The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-03-15
ALLIES TO take
DUTCH SHIPS
Those in u. S. and British
Forts TO Be Seized.
1,0Oo, 600 TONS OF SKIPPING
Washington and London Agrees to
Ac*i2n Unless Holland Accepts Pro-
pc. , Is by Monday.

Pc Is by Monday.
W. 12t2n, March l5.-The United
Stat, nd Great Britain have decided
to tale over on March IS for allied
use "a DutcH ships in allied ports
unless he Netherlands government
accer+s en- agreement to that purpose
by that time.
Til : J q ion follows months of de-
lay an! unsuccessful negotiation with
the Ne herlands.
They will bring virtually a million
tons of ships to the aid of the allies
at a time when they are sorely need
ed.
The Net erlands minister. Augustus
Phillips. had an engagement with
President Wilson. It was expected
he would present from his govern.
ment ? final appeal the acton be de-
layC3 o. At least modified
There are no indications the allied
governments will recede from their
decision. In fact. final communica,
ton is understood airco = : h2v'
been presented az The Hague by tn
British and American diplomatic rep
resentatives.
In addition to being recompensed
for the loss of any ships the Dutch
are to receive liberal compensate"
in export privileges of breadstuf
which they need badly.
German pressure is expected 10 de
ter the Netherlands government from
accepting the agreement the lie:
propose and the taking over Of the
ships under international law + lock
upon as a logical solution and not en-
tirely an unfortunate ona for Holland
Of Hials and diplom2tS have n
fears the taking over of tie Dutch
ships will force Holland into the wal
as has been predicted in some quar-
tiers. They are certain Holland viii
continue her policy of neutrality.
The taking over of all the Dutc,r
ships is the greatest move o. its kind
since the beginning of the war
The official explanation is Holland
obviously is in a state of du"ess. ter
roriZed by the German submarine
menace. The necessity of feed ng the
neutral nations of the world calls fOl
the use of every available ton Of ship.
ping.
The United States and Great Brit.
ain, officials say, go no further than
Holland proposed to go until German
threats prevented putting into effect
the voluntary agreement already ne,
gotiated.
Hollands interests will be safe
guarded in every way with ample food
supplies and the United States and
Great Britain viii undertake to facili-
tate the continuance Of Dutch sailings
to the East Indian colonies and pro-
vide bunkers for such ships, so Hol.
land will be relieved from any appre-
hension as TO the future of her colo
MES and their trade.
Officials reiterate the taking over
of Dutch ships involves no hing new
in international law. but is an exer-
else of recognized sovereign rights
such as have been exercised by Ger
many herself.
The proposed voluntary agreement
provided for the departure of ships
now in Dutch waters to replace ships
sailing from this side with supplies
but Germany threatened to torpedo
any Dutch ships starting for this side
of the Atlantic. The intent obviously
was to tie up as much shipping as
possible at a time when it was most
needed.
The proposals for general agree
ment now have lain for two months
without action. The United States and
the allies are represented as, not dis
posed to resent these defaults by The
Netherlands since it is realized Hol-
land has no alternative.
Holland has been notified a large
supply of food has been placed at its
1t can freely send ships to
take it back under the most ample
guarantees the ships will be bunkered
and allowed to return without requi-
sition.
If Holland is prevented by Germany
from sending ships to transport it, the
for cutting off Hollands
food supply officials say, can only rest
9th Germany.