New Britain herald., 1918-02-08
DUTCH FACE To
FACE With FANINE
New Minister Declares Holland
Must Have Increased Supplies

New York, Feb. Shetland must
have increased supplies from tho
United States Or prepare to face
alarming shortages, is the word that
Dr. August Philips, the new Dutch
minister, brings to this country. The
minister s<etched the predlcament or
the Netherlands due to diminished
import from the great western store
house with rapid, salient detail at
an interview in his suite at the Ritz
Carlton Hotel yesterday, soon after
landing from the Nieuw Amsterdam.
Dr. Philips at the same time ex-
pressed a confident optimistic view
that the present negotiations looking
toward the relief of the hard-pressed
people of the Netherlands would find
an carly solution satisfactory both to
this country and to Holland. That
the question of the regulation of
shipping between America and Hol-
land is regarded as of utmost impor-
lance by the Dutch government was
plainly shown by the nature of many
of the minister's comments.
I'VE have always been largely de-
pendent upon America for our sup
plies of many necessities" DR.. Philips
said. Nov that shipping between
our countries has been Interrupted
Holland has come to suffer the full
rigors Of the war. We are out of
everything. We lack wheat, oil, cot
ton and many other staples that we
regularly purchase in America Hol-
land today on rations, with serious
shortages staring her in the face, is
suffering much as the beligerent ma
tons Of Europe.
no Ifrf oofj CT
strongly assured, no feeling of i'll will
among the Dutch toward America,
They appreciate the difficult adjust
ments that America, a belligerent,
must make in her trade with neutrals
and believe that these adjustments
will be made as rapidly as possible
and in a spirit of friendship.
Since Americas entry into the war
the food situation in Holland has be-
come so grave, according to DR.. Phil
ips, as to give rise to occasional tur-
bulent disturbances. Before all the
dip1omatist said American wheat is
needed sufficient American grains to
assure the people their bread supply.
DIR. Philips has been in this coun-
/ try before and brings with him to
| his complicated task a knowledge Of
| the life and the people here. More
| over he explained yesterday, he is
i the type of diplomatist that Amer
lean sentiment has always advocated
"a non-professonal. DR.. Philips
comes here to solve the problem
pending between this country and his
own in the light of good will, mutual
understanding and fair play.
The new minister and his family
will remain in this city several days
before proceeding to Washington.
Expects to See Holland
Holland will be forced to enter the
war on the side of Germany within
two months to save its people from
starvation.
That was the statement of DR.. w.
IT. van Loon, formerly a member of
the faculty Of Cornell University. He
arrived aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam
, after an extended stay since last July
il the Netherlands.
'"The people in the United States
do not understand conditions in FJol-
, land" said DIR. van Loon. within
two months there will be absolute
starvation unless foodstuffs are al
lowed to enter the country from over
seas. Starving peoples are driven to
desperate traits. Germany offers
them food from Roumania,. If they
are compelled to take this or die,
I what can be expected?
Furthermore, the people of Hol-
land do not understand why the gov
eminent of the United States is pre-
venting shipments of food and hold
ing I'D it's vessels. Very little news
regarding affairs here gets to Holland.
The people over there really are at
! loss to know reasons for the embargo
Many of them are still ignorant CT
| the reason prompting the United
States to enter the war.
"I believe that better arrange
ments could be made for getting AM
| erican news to Holland than now Oh
! tain. and that the question of ship
ments of foodstuffs should be given
| serious consideration
'.I am informed from reliable
| sources that the German navy in
tends sending out massive submarine
| cruisers next month. These will be
| armed with heavy ordnance. Some
will carry 15-inch guns, it is said, and
will be able to hold their own against
| well-armed war ships.
Dr. van Loon said he had heard
that the impending German drive may
..o--4 A ~S~r&x, e.