The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1916. TIGHTENING THE BLOCKADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1916. TIGHTENING THE BLOCKADE.

Britain's proverbial policy of toleration and intense aversion to the use of stern measures lias been only too patent in connection with the blockade against Germany. In addition to this aspect of the question, Britain invariably errs on the side of generosity when dealing with neutral countries, for the reason that she regards pledges of neutrality not as mere scraps of paper, but as saered obligations. It is quite conceivable, under the circumstances, that British toleration has been grossly abused and made to act as a lever for enriching unscrupulous merchants and agents in Sweden, Denmark, and other countries, who have been reaping golden harvests by acting as nominal consignees and actual forwarding agents for the enemy. Hence, to a considerable extent, the intended blockade against Germany has been nullified. At last the breaking-point of toleration seems to have been reached, and there is a growing demand for increased and more vigorous action. A blockade to be effective must be thorough, all channels whereby goods can reach the enemy being absolutely closed_ We know only too well that up to the present Germany has been receiving enormous ' quantities of goods which have been shipped to neutral countries and from thence forwarded to their ultimate destination. To allow this flaw in the economic weapon to continue would be lacking in the performance of an essential duty. Neutrals will in all probability raise a noisy protest, but it is time they were made to understand that neutrality is not one-sided. They are not losing or suffering by the war, but are enjoying unprecedented prosperity, gained by what can only 1 be called double dealing. Having sinned, they must now suffer—in pocket. Britain is compelled to, make the blockade as close as the resources at her disposal can ensure, for with her it is a supreme struggle for existence, a nd the blockade is a powerful factor in shortening the war. With America the case is somewhat different. She is the producer, and '- ilaims to send her goods where she , pleases. Britain has been receiving many million pounds worth of war material from the United States, but she could only have done so by virtue of her ampower. Had Germany been so placed as to have had a fleet like Britain's, these cargoes of contraband goods might have been seized, and the same argument applies to foodstuffs or other goods recognised a 9 contraband. Whatever bargain President Wilson made with" Germany relative to relaxation of the blockade if submarine piracy was to bo discontinued, is 'not binding on Britain. America may, if she so decides, protest against the procedure involved in an absolutely effectual blockade, but such a contingency—much as it would be regretted—should not deter the British Government from carrying out a vigorous blockade policy. As the Pall Mall Gazette recently pointed out, the British Empire is shedding its blood, not ink, and will not allow technicalities to hamper all legitimate weapons. There would be an outcry, and with good reason, if ■the smaller neutral States were deprived of imports actually intended for their own use. This could, as Lord Sydenham suggests, be obviated by allowing them to receive normal imports, plus a small percentage, and then stretching a complete chain against goods over the allowance, on the presumption that the surplus is intended for the enemy. These States have actually placed themselves beyond consideration by their duplicity, but even so Britain could not—though Germany would—ignore their right to exist, involving the necessity for their obtaining the means of existence. We are fighting an enemy that knows no law hut that of the omnipotence of might, and it is imperative that we use every legitimate weapon that is available. At present Germany scoffs at what she calls a futile blockade, but when the screw is tightened up to the utmost she will have good cause to repent her rashness Now | is the time for drastic action, and the opportunity should not be allowed to pass.