THREATENED GERMAN BLOCKADE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2379, 8 February 1915, Page 5

THREATENED GERMAN BLOCKADE

NEUTRALS GREATLY ALARMED SEEKING TO DO IN FEROCITY WHAT SHE LACKS .. IN POWER By Telegraph.—Prees 'Association—Copyright (Reo February 7, 3 p.m.)' London, February 6. ' European neutrals are alarmed at the German blockade threat. The Danish Press declares that Germany has not furnished .proof of Britain's alleged order for misusing neutral flags. In any case that does not justify a menace to neutrals'.' , Tie leading Norwegian newspapers assert that Germany's avowed reason is merely a pretext. , Dutch shipping companies have called a conference to consider the position. The Copenhagen "National Tidende" says if the threat is carried out it will cause the utmost resentment in all neutral countries. The Rotterdam "Nieuwe Courante" says: "Germany's warning to noutral ships looks like a display, of temper, and gives the impression of anxiety born in feebleness which seeks to do in ferocity what it lacks in power."

GRAYEST DEVELOPMENT OF THE WAR. Washington) February 6. The German blockade announcement is officially regarded as the gravest development of the war up to the present. Neutrals are approaching the United States with the object of making a combined protest. > ■" A CONFESSION OF STRAIN AND FAILURE. (Rec. February 7, 3.30 p.m.) London, February 6. . "The Times" in a leader says the announcement of the German blockade is regarded in Britain as a mere outburst of temper and bravado. It is a confession of strain and failure rather than a token of confidence and determination. So far as it was intended to frighten American shippers and coerce Ajnerican opinion to subscribing to tho view that the Germans arc too terrible to be resisted, it has failed like all other German efforts to gauge the character of the American people.' SUBMARINES HAVE FAILED TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSION. "The Times" naval correspondent says the announcement will be generally received with derision. "These warnings addressed to neutrals and ourselves are also intended for home consumption, to put heart into tho German people. For three months Gorman submarines have wandered in the Channel, and along our coasts intent on the very business now foreshadowed, and failed to secure' a single transport or interfere in any way with ourselves and our allios. The announcement reallys amounts to a confession that the submarines have failed to accomplish their mission." GERMANY CANNOT HOPE TO BLOCKADE BRITAIN. London, February 5. The vice-chairman of the Cunard Line, at the meeting of shareholders, declared that Germany could not hope to blockade Britain unless sbo possessed a hundred times more submarines than she now possesses. Shipping circles view the threatened' blockade as a "paper blockade, mado in Germany." ANOTHER INSTANCE OF GERMAN BLASTER. Sydney, February 6.. Shipping circles regard the German threat to attack unarmed merchantmen with equanimity. Tile general opinion is that this is another instance of German bluster, and'that the British Navy is quito capable of protecting tho merchant service. This sort of thing was always expected, and the wonder is that wo have had so little of it. Passenger vessels are filling as usual. The general manager of tho Orient Lino thinks tho. Germans nro capable of any action after the attack on the hospital ship Asturias. Possibly the war rates will bo raised, but it is inconceivable, in view of the other' German threats, that the public is coing to be intimidated. Colonel Burns, of tho Burns, Philp Co., says:—"purely the greatest sea Power in the world is capable of undertaking everything necessary for the safety of vessels in the Channel. A threat of this kind is a desperate appeal to try and frighten people from followiing their usual business." OPINIONS IN SCANDINAVIA AND HOLLAND. ; London, February 5. The Scandinavian papers are devoting much space lo the subject, because it threatens the whole of their agricultural exports. Amsterdam declares that shipping circles in Holland believe that Germany s new measure will considerably damage Dutch ohippuig, with which ths> war uaa ■already played havoa.

THE BLOCKADE \frlLL BE INVALID '.UNLESS IT IS EFFECTIVE. London, February 5. Tho nowspapcrs rcgiu'd Gormonyjs "blockado" of ilio coasts as a farcical and fantastic attempt. Tho prospective retaliation by Groat Britain is preventing tho import of cornatufTs into Owm.iiiy, beoauso of tliat nation's Stiite conUolof com. Olio pnpor adds tluit tho blockado will bo invalid unless it is effective. THEATRICAL DISPLAY IN ANNOUNCING THE BLOCKADE . ADVERTISING IT IN BERLIN ON A GIGANTIC SCALE. ' London, February 5. _ Coponhagon announces tliat tho Pross was specially summoned by the Roiclistag and received tlio announcement of tho blockado officially. It was declared that Germany i>ossessos tho moans to make it offectivo, and it was further declared that these moans would bo employed with tho utmost vigour. Berlin is advertising the proposed exploit on a gigantic scale unsurpassed ttinco tho date was fixed for tlio German entry into. Paris last yoar. IF A SINGLE AMERICAN LIFE IS SACRIFICED MUST HELP TO CHAIN UP THE MAD DOG OF EUROPE, (Rec. February 7, 3.39 p.m.) | London, February 6. _ Tho Now York "Herald" says: "One thing is certain. If a single American lifo is sacrificed by these German pirates, the American, people mil exact the bitterest and fullest retribution." . , "Judging by this latest specimen of German barbarity, Mr. Roosevelt vras right in his view that the United States may yet bo called upon to join tha Allies to help chain up this mad dog of Europe." THE WILHELMINA'S SHIPMENT OF FOODSTUFFS. London, February 5. The "Times," in a/leader on the Wflhelmrna's shipment of foodstuffs, asks how, wjien the German Government has proclaimed a monopoly of foodstuffs, can oivilian foodstuffs be distinguished from'military? Are Germany's enemies to stand by while Bhe is supplying her armed forces from neutral ports?— ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) , GERMANY WILL NOT SEIZE OR MOLEST AMERICAN VESSELS ■> (Rec. February 7, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, February 6. Germany has informed the United States that she does not intend to seize or molest American vessels laden with foodstuffs for civilian populations in enemy countries, and hopes Britain will not make a reconsideration of this decision necessary by seizing the Wilhelmina. GERMANY WILL USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO STARVE ENG-' . LAND. Copenhagen, February 5. The ImperialChanoellor(Herr vonßethmann-Hollwegg) interviewed, said: "Gormany will use every opportunity to starve England in revenge for her starving Germany. The neutral nations have not protested, and must take thp oonsequences. We are not going to, die of famine." . ' . .