Evening journal., 1916-01-31
BY CARL W. ACKERMAN
United Press Stan Correspondent


IMPOSSIBLE. Admiral Won Holtzendorf,
chief of the German Admiralty staff I
declared today in an exclusive state a
ment TO the United Press. II
England. he said, under no circum-
stances could stop commerce in the ,
Baltic between Sweden and Denmark !
and Germany. For weeks. he point
ed out, no British submarine has had
any success in the Baltic. The Rus
sion feet is frozen in Russian har
bOrs.
The only effect OF a declaration OF
blockade by the Allies. the Admiral
stated, would be upon neutrals. and
upon the women and children OF Ger
many. He hinted strongly that Ger
many is prepared for any action by
Great Britain
when say a new blockade Of
Germany would be bluff, don't mis-
understand me-" said Admiral Won
HoltzendOrff. Germany looks earn
estly. but fearlessly upon any enemy
plans TO cause her women and chill
dren TO suffer. But because such |
a blockade is impossible I say IL is
bluff.
ASK any Swedish merchant. ask
Swedes in Berlin, ask anyone knowing /
the Baltic situation. They viii all
tell you that commerce between the
/ two countries is absolutely normal. !
For four weeks no English submarine
has had any success in the Baltic. Wei
intend to make is more impossible.
Because an English blockade OF our
Baltic ports Is out OF question, attempt
at an effective blockade would be a.
blum England already hampers Ger
man trade II a blockade SHOULD be
declared now. Il would be contrary
TO international law. II would not
only be a blockade Of Germany, but
OF neutral countries about her.
"Englands purpose is to make diff
fculties for our families, thinking this
Twill affect the men in the trenches and
It will. for when the men learn that
their families are being made to suffer
by the enemy opposite them, they will
be more determined to hsht the
harder
"England's purpose in this war. as
her officials have repeadly stated Is
to cripple Germany and destroy her
commerce. After eighteen months Of
e war she has not been successful. Her
effective blockade will have ahso-
lutely no effect upon our mill dry de
b termination. We long ago prepared
for any emergency"
- The Admiral. is small. plump.
energetic man, with thick, white
i whiskers and a hearty handshake. He
greets you smiling. with a military
! bow. a firm grip. and word OF
] UMnnnnlN
l. that YOU forget you are in the pres
ence OF one Of the Kaiser's most
10 trusted official. For five months he
has held the important post OF chie
A. of the Admiralty staff He has watch
ed the official relations between th'
81 United States and Germany grow
friendlier. During his direction o
n the Admiralty staff submarine activl
tives have centered with great sue
- cess in the Mediterranean. the mos
We successful air raid ON London wa
~ planned, and the Baltic freed OF Ene
W lish submarines. The Admiral is
doer. not q talker as evidenced b
K the things he has accomplished an
by the fact that this is the first tim
Is' he ever talked for publication.
"What effect would stricter block
O2 ade have upon Germany's militar
plans?" he was asked.
10 absolutely no military advantag
would be gained" the Admiral ans
r wered. 1--WE have all the things ne
cessary for war for years
"a II was suggested that persons d
Allied countries believed that by stop
an ming all imports. Germany would b
forced TO sue for peace
90 I'VE have all we need to clothe ou
soldiers" said Admiral Won Holtzer
10. dorff. I'VE have everything neces
sarv for our campaigns. The stof
Ol ming OF one box or a thousand froI
entering Germany will not interfer
,t- one iota with our military plans.
will make food articles for non-con
,t- batants more scarce. But this. n
more than the Dardanelles expedition
al will bring an English victory. Net
trails and our people will bear II
IN burdens. but further enecuN
'iO blockade. reported being planne
would be contrary to internatoni
ist law. and l am sure neutrals would {
-, regard il"
IL When the admiral spoke Of Ge
~ many's abundant military supplies,
40 asked how long he thought the WI
~ would last.
10 Until we are victorious" came Il
,oo reply. "The Allies have said r
'-V peatedly, the war will continue uni
no Germany is defeated, her busine
'O' forever ruined and her information
ost influence dstroyed. The war will la
until the Allies learn they cannot a
,1s complish their purpose. That may
lOnt time
9Th "A year or two?" it was suggest'
"A long time" he repeated
1o Il was pointed out that in I
w. House Of Commons recently a me-
ne Der spoke about the secret destru
ton OF Germany's navy and spoke
ou, the danger such an increase preseI
ed TO England.
231 "The increase of our navy duri
the war, and that OF England's, h
al been about the same" said the A
miral, "but Germany's navy has nev
No. been changed disprOportionately
England's.
inc at is our merchant marine whi
England has feared. The fact th
OO3 this fleet today is undestroyed a
ready any moment that peace is
de- clared 10 resume peaceful trading
one thing which causes the Engli
S15 anxiety. England does not fear I
Germany navy. She fears Ameri
de and the growing American navy
What steps will Germany Ia
L against the new blockadeg' the