EVE OF THE THREATENED BLOCKADE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2388, 18 February 1915, Page 5

EVE OF THE THREATENED BLOCKADE

A DELUGE OF PROTESTS MR. CHURCHILL'S VIEW OF THE MATTER The Hague, February 16. 'A Note has been presented to Germany, protesting against the declaration of a war zone, and pointing out that neutrals' vessels are entitled to examination before hostile action is taken. _ : Holland has also notified Britain of the objection to the use of neutral Qags. Stockholm, February 16. The newspapers hare announced that the Scandinavian Governments have received a secret Note from Germany, notifying that neutrals' signs painted on the sides of ships will not save the vessels. _ ' The Note further warns neutrals that mine-laying will be greatly increased after February 18. Rotterdam, February 16. The German Consul, in a warning memorandum to the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, adds: English merchantmen have been armed with guns and have been instructed to ram submarines and drop bombs on them if they como alongside, and slay the German searching parties.

MR. CHURCHILL WARNS THE PUBLIC OF LOSSES GOVERNMENT WILL COVER MARINE RISKS. London,, February 16. During the course of his statement in the House of Commons on the naval situation, Mr. Winston Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty) said that Britain was now to he tho objdct of a kind of warfare never practised in civilised States. Submarines were to sink merchantmen at sight; without search or parley; but it must not be supposed becauso the attack was extraordinary that a good defence cannot be made. He warned tho public that losses would be incurred, but there would be no vital injury if traders acted in tho spirit of the gallant captain of the Laertes. All losses could be covered by Government insurance. Germany could not be allowed to adopt a system of open piracy and murder while slio was protected by the bulwarks of international instruments, which she utterly repudiated and defied, and we, much to our detriment,. respected. Tile House chuckled when Mr. Churchill recalled that tho laws of ancient Rome did not provide for the criino of parricide, but tho Judges wore equal to the emergency. Some members were puzzled, and Mr. Asquith turned to Mr. Hobhouse and explained that the Judges sowed up tho parricide in a sack with a dog, a viper, and a cock, and pitched him into tho Tiber. Sir. Churchill added that tho great strain of distant convoy work in tho early months of tho war had now diminished, including the great convoys of sixty Australian ships, forty_ Canadian, and a regular floV of Indian convoys of forty or fifty vessels. "British sea power incrcasinglv dominates the general situation, in default of other favourable causes, this would alone dccidc tliu k issUß of the war, *

COUNT BERNSTORFF'S HINT TO MR. BRYAN., London, .February 16. Count von Bernstorff (German Ambassador at Washington) conversing with Mr. W. J. Bryan (Secretary of State), hinted that Germany's blockado might be relaxed if Germany is assured of a continuous food supply. He informed Mr. Bryan that it would be to the interests of neutral commorco to urge Britain to accept the assurance that Germany's commandeering decree docs not a.pply. to imported foodstuffs.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. BRITISH SHIPOWNERS CALMLY AWAIT TO-DAY SAILINGS OF VESSELS NOT 'ALTERED. London, February 16. Tlie German threat has not caused alarm to British shipowners, who await Thursday with philosophic calm. The sailings of vessels have not been altered. The shipowners regard the threat as an act of desperation, and do not consider it a serious menace. Legitimate moans having failed to cripple British sea trade, it is unthinkable that methods fouler than those of pirates would succeed. Shipowners are prepared for a certain number of losses, but do not believe that the submarines will be permitted a long career of murder. Remembering the manner in which German vessels were cleared off the outer seas, it is confidently expected that a campaign of smaller scope will result in speedy success. It is understood'that the number of large German submarines* suitable for operations at a distance from their base is limited by the existence of oil-supply ships.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. THE WILHELMINA'S CARGO. , . , Washington, February 16. The State Department has informed Great Britain that the Wilhelmina's owners have satisfied the Department that her cargo tvas not intended for combatants. The Department suggests her release, unless Britain has grounds hitherto not advanced for acting otherwise. CONTRABAND STEAMER CAUGHT IN THE ACT. „. , , . , London. February 16. A neutral vessel was stopped in the North Sea. The papers showed that she was cotton-laden. The naval officer's suspicions were aroused by her heavy draught, and a search revealed 800 tons of copper. PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION BERNSTORFF'S PATHETIC APPEALS TO AMERICA. . Washington, February 16. " The "New York Times" says there is something pathetic in Count Bernstorff's appeals to America to cause Britain to desist in interfering with foodstuffs for the German people, whose sufferings are due to war conditions. "We did not cause the conditions," says the paper, "and are unable to removo them. If Germany is short of food victory is out of the question. The longer she prolongs the war the harder it will be to come to terms of peace." ■ London, February 16. It is rumoured at Washington that Germany is deliberately trying to stir up war with America so as to enable the Kaiser to placate his people with the excuse of- overwhelming odds. American newspapers praise tlie firmness of the American Note to Germany. . "Tlie Times," in a leader, says:—"We expect that Germany's threatened blockade will be as futile as the raids 9f the French privatee'rs in the old wars,' which caused us heavy losses, and inconvenience, but did not stop our sea trade. The Admiralty's measures may bring the blockado ; to an immediate and humiliating end.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.