By The Rt. Hon, A. J. BALFOUR.
Great interest had naturally been excited in America over the threatened blockade of Germany by the Allied Fleets; and many criticisms have been directed against the Governments responsible for this policy. This is most natural and legitimate. The Order in Council affects both neutral interests and international law. And the United States of America—the greatest of all neutrals and a leader of reform in international procedure—has a double interest in the discussion.
Let me say, before I go further, that I am in no sense personally responsible for the policy which has been adopted. I was not consulted upon it; and I view with the greatest dislike any course which seems in the smallest degree to violate the rules of international warfare. But those who will consent to consider the present case on its
