New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-17
King George In coun-
Gil Prepares New
Proclamation.
FOOD SUPPLIES
TO BE CUT OFF
Cotton Likely To Be the
Only Type of Cargo
Permitted.
IN DIFFERENCE TO U. S.
London Thinks Starving the
FatherIand a Better Way to
Win than by Killing.
rBy Csble 10 The Tribune

rBy Csbis 10 The TrbUnsl
London, Feb. 1s.-Developments serf-
ously affecting American interests are
hourly expected. England Is on the
eve Of delivering some decisive re-
tsliatory blow in response to Ger
many's methods Of warfare. With the
German feet out of reach and with no
German merchantmen TO capture, the
one thing left is the tightening OF the
naval moose on the German food sup
pies.
Tonight the King held Privy
Council, and it is expected that some
order will result which will make i
more impossible than ever for Ger
many to obtain supplies from outside.
The precise nature Of the contemplated
action is concealed. but it is currently
reported in usually well informed cir
cles that England is determining to
establish a virtual blockade on az
German commerce. This means de-
claring practically everything contra
band Of war, possibly even including
cotton.
The British government, however,
entertains a high regard for American
susceptibilities. and, unless II "
deemed positively essential, American
cotton traffic will not be interrupted.
IL is admitted to be quite likely that
the action of Great Britain will be
something new to international law,
but full and complete justification Is
found in Germany's violations OF all
laws, particularly in her proposed sub
marine campaign. England holds that
it is useless to try to observe the
ordinary rule. OF war against such
en- enemy.
Cotton May Be Excepted.
Should the new order prove as er-
tensive as has been rumored 1t would
mean that all articles Of commerce,
with the possible exception OF cotton
lin Difference to America) would be
treated just as absolute cOntrsband is
now treated, nothing being permitted
to 90 TO Germany direct, and nothing
which is suspected Of ultimately reach
ing Germany permitted to go TO the sd-
joining neutral countries.
Count Won Bernstorff's proposal that
Germany will drop her submarine plans
if England abandons her policy Of stop
ping food has not reached this govern.
ment nor even the American Embassy,
despite the report that Washington had
sent il on. II it comes IL is certain
that England will scorn IL, being un-
ready to make any bargains in the
matter.
Il is considered that Germany -is
merely cndeavoring 10 make huge
diplomatic muddlc of the whole situa'
ton. What has happened is that Am
bsssador Page to-day informed Sir I'd
ward Grey OF the American govern
ment's views on the Wilhelmina cargo.
The Ambassador also set forth Ger
many's point that the cargo in question
is intended for Germsny's civil popuis-
ton, and therefore cannot be seized
esnecially ss the famous Berlin decree
Communicating all food contained
certain saving clause concerning SHIP
ments after January 81.
To BE Argued in Prize Court
II is the general opinion here that all
these arguments should properly be
made before the prize court, and unless
the owners sell the cargo TO the Bel
gian Relief Commission or elsewhere
in England IL is morally certain that
the goods will go to q prize court.
Until Germany recently began 10
wall so loudly statesmen here didn'.
believe il possible effectively to stsrve
Germany. Now, however. IL is con
sidered feasible, and, angered by the
character of the threatened submarine
warfare, the British authorities are
ready to strike decisive blow. II
may be necessary TO make a departure
in recognized rules, which doubtless
will bring protests from neutrsls- but
in this life and death struggle Eng
land considers almost any means jufu-
fable.
The German charge that the action
OF Great Britain is causing women and
children 10 stsrve is considered ridicu-
lous and is merely q desperate appeal
TO the American people 10 arouse false
sympathy. Cutting of supplies is con
sidered most legitimate act OF war
fare, one that has always been prsc-
tjsed, and a policy which Germany
would quickly follow If she had the
power.
To subdue Germany by lack ot sup
plies, il is thought, would be far more
humane than attaining a victory
through mere killing. England hopes
20 avoid complications with neutrals.
but whether IL is possible 10 do 20
remains TO be seen.
tBy Cable 10 The Tribune
London, Feb. l7.-"The Daily Nevs'
in al editorial says:
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