CO129-426 - Public Offices - 1915 — Page 317

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enemy cruisers from receiving coal from neutral countries

is for neutral Governments to prohibit the export of all

coal except bunker coal. Unless neutral Governments

take such preventive measures it is not seen how they

can prevent their territory from becoming a base of

supply for the armed forces of the enemy.

3.

In the opinion of Their Lordships such prohibition

by a neutral can only be reasonably expected from neutral

countries, which under normal peace conditions do not

export coal, and whose legitimate interests do not be-

come involved. In such cases, however, Their Lordships

consider that such a step is perfectly proper and legi-

timate.

4.

In consequence of this view being adopted by the

South American States the condition of the South Atlantic

and East Pacific is now satisfactory.

5.

A parallel condition does not, unfortunately, exist

in the East Indies where the presence of large stocks

of coal and of a large number of German ships lying idle

afford an assured base of supply to enemy cruisers unless

some similar action to that adopted by the South America

States is put into force in this zone.

6. Their Lordships are desirous of removing this

potential menace to the trade of the British Empire and

of