ABSTRACT
The foundation of economic pressure in the event of war lay with the fleet. The inquiries which were now undertaken were merely intended to supplement the action of the fleet in applying economic pressure on the lines propounded to the Committee by the Admiralty during the inquiry of 1909 on the Military Requirements of the Empire, and approved as part of the Grand Strategy of the Nation in the event of war. A decision had to be taken by someone whether, in the event of war, the curious phrase it is desirable was, or was not, to be taken as a definite agreement to grant days of grace to enemy ships in our ports at the outbreak of war. Enemy ships were to be detained for three days, while the enemy's intentions were ascertained by the Foreign Office through neutral channels.
