The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-04-01
THE DAILY MSSOuLlAN MONDAY MORNING. APP RIL |, 1918


lowed Hofiand's reply. i
incorrect Allegations.
After the incorrect allegations that
Holland was unable to observe the
provisional agreement, the statement
continues, Great Britain on March Z,
made Holland a final proposal, where
upon Holland came forward with a
counter proposal, which was unaccept-
able.
ON February %, the Netherlands. in
view Of the food shortage threatened
In the coming summer. asked America
10 advance 100000 tons of wheat on
account Of 100000 to be arranged for.
The associated governments replied az
TENTATIVELY regarding the 10000 tons,
without definite reply about the 400, 900.
but attached the onerous condition that
they we're to obtain Immediately the.
disposal of all Of that part of the Dutch
merchant fleet to which. according 10
the projected London plan. they would
eventually become entitled
Under Stress.
The Netherlands government, under
th" stress Of circumstances. prepared
certainty could he had os receiving
not only the 100000 tons. but also the
41"Ooo The government was in a po-
sition to accept because it was under.
stood strictly that Dutch ships would
be employed only outside the danger
zone and that therefore there would
be no infringement Of neutrality.
Suddenly, the aforesaid London en-
gagement was broken when the card
NAL point that ships given in cx-
change for the advance Of 100. 900 tons
OF grain--ships with tonnage amount
ing 10 about half % miliion~-were not
to be used in the danger zone, was re-
Foked.4 The OncroHs character of thi,
Change lay not in the fact that the
Dutch ships were TO be sent into the
danger zone--for this has nothing 10
do with neutraity--but because it was
evident that to enter that zone, situ-
ated as IL Is. around the associate ted
countries in Europe. would amount to
transportation of troops and war ma
terials from America, to the European
-belligerents. Moreover the Dutch
ships. If armed. would run the risk of
armed conflict with German warships.
Holland, as neutral country, could
not therefore, consent to the use of
| It's ships in the danger zone unless the
associated governments could guaran
tee they would not be armed and would
not transport troops or war materials.
Can't Sustain Wilson.
In the light of the foregoing the
reasoning Of the presidential state
ment In accordance with which the
seizure was held TO be necessary be-
cause Holland would he unable to OBJ
serve the contract. cannot be sustained
| 1t is contrary to the true facts. The
Only true representative is this:
The powers in question felt con-
strained to replace lost tonnage by a
large number of ships, which belonged
not to them but to the Netherlands
They became aware that the Neither
lands could not permit the ships to
sail for the associated governments ex
cept on condition OF neutrality. There.
fore. they decided to seize the Dutch
merchant fleet in so far as within Their
power.
The Netherlands government deems
II its duty To speak with complete can
dor. 1t voices the sentiments Of the
entire Dutch nation. which sees In the
I seizure an act of violence which ii vii
oppose with all the energy of it's con-
viction and its wounded national feel
ing.
According to the presidential state
mont, this procedure offers Holland
ample opportunity to obtain bread
grain. This is so only apparently. Fol
would 1t not be an irresponsible act
after the experiences Of Dutch ships il
American and British ports, to permit
other ships to sail to these ports with
out adequate guarantees that these ex-
poriences shall not reeur?
The American government has al.
ways appealed To right and justice
has always come forward as tn,
champion of small nations. That /
now CO. operates In an act diametricall,
opposed to those principles is n pro.
cceding which can find no COUNTIES
weight in the manifestations OF friend
ship or assurances Of lenient applica,
ton of the wrong committed