On Monday in the Commons Mr. Asquith made one of
the most important announcements of the war when he described the new naval measures to be taken by Britain in response to the so-called blockade by German submarines. We have written of the whole subject elsewhere, but may record here the bare facts of Mr. _Asquith's statement. He asked for two new *Votes of Credit, and explained that the war had an far cost 11,200,000 a day, but the cost was steadily growing, and by April 1st would reach E1,900,000 a day. Germany had adopted lawless measures against peaceful traders and non- combatant crews in order to try to prevent food for the civil population from reaching Britain and Northern France. We were therefore driven to retaliate in order to prevent com- modities of any kind from reaching or leaving Germany. The measures would be enforced without risk to neutral ships or non-combatant lives The British Declaration made no mention of "blockade" or "contraband" or other technical terms. It was based on the view which the Government took "not only of our rights but of our duty." The House was deeply impressed by the clearness and force of Mr. Asquith's statement, which was framed with his customary perfect command of appropriate language.
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