Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-01-29
NOT THAT KIND OF FREEDOM

rat Germany has from the beginning Of the war insisted
what she called the freedom of the seas. BY that term
,esmany meant that her ports should not be biockaaed
81 that her ships should be allowed to go and come
lively, unhampered by the presence of the British or
other navy. One of her first protests was against the
lied policy which deprived her Of access to the markets
the United, States for munitions, and which cut of her
aplies of food.
% A recent statement emanating from Germans says
set not less than 100000 German civilians died from
isvation or from malnutrition due directly to the Allied
It policy. AS there are no means available for an &C
ate checking up of deaths from this cause. this esti-
wife may or may not be approximately correct. But
u publication of the estimate just at this time, when
rot conditions Of peace are about to be fixed, may be
Stepted as a continuation of Gernany's former efforts
confluence opinion abroad in favor of the German con-
ssaultion that herlports should have been permitted to re-
erin free and open, and that her commerce on the seas
,uld have been unobstructed.
n The right of a belligerent to surround the territory
ATS enemy, and to cut off all the enemy's communica-
n with its %neighbors is so completely and unequivocaiiy
:ognized in the customs of all nations, and in the speci-
4 declarations of international law that only the most
afizen efrontery could induce a nation to maintain any
Sng to the contrary. But there are people who will
tintain, with a perfectly straight face, that the moon is
rade of green cheese, and there are others who will
lallOW that or any other statement if only it ts made
eth sufficient gravity and strong enough emphasis. So
we're are people who, in spite of all the plain facts to the
bntrary, have accepted Germany's contention that her
0eean commerce should not have been molested. 1t is to
8 hoped that there are no such people at the peace con-
Fence.
Compare the blockading Of German ports with Ger
,any's own acts. The blockade was essentially military.
- effect on civilians was incidentally Civilians were not
Hacked, and if the blockade caused suffering among
EN-, the German military authorities had their choice
two courses. They were at liberty to break the block
se by force of arms. if they could. Failing that, If the
S%inditions became intolerable, they could end those con-
lions by surrendering, just as. for instance, the military
Esthorities of Paris in. 1871 were at liberty to put an end
the starvation conditions due to the German invest
Eent by surrcndering. The German investment of Paris
i'd the Allied blockade Of German ports were of the same
Ass, and both were legitimate warfare.
E On the other hand, we have the sinking Of passenger
alps; the massacre of Belgians as their towns were
armed; air raids over undefended and non-military
ties; the bonbardment of seaside pleasure resorts such
Scarborough; the deportation Of civilians from occu.
Jed territory to en%slavement in German industrial cen
ars; these and scores of like outrages were committed
i,ainst civilians without the excuse of military necessity,
Aithout justification Of any kind, and for the sole pur-
gose Of terrifying. And the people who did these things
who permitted and approved them, have the i'm.
ndence to talk of freedom of the seas, or of freedom OF
~lything.