THE BLOCKADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1916, Page 4

THE BLOCKADE.

It is not surprising to find that the demand for a thoroughly effective blockade against Germany is growing in England. There are, however, factors connected with a complete blockade that present considerable difficulties, and it is in the overcoming of these obstacles that the Government has found a task which taxes their ability very considerably. The statement made by Sir .Edward Grey (Britain's Foreign Minister) in the House of Commons on Wednesday relative to this question ehould be carefully noted by all who desire to obtain an accurate knowledge of the various phases of the whole matter. In the light of the Minister's explanations many apparent weak lipks in. the blockade chain disappear, although it is abundantly evident that numerous' abuses and ruses have materially helped to partially frustrate the object in view. It is distinctly reassuring to learn that the wellcirculated figures relating to neutral trade and the conclusions founded thereon will not bear the testing process, and that, a large amount of goods shipped from America to neutrals have found their way to the Prize Court, although destined for the enemy. Sir E. flrcy admits that the leakage has not altogether stopped, but he points out the ini"'T=sibility of taking over the admin' 'ii. of neutral countries and preventing smuggling, which is against their regulations. It is perfectly well known that blockaderunning is very risky, but highly profitable. That fact makes it. all the more incumbent on the navy to exorcise unceasing vigilance and to take prompt 'and drastic measures to destroy this nefarious enterprise. Sir E. Orey says that the possible maximum is being accomplished in this direction, but there appears to be room for still further efforts without provoking the hostility of neutrals, whose rights Britain is bound to respect. Nothing could be more satisfactory than the manner in which the Minister dealt with America's attitude over the blockade in the light of her own principles applied during the war between the North and South. The remedy suggested by him to America is wonderfully simple. "Make it easy for us (Britain) to distinguish goods which are bona, fide destined for neutral consumption; but if you will not do that, we must say definitely that your attitude is a departure from neutrality." There is the crux of the whole matter. The British Government is evidently determined to make the blockade as effective as their obligations to neutrals will allow. That ib all we can justly expect, but there must be no weakness or lack of vigilance. The blockade is such an effective weapon that it should be used to its utmost capacity, and we may rely on this being done.