Arizona republican., 1918-03-21

act of the German government in sinking the Spanish ship 'Sardinero outside the danger zone when carry ing a cargo of grain for Switzerland, and after the submarine commander had ascertained this fact by an in- spection of the ships papers.
 Germany Threatens ReprisaI
 Tn respect of Belgian relief, the Dutch government expressed it's inabil- ity to comply with the agreement on the ground that the German govern ment had given Holland to understand that it would forcibly prevent the de- parture from Holland of the corre- spending ships, which under the agreement were to leave coincidently for the United States. The Dutch government even felt itself unable to secure the two cargoes of foodstuffs, which under the agreement it was permitted to secure, since here again the German government intervened and threatened to destroy the equiv- alent Dutch tonnage which under the agreement was to leave Holland for the United States.
 Nearly two months have elapsed since the making of the temporary chartering agreement and the proposed general agreement has lain even longer without reply on the part of Holland Meanwhile, the German threats have grown more violent, with a view to preventing any permanent agreement and of forcing Holland to violate any temporary agreement.
 Dutch Delay too Long
 con March : through Great Britain, final proposal, expiring on the 1Sth was submitted to Holland. A reply has been received, which while in itself unacceptable, might under other con- ditions have served as a basis for fut- ure negotiations. But the events to which I have alluded had served to demonstrate conclusively that we have been attempting to negotiate where the essential basis for an agreement namely, the meeting of free wills, is absent. Even were an agreement con- cluded, there is lacking that power oi | independent action which alone can assure performance.
 "l say this not in criticism of the | Dutch government. I profoundly sym pathiZe with the difficulty of her posi- ! tion under the menace of a military 1 power which has in.every way demon strated its disdain of neutral rights But since coercion does in fact exist no alternative is left to us but to ac- complish, through the exercise of oul indisputable right as a sovereign, that which is so reasonable that, in other circumstances, we could be confident of accomplishing it by agreement. Steps Taken Accordingly | "Steps are accordingly being taker to put into our service Dutch shipping | lying within our territorial jurisdic- | finn FThic nt aY-4 nd h. similar action which is being taker by governments associated with us leaves to Holland ample tonnage fol her domestic and colonial needs. w 1 have informed the Dutch government l that her colonial trade will be facilit- ated and that she may at once senC | ships from Holland to secure the bread cereals which her people require. Thes, ships will be freely bunkered and vii be immune from detention on our part |! The liner New Amsterdam, whici came within our Jurisdiction under al agreement for her return will, O. course, be permitted at once to return to Holland. Not only so, but she vii be authorized to carry back with he the two cargoes of foodstuffs whicl Holland would have secured under tn, temporary chartering agreement hat | not Ger1ndny prevented. Ample com
 pensation will be paid to the Dutcl owners of the ships which will be pu
 into our service, and suitable provis
 ion will be made to meet the possi
 bility of ships being lost through enc my action.
 Tt is our earnest desire to safeguar;
 to the fullest extent the interests 0 Holland and of her nationals. By eXer | cising in this crisis our admitted righ
 to control all property within our ter
 ritory. we do no wrong to Holland The manner in which we proposed t
 exercise this right and our proposal
 made to Holland concurrently there with, cannot. I believe, fail to evidenc
 to Holland the sincerity of our friend
 ship toward her.
 (Signed) WOODROW WILSON"