Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1916-01-31
|ENGL|SH BLOCKADE
OF GERMANY BLUFF

Berlin, via Wireless to Sayville
Jan. S1.--An effective allied blockade
against Germany is impossible. Ad'
miral Won Holtzendorff. chief OF the
German admiralty stan, declared to-
day In an exclusive statement to the
United Press.
England. he said, could under nc
circumstances stop commerce In the
Baltic between Sweden, Denmark and
Germany.
At the same time he pointed Out
that no British submarines had any
success In the Baltic. while the Rus
sian feet is frozen in in Russian har-
bors.
The only effect OF a declaration ol
blockade by the allies. he stated
would be upon neutral nations 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 that a blockade OF
Germany would be bluff. do not
misunderstood me-" he said. Ger
many looks earnestly but fearlessly
on any enemy plans which would
cause her women and children to
suffer. But because such q blockade
is impossible | say 1t is bluff.
"Ask any Swedish merchant, ask
the Swedes in Berlin, ask any one
knowing the Baltic situation. They
will all tell you that commerce be-
tween the two countries is absolutely
normal. For four weeks no English
submarine has had any success In
the Baltic, and we intend to make II
even more impossible that she shall
have.
England already hampers German
trade. II blockade were to be de-
clared now it would be contrary tc
international law, for 1t would moi
only be a blockade Of Germany but
also Of the neutral countries about
her.
"England's purpose Is to make
difficulties for our families, thinking
that this will affect the men in thu
trenches-and 1t will, for when th'
men learn that their families are be
ing made to suffer by the enemy op
posite them they will be more deter
mined and will fight harder.
"England's purpose in this war
as officials have repeatedly stated. 4
to cripple Germany and destroy he
commerce. After IS months OF war
she has not been successful and he
effective blockade will have absolute
ly no effect upon our military deter
mination for we long ago prepare,
for any emergency"
What effect would a more stric
blockade have upon Germany's mill
tary plans?" I asked.
Absolutely no military advantag
would be gained" he answered. "W
have all the things necessary for wa
for several years"
Then I asked him how long h
thought the war would last.
until we are victorious" was tn,
Immediate reply. "The allies hav'
said repeatedly that the war will con
tinue until Germany is defeated, un
til her business is forever ruined ant
her influence destroyed. The wa
will last until the allies learn tina
they can not accomplish their pur
poses. That may be long time"
"A year or two?" I suggested.
"A long time" he repeated.
Then the admiral talked Of thu
German and English navies.
1T was pointed out in the house
OF commons recently by a member
who spoke OF secret construction o.
Germany's navy that danger OF such
increase was presented to England,
he continued. "The increase Of oul
navy during the war, and that oI
England's has been about the same
But Germany's navy has never beer
changed disproportionally to Eng
lands. It Is our merchant marine
however, that England has feared
The fact that this feet is today MOI
destroyed, but Is ready at any mo-
ment that peace Is declared to resume
peaceful trading Is one thing that