Arizona republican., 1918-04-13

States for the Netherlands, a corre- spending Dutch vessel should simul- |taneously leave the Netherlands for the United States.
 Threats From Germany
 Had not the Netherlands govern n-ent, under German threats of vio- lence, which were a matter of common knowledge, felt unable to carry out the temporary shipping agreement. it is in- applicable that the steamships Sama- rinda and Adonis would not have sailed for Dutch port with their cargoes of foodstuffs, which under the agreement the Netherlands was to receive, and of which it was asserted her people were in direst need. Indeed, the statement of the Netherlands minister for foreign affairs made to parliament on March F, 1918, if it is correctly reported to us, set out in considerable detail Ger many's objections which prevented performance of this shipping agree ment.
 Too Much Germany | "As recently as March 14, 1918, after the Netherlands government had been informed that the situation had reached | a point where the associated govern | ments could see no alternative but re- questioning, note was presented on behalf of the Netherlands government, expressing the hope that Germany's objections might still be overcome, so | as to permit at some future date com plete performance of this agreement. which was to have been put into oper- alton immediately and completely upon its conclus.on nearly two months be- fore.
 "One year ago the United States | abandoned it's neutrality and pledged It's entire resources of life esd treasure
 to ensur the. triumph of democracy | over autocraey and to assist to save the world from the blight of militarism.
 AS result of a species of naval war | fare directed against belligerents and | neutr2ls alike which the Netherlands government have themselves declared to be illegal, there has during this per
 lod existed a shortage of shipping
 which threatens to postpone at fright ful cost the ultimate victory. This has
 created an emergency which in magni-
 tude and significance has seldom if
 ever before been equalled.
 Half Million Tons Idle
 During this period there have been | lying in ports of the United States and
 subject to it's jurisdiction and control approximately 500,O0O tons of ships of ! Netherlands registry.
 At any time within year, the United States might have exercised it's right to put these ships into a service useful to
 it. Yet it forebore and for many months patiently negotiated. first in Washington and then in London, until finally the temporary agreement of Jan uary 18th was entered into. No sooner
 was this agreement concluded than it
 broke down under German threats of
 violence which overruled the will of the Netherlands government expressed | therein.
 Then and then only did the United
 States take steps to accomplish through the exercise of it's own right that which
 1t was hoped could have been accom-
 plished by Agreement, and which the
 Netherlands government had been will
 ing in part so to accomplish.
 | Much Shipping Free
 The action taken leaves available te
 the Netherlands government by far the greater part of their merchant marine
 and tonnage which, according to -esti-
 mate of their own officials, is ample for the domestic and colonial needs oi
 the Netherlands. Shipping required foI
 these needs will be free from detention
 on our part and will be facilitated by tthe supplying of bunkers. The balance