Evening journal., 1918-03-21

ZURICH. March 2i--Holland must
-xpect that submarines will blockade
all her ports as a result Of the tahng
s,er Of Dutch ships by the Allies and
america. It was semi-ofioially stated In
Berlin today
The Netherlands must be compelled
90 bear all the consequences Of her de-
cision, the Berlin advices said.
BY the United Press
WASHINGTON. March 2i.-One mil
lion tons Of Dutch shipping is today be-
meath Allied flags ready TO swell a de-
pleted merchant marine In tho war
against Germany.
This significant addition 10 tho Amer
ican-Allied fleets was accomplished
overnight after Hollands answer 20
proposals for an agreement had proven
impossible OF acceptance.
In the case Of the n ships in Ameri-
can harbors, o Presidential proclama-
fion was the means whereby they were
taken over by the navy. With the proc
lamatlon went a statement from the
President indicating clearly that Hol-
land-twixt the devil and the deep sea-
should undoubtedly have been unham-
pered as to an agreement by The threats
OF Germany.
He showed how the Dutch govern
ment under a temporary agreement for
using Dutch ships IN Belgian and swift
zerland relief work had been unable TO
fulnll her part, evidently because Of
the Teuton threats 30 torpedo ships
leaving Holland.
With the ships now actually 10 the
possession OF the United states and the
Allies, little time will be lost In aclu-
ally putting them in the transatlantic
transport service. American naval
crews were at once available for mann
ing them as the bureaus OF operations
and navigation had planned this mat
ter. car sfully In advance. Actual SELF
ure was accomplished about O'Clock
last night and as far as reports here
show no difilculty was encountered.
The Dutch viii be paid for the ships.
under the terms OF international law
In making his statement as to seizure,
che President pointed out fully he.act-
ed under the shadowing OF the hamper
ing Of the German influence and empha-
sized that this government is entirely
friendly TO the Netherlands. She will
get food supplies as originally pro-
posed, and besides the Nieuw Amster-
dam will be permitted TO return 10 Hol-
land because Of an agreement recently
made for her return.
Germany doubtless will make double
efforts to bag this shipping with her
submarines, but in view Of the fact that
Holland did not make an agreement 10
turn over the craft, It Is felt that Ger
many has scant grounds for picking a
quarrel with her neighbor On the
other hand. Germany may seize the re
QUESTIONING to stir up Dutch feeline
against the Allies and such a step. un-
less Offset. might prove dinlcult for the
entente
President Wilson's statement follows
For some months The United states
and the Entente Allies have been con-
ducting negotiations with the Dutch
government with the object Of con-
cluding a general commercial agree
ment
"A very clear statement Of the
character Of these negotiations was
made on March 70 30 the Dutch Pariia-
ment by his Excellency. the Minister
OF Foreign Affairs Of Holland As ap-
pears from tho statement. tho discuss
sion proceeded upon The basis Of two
fundamental preparations, namely, that
the United States and the Allies should
facilitate the importation into Holland
Of foodstuffs and other commodities re-
duired TO maintain her economic life.
and that Holland should restore her
merchant marine TO a normal condition
of activity.
1T was the task Of the negotialors
10 develop a specific application Of
these propositions which would be ac-
ceptable to the governments con-
cerned.
Early in January, 1918, the negotia-
tions came 10 an understanding which
was embodied in a tentative agreement
which was submitted TO the govern
ments concerned in order that, il ac-
ceptable, 10 might be ratified, or II un-
acceptable, a counter-proposal might
be made
The negotiations becoming pro-
longed the Dutch delegates proposed,
10 order that their ships might sooner
be put into rsmunerative service, that
Dutch tonnage lying idle in American
= waters, should, with certain executions.
he Immediately chartered 10 the United
states for periods not exceeding 90 days.
This proposal was accepted By the
United States government and on Janu-
airy p, 1918, the Dutch minister at
Washington, handed to the Secretary
Of State OF the United States a note
expressing the terms Of the temporary
chartering agreement and his govern
ment's acceptance thereof
This agreement provided, amone
otherthings that 10000 tons Of Dutch
shipping should at the discretion OF
the United states be employed in the
service Of Belgian relief and partly for
switzerland on safe conduct TO Cette
France, and that for each shin sent Ia
Holland in the service OF Belgian re-.
lief a corresponding vessel should leav,
Co.. IoJse D.. r.