The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1915-03-19
Britain Announces Stop
ping of All Trade Be-
tween Enemy and Neu-
frals-WiH Pay For All
Goods Seized Unless
Confraband = Definite
Terms Announced.

London, March 15.-Great Britain
made known TO the world TODAY in =
formal proclamation signed in council
by the king and issued from Buckinr-
I nam palace, how she proposes to
cover the arteries Of sea commerce to
and from Germany during the war.
The term "blocckadc' is not used.
and no prohibited aera is defined
Nevertheless, the text Of the order
makes plain England'S purpose to
prevent commodities or any kind
from reaching or leaving Germany
during the war
British officials tonight frankly
called the movement . blockade. the
foreign Office describing it as an cf-
fectivc blockade, differing from the
effective blockades of history only in
that the property seized will not be
contiScated outright, a but sold, the
proceeds eventually going to the own
erS.
Hits Germany Only.
The last clause of the proclamation
contains the proposal most interest
ing to neutrals. This is flat agree
ment to lift the "blockade" in case
any nation will certify that the shins
flying its flag shall not carry goods
10 Germany or goods ORIGINATING
therein or goods belonging to ten
subjects of the German empire. 1t
is notable that the order declares no
intention to capture ships proceed
ing to and from the countries of
Germany's allies, Austria and Tur-
key, the reason being, no doubt that
the measure is avowedly a reprisal
against Gcrmany's submarine war
fare.
A Gordon of ships will he main
tanned to shut off the commerce of
German ports and regulate trade in
the war zone, although ships voy-
! aging, eastward Jacross the Atlantic
Will, at is expected, be seized before
they reach the North sea. ---"--
To Seize Cargo Alone.
When neutral vessel is held up,
IN ell cases except where there is a
false declaration of destination or
other attempt at subterfuge, the car
90 only will 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
'iaims and that instructions will be
! Given these men to act with the
| greatest dispatch consistent with the
oroner 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 infeXiblc
where the rights of neutrals are con-
cerned.
While the order is absolute in 50
for as ships to and from German
! ports are concerned, using the word
must in stipulating how goods
shall be discharged at English pore.
| the provisions concerning cargoes
destined for neutral ports set forth
that they "may be required to dis
charge" at British ports.
This language is typical Of the
general attitude of British officials
! toward neutral trade.
The text OF the order in council
| follows:
Blame on Germany.
Whereas, the German govern
ment has issued certain orders which
! in violation Of the uSagns oc war,
DurrOrt TO declare that the waters
surrounding the United Kingdom are
? military acra in which all British
and allied merchant vessels will be
destroyed irrespective Of the safcty
and the lives Of the passengers an,o
the crews, and in which neutral ship
| ping will be exposed to similar dan
ger in view of the uncertainties Of
naval warfare.
"And, whereas, in the memoran-
| dunn accompanying the said orders,
neutrals are warned against intrust-
| .&g crews, passengers or goods to
| british or allied ships.
| And, whereas, such attempts on
| the part of the enemy give to his
majesty an unquestionablc 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
n-combatant life and in strict OBJ
serVance of the dictates of humanity.
And, whereas, the allies of his
majesty are associated with him i'm
the steps now to be announced for ,
frustrating further the commerce of .
Germany. his majesty is therefore
pleased by and with the advice of his
privy council to order, and it is here
by ordered as follows:
To Stop Them All.
| Continued on last pape)