Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-18

been enforced is a subject of specula-
that the recent heavy shipments to Den
mark. under the Danish agreement, had
a tremendous affect in lowering the price
of the German mark, and there are many
strong adherents, both in and out of
parliament. of the policy of letting Ger
many import anything, except actual
contraband. while keeping an iron clad
barrier against her exports.
But the British public mas been
taught to believe i'm the efficiency or
the German food blockade and the gov
eminent may not dare to open the gates,
except i'm the form of a sub-rosa agree
ment, like the very effective Danish
Agreement. Even British officials adj
nit that a declaration of actual blockade
would have strong backing in American
presidents which are now lacking for
the orders in council"
FRIGHT is ABSOLUTE"
The Pail Mall Gazette. discussing
American press reports regarding the
attitude which the United States may
adopt with regard to the blockade ques-
tion. says:
IF Count Won Bernstorff succeesd in
obtaining quid pro quo for the outward
recantation by Germany of her acts of
United States as one of Germany's mi
nor, indirect allies in her efforts to
rule the world, we may expect fresh
attacks upon our Interpretation of inter-
national law. If President Wilson
should elect to walk the rod so obligingly
constructed for him by Berlin It. is well
he should realize where il is going to
lead him. The British empire which is
shedding blood and not ink for the
vindication of neutral rights has reach
ed a stage in the conflict. where techni-
calities will not be allowed to restrain
the legitimate use of all it's weapons of
warfare.
Our right TO prevent supplies from
reaching the enemy is absolute and, If
the process assumes fresh DISCUSSES, it
is the business of international law to
strip them off and not to be fettered
by the wording of it's former rescripts.
No British government would dare to
relax its grip on Germany now, in defer
ence to interests and threats of out
siders who are chiefly interested in
what profit they can make out of the
worlds agony. The blockade in the fu-
ture must be tighter instead of looser,
and nothing will impart to it sterner
temper than any external Interference
FOREIGN OFFICE ATTACKED.
Much space is devoted in the Sunday
Times to the question of the blockade. A
member of parliament, Carlyon Bellairs,
in two column article accuses the for
eign office of being responsible for the
failure of the blockade by showing too
much consideration for neutrals. A Sun
day Times editorial says:
THE blockade of Germany can only
become an effective weapon when we
exert the power we already possess
i - Ill =.
receive more than a rational allowance
based on their actual national require
ments of previous years. If it be said
that by putting stringency into being
we hurt the feelings or interests of
neutral nations, our answer, apart from
the examples set by the belligerent ma
tions in the past, is that the lives Of
the men who are fighting for freedom in
four quarters of the globe. are more
to be studied than profits and commerce
of comfortable citizens of countries at
peace.
1.-THE future international law is going
to be largely a product of Armageddon
and the part played in that struggle by
the British navy. We who control the
actions of that power have at stake the
life of the empire and the freedom of
our allies and for our very existence
must use our sea dominion TO it's utmost
extent.
German propagandists are now work
ing in America attempting to infiame
public opinion against this country and
thereby avert threatened Tightening
of the blockade. We are confident that
President Wilson and his cabinet will
not be misled by these maneuvers, but
however that may be. the foreign office
will realize that it has the full author
lty of the British people behind il in
every step ii takes TO make the block
ade one which shall eventually grip the
vitals of German life"