Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02
BY CHARLES M. PEPPER.

81 HOLLAND is next on the list Of
I'LL small nations which have the
misfortune, because of geo.
q < graphical situation, to be ground
between the upper and the neither mill
stones. Neutrality has been a great
asset for Holland, but the climax
seems to be approaching which will de-
termine whether this neutrality can be
maintained.
A single month Of war will cost more
on the financial side than has been
gained during three years Of neutrality,
and it should be said that the gains
have been legitimate, just as were war
profits in the United States.
Hollands Immediate troubles are not
due to a single cause. They are mani
fold.
England wants 100000 tons of
Dutch shipping. which is thrifty
guarded for the future, to be released
and engage in the carrying trade.
taking such chances as do the cargo
carriers of Great Britain, France and
the United States.
Germany not only wants but de-
mands that Holland continue to supply
her with foodstuffs, and, what Is more
sinister. that she pledge any new ship
construction to Gerr,any's use after the
war. under penalty of being refused
steel and coal. And the United States
regretfully finds it necessary to apply
the food embargo to Holland.
However benevolently the applica-
ton may be made. this cannot be done
without causing hardship and exposing
Holland to reprisals from Germany for
observing the rules laid down by the
United States in supplying neutrals. SO
that the enemy countries will not get the
benefit of these supplies.
While Holland during the first two
years OF the war reaped some profit
from supplying Germany with food
stuffs. her chief gain came from her
shipping. The good will of the entente
allies was maintained by the formation
of the overseas trust. which was really
a government bureau. This undertook
to see that Germany and Hun
gary did not get the benefit of trade
that was intended for Holland. AS the
was has grown in intensity there has
maintaining this condition.
The entente allies have been more
strict. and Germany has been more ag-
gressive. There has been less objec-
ton by the allies to Hollands course
than to that Of the Scandinavian coun-
tries. but these objections have been
growing in force. Individual Holland
ers undoubtedly have made fortunes
trafficking with both sides. and their
government at times has been embar-
raised by them, but in the main thav
have been controlled.
X X
Hollands chief needs are cereal food
stuffs and fuel. The United States has
been the source of the flour and wheat.
Germany has supplied the bulk of the
coal. In return she. got dairy prod
ucts and other foodstuffs from Holland.
The allies recognized this situation and
did not assume that Holland had no
right to trade with their enemy in or
der to supply herself with commodities
she did not herself produce.
The United States also recognizes
this situation. Nevertheless. the gov
eminent cannot ignore the principle
that to permit Holland to import food
stuffs from this country for her own
quantities of native production to Ger
many is the same re-exporting the
products Of the United States. although
the commodities are not similar Hence
the necessity of applying the embargo on
foodstufrs to Holland.
Before 1t went into effect several
DulCn t0B6clS IcIt american ports and
took their chances with the German
submarines. but the majority remained,
and there were said to be seventy yes.
sells tied up with their cargoes of grain
and other foodstuffs. The United States
found it practicable to modify the re-
strictions 30 that part of the Dutch
ships were allowed to depart with their
grain cargoes on the understanding
that Belgium should share the food
supplies.
During peace Holland obtained part
of her coal. from England. but England
now has no coal to spare for neutrals.
What remains after supplying her own
navy and her own industries is shipped
to France and Italy. Coal shipments
from the United States are not prac-
ticable in the existing circumstances.
Consequently. Germany is the only
source Of supply.
Under the agreement by which Hol-