Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-18

SAYS AGREEMENT
HAS Been REACHED
Amsterdam, March lS.-Eiolland has refus-
ed the shipping demand of the allies, according to
dispatch from Berlin today

'day.
Germany is reported to
have given a promise to
supply all the coal posi-
Bile to Holland
The report as to the decision Of the
Dutch government was circulated in
Berlin following II council at the
German foreign office in which lead.
ing politicians. high army officers and
naval officials took part, the Berlin
dispatch added
The amount OF credence to be al
tached to the foregoing cablegram Is
doubtful in view of the fact that the
alleged decision Of the Dutch govern
ment should come from Berlin before
it came from The Hague.
Ready to Seize Ships.
Washington March lS.-The Navy
Department was standing by today
ready to take over and man the Dutch
shipping in American ports No action
will be taken today. however. des-
pite stories that this government
would act al noon. There is not the
slightest disposition anywhere to in
tertere with Hollands rights or to
take summary action in the premises
The state department will take over
the vessels through the war trade
board. Officials said that the trans.
/ fer will be in every way quiet and
orderly. II is expected that before
midnight tonight the whole question
OF transfer will be completed.
Overrun ukrania.
Copenhagen, March Is. Austro-
German forces are overrunning all OF
the rich agricultural districts. cities
and ports of ukrania in southeastern
Russia, according to information re-
ceived here today Under pretense Of
helping the Ukranian fight the Bolshe
wiki, German horses are gaining dom
ination of The whole of Ukrania.
The German forces that advanced to
kieve are said to have divided into
several columns moving eastward and
SOutheastWard
Accuse Tuscania Crew.
Washington, March 1SS. Charges
that the crew Of the torpedoed Am
erican transport deserted the ship
without an effort to save her passen
gers will be probed by the House OF
( Representatives. Rep Speenerson. Of
Minnesota, this afternoon introduced
a resolution asking the Secretary OF
the Navy to furnish all information
regarding the conduct of the crew at
the time of the sinking.
Arrest Four Spies.
New York, March is Suspected Of
being master spies of the German
kaiser, tWO women and two men were
arrested here today by Department Of
Justice agents for deportation Ia
France The leading spirit of the
quartette, the authorities say, s q
woman who gave the name Of Bar
oness Gustina Beyile She says she
was born in Turkey Of French par.
ents
Continue Ukrania Advance.
Copenhagen, March is The Ger.
man advance along the Black Sea
coast in Southern kraina. continues
laccording to reorts received here
today
/ Having occupied Nikolsiey. seventy
miles northeast of Odessa the Ten.
tons are now moving IN the direction
OF kherson an important Russian
commercial port al the mouth of the
Dnieper River
Immense stores OF grain are be.
lieyed to have fallen into the Ger
mans hands al Nikols,ey while the
Germans also came into possession
Of great shipymds and me Black Sea
naval station
"organze" Russia.
London March ~ German army
officers Nere Reported today 10 be az.
iivnI, .na.,o,l in n,,trs,fy,,tiou'' Obj