The war on the seas was clearly escalating, as pages 9 and 10 show today. In response to the renewed outbreak of U-boat attacks, the British Government declared its policy in retaliation, which was what the Foreign Office described as “more stringent measures against German trade,” which included the declaration of grain and flour as contraband. “Neutral countries, we are convinced, will understand the reasons which compel the British Government to take these steps” went on the announcement, although the German reaction was less understanding. Not that she was holding back either, with the “impudent announcement” that “every hostile merchant ship” in the waters around Britain “would be destroyed,” although quite how she’d be able to live up to this threat remained to be seen.