New-York tribune., 1918-03-16
Holland to Protest
Against the Seizure
Of Her Shipping

w O4N, MdICI 1O HC
Netherlands government will present a
spirited protest to the United States
and Great Britain against the requlsi-
tioning of Dutch merchant shipping,
according to the best available infor-
nation here to-day. In Dutch circles
the impression created by newspapers
that the decision taken by London and
Washington might be passvely acqui
esced in by Holland was resented.
1t was stated authoritatively that the
the new Dutch Minister, by the Presi-
dent yesterday, was not for the pur-
pose of protesting at that time against
the contemplated action, as the legation
and the Special Dutch mission here
have received no instructions whatever
from their government, which, 1T was
asserted, has been taken completely by
surprise by the announcement Of the
Anglo-American intentions.
Adds to Hollands Embarrassment
Instead of relieving The Hague gov
crnmcnt of the great embarrassment
under which it was laboring, in view of
the German opposition to the conclu-
sion by Holland of an economic agree
ment between the Netherlands and
Germany's enemies, that embarrass-
ment will be immeasurably augmented
by the contemplated action.
Germany, it was said, probably will
not be satisfied with permitting Ho!-
land to enjoy any benefits from such
an arrangement. and would be glad tc
create Tie presumption that Holland
has passivcly asscntcd to it. 1t is
therefore expected that Germany will
bring immediate pressure to bear upon
the Dutch government not to conten.
itself with mere protests, but to take
additional measures.
Aside from the new danger to Hol.
lands neutrality, it was said, Holland
recognizes the fact that her surest sup
riskcd to destruction and that, once
reconstruct it, Payment for the YES
sells, it was declared would not com
pensate either the owners or the coun-
try for the loss Of the vessels
There was also an apprehension that
Germany might prevent the sailing Of
Dutch vessels from the Netherlands
which are to be permitted by the
United States and England to transport
food and foodstuffs from America tc
Holland, on the ground that they, too
might be seized by the Allies.
Holland to Keep Out of War
There is no fear that Holland, even
under pressure of Germany, could be
induced to enter the war. after hav-
ing preserved her neutrality for more
than three and one-half years, under
the most trying circumstances, it is not
now to be expected, at this late day
that anything except the actual inva
sion of Holland herself would move the
country to war" a Dutch authority as
serted.
Whether, however, Germany woule
make good her recent threats and use
armed force in any retaliatory actor
was considered a distinctly grave Ques
ton.
1t is understood that when previousl,
the question of possible requisitioninl
by the Allies Of Dutch vessels was con
sidered by the Netherlands government
the determination reached was that tn.
law of Angary, on which any such &C
ton must be justified. could not prop
crly be pleaded in the instance of the
seizure Of neutral country's ships
and that the maj ority of the recognized
authorities on international law hole
that the right is obsolete
1t is understood, further that the
Dutch government will contend that, in
asmuch as ships flying the Dutch fat
may legally be considered -as Dutcl
territory, the Allies, technically, hav,
forcibly invaded Dutch territory.
1t was also considered possible tha
Holland would be compelled, unde1
merce with the Entente Powers and thu
JTnitod Ctotoc