Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02
]. s. Will NOT let
NEUTRALS STARVE
Will Ration Northern European
Nations to Keep Food From
Germans.
PLAN OF HOLLAND FAILS

Indications that the United States in
tends to ration the northern European
neutral countries in the strictest fashion
were seen yesterday in the admission that
the exports administrative board had dis
approved OF an arrangement suggested by
the Dutch minister here and the Belgian
relief commission for division between
Holland and Belgium Of the nearly 100
Dutch grain cargoes held in American
ports.
The first news that permission for the
ships to sail had been denied came
yesterday in a dispatch from Amsterdam
The general understanding had been that
the arrangement would be approved and
that some of the vessels would sail i'm
mediately.
The exports board. it was learned.
will let no food cargoes go to European
neutrals for at least two months, or
until the American government has as
certained it's own food requirements for
the year and the size of crops that are
to be harvested All of the neutrals. 1t
is held, can feed themselves without
difficulty until this information is avail
able. The United States wishes to
know also the size of crops to be har-
fall.
Intends to Feed the Neutrals.
1t was made clear that the United
States has no intention of letting neu-
trails go hungry. but emphasis was
placed on the fact that the government
feels its first obligation is to the Amer
ican people and to the allies.
A counter proposal that has been
made to the Dutch. which the other
o1c inv fad 70
all neutral vessels now in American
ports loaded with foodstuffs discharge
their cargoes and proceed to Australia
and Java for wheat and sugar. These
United States and divided between the
United States and the neutrals.
American government officials feel
that in asking the United States to
supply them with foodstuffs the neu-
trails should be willing to increase the
general supply of food. This they would
do in transporting food cargoes from
Australia and Java, where large sup
plies cannot be moved because of the
general lack of shipping. The neutral
ships would have returned within two
months and by that time the United
States would be in a better position.
also. to say how much 1t can spare
from its own food store.
Most of the Dutch ships in American
ports are loaded with corn. which has
spoiled and is fit now only for cattle
feed. This was taken into considera.
ton by the exports board, which held
that the need for cattle feed is much
greater now in the United States than
in Holland.
Opposed by Dutch Minister.
It is not known how the neutrals will
look on the suggestion that all their
ships. numbering about $50. discharge
food cargoes but it is known that
Chevalier Van Rappard, the Dutch min
lister. does not view it with favor. Mr.
Van Rappard takes the position that
his government already is making
great concessions in offering to share
its food cargoes with the Belgfans.
The food administration had approv-
ed the arrangement entered into be-
tween the Dutch minister and the relief
Announcement yesterday In Ottawa
that a representative of the food ad-
had concluded an agree
ment whereby the Canadian and Amer
lean governments will work in closest
in the administration Of
food control drew the statement here
that with Canadian assistance supervi-
sion of food distribution and control of
prices in the United States will be made
much easier. Canada now is expected
to fix A wheat price Identical with the
American scale.
kilograms reaching the food admin
istration from various interests
through the country generally approve
the wheat prices fixed. Protests ar
rived from both Chicago and st. Louis
yesterday, however, where each city
contends that the other was favored in
the schedule of differentials announced
by the wheat corporation.