But let us be clear that our Government in that
case would have resorted to an accommodation for diplomatic, or, as we may say, brotherly, reasons. We cannot admit that the Order in Council under which cotton is at present prevented from entering Germany is a violation of the spirit and substance of international law. It attempts to cut off Germany from the world's trade just as Lincoln tried to cut off the South from the world's trade during the American Civil War. We could wish that when the whole future of civilization is at stake we could persuade the American Government to give us just a shade more of acquiescence. For we firmly believe that they do feel that we are fighting for a common cause. It may be that President Wilson is excessively careful to keep up the appearance of impartiality and neutrality by balancing his protests to Germany by protests to Britain.
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