d in fairness to say--then I would
say to them: 'Do let chambers of commerce, or whatever they may be, do
their best to make it easy for us to distinguish.'

"If, on the other hand, they answer it that we are not entitled to
interrupt trade with the enemy through neutral countries, I must say
definitely that if neutral countries were to take that line, it is a
departure from neutrality."

CHAPTER VI

GREAT BRITAIN UNYIELDING--EFFECT OF THE BLOCKADE--THE CHICAGO MEAT
PACKERS' CASE

The existing restrictions satisfied Great Britain that Germany,
without being brought to her knees, was feeling the pinch of food
shortage. To that extent--and it was enough in England's view--the
blockade was effective, the contentions of the United States
notwithstanding. So Great Britain's course indicated that she would
not relax by a hair the barrier she had reared round the German coast;
but she sought to minimize the obstacles to legitimate neutral trade,
so far as blockade conditions permitted, and was disposed to pay ample
compensation for losses as judicially determined. The outlook was
that American scores against her could only be finally settled by
arbitral tribunals after the war was over. Satisfaction by arbitration
thus remained the only American hope in face of Great Britain's
resolve to keep Germany's larder depleted and her export trade at a
standstill, whether neutrals suffered or not. Incidentally, the United
States was reminded that in the Civil War it served notice on foreign
governments that any attempts to interfere with the blockade of the
Confederate States would be resented. The situation then, and the
situation now, with the parts of the two countries reversed, were
considered as analogous.

A parliamentary paper showed that the British measures adopted to
intercept the sea-borne commerce of Germany had succeeded up to
September, 1915, in stopping 92 per cent of German exports to America.
Steps had also been taken to stop exports on a small scale from
Germany and Austria-Hungary by parcel post. The results of the
blockade were thus summarized:

"First, German exports to overseas countries have almost entirely
stopped. Exceptions which have been made are cases in which a refusal
to allow the export goods to go through would hurt the neutral country
concerned without inflicting injury upon Germany.

"Second, all shipments to neutral countries adjacent to Germany have
been carefully scrutinized with