Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-20
Opinion Sought at Wash
ington in Framing the
Blockade Protest.
SUBMARINE ACCEPTED
Desire TO Avoid Attitude Which
Might Later Handicap the
American Fleet.

Walhiustna. u g.. March z1-NlTc
fr~ tGted state government does
not EaUw ume.EiiE whether Great
Britain and her allies Intend Co.. main.
tain ieral blockade OF propose f1 ap-
piV general rules of cnutra1art aud
uor.c1ufra band il Tuf1rclrz tac.r em-
bare1 or commercial iufsFclur.c boz
fareu Germany end neutral countries.
American oIrrra ana ofic.ais Errsri
IH international laU expires ei flr
1G.s.gr today that the indefinite limit
prHFeriurd. ~Eururcau water. iEcigt-
irr che Medterraueau. might be- con-
sIrl~d aE issai area of operations
for a b.orsudirs rTrf
fr tr~ formulation OF tH@ policy Of
tho United States relative t1 fhr treat
reut cf neutral saippius by che allied
fleets. naval officers OF tiEh rank have
cor Ffausfe been consulted. En fhat in
zone or che diplomatic cTmuur.el-
tors sent abroad misEt rlTTr Hr any
thluE sn.d vhIch could ermp-omiEe
the acuvities OF che American fleet
itself iu possible future wars
Rear Admiral FIsEr. aid frr opcr-
atious in th" navy department con-
fr~a with Counselor Robert t-luEinE
az the state lcrartmeut daily and on
thc neutrality board uf three. which
sets iu an advisory capacity 60 the
counsellor. thsrs are Two naval on
Captains oliver and Knapp. au-.
th0Titi@a in maritime Law.
STUDY ;he New Phases
Much consideration hal been rivcn
by tf~ conferences Co the ucuiy de-
veiored activity o. submarine nj
ls frankly admitted by thr naval OIL
crra chat thr ola form 90 blockade hy
Harsh.pa close 90 an enemy coast
passed elth ff~ Investment of san
tiaro iu the srau.al-Americsn war.
tceorIiueiy. Orc the meFEaFe OF lu-
1ulry tn Great Britain and France.
asking Tor an explanation 0f iheir re-
cent declaration OF an embargo. the
United States conceded that the ac-
tivity OF submarines might make ply
sicafly Impossible q close blockade %
an enemy coast and suggested that 90
the declaration OF the allies were 90
D. construed az legal blockade some
radius % activity bc announced.
Tn. United States naval war college
point out tha, while orig
luaily. under American doctrine. the
area of blockade was not limited. the
definition "nf the area Cf operations
of a blockade. even if 90 such a man
usr a. 90 include a large range of
hiEh sea. s. regarded as a legitimate
act % war and the bciliEercut right s.
respected: the principle which T. rec
oEufrcd e. that the bciiiecrcnt has tho .
right 20 pat pressure upon his oppon-
ouf without interference BY neutrais. I
and while Il is undoubtedly an incou- I
vcnioncc and may be a loss % neutral
commerce 90 be excluded from the F.
blockndcd area. a. e. a recognized con- /
sequence % war
Where Order Seems Weak.
The declaration OF London and all !
previous cxpositions Of international 4
law specifically ruled. however. that 4
'the biocsadins forces must not bar 4
access 20 the ports % neutrais." and I
Il is on this point which the British /
u intended 20 be n .
OF blockade. would be. In /
the view % officials here. a violation
81 previous rules. For that reason /
further development Of the British pol