Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-01-18
SWEEPING BLOCKADE PLANNED.
Allies to Take Steps to Shut of Sup
plies From Germany.

entente allies to declare formal block
ade OF German ports, 1t was learned
last night, have been the subject OF
conferences between diplomatic repre-
sentatives Of the allies here, and in an
informal way between the diplomats
and officials of the state department
According to information here, the
program contemplates a virtual extinc-
tion of the blockade to the European
neutrals by rigid application of the
ultimate destination doctrine, and de-
lay in putting the plans into effect is
attributed entirely to reluctance on the
part OF France, and possibly Italy, to
accept the British view of the rights OF
belligerents in this respect.
The subject has been approached
here with great caution and, it is said,
with a thorough appreciation of the
probability on an outbreak of anti
British feeling in congress. An effort Is
bzeing made by diplomats to deter
mine the strength of American feeling,
generally, on this subject, and the
European chancellories are being kept
fully advised of the daily developments.
Feat Bitter Protests.
Application of the blockade to neu-
trails, for which the British contend the
United States established a precedent
in the civil war, is fully expected to re-
suit in supplementing the opposition Of
the United States by the very bitter
protests Of Holland, Denmark and
Sweden, and possibly Norway.
Except for this feature, there might
be little; AFFECTION to the substantiation
of a blockade for what are regarded
here Is wholly illegal orders In coun-
Gil. y Z, g..
At preset the allies are stopping all
commerce with the Teutonic powers,
acting by the orders or the council, and
EArs restricting indirect Commerce by
actual seizures thru agreements with
the neutral countries Of northern Eu-
rope to the embargo exports into Ger
many and Austria One Of the inter-
ested diplomatic representatives point
ed out today that, therefore, the pro-
mitigation Of a blockade really would not
very greatly change the existing condi-
tions sa far as the admission Of Amer
lean goods into the Teutonic countries
was concerned.
A substantial difference, however.
would be the claim of ,belligerent
which seized an American ship or
cargo, or the right to confiscate her If
she sought to run the blockade, in
stead of merely OBTAINING her and
paying for her cargo taken.
France Opposed to Wow.
France is said to object to the Brit
ish view of the right to blockade a
neutral port, realizing that in the fu-
ture France might thus Ee cut off from
tho yio1f tn }pov 10
United States thru the adjacent coun-
tries-Belgium, Spain or Italy. The
British contention, however, is that
such neutral ports as Rotterdam, in
Holland, and Malto, in Sweden, to all
intents and purposes are German ports
during the war, and only by closing
them to German commerce could the
allies plan Of starving out Germany
and Austria be made effective.
These views have finally prevailed
among the allies it is said, and, while
because of her geographical location, to
Great Britain will fall the task Of en-
forcing the blockade in the North sea,
as similar duty falls upon France
and Italy in the Mediterranean 1t Is
stated by the representatives here of
all the entente powers that they now
stand as unit In the assertion Of the
right to cut of completely the trade,
either directly or indirectly, with the
Teutonic powers. The blockade, even
If Immediately declared effective, will
not prevent the expectation to America
Of the goods Of German origin which
have been gathered at Rotterdam, but
were bought and paid for by American
importers prior to March 10. 1915.
Notice to this effect has been given to
the state departments trade advisers
by the British embassy.