The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-08-03
Norway, Sweden and Hol-
land Take Steps to Ease
Our Food Embargo.
THREAT Is EFFECTIVE
Rationing Plan to Be De-
yised for Countries Adj
joining Germany.
PLEDGE BY CHRISTIANTA
Offers to Guarantee Goods
Won't Reach TeutOns-
Ships for u. s. Trade.

WASHINGTON. Aug First effects OF
the proposed food ratlonlng plan Of neu-
trials In northern Europe by the
United States were noted to-day when
Norway offered to guarantee that sup
plies shipped to her would not be for
warded to Germany and in return for
food offered a million tons of shipping
for use in coastwise trade Holland also
offered to exchange ships for food, but
desired that any ships loaned to the
United States should not be used in the
war zone. Sweden placed sweeping re-
strictions upon exports.
The United States on the other hand.
made It plain that 1t is in earnest in
Its determination that foodstuffs sent
from this country shall not, directly or
by indirection. be used to assist the
enemy in carrying on war. Notes wero
handed TO diplomatic representatives OF
each OF the neutrals. asking full infor-
nation as to food conditions in their re-
spective countries. So great are their
emergencies that immediate replies are
anticipated.
The American Governments plans for
ratloning the neutrals through its con-
troll OF exports will be finally determined
on after replies are received. The in
formation sought concerns the exact food
needs of those countries their food pro-
duction capacity and details of their
export and import trade of, the last
few years.
Limited TO Bare Necessities.
The intention of the United States is
to hold food exports to the neutrals to
the barest necessities to prevent Amer
lean foodstuffs or food they replace from
reaching Germany. Only actual food
deficiencies will be made up from Amer
lea, and assurances will be demanded
that no American produced food is re-
exported or used to supplant food that is
exported. At present no shipments to
the neutrals are permitted to leave
American ports, and some OF the coun-
tries are badly in need of grains.
| Norway's case was put before this
Government to-day by Dr. Frldtjof Nam
sen, head of the Norwegian mission. who
declared his country Is facing starvation.
Norway wants sugar, fats and grain, DR..
Nansen reported.
Mr.. Van Rappard, the Dutch Minister,
said his Government was ready to de-
vote 80 900 tons to the transportation OF
relief to the Belgans If the United
| States would allow Holland to have
! foodstuffs for her own use. The Dutch
merchant marine consists of about
IN - ls,...
| have her ships go into the danger zone.
the Minister said, was because of her
great colonial trade.
sweden MOdihcs Exports.
/ 1t is understood that the new export
regulations issued by the Swedish Gov-
ernment to-day, the purpose OF which
evidently Is to prevent brass. lead, cop
per, nickel and other base metals leav-
( ing the country, will he followed by
/ similar orders from the other Scand!-
navian countries and by Holland,
/ AS -Norway's exports are chiefly Ash
and her principal industry is shipping
! the Nansen mission hopes to arrive at
q working agreement with the United
! States similar to that reached with
Great Britain, whereby certain per-
centage OF the catch may be exported
to Germany in return for the Norwegian
bottoms.
Conditions in Norway, DR., Nansen
said, are such that there Is practically
no smuggling into Germany. There In
food enough for the present in Norway.
he said, but unless exports are permitted
from the United States the conditions
will be deplorable.
Norway wants coal and iron from
England because the short haul from
English ports would make more ships
available for the longer voyage to this
country. The NorweGians will agree to
carry nothing for themselves not classed
as necessities. No ships are tied up
now, but are carrying for the Allies
with Government insurance at IA very
high rate,
There is a definite understanding he
tween the Scandinavian countries re-
Cardng cooperation. Their economic IN
terests are not the same, but they fully
realize the advantage and necessity ot
keppng together at this time, and n
definite agreement was reached between
the Governments that they should act
together in external affairs.
working Agreement sought.
The Norwegian missions plan Of pro-
cedure mere is to make as clear as pos
rible Norway's needs, and to arrive at
i working agreement What form the
, agreement win take remains to he seen,
but in any event the Norweglans arc
ready to promise definitely that moth
> ing viii reach Germany.
: Norway has been largely dependent
an Russia for food, Since the beginning
CO the war this supply has been cut off
and the United States Is her only ro-
2 malning hope, Agreements made with
: England regarding the movements of
5 shippng have been ratified by Franco
= ana Italy but, contrary to opinion. no
T British capital !s Invested IN Norw"g'rn
shipping. As n matter OF fact Ncr-
g wegian law prohibits the foreign own
Crship OF Morse vessels.
DIR. NanSen said that Norway had
c received no compensation from Germany
= for the tonnage destroyed, Norway has
D protested against the depredations,