Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1916-02-24

Charlotte Observer.

Sir Edward Gray recently made
a speech in Parliament that has
offered The London Observer
material for q five-column edi-
torial on the interesting subject
OF the British blockade and the
American contention against it.
The intent OF the speech was to
show that the blockade is not a
sham and a farce and that the
Foreign Office aud the Navy
"haye q grave problem we'll in
hand" The sum and substance
Of the Observers editorials that
England has found that q dou-
BILE blockade by land and is the
only effective way of conqereing
Germany. Even that would de-
pend on the Allies in the mean
time keeping their main front I'M
broken. All other means failing,
The Observer says that 1t h e
double blockade would cut off
German hopes as we'll as German
supplies. Sea power alone would
ensue a draw, but could no more
The added mastery of the Bal
kans in the East by the Allies
would ensure by its economics as
well as it's military effect the com
pleteness of victory. By the thor
ough employment OF all means
to solve the problem as a whole
the Allie would win the war this
year." The dependence OF Eng
land may explain her obstinate
adherence to the Orders fin Coun-
ell. The argument is made by the
Observer that in the ear of Amer
lean diplomacy the name OF COR
ders in Council" hasan evil sound.
But" it says, Eve know it to be
no arbitrary fiat, butan old con-
stitutional term as ordinary and
inoffansive In itself as the phrase
"Act OF Parliament" The Uni
ted States much prefers the tech
nical proclamation OF a block
ade, since that word is interna-
tiononal Ilaw. If that were all
there would be not the least OBJ
lection on our part. We would
consent with all the alacrity of a
quick change artist. But that is
by no means all. Sir Edward
Grey remarked: III you were to
concede all that was asked in the
last note OF the United STAGES
you might just as we'll give up
trying to prevent goods, even
contraband goods, going thro'
neutral countries to the enemy,
The Foreign Secretary, however,
does not understand that this,
or anything like this, is the set
tied claim of President Wilson's
Government.
Great Bntain'squandary seems
action that would please the u
nited States and at the same
time not offend the Allies-for
England rather smarts under
"the sole odium OF inhicting on
the neutrals the inconvenience
which this war makes snevitable
The Observer admits that t h e
Foreign Secretary has not salts
fed America, but it thinks Sin,
Edward Grey has made ample
excuse. 1t gives assurance that
to reach On agseement with the
United States 1--WE shall do every
thing possible short of a sacri.
fee OF our 5elligerent rights, as
would mean the economic paral-
ysis OF the sea power, the betray-
al of our Allies and a triumph
won over the British fleet by Ger.
many through Washington. "
The Observer advises England
that 1--WE conduct this part of the
discussion with scrupulous calm
ness and moderation, nor must
we ever forget that President
Wilson, whatever his view, is the,
head OF one of the greatett ma
tiOns and OF a kindred Power.
Those amongst us would be be.
yond pardon who attempted
hencefOrth to bring bitterness,