Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1916-09-16
BRITISH FOOD-CARDS FOR
NEUTRALS.


way and Denmark. Such foodstuffs
as it may be pleased to let pass
through the lines drawn by its navy
they may use in relieving their press
ing needs. 1t will prescribe to suit
its own convenience the amount and
kind Of provisions the Dutch and all
Scandinavians may receive after de-
termining the exact rations neces-
sary for their sustenance Then it
will be their privilege to regulate
their diet according to a British
'food-card.
Since the war began there has been
no more contemptuous disregard of
the rights of neutrals than is shown
in this latest move by Great Britain
1t Is not at war with Holland or any
OF the Scandinavian countries, but it
treats them as provinces, subject
only to its decrees. They arc for
hidden to use the open seas for their
own lawful purposes, and they must
use them only on such terms and
occasions as the British Government
may decree. They may carry only
such goods in their own ships to
their own ports as Britain may con-
slider expedient to give passage
through lines Of warships
No greater abuse OF Great Brit
aims sea power is conceivable than
this openly defiant interference with
legitimate commerce between friend
ly nations. AS usual, the pretext is
that the Entente allies are striking
at Germany in cutting off supplies
that may reach it through neutral
channels But the immediate and
direct effect Of Great Britaln's naval
policy is that recognized rights of
noutrals are annulled.
(New York World.)
Well and good. But why doesn't
the World advice President Wilson
to step in and demand of Great Brit
ain and the other Entente Powers
that they keep hands off neutral
trade? All the other neutral nations
of the world would be glad to join
hands with President Wilson. Time
and again our President has charac-
terized the British blockade" Of the
Central Powers as ineffective, IL
legal and consequently indefensiblc."
The BLOCKADE" has kopt a great
many things out Of Germany and
Australia Hungary, but it has not
succeeded in bringing distress to
their peoples or any great inconven-
ience to their industries. On the
other hand, it has worked irrepar-
able harm to many lines Of Amer
lean exports to these countries. The
loss Of $4,000, 900 to American ex-
porters Of copper, nickel and lead in
the markets of Germany during the
year 1915 alone, may not be laid to
the blockade" directly, as these
commodities are generally conceded
to be contraband of war, subject to
seizure wherever found on the high
seas The same year saw the prac-
tical obliteration, however, of our
hides, skins and leather trade with
Germany, which amounted in 1913
to $18,000,000, as well as of tho
trade in lard, bacon, fats and greases,
which two years before was valued
at $27,000,000. These are but few
OF the items in which our exporters
have been compelled to suffer COM
plete temporary suspension of trade
and the possibility OF indefinite
future curtailment.
When the return OF peace lifts the
British blockade" and the Central
Powers are again free to trade where
and with whom they will, it will be
years before these markets are re-
gained by the American exporters
who previously possessed them. That
they will be rogained in part goes
without saying, but we shall have
Great Britain to thank for the loss
OF millions OF dollars which should
after the war flow to us from them.
There are three distinct factors
working in German industrial life.
as an outcome Of the blockade,
contributory to this condition: in
creased manufacture Of articles here
tofore largely imported from abroad;
importation from markets still ac-
cessible to Germany OF articles nor
mally purchased from this country;
and the introduction of substitutes
for articles which cannot be obtained
in sufficient quantities in Germany or
from outside.
The manner in which the first OF
them will affect our exports to Ger
many may be read in the following
statement by the American Consul
at Breslau, made in q recent report
on the trade and industries of his
I district: German sewing machines
and typewriters have been active
/ competitors against these American
machines with every advantage in
their favor on account Of the re-
stricted shipping facilities. Amer
| ican exporters will experience con-
siderable difficulties in restoring
! their normal trade after the war. :"
And as with sewing machines and
! typewriters, so with many other ar
ticles the importation Of which into
Germany has been made impossible
| nv fho "blockade " Germany is now
turning them out from her own fac
tories, and may be expected to con-
! tinue to do so after the war Is ended.
Other manufactures, and natural
products, commonly imported from
/ the United States, are increasingly
being secured from Germany's allies
in Central Europe or from the neu-
trail countries of the Continent. The
new markets thus established will
not be easily displaced. Germany
! cannot be expected to lightly throw
| over those who were her friends in
time of need to serve the commerce
I ~ oottnfYv which ctthuafffod affar