The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-25
british GRIP ON SEA
CALLED A NECESSITY
Head of Seamen's Union
Points to Diversity of Opin-
ion on Wilson'S Views.
PERIL TO BRITAIN IN WAR
Freedom Of Waters to Enemy
Who Has Freedom of Land a
Serious Menace, He Says.
Special Cable Despatch TO The sUS.


LONDON, Dec. IA. Havelock VIII
son. president Of the Seamen's Union
and originator of the plan to boycott
for seven years German shipping, de-
cleares that Great Britain's command
of the sea must be unchallenged. Com
menting on the approaching meeting
between President Wilson and Lloyd
George, the British Prime Minister, he
points out the diversity of opinion as
to the meaning of President Wilson's
phrase the freedom of the seas" and
asserts that in his experience there
has been no lack Of freedom on the
seas in time of peace. Dealing with
! various readings of the phrase he
says:
1T observe that some authorities
worthy Of respect take the President
to mean that there shall be freedom Of
the seas in time of war. I do not be-
| lieve that Is accurate: II 1t is then we
| should have to scrap our traditions
and forget history. We are a small
country. depending for sustenance on
open waterways. In time Of peace we
always have shared our freedom with
all the world.
Helps the World in Peace.
For centuries past Great Britain
has made the ocean safe. suppressed
piracy and welcomed vessels Of for
eign nations to her ports, but In war,
1t must be unhesitatingly said. her
command OF the sea must be exclusive
and unchallenged. for once we let our
enemies ship where they like and trade
with whom they choose we wantonly
hold at our own throat knife to COM
NIT national suicide.
III the President demands the free
! dom OF the seas during war it resolves
itself into this: Germany or any other
military power can do as she likes on
| land but Great Britain, which Is es-
sentially a naval power, depending
upon the sea, is to be poweriess to
hinder the activities OF her enemies
| We know how that would have worked
out in the war against German mill
| tarism.
III President Wilson means that in
time of war there should be no such
thing as contraband-for instance,
that in this war we ought to have al
| Ao"Co llculld al W NdiI loou anu
munitions to the Germans freely up
TO their utmost capacity-I differ with
the President.
How to Remove War Menace.
IF he means that neutral nations
should have been allowed to take in
their ships raw materials for the
Germany army and food 20 feed the
German troops and the German civil
liam population, then again am not
in accord with his views
II can easily grasp that as the
German idea Of the freedom OF the
seas but cannot believe it is Presi-
dent Wilson's meaning, or that It may
be assumed he is giving expression to
objections TO the time honored meth
DDS of sea warfare in the interest OF
the Republican doctrine.
ANY claim that the seas should
be free in time of war can be an
swered only in one way, by a dema nd
for the freedom OF the land. forbid
ding seizure of private property in
invaded territories. the infection OF in
IDENTITIES upon invaded cities and SC
forth. II the nations agree to that
the very essence Of war will be re-
moved"