The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-03-14
100000 TONS
WILL Be ADDED
TO ALLIED FLEET
England and America Force
Holland TO Give Aid,
BIGGEST MOVE OF ITS KIND
The Netherlands Minister
Makes Protest TO Wilson,

WASHINGTON March l4-Afcr
months Of delay and unsuccessful nego.
lialions with the Netherlands. the
United States and Great britain have
decided TO take over on March IN for
allied use. all Dutch ship, in allied
ports unlc" the Netherlands govern-
ment accepts an agreement to that pur-
pose hcfare that time
This will bring practically a million
tons Of ships to the aid Of the allie, at
time when they are sorely needed.
Minister May Protest.
The Netherland, minister. Augusta,
Phillips, had an engagement with Presi-
dent Wilson today and it was expected
he would present from his government
final appeal that the action be de.
layed or at least modified.
There are M indications, however,
that the allied governments will rcceds
from their position. In fact. a final
communication is understood already
to have been presented at The Hague by
the British and American diplomatic
representatives.
viii Pay For Loss.
In addition 10 being reeompensed for
the loss Of any Of the ships the Dutch
are to receive liberal compensation In
export privileges OF breadstuifs which
they need badly.
German pressure Is expected to deter
the Netherlands government from ac-
cepting the agreement the allies propose
and the taking over Of the ships under
international law is looked upon asa
logical solution and not entirely an un.
fortunate one for Holland.
Officials and diplomats here have no
'ears that the taking over Of the Dutch
ihips will force Holland into the war
IS has been predicted in some quarters.
They are certain that Holland will con.
inuc her policy Of neutrality.
Greatest Move In War.
The taking over Of all Dutch fleet,
5 the greatest move Of its kind since
he beginning on the war.
The official explanation here is that
Holland obviously is in state of
IureH; terroriled by the German sub
marine menace; the necessity of feed.
ng the Dutch peoples Of the world
alls for the use OF every ayailabs
on Of shipping
The United States and Great Brit
in, official say, go no further than
holland proposed 10 go until German
hreats prevented putting into effect the
oluntary agreement already negotiate
d. Hollands interests will be safe
uarded in every way with ample food
upplies and the United States and
'reat Britain will undertake to facili-
ate the continuance OF Dutch sailings
o the East Indian colonies and pro-
ide bunkers for such ships, so that
holland will be relieved OF apprehen-
ion In the future OF her colonies and
cr trade
No New Law Feature.
Officials reiterate that the taking
vcr of Dutch ships involves nothing
ew in international law, but is an
NerclSe Of recognized sovereign rights.
uch as have been exercised by Ger
lany herself
The proposed voluntary agreement
rovlded for the departure of ships
ow in Dutch waters to replace ships
,iling from this side with supplies,
NJ Germany threatened to torpedo any
'utch ships starting for this side of
Ie Atlantic The intent obviously
as 10 tie mp as much shipping as pos
bic al a time when II was most need
Has No Alternative,
The proposals for a general agree
-nt now have lain for two months
thout action The United States and
E allies are represented as not dis.
scd to resent these aSspits by The
since II is realized that
bland has no alternative
Holland has been notified that
gc supply of fqcd has been placed
its disposal and that it can freely
I'd ships to take it back under the
st ample guarantees that the ships
| be bunkered and allowed to return
hout requisiton. If Holland is pre-.
tied by Germany from sending ships
transport it, the responsibility for
ting off Hollands food supply. Off
Is here say, can only rest with Ger
NY
Food TO Move Soon.
The war trade board has authorized
transfer Of two cargoes of food
y aboard Dutch steamers prevented
m sailing by the refusal of the Ger
ms to permit the replacing ships 20
We Holland to the Holland-Ameri-
/ liner Nieuwe Amsterdam, which
! sail shortly with a cargo Of foot
Holland. Without this concession
y