The Washington herald., 1918-12-13
FREEDOM OF SEAS"
MONSTER BUGBEAR,
SAYS VISCOUNT GREY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

never had a rule like that We have
been more completely for the freedom
of the seas in times of peace than any
other nation, and however strong our
navy has been. we have never varied
in recent times on that point.
Il think we ought to receive a little
more recognition than we do receive
for the fact that we have never used
the British naval power in time of
peace to make use OF the seas more
easy for ourselves.
The freedom of the seas" said he,
is not a German phrase. 1t is an
American phrase. 1t was made in the
United States and the Germans
adopted it for their own purposes.
faerssers.ttSh Shas nesrer becenlg veg
popular. What we have to consider
is what the United States means by
the phrase freedom of the seas Un-
til President Wilson defines it. until
he comes to discuss it with our gov
ernment, there is no need to antici-
pate that there will be difficulty about
an agreement"
One of the strong points in the Wis
counts speech was that bearing upon
Americas attitude toward the block
ade of Germany in this war.
Helped Enforce blockade.
Since the United States entered
the war; he said. "the United States
has not only acquiesced in, but-as I
believe-has strongly ,co-operated in
carrying out the blockade of Ger
many.
In the early stages of the war it
was not so. Our blockade could not
have been nearly so complete because
the United States raised many uues-
tions about it.
But in the later years of the war
the blockade was made complete with
the cooperation of the United States,
and without that blockade Germany
might have won the war.
Now supposing you had this situa-
ton over again. Supposing you had
again to fight a war like this against
a Germany which had behaved in the
same way.
1t is impossible to suppose that the
United States should not take up tho
line that if you had to deal with Ger
many over again the blockade which
was essential of success should not be
allowed.
why, that would stultify every
thing that they have done in this
war. l think it is absolutely impos-
sible, 1 think it really an insult to
suggest that the United States woulo
in the future advocate any course in
a war such as is inconsistent with the
line they have taken in this war, and
that is one of complete blockade OF
offending nations.
Il believe there may be complete
agreement between the two coun-
tries only If a league of nations be
formed or if, when it is formed, it
fails to perform its obligations, then
of course, the peoples hands must
be free.
Il see no reason whatever why the
naval policies of the United States
and Great Britain should not only
not come into conflict. but should
be in close cooperation and con-
ciliation. This ought to be compare
lively easy provided the peoples are
perfectly frank on both sides and
do not let MISUNDERSTANDING grow
up as to what either means.
I'VE hear from the United States
that there is a great amount of talk
about the freedom of the seas. that
President Wilson ATTACKS a great
deal of Importance to it and that IL
is to be anticipated or feared that
it will create difficulties between
himslf and our government,
We'll, l think it is a great pitv
that so much has been said about
the freedom of the seas without it's
being discerned."