Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-02-20
Rigors of Blockade Against
Neutrals Likely to BE
Increased.
GERMAN HAND SEEN
Fears American COMPETE
ton After War More
Than Teuton Trade.
(By JOHN l.. BALDERSTOND
Copyright 1916 by the Mcclure Newspnpe

Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
LONDON. Feb. 17.-Under the
threat of a stiff note from the United
States, demanding that the British
navy relax its strangle hold on trade
between the United States and neutral
countries bordering Germany, Eng
lish statesmen are lying low and say
ms liitle, excepting under their
breath. There can be no doubt that
no important concessions will he made
by Britain to America, even in view Of
the possibility of an American en-
barge, but every effort will be made
by soft words to prevent wrath rising
in the United States. The universal
belief here that If the attitude OF
Washington hardens it will be due to-
a bargain between the administration
and Count Bernstorff does not tend
to lessen the distinct bitterness which
has crept into the tone of men who
have hitherto expressed confidence
that previous American protests to
London were not intended to he taken
seriously.
Sydcnham's Views.
Lord Sydenham, who is not a mem
ber of the present government, but
whose writings on naval matters make
him "A sea power authority second only
to Admiral Mahan consented to cx-
press his views for publication, and
he is firmly of the opinion that not
only ought no concessions be made to
America, but that the rigors of the
blockade should be increased.
'In my view" he said "a more
convincing display Of sea power is
what is required, and would be cal
culatsd TO increase the respect of neu-
trails for us and to solve their doubts
as to which side is going to win the
war"
Lord Sydenham is inclined to blame
the government for slackness in per-
mitting American imports to reach
Norway Sweden. Denmark and Hol-
land. from which countries, he Gays,
they filter into Germany in spite OF
any guarantees which may be ex-
acted. THE course of the whole con-
traband problem" he declared. "is un-
dOubtedly the declaration of London,
| see the trail Of that disastrous doc
ument everywhere in the path the
government has been treading. The
foreign office, though not adhering to
1t strictly, has felt unable to get
around some portions of 1t, and we
have been spelling neutrals to such
an extent that it is now more diff
cult than ever to come to an ar.
rangement with them"
Lord Sydenham cited the fact that
thousands of tons of cocoa, which he
called the finest thing you can get
for fulfilling fatty requirements"
have been going into Germany. I'VE
should have made cotton contraband
in December, 1914" he said, "and IL
we had the war might now have been
over. Then 1t was only a few months
ago that we placed any restrictions on
linseed and vegetable oil. am not
sure whether the restrictions as to the
exports Of linseed are effective even
now. Nothing was done toward cut
ting off Germany's supply until the
order in council of March IL. last,
and then the prime minister said that
as far as possible everything was to be
prevented from entering or leaving
Germany. and that tho government
meant to set aside 'juridical nice
ties
What Does II Mean
when other people including my
self. have urged this policy we have
been accused Of championing piracy
and breaches Of international law
and wanting TO go back to the spe-
cious days of the old buccaneers. III
by juridical niceties' Mr.. Asquith
meant international law. the cham
pion pirate js the prime minister. But