Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-26
FOREIGN TRADE
EDEL0CATED
Virtually Everything Must be
Guaranteed to be Neutral
by Trust.

The Hague. Netherlands. March rs.
l-Correspondence Of The Associated
Press)-Dislooation Of the foreign
trade Of Holland. resulting from the
restrictions upon her imports and ex-
ports imposed by the belligerents IN
their economic struggle. Is emphasiz-
ed by DIR. John Loudon. the Dutch
E. Posthuma. minister of agriculture,
industry and commerce. Their re-
port, now made public. holds partic-
ular interest for America. as it deals
in part with the restrictions imposed
upon the importation Of American
goods.
Virtually everything now imported
by Holland from oversee. including
goods from Hollands own colonies,
the ministers assert. has to be guar
anteed by the Netherlands oversee
Trust as being for neutral destination
and consumption. Even then. the
Entente allies permit no goods to be
imported by Holland until they ascer
needed for normal consumption in
that country. While this investigation
is in progress, the importations are
detained by the Entente even when
they come from Dutch colonies. Amer
lea or other neutral countries. Owing
to objections on the part Of the Brit
ish government, imports guaranteed
by the Oversee Trust sometimes are
held up for months after their arrival
in Holland.
Expectations for Holland virtually
are limited to articles originating in
neutral countries. This means that
Holland cannot export goods in which
more than 25 per cent Of the raw ma
terial came from belligerent countries.
Earnest objections have been rais-
cd against the action of Great Britain
in imposing regulations and restric-
tions upon Hollands exports, while
permitting their own subjects to ex-
pert the same goods to neutral corin-
tries, under conditions which the
Dutch manufacturers are willing to
observe BY this action, the minis
tiers said, Dutch products are replaced
by products of other countries.
Dutch exports and imports by over
land routes are checked by prohihi-
tions upon transportation issued by
lists Of the Teutonic allies has been
extended with damaging effect upon
Hollands trade.
The black list system put into ef-
feet by some of the belligerents Is de-
clared by the Dutch ministers to have
made it impossible for many Dutch
firms to do business.
Obstacles placed by Great Britain
n the way Of regular importations
from America Of lubricating oils,
! benzine, gasoline and petroleum have
had serious effect. The British de-
mand that rubber goods and electro
/ technical materials shall not be i'm
ported direct from America but must
come via Great Britain, has caused a
scarcity Of those goods. Hospitals
are suffering from a shortage Of rub
Der gloves. as ono effect of this re-
striction.
Holland has also felt severely the
prohibition Of export from Germany
Of raw materials for the manufacture
Of iron and steel. Various industries
have been obliged to restrict produc-
ton and others to stop all work, caus-
ing unemployment
i Agriculture and market gardening
has suffered becausessof restraint of
importation Of ,fertiltSrs and. cattle
tforage from 91uths lrerica and upon
agricultural implementS. Ships re-
peatedly have been compelled to leave
in British ports materials destined for
the governments artillery works.
Further shipments for America were,
in consequence. stopped until the ma
terials already shipped had been re-
leased, often after long negotiations.