The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-03-19
Agrees to AngIo.American Pro-
posaI as to Dutch Shipping
With Certain Proviso.
WHEAT MUST BE OBTAINED
Assent Based on Allies Guaran-
teeing to Replace Vessels and
Restrictions as to Cargo.

Washington, March 19.-Execution
of plans to take over Dutch merchant
ships in American por'1 today awaited
official receipt from London OF the
Dutch reply to the British American
shipping ultimstum. Yesterday was
the last day given the Netherlands
government to make answer and al
lowing for cable delays the United
States decided to wait until today be-
fore proceeding to requisition the ton
mage in accordance with the demand
made several days ago.
The Hague, Monday, March 78.-
Holland has accepted, with certain
conditions, the Anglo American de-
mand regarding Dutch shipping. TINS
was announced in the second cham
Der today by Or. Loudon, the foreign
minister, who added that Holland
could not go further and was awaiting
the Anglo American reply to its
latest communication.
The minister's declaration, which
will be discussed by the chamber
Tuesday, said
THE German government having
declared its inability to- furnish 1OO,-
900 tons of wheat in two months. the
Dutch government finds itself COM
PEELED to accept the demand for sail
ing Dutch ships through the danger
zone, which the American and British
governments had attached to the de-
livery, on April l5, of 100000 tons OF
wheat"
Based on Conditions.
DR. Loudon added, however, that
the assent of the Dutch government
was based on conditions. Included
among these conditions were the
claims that the allied governments
should guarantee that no troops nor
war materials be transported on the
ships and that vessels destroyed be
replaced by others after the war. An
other condition was that bunker coal,
necessary for transporting merchan-
disc to Holland ought to be furnished
Dutch ships.
Will Not Meet the Case.
London. March 19.--ln official Cir
clcs here it is said that inasmuch as
kilograms from Holland appear to sug-
gest that the Dutch government has
accepted the allies note, it should be
pointed out again that an attempt at
This time on the part of Holland 10
come to an agreement merely on the
basis of the moduS Vivendi OF last
January will not meet the case, as the
position has changed radically since
then.
This evidently refers to the Offer
made to Holland by the allies before
the present action was decided upon.
providing for the rationing OF the
Dutch people in exchange for conces-
sions from Holland, the most impor-
tant of which was the use of Dutch
ships.
DR.. Loudon explained that the
Netherlands had been ready to accept
the provisional arrangement by which
100000 tons of grain would be supplied
on account, in accordance with "thc
basis of the agreement" with the al
lies when the associated governments
suddenly sprang the demand that the
released tonnage should also be used
in the danger zone.
Why Deferred Answer.
1T was laid down by the Neither
lands government as a basic condi-
ton for the arrangement and ac-
cepted by the associated govern
ments" continued the foreign minis
ter that the Dutch ships be kept out
of the danger zone. / Will refrain
from discussing II reasons that may
have led to the new demand, but its
justice the Netherlands government
cannot admit. Neither does it admit
the assumption prevalent in certain
countries, that when belligerents
need of tonnage becomes pressing.
neutral ships can be forced en- bloc to
enter its service"
DIR. Loudon said that tho Neither
lands government after mature con-
sideration. had informed the associ
ated governments that both from po-
ltcal and economical viewpoints II
objected seriously to their demand, but
il deferred making a definite answer,
taking into consideration the threat
cned grain shortage during the COM
ing summer and the probability that
a refusal would result in the cutting
off of all overseas supplies.