Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1915-01-11
NEUTRALS SHOULD FORM
TrNION

poses in the VOssische Zeitung. q
union of the neutral States for mu-
tual protection, as follows
Nothing seems to be more justif-
able in the present war than the in
dignation of those nations which bor
der on the North Sea and on the Bal
tic The closing of the North Sea.
which at the same time cut Off the
Baltic from the Atlantic, is a new ex-
position of England's arbitrary des-
potism. Article l 8 Of the London dec
laration of 1909 says:
" The blockading forces Of the
belligerents must not obstruct the
free access to neutral harbors and
coasts
THE London declaration, how
ever, as it is well known, has not
been ratified. But the conference
in London in the Winter of 190S-9,
which formed that declaration, was
not supposed to create a new law;
its purpose was only to establish
those maritime laws, which were
generally acknowledged The Eng
lish representatives not only had
the leadership in that conference,
they also have shown by their sig
nature that he resolutions were ac-
cording to their wishes. The later
contradiction of Mr. Gibson Bowles
was not directed against this Ar
ticle 1S, so that it is but fair to say
that before the war that article was
in perfect conformity with the Eng
lish legal point OF view
Nov, since the war broke out,
England has seen that little bless
ing can be derived from that de-
cree, and, therefore, she simply
acts as If it does not exist. The
nations are no longer surprised at
the English concept, which con
siders that to be international law
which corresponds with the interests
of the English. The article flatly
forbids the blockading of belliger-
ents to obstruct the access to neu-
tral harbors and coasts The fact
that the closing Of the North Sea
prevents any access to all Dutch,
Danish, Swedish and Norwegian
coasts and harbors cannot be de-
MED. But such blockade is for
bidden, both by q formal blockade
or in any other form
England had already done much
towards the obstruction of shipping
by planting mines between Dover
and Ostend. A formal closing did
not occur until in declaration OF
November 3. which recognizes open
ly that England has planted mines
in both entrances Of the North Sen
so that it is impossible to pass the
same without the guidance Of Eng
lish warships Even with this es-
cort all sorts of dangers are await
ing the neutral ships. And this is
only one Of the many cases where
England places herself above the
rules of international law.
1t would not be correct to say
that Turkey by tho closing of the
Dardanelles has acted just as violent
ly against the neutral States of Rou-
mania and Bulgaria, whose coasts
border the Black Sea. The Bos-
porus and the Dardanelles are so
narrow that they unquestionably are
within the jurisdiction of Turkey,
and that, therefore, this country
can do within this sphere what she
pleases. es.s.lss a D.4l5o.s
Holland and the three Scandi-
navian States, however, are not tho
only ones that have to suffer. All
neutrals, more or less, are hit by
Englands brutal acts; most of all
export trade to Sweden, Denmark,
Norway and Holland. There is per-
haps no American product which is
not exported by way of Rotterdam
or Amsterdam. Thus cotton, cop
per, oil wood, grain, tobacco and
meat may be mentioned The Uni
ted States succeeded in causing Eng
land to strike cotton from their con-
t., }. rt ,,rtoo
is now starting to complain about
other articles which England has as
sumed to consider c0ntraband OF
war.
1T would be interesting to know
what these Powers would say If Ger
many would proceed in such q man
ner. If Germany could commit acts
of violence upon the free seas and
make impossible their trade with
England France and Russial A per-
son Of limited judgement only will
point to the exploits of the Emden,
Karlsruhe and Gneisenau These
only acted in conformity with the
law that permits the capturing OF
private property at sea, a law which
England so strongly defended Our
warships do not capture any neu-
NldA ohiDo SACOpliHS NllOot lhit Cdi7
ry contraband OF war. But, so far
as we know, no neutral ship thus
far has been condemned by a prize
court England has no more right
than Germany, but she has more
power.
''Is it necessary that the neutral
States should suffer as they do? The
scandinavian States and Holland are
secondary States only, but North
America and Italy are great pow
ers. Spain and the smaller American
republics also can make their in
fluence felt We have seen how
quickly England gave way when the
United States protested concerning
cotton. If these neutrals would
unite and protest against the vio-
lation Of their rights England GER
tainly will come to terms"