tion from the first announcement of
the reprisals policy to the fact that
the regulations are not infiexib;e
where the rights OF neutrais are con-
cerned.
While the order In absolute in so for
as ships to and from German ports
are concerned. using tho word must"
In stipulating how goods shall be dis
charged at English ports. the provi-
sions concerning cargoes destined for
neutral ports set forth that they
may be required to discharge at
British ports.
This Language Is typical OF the
general attitude OF British officials to-
ward neutral trade.
The text OF the order In council
follows:
whereas. the German government
has issued certain orders which in
violation OF the usages OF war. pur-
port To declare the the waters sur
rounding the United Kingdom are
military area in which all British and
allied merchant vessels will be de-
stroyed irrespective OF the safety and
the lives OF the passengers and the
crews. and In which neutral shipping
Will be exposed to similar danger in
view OF the uncertainties Of naval
warfare.
And. whereas. I'm the memoran-
dunn accompanying tho said orders.
neutrals are warned against intrust-
ing crews. passengers or goods to
British or allied ships.
And. whereas. such attempts on
the part OF the enemy give To his
majesty an unqucstionable right OF
retaliation.
And. whereas. his majesty has
therefore decided to- adopt further
measures In order TO prevent COM
modities OF any kind from reaching
or leaving Germany. although such
measures will be enforced without
risk TO neutral ships or To- neutral or
non-combatant life and in strict OBJ
servance OF the dictates OF humanity.
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