Mr. White to Mr. Hay.
London, December 17, 1902.
(Mr. White reports that he has just asked the minister for foreign affairs about the German ambassador’s statement relative to blockade term “warlike blockade.” It was used, probably, in contradistinction to so-called pacific blockade, to which Germany wanted Great Britain to agree, chiefly because blockade jure gentium is an act of war, upon which Germany can not enter without consent of the Bundesrath. The British Government absolutely declined this proposition, and Germany consented two days ago to a regular blockade jure gentium. Owing to delay caused by necessity to convoke Bundesrath, formal notice of blockade of Venezuelan coast will be delayed a few days.)