On February 9, 1916, the German Foreign Ministry held a press conference.
German Foreign Minister Wachth announced to the reporters that, starting today, India was a war zone. India's entire coastline would become a Prohibited Navigation Zone. One week later, the German Navy would blockade India's coast. Ships of any nation were forbidden from entering Indian coastal waters. Otherwise, they would be regarded as enemies supporting the German Empire. Once discovered, all such ships would be sunk!
Without a doubt, German Foreign Minister Wachth's statement was extremely hard-line. In terms of area, India was unquestionably a major country, and its coastline was exceptionally long. For the German Navy to deploy a large number of warships to blockade India's coast was undeniably an overwhelmingly forceful move.
Of course, Germany had done this once before when it designated a Prohibited Navigation Zone around Britain. At the time, although Germany held the upper hand in the war, it had not yet won it. Therefore, many countries were dissatisfied with Germany's actions. The United States in particular had dispatched a powerful fleet to break through Germany's Prohibited Navigation Zone. In the end, it was intercepted by the German Navy. After a round of open and covert struggle, the Americans still withdrew in defeat. From this, one could see just how domineering Germany was.
This time, Germany had once again designated a Prohibited Navigation Zone. Although the area covered was even larger, given Germany's current formidable position as world hegemon, there truly was no country that dared defy it. With the Germans' way of doing things, if anyone truly dared to disobey, the Germans would certainly sink their ships.
Even so, reporters from many countries questioned Germany's actions, believing that Germany was being far too crude and overbearing.
But Wachth paid them no heed, merely