The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-25


Other less bcllicosc organs reflect
hardly less cmbltterment on the part of
the whole nation against the latest ex-
ample Of German ruthlessness. while
even German circles. 1t Is learned. pro-
fess deep regret at what they admit to
be "ghastly blunder."
Sees Warming to the U. y.
Amid the chorus of bitter accusations
levelled at German "frightfunsss," the
Tdderldud exhorts the nation to exercise
self-control and not hamper the Govern
ment at this critical moment. when an
uncautlous action might precipitate war
the result OF which could be foreseen
| from the fate OF other small nations.
The Roman Catholic Mdasbode OF
Rotterdam concludes an editorial as fol-
lows:
"The American Government has here
the fact II has awaited before taking
more severe measures. Making full al
lOwance for the difference In the position
OF America and Holland toward the bel.
Iigprents, we are confident the Dutch
Government will act forcefully and ener.
! geticalIy in demanding the respect and
reparatiOn for our national honor"
The shipping section OF the Amster-
dam Bourse Is demoralized, with losses
ranging from 10 to 20 per cent. The in
surance business is paralyzed. The
grain supply problem. which already is
most difficult. has become extremely
acute owing to the loss Of cargoes and
tonnage.
German Explanation.
The German legation at The Hague
has issued a statement declaring that the
disaster to the Dutch steamers was due
"to an extremely regrettable coincidence
| of circumstances. which Is unfortunate.
| but beyond our control" The statement
| says:
'"rhe date for the safe homecoming
OF Dutch vessels from English ports,
which at first was fixed for February 5,
was subsequently, in view of the situa-
| tion in Holland. postponed to February
and February IL. On February IA
| Dutch shipowners were Informed that
| their vessels could leave in a group on
| February 90 or March II. For those
vessels leaving on February % only rela-
tive safety could be guaranteed. but ves-
sells leaving on March II would have an
/ absolute guarantee against submarine
| attacks. as 1t would be impossible by
February 90 to inform with certainty all
, submarine commanders of the conces-
SlonS made to Holland
An official statement from Berlin re-
! ceived in Amsterdam and forwarded by
| Reuter- repeats the statement issued by
the German legation at The Hague con-
! cernins the torpedoing OF the Dutch
! steamers and adds:
| THE responsibility for IL falls or tho
! ship owners. who preferred to send out
their vessels on February 20 on the
/ promise of relative security instead OF
! yNsnt tfr1gr tv,th ID,-, S.,hA han nl,,ta
/ security was promised. The report Of
our submarines has not yet arrived.
| The suggestion has been made to the
! Dutch Government. the Associated
| Press learns. by leading ship owners
! that half dozen German ships IN Dutch
| or American ports be demanded as COM
| pensatlOn for lost tonnage.
Dutch Foreign office View.
The Foreign Ministry made the fol.
| lowing announcement
/ when unrestricted submarine war
| was proclaimed the Netherlands Govern
| ment not only. protested against 1t but
| insisted that the German Government
! should take care that no Dutch ships
I then en- route to or from Dutch ports
Z should be victims OF the new measure
! Germany declared her Willingness to do
/ this, hut added that II was impossible
: 10 guarantee absolute safety"
I The statement says further that the
seven ships which have been torpedoed
/ availed themselves of a German offer to
sail on February %. They were to sail
together on Il westerly course out Of the
danger zone and then proceed TO their
destinations. The report then mentions
the despatch received from the Dutch
Minister In London announcing the dis
nster. which adds that the ships We're
torpedoed without examination of their
papers, The communication ends with
the statement that Il is believed all the
crews were saved.
Dutch Press OutspOken.
Early editorials on the torpedoing Of
the seven Dutch steamships take a
strong attitude. although the language
/ is guarded carefully pending develop
ments. The Teic1roof says:
This destruction ~ an entire f!otilla
, OF Dutch ships is certainly the greatest
; humiliation which any neutral nation
has had 10 endure In the course of this
war. The Dutch Government once more
has overestimated the German sense of
Justice and honor. We confess ourselves
! unable to understand how tho honor OF
oar nation can be maintained lonEe" by
mere protests"
The Hdndslsbldd says: "The unre-
! s'rctcl submarine warfare has been
opened with such complete disregard OF
the rights and interests OF the Dutch
people that every one must come TO the
same conclusion namely, that no nation
could be thus treated unless II was re-
garded as OF no importance or as in
capable of having It's Indignation
aroused by anything. Certainly Ger
many would not treat the United States
thus Every one feels that the tor
pcdoing of American vessels under sImi-
lar circumstances would be absolutely
impossible We even believe that such
an act would have been impossible
against any country which had shown
Itself unwilling TO approve or excuse
! this sifhv,n rlpe uorfa