New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-05
What Germany Fears Most

on exports 10 the neutIdIS VI ->OA''Ni "
rome our government has shown true
leadership. We are willing to carry to
its logical conclusion the policy of lsolat-
ing Germany. We wish to persuade our
allies to quit the losing game Of dickering
with those countries as TO the extent 10
which they shall be allowed to supply
Cermanys war needs.
The United States has laid down the
principle that no exports shall be per
mitted to go into the northern neutral
countries which will release equivalent
supplies for shipment into Germany. II
these neutrals continue to sell food and
other materials to the Germans, they will
be compelled to use up their own resources
in doing so. Deprived of counter supplies
through importations, Denmark, Norway,
Sweden and Holland viii soon have to
Limit their sales to Germany in self-de-
ferIe
That is the American theory. With the
c66peration of all the other powers at
war with Germany it can easily be put
into practice, with strangling effect. Inc
Entente nations have a right to refuse to
sell goods TO the northern neutrals. They
also have the power to prevent other neu-
trails from selling goods to these four
countries. The shipping Of the world is
practically in the hands Of the Entente.
The countries which control the marine
coal supply control the use of steamers IN
the overseas trade. II is our government
idea to bring pressure on Latin America
10 withhold all supplies which, by entering
Denmark, Norway, Sweden or Holland,
might increase. directly or indirectly, Ger
nany's potential reserve stock.
Latin America has few ships now on the
seas. A refusal to furnish these ships with
bunker coal would soon end their salhngs
IN Northern European ports. But an ex-
IRENE step of that sort would probably be
unnecessary. since Germany has scarcely
- friend left in the whole Wester"l world,
and no neutral on this side Of the Atlantic
is likely to protest against regulation OF
overseas commerce which is manifestly IN
tended to hasten German defeat.
Great Britain has hitherto thought 1t
advisable to compromise with the north
ern neutrals She has herself drawn on
them for food supplies. She has had to use
Sweden, especially, as a way station for
intercourse with Russia. Accepting their
exports, the British have in turn been
Obliged to wink at similar trade with Ger
many. British policy has sought to regu-
late, by diplomatic agreements, the IN
flow from these neutral states into the
enemv's lines. Such regulation has failed.
Human nature has been too strong for IT..
Localized trade has been supplemented
by smuggling It was estimated recently
that enough food has been going into Ger
many from Holland to feed 100000 SOL
diers. Sweden, which is more pro-German
in sympathy than Holland is, has undoubt-
edly been an enormously valuable source
Of German war supplies.
The British government tolerated this
trade into Germany because 1t felt itself
dependent TO some extent on the northern
neutrals. Holland sent large quantities Of
dairy products into the English market.
Denmark did the same. Now the situation
has changed for the better far enough to
permit Great Britain to risk the stoppage
Of these and other imports in order to cut
Off the benefit which Germany has de-
rived. directly or indirectly, from the
continuance Of Allied and neutral trade
with her northern neighbors.
II will be taken as a sign Of increased
confidence in our ability TO provision all
cur European allies if Great Britain and
france consent TO the enforcement of a
rigid embargo on the states adjacent to
Germany, thus possibly surrendering a
part of their present food supply and re-
moving all restrictions in the commerce
of these states with the enemy. The old
furtive division, supposed to be main
tanned as a concession TO neutral appear
ances worked necessarily in favor Of the
bidder who needed the supplies more and
was camped in the very back yard OF the
seller. Though it may cost the good will
e the four countries concerned much
stricter embargo on trade with them and
an open avowal Of the purpose of TIE
Allies 10 isolate Germany TO the last de-
gree will do much more to win the war
than any policy of consideration for neu-
trail comfort could do which also involved
consideration for German comfort.
The northern neutrals are, of course,
in an unfortunate position. But we can
not allow Germany TO profit by anything
that is done for their benefit. Germany
nlunged the world into war. The crime
she committed was against all the nations
Of the world, neutral as well as belliger-