The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-03-18
DUTCH SHIPPING
TO Be TAKEN OVER
ALI Ships in American Ports
Manned by u. S. Naval
Reserves Some Time
Tomorrow.
100000 TONS OF 1T
Puts Holland In Ticklish Situation
With Germany, Making
Threats Against
Her.
100000 TONS OF IT

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service. J
WASHINGTON. March 1s.-Delay
in receipt Of an expected ofhcial
cable bearing on the Holland-allied
negotiations for taking over Dutch
tonnage at noon today, will probably
hold up the seizures until tomorrow,
It was officially stated at 1880
o'clock.
While the shipping board stated
early today that the navy would take
over the ships at noon, the navy SAID
1t was standing by and had had no or.
ders to put its naval reserve men on
today.
At about the same time, the state
department indicated Holland had not
signed the proposed agreement, but
added she had never entirely opposed
the use of her vessels in the war zone.
The department claims to have no
reply from Holland and it appeared
that the delay in requisitioning was TO
allow an opportunity to Holland TO
make a last minute agreement on the
subject.
Was Set for Noon.
WASHINGTON. March 1S.-Dutcn
shtnping in American and allied ports
will be taken over at noon today.
The formal requisitioning Will De
done by the navy department which
will nut naval reserves aboard the
craft. take off the present personnel
ond then turn the vessels over TO
the shipping board.
The board let these facts be known
today. adding that the naval reserve
forces would probably remain IN
charge of the vessels for the present:
seven hundred thousand tons OF
this shipping are in American ports.
Under present arrangements the
Dutch will get a portion of the ship
Ming and liberal supply of Amerl-
can food. Germany is threatening
retalia ttons against Holland. saying
she will no longer keep the Dutcn
shipping lane open and that she Will
submarine the food ships.
Addition of the shipping VIII be a
considerable help, especially as now
America is straining her resources 10
the utmost in order to speed up troop
shipments abroad. Her work to date
"a meeting with success and hence
every added ship is Of material AID
The Dutch problem offers delicate
nossibilitfes in view OF Holiande
Situation between the devil and the
deep sea-" o..
She wants to remain neutral 1o-
sbe realizes that with either SIDE
penetrating her territory, the little
nation will soon become shambies
such as Belgium was.
And while the Holland situation is
difficult, the northern European neu
trels are on edge Sweden particu'
1arlv is wrought up over the Finnish
problem and Is SO resentful Of Ger
many's attitude that hostile action is
quite possible.
In line with this situation Ia the
protest Of Norwegian shipping asso-
Citations sent to the German people
and made public here today. This
protest over sinking Of convoy led
the signers to express directly to
the German nation this most deep
abhorrence of the German navy's
conduct, the brutality of which stands
in sharpest conflict with the love OF
humanity and is without parallel in
the history Of naval warfare and Is
unworthy of a seafaring nation"
Holland Has Accepted.
NEW YORK, March 1S.-Special dis
patches received here today, declared
Holland has accepted the allied con
ditions regarding the employment oi
Dutch shipping.
Hollands Answer.
THE HAGUE, March 1S.-Holland's
answer to the allies regarding the
shipping situation probably will be
that she canon't prevent seizure o.
her ships, but will not agree with the
ellies' proposals.
The statement of the American wa,
trade board (regarding the necessity
for the ship seizure) is ridiculed
here.
AS test Of the allies intentions
Dutch merchantmen, conveyed BY
warships, may be sent to Sweden.