South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-02
SAYS HOLLAND
IS AROUSED
BY FALS|TIES
War Trades Board Member
Declares German Propa-
ganda Helps InfIame Pop
ulaCe Against u. S.
Internationai News Service /.

international News Service:
WASHINGTON, April 3.-Holland
IS thoroughly aroused by the mis-
representation OF events leading up
10 the seizure Of her ships by the
United States. This was the message
brought 10 Washington today by
Robert Otis Hayward. representa-
tive OF the war trade board, who
has spent practically ali of his time
in Europe since the United States
opened negotiations for taking over
the Dutch ships here.
Mr.. Hayward reached an Atlantic
port Friday night and arrived in
Washington today in time TO confer
with a NUM- Der of high officials. in
Guiding Sec'y OF State Lansing.
DO not" he said, "underrate the
strong feeling aroused by our
actions among the Dutch common
people. Public opinion in Holland
IS being fed by German propaganda
and every effort is being made by
the enemy 10 infame the Dutch
populace against America.
l.. :. Has Lost Favor.
The United States has lost
ground since Germany saw tit two
months ago to inspire a number u
anti-American utterances in Dutch
papers and particularly in German
publications which have large cir
culation in Holland
IL was pointed out that Holland
Is not nearly so hard pinched for
food as London. With the exception
OF bread which is limited to three
slices a day. the Holland menu
shows an abundance of butter, milk
and meat and plenty OF cheese.
Holland. however" said Mr.
Hayward. "is greatly in need OF raw
materials. fuel and lubricants.
1T was along the line of furnish
ing her with the raw materials that
our negotiations were carried out.
OF course foodstuns played a big
part. The list Of articles that she
desires includes practically every
thing excepting agricultural pro-
ducts and cattle. ship building ma
terials were excluded from the list
because of our own needs
Germany Blocked Effort
For the first time is was learned
today that the unofficial report that
Germany had actually blocked Hol-
lands effort 10 bring the negotia-
tions to a successful close are true
"Our negotiations finished last
January" said Mr.. Hayward TODAY.
were placed before the Dutch ca -
met in the form Of definite proposals
end in February a commission II
seven experts, three OF whom went
to Berlin. was in direct charge Cf
the Holland negotiations from that
end. At no time did We experience
difficulty from the Dutch cabinet
Negotiations. however. dragged on
until the 90-day temporary arrange
ment was affected Germany re-
fused however. to permit this to so
into effect. and joint notice was
given on March 1. by the allied con
ference on which / represented the
war trade board. that a weeks time
FOR the disposal OF the matter would
be given Holland before definite ac-
tion would he taken by the allies.
During that week hope was held out
that the negotiations would come 20
q successful conclusion. The plan
was extended another week on
Dutch representation and then IL
was seen how futile further pariey
would prove.
seizure Changed status.
1T was after we had determined
20 take over the ships that a prOviso
was added that they would be used
m the war zone. This question never
came up for discussion. nor did the
question Of arming the ships. IS IL
was the original intention 90 use the
vessels i'm South American waters
and in the far east. OF course. with
The seizure OF the ships the whole
status OF the matter changed and
these open questions with it