, 1916-02-02

VI SAO PROOOAN0 " IN " NLOJ Al bAO
House of Commons and. of the Marquis of
Lansdowne in the House. Of Lords to-day
gave the impression that the British Gov
eminent is not likely to resort to an abso-
Lutte blockade of Germany. Mr.. Arthur
Shirley Benn, Unionist Member for Plymouth,
on introducing the motion for an effective
blockade urges the Government in coniunc-
ton with the Entente Allies to de-
clare that the entire over-ocean traffic
with Germany ehall be prevented by a
Blockade. He said he did not think Ameri-
ca would object, for the blockade would
be on the same principle as was the block
ade declared by Lincoln. Mr.. Benn contin-
uing said: Lines shonld be drawn, from
outside the Norwegian three miles limit
to Scotland, and across the English Chan
mel and the Straits Of Gibraltar, and every
thing going into Germany or coming should
be stopped there, even if we are accused
of violating the rights of %neutrals. We
ought to consider expedience aud put
such a blockade into force at once
if we are convinced that it will bring tie
waI to a speedier close. 1t would hearten
our people and would let the Empire aud
the world know that our rulers had the cour-
age to act in a way to which, | believe, we
have a legal and moral right. Sir Edward
Grey opened his speech by saying it was O
difficult and complicated subject which the
House had under consideration. He had gath
cred from the debate that there WAS a teal mis-
apprehension concerning the trade passing in
to Germany and regarding what this Govern
ment was doing to stop that trade. The fig
ures given in the Press had created a grotes-
que impression with regard to the amount of
leakage and would not bear Investigation. He
asserted that the attack founded on these fig
ures did great injustice to the Government,
for these figures did not take into considera-
ton the fact that in many cases exports from
the United States had merely made good
supplies which neutrals formerly drew from
Germany. These figures given for expos is
dealt only with goods which left the Unittd
States and gave no information concerning
their arrival. Sir Edward referred as an ex-
ample to the case of meat cargoes con-
signed 10 neutral countries and now
before English Prize Courts. Sir Ed
ward said that as a matter of fact
the Government was doing what the sup
porters of the blockade policy demanded.
We cannot do more than we are already do
ing, he said. Sir Edward Grey repudiated
the suggestion that the Foreign Office was
hampering the Navy, and he explained at
length the method of dealing with cargoes
brought into British ports. The contraband
committee, which includes two representa-
tives of the Admiralty, the speaker said,
had done its work admirably, and during the
last year, there were only three cases in which
ships were dealt with without consulting
that Committee. The task of the Foreign
Office is Il burdensome one. It has to do
its best to retain The goodwill of %neutrals
and secure that source of certain supplies
for ourselves and our Allies be not cut off.
At the same time it has to explain, Justify
and defend our interference with neutral
trade. If we are to establish a line of block
ade, we must do it consistently with the
right of n%eutrals, and we mus let through
bona tide vessels for neutral ports. That is
the intention OF the supporters of the
blockade resolution, aud that is what
is being actually done. We are una
BILE to do ~more=than attempt to stop all
goods entering or leaving Germany, and
that is being done. We ire applying
the doctrine of continuous voyage, Sir Ed
ward said. We quite agree that we want
common action with our Allies and that is
what we had with France when the Order
in Council was issued. We are going to
answer the last United States Note, but in
the first instance, in consultation with the
French Government. That consultation is
now taking place, and consultations with