What if the british don't decide that food is warmaterial and allow the CP's to purchase it throughout the conflict?

[Tibi088]

So for whatever reason - for example a specific pre war agreement in this regard that the british and every one else decide to honour - the british allow food for presumably civilian consumption to reach the CP's. The CP's in turn allow the same for Russia through the baltics.

How would the war be different?

 

[Sarthak]

food has been deemed war material since the War of the Austrian Succession when the modern definition of blockades were established. Changing that would change every single war after that such that ww1 would be butterflied.

 

[naraic]

food has been deemed war material since the War of the Austrian Succession when the modern definition of blockades were established. Changing that would change every single war after that such that ww1 would be butterflied.

In 1900 Russia publicly declared a list of contraband of war. Food was not on it. That said Russia declared food unconditionally contraband during the Russian Japanese war. Britain protested.

In 1884 during the Franco Chinese war France declared food a contraband and Britain protested.

In 1909 naval conference between the great powers food was declared conditionally contraband. This meant that food was contraband but neutrals had to be paid for food seized.

I guess we are looking for a different naval conference of 1909 for a pod?

 

[Alanith]

I think even if international law develops In such a way to support this, the temptation to “starve the huns” will be too great for England to resist for long once someone comes up with the idea.

 

[YYJ]

Just for reference, the British 1914 Declaration of War, with the definitions of Absolute and Conditional Contraband.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28861/

 

[kham_coc]

Only way thus works is if the 🇺🇸 simply says it isn't and dare the brittish to stop them. Something like that happened with cotton so it isnt impossible - would probably require a republican president though. Not because they are Germanophile and more because they would be more combative in foreign policy.