The Washington times., 1915-08-03
H0ke Smith Discusses
The Right of Blockade
Georgia Senator Recalls Peterhof Case, Quotes Su-
preme Court Ruling and Protests Great Brit
aims Conduct of Supervision of Ship
ments to European Ports.

goods. I will not undertake to impress
the differenc. upon your readers further
than to call their attention to the iaci
that in one instance the goods would
run tho blockade. and violate the re-
strictions of the blockade OF enemy
ports; and In the other instance they
would not do so.
The Supreme Court Of the United
States In the Peterhof case recognized
fully the distinction. and any lawyer
who will examine that case carefully
Will easily see/it.
But, YOU say IL will examine the
figures prepared by the Department OF
Commerce. l will be saved from the
repetition of the error that Great
Britain is cutting off a market for about
5000. 600 bales Of cotton from the United
amined the figures of the Department OF
Commerce with more care and am more
fanlili> with them than any one who
has made a publication on the subject
How Much Reached Holland.
You give the very large shipment OK
cotton to Holland and Sweden for the
year 19li-l915 as compared to the ship
nents for the year l9l3-19l4. and you
draw the conclusion that Great Britain
Is not preventing cotton from reaching
Europe. Your figures consist of the
record D. the Department of Commerce
OF cotton sailing for Holland and Swe-
den. The Department Of Commerce does
not show what portion of this cotton
reached Holland and Sweden and what
! was diverted into British ports.
Since March /. Great Gritain has been
seizing ships destined to these ports.
md preventing the cotton from reach
ing them. Prior to that time ! have
no complaint about the conduct Of Great
were shipping cotton to Holland and to
Sweden. and this cotton was largely
distributed into Germany and Austria
for the consumption of those countries
l have never complained Of anything
| done bv Great Brita In with reference to
cotton prior to March l.
For Neutral Ports.
Since March !. and from now on. un'
| less our Government compels Great
Britain to recognize our neutral rights
Great Britain proposes to stop all these
| shipments. and to prevent cotton from
going through the neutral ports o.
northern Europe when she suspects 4
may from these ports go by rail into
Germany or Austria.
II we turn back TO 1884. we will SCI
that We shipped to Germany ant
Austria. Holland. Denmark, Norway ant
| Of cotton. These countries consumed
] during that year approximately 5000 90
! balee Of cotton Now Great Britain. be
| ginning with March /, declares that cot
ports of Holland. Denmark. Norway ant
! Sweden.
concede the blockade Of German
ports by Great Britain. and as cottoi
cannot 60 through them, It can only ge
into Austria, Germany, Holland. Den
mark, Norway, and Sweden through tn
ports Of Holland. Denmark. Norway ant
! Sweden.
Closed To Shippers.
These six countries would use durinl
the next twelve months 5000 900 bales o
cotton. These markets are closed Il
shippers because Great Britain is clos
ing to our commerce the neutral port
Of Holland. Denmark Norway ant
Sweden.
II is, therefore. clear that the cours
Great Britain is pursuing closes a mar
ket for this amount of cotton. We ar
legally entitled to ship 1t into thes
ports. and our Government should com
pei Great Britain to end the blockade
OF neutral ports. HOKE SMITH.
Atlanta, Ga, July %.