THE BLOCKADE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2696, 16 February 1916, Page 5

THE BLOCKADE

GOVERNMENT'S POLICY CONDEMNED GREAT MEETING OF PROTEST

SOME PLAIN SPEAKING

By Telegraph?— Press Asscxaation— Copyright London, February.. 14. A largely-attended meeting was held at Cannon Street Hotel to protest the ineffective blockade of Germany. There was the greatest enthusiasm. When speakers advocated that the' Navy should prevent any article reaching Germany, and spoke in condemnation of the Government's policy, their remarks were greeted with cries of "Throw them out! Give ns new leaders!" and groans for Mr. Asquith and Sir Edward Grey. The meeting carried, with cheers, a motion, viewing with alarm the enormous quantity of commodities reaching Germany through the North Sea, and urging the Government to make full nso of Britain's sea-power by enforcing an absolutely effective blockade. Lord Devon port, who presided, said: "Tie nation is determined that nothing shall prevent our progress. Is the British Fleet in supreme command o( the seas, and are we utilising to the full that power? . We ought to be depriving Germany of the essentials of trade and livelihood, without which no nation could sustain its resistance." Mr. Asquith, he added, had declared that all commodities would bo prevented from entering Germany. Tho Order-in-Coifn-' cil gave all the power necessary, but the power had not been used. Neutrals were having the time of their lives at our expense. Sir Edward Grey had over-emphasised the importance of not interfering with the rights of neutrals'. During the seventeen months of the war li million ton 3 of iron ore in 300 ships had been allowed to enter Rotterdam. The ore mainly comes from Sweden and Norway, and is taken in barges on {lie Rhine, eventually teaching Essen, where it is used in the making of jams and bombs. (Cries of •''Shame ! f ') Lord Devonport quoted records showing that 557 ships, with over two million tons of iron ore, had gone to German ports during tho last eight months. "Will the Government draw the attention of neutrals to this breach of neutrality? We are fighting their war as well as our own. Where would Holland and Denmark be if they were left to tho tender mercies of German militarism? If the Navy was allowed to act, the" mailed . fist would soon be smashed." Mr. T. Gibson Bowles (ex-M.P., and student bf naval warfare and sea power) attacked the policy of Mr. Asquith and Sir Edward Grey. Lord Haldane, wljo knew ten years ago the possibilities of war, took no action. "I believe," ho said, "that three-quarters* of' the neutral ships brought in by the Navy are set free."' Mr. Shirley Benn 'said that neutrals would respect Great Britain more if she made the blockade unimpartially and thoroughly effective. *

HOLLAND A VAST STOREHOUSE » GERMAN SMUGGLING RIFE. London, February 14. The "Daily Mail's" Special Commissioner describes Holland as a vast storehouse, from which goods are daily transferred to the German factories, cities, and troops. Official figures show that the Netherlands oversea trado agreement has failed to prevent re-exports to Germany. He gives instances in which raw materials, imported under the Trust's conditions, were manipulated in order to conceal their identity. SHADOWING A SMUCCLER. CONTRABANDISTS SET FIRE TO THEIR SHIP. Amsterdam, February 14. The Dutch motor-boat Speculant, laden with rubber, waste, margarine, and linseed oil, ostensibly from Amsterdam to Groningen, was suspected of smuggling. She was followed by a patrol boat and dodged about in the Zuyder Zee, being finally deserted, on fire. ' .

THE NEW PIRACY A GERMAN ALLEGATION London, February 14. The "Cologne Gazette" asserts that an accident put Germany in possession of British secret orders, justifying Germany in regarding armed merchantmen as warships. The British orders have nullified the rights of passengers, and neutrals, and the captains of merchantmen have been specifically instructed to fire on submarines immediately they are sighted. AN INTERVIEW WITH COUNT BERNSTORFF, ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Servioss.) (Rec. February 15, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 14. The "Times" correspondent at "Washington states that Count Bernstorfi (the German Ambassador to the United States), in an interview, said that it was inconceivable that German submarines would attack a passenger ship, armed or -unarmed. That principle had been permanently established by the Lusitania settlement, which the German Admiralty would religiously obey. "The new order," ho said, "relates primarily to armoured freighters supplying the Alied forces."''

AMERICA AND ARMED MERCHANTMEN. GUN PROHIBITION SUSPENDED. (Rec. February 15, 8 p.m.) Washington, February 14. The United States is likely to withdraw the proposal made to tho Allies that armed merchantmen should not carry guns in future, on pain of being treated as warships. The United States will await developments—in other words, do nothing further. A POSTPONEMENT? (Bee. February 16, 1.20 a.m.) London, February 15The "Daily Mail's" New York correspondent states that Count Bernstorff, in responses to President Wilson's suggestion, has promised a postponement of the armed merchantmen policy, pending an exchange of views between America and the Belligerents. NORWEGIAN STEAMER SUNK. TORPEDO OR MINE? London, February 14. The Norwegian steamer Alabama (891 tons) was torpedoed or mined. The crew was picked up.' THE PAROLE-BREAKERS TWO ESCAPES FROM INTER!*. MENT. New Yorfc, February 14. _ Two German steamers, the Turpin (5152 tons) and the Bahrenfeld (3648 tons), oscaped from Punta Arenas and Buenos Ayrtjs respectively. 41] m, toraed vessels have received secret orders to ilaJa iox Jifcwfcv when possible.