Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-18
HOLLAND THREATENS
TO SELL TO GERMANY
Will Exchange Meats for Coal, Iron,
Salt and Grain if Allies
Persist in Embargo.
y. the Associated Press.

by the Associated PresS.
AMSTERDAM. via London. June 1S.-
The Dutch governments views concern
ing possible restrictions of American
exports to Holland are set forth in
statement made to the Associated
Press by the Dutch minister of agricul-
ture. industry and commerce. f. L.
Posthuma. AS prepared by the minis
ter himself. it reads:
ITO judge properly the consequence
which eventual prohibition or restric-
ton of exports to Holland would en-
tail. it is necessary to give full atten-
tion to the following facts:
First, there has been no increase of
imports to Holland of any cereals or
similar product during the war. The
consumption of Holland of these COM
modities imported from abroad was as
follows: In 1912, 100000 tons; in 1913,
100000; in 1914. 100000: in 1915,
10000 900; in 1916. 100000 tons.
The great difficulties and subsequent
has had to suffer during the last
months has put Holland into great
embarrassment so far as feeding Its
people is concerned. Should these en-
any untoward action from America
there would be only one single solu-
ton, namely. the export of cattle on an
eXtenSive scale.
Puts Case Up to America.
"All agricultural experts agree in
thelr OPINION on this point and the
minister has already been addressed
from several quarters in this direction
Mr.. Posthuma has so far refused to
give way to this appeal and it lies
within the power of America by not
creating fresh difficulties to assist him
in maintaining his STANDPOINT all the
more so as actual poorness of the grass
crop and hay harvest will in itself
virtually make it impossible to avoid
such export.
'Second-Holland has a superabrn
dance OF cattle and agricultural products
such as meat. milk, butter, cheese, eggs,
vegetables and fruit. This surplus has
to be exported in the following proper
tons TO the United Kingdom, France
ana the American relief committee in
belgium: so per cent of pork and other
kinds of meat tbeef. poultrv). potatoes
potato flour. flax; IS per cent milk and
milk products; % per cent butter, vege-
"a anu 1ruit; 80 per cent of cheese:
6b per cent f'axseed
The export to those countries. in
Guiding deliveries to the American re-
lief committee in Belgium will have to
pc stopped Immediately in the event of
America interfering with the importa-
ton OF fodder. Such interference would
obllterate to a great extent If not en-
tireiy, the necessity OF export.
Dependent on Importations.
'Third-Holland is dependent on the
importation of coal, iron, salt and grain.
II the supplies of grain from America
ana coal from England are diminished
iioIlahd VIII be compelled to acquire
these commodities in some way or other
from other sources. This can be brought
about either by making use of its cat
tie supply, which has increased about
10 per cent since the beginning Of the
war. or by turning to account the vari-
out other comm oddities mentioned
AS soon as Holland through any ac-
ton on the part of America has to
give up its hopes Of receiving it's ne
cesSities from the west it will be
obliged for it's own maintenance to
turn for assistance eastward for its
needs in coal and other products 1t
must be borne in mind that Holland
is but a small country and can be
helped at very little cost and sacrifice
''Fourth-Chemical fertilizers and ce-
reals imported from America do not
serve as means to enable Holland to
export. The manure is principally
employed for agricultural purposes,
namely, for the production OF food and
other provisions needed for home con-
sumption. The garden and farm prod
uce, which form the greater proper
ton of Hollands exports. is less de-
pendent on these fertilizers. The i'm
ported fodder goes chiefly to increase
the working power OF horses and for
rearing pigs and poultry, large pro-
portion of which is for inland use and
forms reserve for the winter season
WREN export is practically suspended.
Hindrances on the part of America
to the importation of artificial fertil-
fZers and fodder would have a direct
ana adverse influence upon the eco
nomical condition of Holland itself"