Daily Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1918-191?, 1918-03-22
THE DUTCH SHIP.

All Dutch shipping in American
waters was taken over by a Presi-
dental proclamation yesterday morn
ing. The order WIS made WcIncs-
day night, the morning papers scor-
ing a big scoop m o.ic OF the most
important happenings Of the year.
Holland had refused the American
ultimatum for a transfer Of the ships
according % the original agreement
which Germany blocked All Dutch
N ping in British waters is being
accustomed simultaneously.
approximately ~ vessels with "a
tonnage estimated ~ high as 6OO.O
have been added 20 the American
mer amt marine. The ships in the
b. tish waters viii odd another 3OO,-
900 or 100000 tons TO the allied MGR
chan leet.
Pre- lent wilson's proclamation
eolisti. a .es another 81 his strongest
paper After reviewing thcnegotia-
ticrg tit finally failed he conclud-
ed s q lows:
~. sH.sANi - ANNNhkN hFtAI hfA=
tain. iLal proposal expiring on the
18th wss Hubmittcd TO Holland A
reply 80 been received. which while
in itself unaccepted. might under
other conditions have served as
basis for further negotiations. But
the events To which | have alluded
have served to demonstrate conclu-
sively that we have been attempt .
INK TO negotiate where the essential
tasi5 for an agreement, namely, the
meeting for free wills, is absent.
Even were an agreement concluded
there is lacking that power Of in
dependent action which alone can
assure performance.
II say this not in criticism Of the
Dutch government ! profoundly
'mypathizo with the difficulty Of her
position under the mcuace Of mill
tary power which has in every way
demonstrated It's disdain Of neutral
right. but since coercion does in fact
eNist, no alternative is left TO us but
to accomplish through the exercise
Of our indisputable rights as a SOW
creign, that which is SO reasonable
mat IN other circumstances, we could
BE confident Of achieving it by agree
ment
Steps are being taken TO put into
our service Dutch shipping within
our territorial Jurisdiction. This ae-
ton which is being taken by govern
ments associated with US, leaves 10
Holland ample tonnage for her do
mestic and colonial needs We have
informed the Dutch government that
aer colonial trade will be facilitated
and that she may al once send ships /,
from Holland 10 secure the bread
cereals which her people require.
These ships will be freely bunkered
and VIII be Immune from dctert' n
on our part The liner New Amster-
dam which came within our jurisdic-
'ion under an agreement for her re. 6
turn, VIII Of course. be permitted v
NJ 1ncc 10 return to Holland. Not v
1nly no but she will be authorized 4
20 carry back with her the two ear. Il
rocs Of foodstuds which Holland q
would have secured under the tenn 4
.~'"aS N""' wi X agreement, had not /"
iermany prevented. Ample eompen- q
alton VIII be paid 10 the Dutch own. q
m OF ships which will be put into our
ervice and suitable provision will h. NJ
lade TO prevent the possibility 81 "
hips being lost through enemy ae. 1
on. Il
ut Is our earnest desire To safe. I
nard 10 the fullest extent the in. G
rests Of Holland and Of her nation. b
.. BY exercising in this crisis our b.
United right 20 eontyol an property
thin our territory We DO no wrong q
Holland. The manner in which RI
. proposed to exercise this right
a our proposals made 10 Holland a
ncurrently herewith cannot. I be. "a
We. fail 70 evidence 10 Holland q
) sincerity Of our friendship To- "
I'd her" 4
el