Nelson's history of the war. Vol. XI., The struggle for the Dvina, and the great invasion of Serbia

198 APPENDIX III.

considers the geographical, military, and commercial situa-

tion of the various countries will certainly not underrate the

value of this consideration. There is great danger when dealing with international questions in concentrating attention exclusively on one point in them, even if that point be as vital as is undoubtedly the blockade of Germany.

XI.—CONCLUSION.

30. To sum up, the policy which has been adopted in order to enforce the blockade of Germany may be described as follows :—

(i.) German exports to oversea countries have been almost entirely stopped. Such exceptions as have been made are in cases where a refusal to allow the export of the goods would hurt the neutral concerned without inflicting any injury upon Germany.

(ii.) All shipments to neutral countries adjacent to Germany are carefully scrutinized with a view to the detection of a concealed enemy destination. Wherever there is reasonable ground for suspecting such destination, the goods are placed in the Prize Court. Doubtful consignments are detained until satisfactory guarantees are produced.

(iii.) Under agreements in force with bodies of representative merchants in several neutral countries adjacent to Germany stringent guarantees are exacted from importers, and so far as possible all trade between the neutral country and Germany, whether arising overseas or in the neutral country itself, is restricted.

(iv.) By agreements with shipping lines and by a vigorous use of the power to refuse bunker coal, a large proportion of the neutral mercantile marine which carries on trade with Scandinavia and Holland has been induced to agree to conditions designed to prevent goods carried in these ships from reaching the enemy.