The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-03-22
SpecAul DespdtcA TO TIE Sux.

Special DespdtcA TO TIE SuS.
WASHINGTON. March 2l.--Every one
OF the Dutch ships seized by tho United
States, Government is At and ready for
sea and every one will be rushed into
service. It was learned on high ofIicial
authority to-day. There will be no such
delay in the utilization Of these vessels
as there was in the case Of the German
and Austrian ships which were damaged
by their crews.
A friendly contest has developed In
Washington as to the disposal OF these
vessels for operation. 1t seems likely
that soma will be retained by the navy.
but there Is little doubt that a majority
will go to the Shipping Board for oper-
alton In the transatlantic service. The
vessels are still in possession Of the
Navy Department and their disposal will
be determined at a conference between
that department and the Shipping Board
and the Department Of Commerce.
Crews Form New Problem.
The. question Of crews for these vessels
is giving some concern. Ofncials here
are hopeful that many members OF the
Dutch crews will be willing to continue
on the vessels, otherwise much dificulty
will be encountered in manning them I'M
mediately.
Under the law only one-third Of the
crew OF vessels under the American nag
can be composed Of foreigners. but with
the ships under control Of either the
Navy Department or the Shipping Board
1t is intimated the Government would
not proceed against itself for technical
violation OF the law in emergency.
The navy and Shipping Board both
have men In reserve yeady to "a aboard
these vessels. but II may be several days
before their crews are completeA.-pak-
ticulariy II the Dutch seamen skow 40
disposition to sail under the Stars and
Stripes
Careful inspection yof each Of the ves-
sells will be made before It puts to sea.
but officials here who have been in close
touch with the situation say that all OF
the vessels are ready and that few II
any Of them will need docking Most
of the vessels have been anchored in out
side Marboi age with moving water about
them and II is believed their bottoms
have not been fouled.
Will Relieve "Lame Ducks"
Twelve Of the ships were described BY
q shipping official to-day as among the
best on the seas and the best fitted
They will be used in carrying munitions
and supplies to Europe. A number OF
the ships will relieve lame ducks In thu
present transa atlantic service that have
been holding back conveys
This is expected to beneht the shipping
situation. as a convoy can only move a:
fast as the slowest vessel in II. Thi:
also is true Of the time occupied In load
ing and unloading. The Dutch ships, II
is believed, can maintain good convoy
speed and they are finely equipped fol
cargo handling. The vessels they viii
relieve from conveys will be utilized ir
filling gaps in coastwise shipping.
1t is probable three tank steamships ir
the number Of vessels seized will bt
taken by the navy to be used as supply
ships for the oil burning vessels In the
American fleet. Several others suitable
for use as transports may be put to this
service. All those utilized as cargo
carriers will be under control Of the
Shipping Board.
An official statement giving the iden.
tity. tonnage and description Of the vari-
Gus vessels may be issued after a con.
ference Of officials on the subject.
A PACIFIC PORT. March 21.-Armed
naval guards were in charge OF three
Dutch steamships in this port to-day. as
the result of the Presidents proclama-
ton issued last night The vessels were
loaded prior to the seizure. and two OF
them had been ready to sail for some
time.