Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-27

and Holland having sent
81 100000 bushels into Germany those
had not imported more than
their normal requirements and he en-
phasized that under any system,
whether there was blockade or not.
there must be some leakage. That
however. had been less than
might have been expected.
Methods Employed
Sir Edward warmly repudiated the sug-
gestion that the foreign Office was ham,
pering the navy and he explained at
length the method of dealing with car
goes brought into British ports. The
contraband committee. which includes
two representatives of the admiralty, the
speaker said had done its work admir-
ably and during the last year there were
only three cases in which ships were
dealt with without consulting that COM
mittee.
Sir Edward said it was time these at
tacks ceased for they must have dis
piriting effect on the navy because they
led the navy to suppose its work was
being undone by another department.
Continuing, Sir Edward said:
1.-The task of the foreign office is a
burdensome one. 1t has to do its best to
retain the good will of neutrals and Sc
cure 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 neu-
trail trade. If we are to establish a line
of blockade we must do it consistently
with the right Of neutrals and we must
Yet through bonafide vessels for neutral
ports.
THAT is the intention of the supporters
of the blockade resolution and that is
what is actually being done. We are
unable to do more than attempt to stop
all goods entering or leaving Germany
and that is being done.
Doctrine of Continuous Voyage
I'VE are applying the doctrine of con-
tinuous voyage Sir Edward Grey said.
.Wen agree that we want common az
ton with our allies and that is what We
had with France when the order-in-
council was issued.
I'VE are going to answer the last Unit
ed States note, but in the first instance in
with the French government.
That consultation is now taking place
and consultations with our allies who are
in the carrying out of our pol
icy may follow.
Message to Neutrals
with regard to neutrals the govern
ment is perfectly ready to examine any
other method of carrying out our declar-
ed policy of stopping enemy trade than
the one now adopted, which might be
more convenient and more agreeable in
practice, so long as it was effective.
II would say to neutrals that we
cannot abandon our rights of Interior
ence with enemy trade and cannot ex-
ercise that right without considerable
inconvenience TO their trade. They
must answer the main question: DO
they aduit our right to apply to the
full the principles applied by the
American government in the civil
War according to the order of condl-
lions and to do our best to prevent
trade of the enemy through neutrals?'
IF they answer Yes as they are
bound in fairness to do, then I would
say, let them do their best to make 1t
easy for us to distinguish
IF they answer that we are not en-
titled to prevent trade with the enc
my, and if the neutral countries take
that line, it would be departure, from
neutrality. l do not understand that
they win take that line. 1t is quite
true there were things in the last
American note which if conceded
would have rendered it impossible for
Great Britain to prevent goods, even
going wholesale to the
enemy, but I don't understand that
that is the attitude of the United
States or any other government
Sir Edward Grey in sketching terms
contrasted Germany's attitude in re-
gard to trade and the British attitude.
IF there ever was a trade in which we
and our allies could employ recognize
ed belligerent rights to their utmost
extent, it was this war. What would
have been said by neutrals if We had
done what Germany has done?"
The foreign secretary concluded by
saying:
I'VE shall see this thing through to
the end"