The United Kingdom was dependent upon seaborne trade for two-thirds of its foodstuffs, 30 per cent of its iron ore, 90 per cent of its bauxite and copper, 95 per cent of its oil, 100 per cent of its rubber and 100 per cent of its soft timber.
Le Royaume-Uni dépendait du commerce maritime pour deux tiers de ses denrées, 30 p. 100 de son minerai de fer, 90 p. 100 de sa bauxite et de son cuivre, 95 p. 100 de son pétrole, 100 p. 100 de son caoutchouc et 100 p. 100 de son bois d'oeuvre.