Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-12-13
Believes Wilson Wants F
Seas in Peace Time v
Right to Use Blockade
Case of War

Gay, Dec. ia league OF ndClOn
the solution of the question Of #
dom Of the seas" and Great Bril-
and the United States can reac.
complete agreement on that ques
by joining such a league, deck
Viscount Grey, former foreign
rotary, in a speech here tonight.
The seas, the viscount said,
free in times of peace, and q
Britain has placed no restrict
upon them. During the war
American navy had aided the Bri
navy in maintaining the blocl
and Lord Grey thought that
United States would use the 81
weapon if the necessity for 1t a
in the future. without the BID
ade, he added, Germany might Il
won.
The term freedom OF the SCI
he continued, was American in or
and had been adopted by the q
mans for their own purposes.
believed President Wilson md
freedom Of the seas to all who jof
a league of nations. but the pm
needed clearer definition.
Speaking Of the freedom Of
seas. Viscount Grey said:
"This IS matter which, Il /
feared, may create difficulties
tween President Wilson and
British government" he said.
think it IS great pity that 50 M
has been said about the freedon
the seas without being defined
is true there is considerable prs
dice against the phrase, largely
to the fact that 1t is believed
be a German phrase. It is not q
man, but American. 1t was mad{
the United States and the GermI
adopted and used It for their
purposes in a sense to which we 4
never agreed. Hence. its unpopuI.
ty. But until President Wilson
fines 1t and comes to discuss It n
our government, there is no need
anticipate difficulty about an agI
ment as to what it means.
In Peace, Yes; In War, NO
Freedom OF the seas in timed
peace? If so, we agree. II the al
ton is one Of the freedom of
seas in times OF war. then I wd
say this: The United States, as
all most gratefully recognize.
taken part in the last two yeard
the war. without the United Sta|
we could not have had the sued
the allies have now won. But 81
the United States entered the 4
she has not only acquiesced,
l believe most strongly co-opersl
in carrying out the blockade of q
many. In the early stages of
war the blockade was not NED
so complete. because the Uni
States raised many questions al
1t, but in the later years OF the a
fiict the blockade was made conpI
with the cooperation Of the Uni
States. Without that blockade.
cess could not have been won.
deed, without the blockade Germi
might have won.
Suppose this situation should
list again. and it is impossible
suppose that the United Std
would say that the blockade wii
was so essential for success shd
not be allowed" he continued. ID
would stultify everything AInef
did in this war. II would reallyI
an insult to the United States to q
gest that she would in future ad
cate any course in a war such as
inconsistent with what she did
this war and that was the comp1
blockade Of an offending nation.|
this be so, we come to this, 4
probably what >is in President n
sons mind is that freedom Of
seas should be secured to any na<
observing the covenants of a leaI
Of nations and should be denied
any nation breaking those covenaj
If that IS so, then a league of
tions is the solution to the wi
question and cannot be discus
apart from It.
Agreement Probable
"On these ground I believe til
may be complete agreement betwi
the two countries only IL leaI
Of nations is formed. 1 do not
why this country should not acd
the formula that If a league OF
tions is formed there is to be Il
plete freedom Of the seass so 4
as the covenants Of the league
observed, but If the covenants
broken then there is to be no q
dom Of the seas and every means
to be used against the power WI
has broken them"
Speaking on relations after
war between Great Britain and
United States, W. count Grey sal
IF there is competition in nd
shipbuilding between Great Bril-
and America. it Will be fatal to 4
rela tons. What is desirable in
naval policy is not domination or
premacy, but security. I do not
Iieve a conflict between America
Great Britain possible. We N
not be jealous of any shipbuild
on the part of the United States
FRANCE AGREES WITH
PRESIDENT wills
JARS, Dec. 12.-France is in
tire agreement with President
sons principles, a high French
fetal declared in an interview to-
He added, however, that the AM
can executives interpretation of
fourteen points will make their aII
cation easier.
1--WE are eagerly awaiting theI
rival Of President Wilson" the
fetal said.
"I desire to reiterate to the Sd
lean people that, despite all re;
rumors, France entirely agrees 4
President Wilson's principles.
"Clemenceau's democracy Is
sons; Americas ideals are thosI