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

Great Britain has never pro-
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 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 tc
neutrals. If that be done, the block
ade will be more effective, and at the
same time more easily defended a.
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 fac'
with the fact that the sO-cailed block
ade of Germany is q sham. The evi
l.n of hr p
admissions of Lord Lansdowne supple
uent each other. If the war is to b.
won the blockade must he tightene'
and made a reality. If the blockade i
put the admiralty in charge, let tn
sailors take the necessary action and le
the foreign office stick to its propa
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 half-hearted blockade are expcctc
from the United States. If the allie
are wise they will lose no time in put
ting the blockade on an American basl
so that American legal rulings an
preCcdcnts 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 j.
the path of the blockade and say
that the extension of the list of con
traband is a matter of extrem
= urgency.
There is good American preceder
. for this. In the case of the Confed
I hp | oil
ton, Contending that 1t was as muc
munitions Of war as powder and bal
for it furnished the chief means OF oil
tanning these indispensabes Of wal
, fare. The more widely the contraban
list is drawn the better. as the Amer
can Supreme Court has allowed a CaTs
, when contraband to be seized on sus
picion. even though on neutral shi
= bound to a neutral port. by takin
-, these steps we place the blockade stric
ly on legal footing. and acting u
/ tn" advice of our best friends. ii
United States, who for months hay
a been asking in wonder why We do n,
| proclaim a blockade.
If ther" must be friction with ner
trals-and the sham blockade has ger
= Grated this as much II not mola tha
the real article would have doe /,
} us make certain that the precedent al
! ON our side. Then we can point nr
: that il is impossible for us to sacrifit
! "ur vital legal rights for the sake
n neutral powers.
We can remind critics that the Unite
States in 1S6I-lS65 did not relax Il
blockade of the South because L.anci
u shire was starving, and we did not a.
+ them to do Il, SO the British matte
a.. Is not going to let go. Its very existcnI
l IL 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 real strangIc hold.
q Nothing could be more desirable
this time than that amateurs in il
il ternational law should inform then
S selves about blockades and the
o operation; should learn accurate
e and in detail the part this nation h;
Il pIaYed in making the worlds law {