Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-07

~ ward, the British government had as
sembled in Holland representatives of
the great sea powers In order I" con-
solidato the further work OF The ias uc
conference, especially in tho sense OF
Ks a Just arrangement between interested
belliEercnts and neutrals. These eff
forts aimed ut nothing less than the
mutual establishment of principles Of
right which even in war times should
embody tho principles Of freedom OF
the seas and tho safeguarding ~ the
interests of neutrals
''Ncutrals were not to enjoy these
benefits for long. Hardly had the
United Kingdom decided L. participat e
in the war when, almost at once. II be
gan to break down the barriers
which the principles of interna-
tTonal law had enacted. while the
central powers. in the very begin
ming OF the war had declared that they
would observe tho Declaration Of Lon
don which also bore the Signature OF
the British representative. Great Brit
ain threw overheard some of its inn
portant provisions In an ondeaNor TO
cut off the central powers from sup
plies from overseas. she enlarged. step
by step the list of coutrahand until
nothing was missing in the list OF
things which to-day men want fer
their Subsistence.
RLOCKADE PROCLAIMED
BI GREAT BRITAIN
Then Great Britain proclaimed what
she called a blockade of the coasts of
the North Sea- which form also an inn
portant commerce route for Austro-
HunGarians. III order to prevent goods
which were still missing in the list
~ con.raband from entering Germany
and In order TO prevent all sea traffic
by ncutrals 10 those coasts As we'll as
all exports through neutrals That
this blockade WAS in naSrant contra
diction 20 the customary principles Of
the right or blockade, as established by
internati onal agreements, was explicit
~ declared by tho President or the
United States OF America in words
which Will continue 10 live in the his
tory OF international law
by the Illegal prevention OF exports
from the central powers. Great Britain
aimed at paralyzing the countless fac
tories and works which tho industrial
and highly developed peoples OF Cen
trail Europe had created and. by fore
ing workmcn 10 he idle. IL incite them
TO rebellion.
when Austria -Hunsary's southern
ncighbor joined tho enemies Of tho cen
trail powers. his first act was to declare
as blcckadcd ALI coasts Of the enemy.
following the course the example of
his allies in ignoring all tho legal
rights, in tho creation Of which Italy
had taken an active PAR, short time
before. Austria Hungary did not
neglect to inform neutral powers at
once that the blockade WAS not legal
ron MORE THAN TWO YEARS
For more than two years the cen
trail powers hcsitated, only then. and
after Ions and careful consideration OF
pros and cons, did they begin 10 re-
turn like FOR like. and attacked the
enemy on the sea. AS The only ones
or tho bclligerents who had done every
thing In secure the existing treaties
which were 10 guarantee to neutya Is
the freedom OF thesseas. they felt With
NAMED hearts the law. Of the hour
which commanded them TO violate this
freedom. But they took this step TO
fulfll the paramount duty toward their
peoples and from the conviction that
lit would help the principle OF the free
dom OF the seas 10 he victorious. The
proclamations which they issued last
January are apparently directed only
against the rights OF neutrals. In
,ion of these rights. which their
enemies have necessarily violated and
which. IL they were victors they would
destroy forever. Thus the submarines
which are cruising around the English
coahl announce to peoples who need tho
sea-and what people does not want
coasts?-thR, the day is not far Oft
when the flags Of all states. in the
glory of their newly won freedom can
freely fly over the seas.
I'VE cherish the hope that this an
nouncement VIII find an echo every
where where neutral peoples live. and
that il Will especially bc understood by
the great people OF the United States.
whose moss ilius,rious representative
has during. II: wti defended with fam
ing words the freedom of the seas as
The highway OF all nations.
SAYS ALLIANCE HAS
RIGHT oN IIs SIDE
III tho people and government or
tho United States keen in mind that
the blockade proclaimed by Great Rri, J.
ain is not only mcnnt to wear down
the central powers 10y starvation but
aims at suhjcctinc tho seas TO her rule
in order TO establish in this manner
her tyranny over all nations, while,
on the other hand the blockade Of Eng
land and her allies only serves 10 max e
these powers incline towards peace
with honor and guarantee 10 all ma :
tons OF tho freedom Of sea traffic and
sea commerce. and thereby a secured
existence then tho question which oil
the two parties has tho right on i,s
side is already decided Though the
central powers HAY. no desire m tins
war 10 hog foi allies they ye, believe