THE BLOCKADE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2681, 29 January 1916, Page 5

THE BLOCKADE

ABSOLUTE CONTRABAND ON FOOD MOTION TALKED OUT IN PARLIAMENT MATTER FOR CAUTION AND CIRCUMSPECTION By Telenrajili—Fress ABsoolatlon—OonyrlsM London, January 27. In the House of Commons, Sir R. B. Finlay proposed that food should bo made absolute contraband. Lord Robert Cecil (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs), replying to the debate, admitted tliat tno,blockade was imperfcct, but tlio complications were great. The Government had not lost sight of the possibility of a blockade of the Baltic. AVe wero trending to what no nation had ever tried before—trying' to blockade Germany through neutral countries. It was not a case of highhandedness, but of great caution and circumspection. It was easy to make mistakes which would turn out so seriously as to prevent our winning the war. The motion was talked.'out. DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF LORDS IRON ORE CARGOES. London,- January 27. In the House of Lords, Lord Devonport said that from the commencement of the war to the end of 1915 three hundred cargoes of iron ore, amounting to a,million and a half tons, had arrived at Rotterdam. The inference was that the ore was intended for Germany. - Lord Devonshire, in reply, said that the average imports annualjy for 191113 were five and a half million tons, nearly the whole proceeding to Germany. The imports by Holland in 1915 totalled 650,000 tons. Lord Lansdowne resented the suggestion that the Foreign Office, the War Office, and the Admiralty required waking up.

SIR EDWARD GREY'S STATEMENT HOW THE NEWSPAPERS RECEIVED IT - - - ' London, January 27. ■ The "Daily Mail" expresses the opin. ion that Sir Edward Grey's attack on the scaremougering Press was an impudent invontion, based on grotesque figures. Tho "Daily attacks the Foreign Office, representing its policy as "fouling .its own nest." The "D.tily Telegraph" expects that Sir Edward Grey's statement' will silence impertinent and ignorant criticIsm. Tho "Times" maintains tho belief that'the Government should establish a regular blockade. If the public misunderstands the Foreign Office it is because the public is kept in mischievous ignorance. The "Daily Mail" and the "Morning Post" remain convinced that a large quantity of goods is going to Germany, despito Sir Edward Grey's arguments. The "Morning Post" says the silence of Mr. Balfour is very remarkable. Tho country will holfl Mr. Balfour responsible for any. failure to use his full powers. ROTTERDAM TO GERMANY, VIA THE RHINE. London, January 27. The Dutch-American Line is opening a service from Rotterdam to Germany, via the Rhine, in order to carry goods from Germany to America. GERMAN TRADE WITH TONGA. Sydney, January 28. The Chamber of Commerce _ lias requested the Federal authorities to urge Great Britain to stop German trade with Tonga.

CUTTING DOWN NON-ESSENTIAL IMPORTS ■ (Rec. January 28, 9.30 p.m.) London, January 27. Mr. ltunciman, speaking in the House of Commons, said tliat in order to relieve the pressure upon the availablo tonnage, the Government had decided to' cut down non-essential imports. Paper pulp and other paper-making materials would be first dealt with. These materials had absorbed 2,000,000 tons of shipping space annually. \ . The whole of the British mercantile marine was under _ the control of the Government, and in order that it be used to the best advantage, tho Allies' Govemm'ents would be assisted by a small committee, of which Lord Curzon would be chairman. * The import of raw tobacco, building materials, furniture woods, veneers, and some fruits might shortly be prohibited. A full statement of the method would bo announced as soon as possible. The export of'waste paper and rags would be prohibited, and the list might be exuntil the strain on the tonnage had eased. *

Sir R. W. Essex hoped that a prohibition of the import of paper >ulp would not operate adversely on the newspapers, which had not their own means of supply. _ \ Mr', Runciman said that all the arrangements would be on an equitable line, which would not give an unfair privilege to anybody. ■ SMALLER NEWSPAPERS. London, January 27. 'A deputation from the Papermakers 1 Association met the President J.oflthe Board of Trade (Mr. Runciman). It is rumoured that the Government intends to prohibit 60 per cent, of tho imports of wood pulp in order to keep the money in the country and to cope with, tho shipping difficulty. The newspaper firms are considering the question of reducing tho size ci their papers by 40 per cent, and prohibiting the return of unsold papers..... The Government is similarly contemplating tho prohibition 'of importing kinematograpn films. PAPER FROM GRASS AND BAMBOO Delhi, January 27. The authorities favour extensive experiments in manufacturing'paper from sabai grass and bamboo. TONNAGEFOR CANADIAN PRODUCTS. ("Times' 1 and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, January 27. Tho "Times" correspondent at Ottawa states that the Minister for the Navy (Hon. J. D. Hazen) explained in tho House tho steps taken at the outbreak of war to securo ocean transportation for Canadian products. Forty commandeered vessels wore regularly carrying munitions to Great Britain, and arrangements had been made for 1916 to transport ono and a half million tons of freight. Recently threo Gormnji prize vessels had been released for the Atlantic trade. Shipments from Canadian winter ports were_ 200 per cent, in excess of any previous year. Canadian grain had been carried satisfactorily, and there had been little com, plaint under the circumstances. An extraordinary freight service had been maintained between Canada Gro^