19 JULY 1919, Page 2

The blockade of Germany was raised last Saturday. M. Clemenceau

informed the Germans on the previous day that the Allies had taken note of the ratification of the Peace Treaty by President Ebert, and would therefore discontinue the blockade. The terrible weapon wielded by the British Navy has done its work by compelling the Germans to accept defeat and its consequences. The German demand for food and raw materials may now be expected to raise prices in the world markets. It has probably had much to do with the decision of the Government, announced by Mr. Roberts on Tuesday, to maintain the Ministry of Food and to control the supply and price of the principal articles of food. Mr. Roberts said plainly that prices might rise to a higher level than last winter, not through "profiteering," but because the war had checked the production of foodstuffs•