Blockade Threat

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 207, 9 February 1915, Page 5

Blockade Threat

NEUTRAL POWcRe IRRITATED. KAISER PLAYS A RISKY CAM ' I London. February 7. Swedish and Dutch newspapers arc wry outspoken in protesting against Germany's menace to neutral's commerce. The Dagens Xyheter (Stockholm) says if Germany torpedoes a few neutral vessels she will discover that the neutral | world will not stand /ucli a tiling. If the declaration portends real action slie is grossly blundering. In any case neutrals cannot lie intimidated or overawed by threats. Danish and Dutch shippers announce that they are continuing trade as usual, j relying on Britain's measures fully to protect the neutrals. Copenhagen, February 7. The American Ambassador in Berlin lias informally announced an impending official protest against the German blockade. The Danish, Swedish and Norwegian Cloven)ments are also making representations. USE OF NEUTRAL FLAGS. A RECOGNISED RUSE DE GUERRE. GERMAN PIRACY. I Received S, 7.30 p.m. | London, February 8. The Foreign Office has issued a statement declaring that, with certain limitaions, the use of a neutral flag as a ruse de guerre is a well-established practice.' j Great liritr.in has always considered the ii?e of British cok»* by fireign Is as legitimate for the purpose of escaping capture, though a vessel otherwise | using it is liable to forfeiture. It is [also obligatory upon the belligerents to) i ascertain the character of the merchant I vessel and cargo before capture. Ger- j many has no right to disregard such I an obligation, and therefore her inten- f 1 tion to destroy the ship of a non-com- J batant is piracy. The Lusitania when ! Hearing |relaml Iw'-led tin' Amciican flag in pursuance of the Admiralty's wireless, and arri.'.l at Lhcpoci I j.' fely. j AN IDLE THREAT. ! SHADES OF NAPOLEON BUONAPARTE. Received 8, 0.1.") p.m. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, February 8. The chairman of the Important Shinping Company declares that the German threat to blockade is idle. It can never be carried out, and none know it better than the Germans. Another says:. "The Kaiser has malei an extremely weak and foolish plagiar-i.-'iii of Napoleon's Berlin and Milan decree of a hundred years ago. A CRIME OF THE HIGH SEAS.) AMERICAN CRITICISM. J "GERMANY HAS BLUNDERED." Times and Sydney Su n Services. Received 8, 030 p.m. London, February 8. New York papers describe the blockade warning as a crime of the high seas and new evidence of .lesperation. Germany is playing with fire. The Times' Washington correspondent says there is not the slightest sign that the German bluff will succeed. Philadelphia, New York, and Boston announce that no sailings are being cancelled, and everywhere confidence is expressed in the British fleet. It is felt' that Germany has blundered, and by a f( w strokes of the pen obliterated the impression which propagandists have been diligently raising. The Germans ( have created an unexpected and favorable atmosphere for settlement of AngloAmerican trade difficulties. GERMAN PRESS SURPRISED. AT CONDEMNATION BY NEUTRALS. Received 0, 12.5 a.m. Copenhagen, February 8. German newspapers are astounded at neutrals condemning the blockade. A telegram from Berlin states that the Government will disregard friendly or unfriendly protests, adding that the treatment of neutrals' vessels in future depends on the attitude of their respective, Governments. Amsterdam, February S. The German Government declares i!s readiness to entrust the management of food importations to an American organisation. AMERICAN RESENTMENT. COMMERCE MUST NOT BE INTERFERED WITH. Received 8, 0.50 p.m. New York, February 8. The Sun says that while it is of the greatest importance to America to hold aloof from the war. it will be her duty ■ to notify Germany that any attempt t, interfere with American commerce in a'i.v wine will b,. ies'nie.l w,:'i nil In r it.-n:ir cc 9.