Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-13
REAL BLOCKADE
OF GERMAN PORTS
Is BRITISH PLAN
Ready>to Put on Full Pres
sure of Great Sea
Power
DIRECTLY AFFECTS U. S.

LONDON Jan. 10.
Probably before the week is over there
will be developments of prime Importance
In the world war directly affecting the
United States, according TO information
from reliable sources.
First and foremost the policy of starv-
ing Germany economically and otherwise,
as recently enunciated by Walter Runci-
man. president OF the Board OF Trade,
will be carried to a further extent than
has hitherto been found possible. in view
of the necessity of reconoiiing IL with
the preservation of neutral interests. In
other words. the naval moose around
Germany's neck will be frightened to the
point of strangulatior
Since Mr.. Runclman made his speech
wherein he said Germany was already n
beaten nation commercially and econom-
tcally, there has been n hot dIsputs in
this country as to whether the blockade
against Germany was really effective
The Northcllffe papers have taken the
position that by the restrictive measures
so far enforced. Great Britain was
neither starving Germany nor even put
ting her to any real Inconvenience.
AT the very moment when our Min
listers are boasting that we are about to
win the war by economic pressure SAYS
the Evening News, there exists n notn-
bic leakage In the ring which our fleet
has drawn round the enemy country-a
ring which the navy could maintain whole
and effective II II were not for Foreign
Office interference. We may not be able
to starve Germany. but our efforts to
cripple her economically have already met
with considerable success, and the time
has come when they must be rcdoubled.
Our plain duty is to hit the enemy in
every way we can, and as hard as we can
until the final victory is won"
TO ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE.
The campaign for eliminating what the
Evening News calls Foreign Office In
reference has progressed to such n
point that preparations are already be-
ing made for the announcement of GER
tain steps 'hich will satisfy even those
who hold with Sir Edward Carson's view.
spoken In the House of Commons last
night, that THE Government has been
swnyed hitherto by minor considerations.
its duty is to use every means in its
power to win the war; nothing matters
but winning the war;"
The Foreign OFFICES policy of consider
alton for neutrals is to certain extent
regarded as one of these minor consid-
erations." Advocates of an out-and-out
blockade of Germany have always held
that the British navy was being ham,
pered in its work by the Foreign Office's
arrangements with other countries, and
startling figures have been published as
to the importation by Germany of goods
consigned to neighboring countries like
Holland. Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
The solution is the declaration of
naval blockade of Germany, hampered
by none of the judicial niceties which
Mr.. Asquith once believed would be
avoided by the policy laid down under
the order-in-council Almost at the
outset the best American opinion coun-
seled Great Britain to declare an out
and-out blo4.ade rather than have re-
course to policy of -in-council,
which has already provoked several
protests from Washington, and which,
according to cabed reports, Is about
to produce another of more formidable
effect, In view OF Germanys promised
renunciation OF the submarine blockade.
The declaration of real blockade
against the Teutonic Powers would COM
pei the British fleet to gain control of the
Baltic. for unless the ports of Germany
on that sea We're closed to commerce, the
legality of the declaration would be open
t attack.