Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-11-29
Leaders OF British Thought Re
veal Wide Divergence OF
Views And Ideas.
TO SETTLE IT'S RELATION
TO LEAGUE OF NATIONS
This Point Was ()nIy One Of
Wilson's S Famous Terms
Amended By Allies.
By Ed I. Keen


Copyright 1918 by the United Prcss.)
London, Nov. 29.-Definition Of tho
phrase freedom Of the seas,v is the
most important problem before tho
world today. In its relation to the
league of nations, it forms the basis
for the chief points to be settled by
the great forthcoming world peace con-
ference.
Responding to a request for their
opinion Of this all-important problem,
leaders Of British thought today re-
vea,ed wide divergence of views.
Great significance is attached to this
fact as result Of the action Of the
allies in amending presidcnt Wilson'S
famous fourteen points SO as to permit
them to enter the peace conference
without having been committed 10 any
definition Of the four words" free
dom Of the seas which seem destined
to become the most vital feature OF the
new international relationship.
Following are the answers to the re-
quest made by the United Press for
the British view of what the definition
should be:
BY Admiral Lord Bercsford:
The British fleet insured victory.
Without the British fleet the whole
world would be under the domination
Of Germany.
The German view Of freedom Of the
seas would parallel their view of free
dom on land. Before the war America
objected to some Of the principles Of
our blockade. Directly 1t entered the
war, it adopted the same methods and
helped US.
lhe league of nations is no counter
poise to command of the seas by tho
British fleet. The British empire will
ueyer consent to give up command OF
the seas, but would gladly welcome the
assistance Of English speaking nations
20 retain that command.
BY H. G. Wells;
Freedom Of the seas means guar
antee by the league Of nativ-s " s.-a-
sit without discrimination in freights
and fares over all seas and internation-
al land routes, free determinations and
cxtortions by particular nations or
combines of private ship owners and
transit companies.
BY Bernard Shaw:
Freedom of the seas means that IL
you seize contraband Of war you pay
for it and for all incidental daiaage;
also that all nations have information
ally guaranteed the right Of way over
all indispensable marine highways.
BY Lieutenant Colonel Repington:
(famous military critic:
! have not the slightest idea what
freedom of the seas means, nor have
! met anyone who can tell me.
BY A. II. Pollen distinguished ma
val critic);
Germany was, defeated largely be-
cause at the last she was effectively
besiegcd by sea. Had neutrals been
free to supply her, the war might havu
continued another year. Had all sup
plies, especially from America, been
stopped from the first, it would have
been over long ago. Noncom'atant
trading with Germany has cost Europe
and America millions Of lives and fifty
billion dollars. If this is freedom of
the seas, it has been costly luxury.
BY Archibald Hurd (naval critic Of
the Daily Telegraph):
In war, as recent events have shown,
effective freedom of the seas, as Of tho
world, demands maintenance of ancient
sea rights which have repeatedly prov
ed to be the salvation Of civilization.
Philip II Of Spain, Napoleon and the
kaiser were defeated and the American
union was saved thereby in the civil
war. Abolition of the blockade and Of
contraband would reduce the value Of
seapower rs per cent, because it would
enable great continental armies TO be
sustained almost indefinitely. The sea
controls the land and so.callcd frccdofl
Of the seas means military autocIacy by
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