The Washington times., 1916-01-15
BOGUS BLOCKADE, AND REAL

NISdG DTlLdlH mas never pFO-
claimed blockade of the German
seaboard. 1t has attempted through
restrictive orders and their enforce
ment to prevent the introduction of
merchandise into Germany either
directly or through neutrals. The
policy has not been entirely sue
cessful; that is, it has been on a
false basis, and has produced anoma-
lous conditions. Because the sub
stance of a blockade was sought
without calling it by that name, it
has been doubtful whether blockade
precedents could be applied in de-
Tending the procedure.
From the beginning it has been
apparent that Great Britain and her
allies were moved by consideration
for the sensibilities Of neutrals, in
this effort to ameliorate the rigors of
their naval operations. This news
paper has repeatedly pointed out
that conditions, as affecting Ameri-
can trading privileges, would be
much worse if the London admiralty
would apply literally the rules laid
down by the United States in civil
war times.
There has been manifest indispOsi-
ton at London to go so far as the
United States then went. But this
mildness has not been appreciated
by anti British agitators, and it is
now proposed that the full rigors OF
American civil war procedure be
enforced against commerce destined
or suspected of being destined to
neutrals. If that be done, the block.
ade will be more effective, and at the
same time more easily defended as
against American criticism.
The Northcliffe newspapers are
prominent in demanding this change
of policy by the British government
What it means has been set forth il
this paper repeatedly. The Londor
Mail now presents the matter from
the British viewpoint, thus:
The British nation is now face to fao'
! with the fact that the sO-called block
ade of Germany is q shan. The evi
dence gathered by Basil Clarke and thu
admissions of Lord Lansdowne supple
ment each other. If the war ts to b.
won the blockade must be tightene'
! and made q reality. If the blockade Il
to be frightened there is only one way
put the admiralty in charge, let tn
sailors take the necessary action and le
business Of explaining the sailors bust
ness to neutral states in soothing an,
dignified terms.
From New York the warning reache
us that fresh protests against the pres
ent haIf-hearted blockade are expecte
from the United States If the allie
are wise they will lose no time in put
ting the blockade on an American basil
so that American legal rulings an
precedents may be cited in our behalf
The first step is for Great Britain
France, and Russia Jointly to declare
blockade of the entire German coast.
The editorial instances the allie
submarine activities in the Baltic a
removing the greatest difficulty i
the path of the blockade and say
that the extension of the list of cor
traband is a matter of extrem
urgency.
There is good American preceder
for this. In the case of the ConfeC
eracy the United States seized all col
ton, contendlng that II was as muc
munitions Of war as powder and bal
for it furnished the chief means of oil
tanning these indispensables Of wal
. fare. The more widely the contraban
list is drawn the better, as the Amer
can Supreme Court has allowed a carg
, when contraband to be seized on SUI
picion, even though on a neutral shi
= bound to neutral pert. BY takin
these steps we place the blockade stric
ly on q legal footing. and, acting o
/ the advice OF our best friends, II
United States, who for months hay
been asking in wonder why we do n,
! proclaim a blockade,
II there must be friction with mel
trals-and the sham blockade has gei
Grated this as much IL not more tbs
us make certain that the precedents al
I on our side, Then we can Dolut OI
that II is impossible for us to sacrifit
+ our vital legal rights for the sake
neutral powers.
We can remind critics that the Unit,
States in 1S6l-1865 did not relax III
, blockade Of the South because Lane
! shire was starving, and we did not az
r them to do Il. so the British natiC
. Is not going 10 let go. It's very exIsten
I II at stake. 1t Is going to insist on.
4 real blockade of Germany Snd w
make short work of its ministers
n they do not convert their sham bloc
:. ade into a real strangle hold.
2 Nothing could be more desirable
: this time than that amateurs in 4
il ternational law should inform ther
S selves about blockades and the
o operation; should learn accurate
e and in detail the part this nation h
n played in making the worlds law