Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-25
ARGENTINA MAY
BAR DUTCH SHIPS
German Influence in South
American Nations Wor-
ries u. S. Authorities
DANGER OF LEGAL TIE-UP
Vessels May Be Forced Into
War Zone Trade to Pre-
vent Their Seizure
DANGER OF LEGAL TIE.UP
Washington, March 25.

w dSnIuStOII,
new and somewhat disturbing ele.
ment has entered into the use by the
United states of the Dutch ships seized
last Wednesday. While, Of course,
there was no agreement to that effect,
II was intended that AS many of the
vessels as possible should be employed
IN the South American trade and thus
ne kept clear of the dangers of tho
war zone.
There now has developed the fear
that If the ships are sent TO Argen-
fine and Chile ports all attempt might
be made to intern them and bring OH
more international complications. Ne
gotiations are in progress covering
this phase of the situation, and unless
a satisfactory solution is arranged the
United States may be compelled to use
the Dutch tonnage almost. exclusively
I'm belligerent waters. The vessels
could sail in and out of Brazilian ports
without danger of molestation, but
they are not needed for coffee.
The real need Is for wheat and meat
from the Argentine and for nitrates
from Chile. Already the normal sup
ply of nitrates in this country is some
100000 tons short. 1t Is said, and the
consumption is increasing daily. Nj
trates are needed both for manufac.
ture of explosives and for fertilizing
compounds.
Danger i'm German Pressure
Brazil is in with the Allies, but the
Argentine and Chile remain neutral
with strong German influences at
work In each country. 1t is not en-
pected here that either the Argentine
or Chilean Government would act on
It's own initiative. The danger would
come through German pressure
cloaked under proceedings by Dutch
subjects. In this way the Dutch
ships might bo libeled and held. pend
ing interminable Admiralty Court pro-
ceedings. The German influence both
In the Argentine and in Chile might
prove strong enough to keep the liti-
CATION in progress until tho end of
the war. The seized ships are too
badly needed for any risks Of this
sort.
II had been hoped that some agree
ment could be made with the Dutch
owners TO cover the vessels against
libel actions while in neutral ports.
but the temper of the Dutch people
appears to be such that great diff
Guilty may be experienced in bringing
this about. Failing this. the matter
may be taken up direct with the Ar
gentine and Chilean Governments. but
II Is realized their positions as neutrals
would cause them to hesitate to make
any definite promise to the United
States guaranteeing the ships against
molestation.
May Be Used i'm War Zone
II the negotiations give evidence
of being prolonged the shipping board
probably will abandon the idea of
using any of the Dutch ships in South
America. transferring them to the
European service and taking American
ships out Of that service to bring the
breadstuffs from Argentine and the
nitrates from Chile.
Washington fully expected there
would be something of an uproar in
the Dutch Parliament over the
seizures. and therefore has not been
disturbed over the reports from The
Hague. The seizure offered an op-
portunity for the pro.Germans to ex-
press themselves rather noisily and
do little propaganda work for the
Kaiser and his Government There
Is the conviction here that. the Dutch
people. and particularly those holding
shipping areas, are delighted to have
their ships in service again, earning
the big ocean fees that are now the
rule, and protected by guarantees OF
replacement as soon as possible aftel
the war is over.