By this illegally preventing export of goods from the Central Powers Great Britain thought to be able to shut down the innumerable factories and industries which had been set up by industrious and highly-developed peoples in the heart of Europe; and to bring the workers to idleness and thence to want and revolt.

And when Austria-Hungary's southern neighbour joined the ranks of the enemies of the Central Powers her first step was to declare a blockade of all the coasts of her opponent--following the example, of course, of her Allies--in disregard of the legal precepts which Italy had shortly before helped to lay down.

Austria-Hungary did not fail to point out to the neutral Powers at once that this blockade was void of all legal validity.
For two years the Central Powers have hesitated.

Not until then, and after long and mature consideration for and against, did they proceed to answer in like measure and close with their adversaries at sea.

As the only belligerents who had done everything to secure the observance of the agreement which should provide for freedom of the seas to neutrals, it was sorely against their wishes to bow to the need of the moment and attack that freedom; but they took that step in order to fulfil their urgent duty to their peoples and with the conviction that the step in question must lead towards the freedom of the seas in the end.