The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-21
Holland Must Stand Conse-
quences of Decision on Ships.
U-BOats viii Attempt To Cut
OF Food Cargoes.
II ARE IN AMERICAN PORTS
Presidents Proclamation Ex-
presses Friendship for Holland.
Ship Seizure Only Means of
Sending Food to Dutch.

Zurich. March 21.-Holland must
expect that submarines will blockade
all her ports as the result of taking
over of Dutch ships by the allies and
America, it was semi-officially stated
in Berlin today.
The Netherlands will be compelled
to bear all the consequences of her
decision, the Berlin advices said.
Million Tons of Ships.
Washington. March 21.-One mil-
lion tons of Dutch shipping is today
beneath allied flags ready to swell a
depleted merchant marine in a war
against Germany.
This significant addition to the
American-allied fleets was accom-
plished over night after Hollands
answer to proposals for an agreement
had proven impossible of acceptance.
In the case of the seventy-seven
ships in American harbors, the presi-
dental proclamation was the means
whereby they were taken over by the
navy. With the proclamat ton went a
statement from the president indicat-
ing clearly that Holland-twixt the
devil and the deep sea-had un-
doubtedly been hampered as to an
agreement by the threats by Germany.
He showed how the Dutch govern
ment, under a temporary agreement
for using Dutch ships in Belgian and
Swiss relief work, had been unable to
fulfill her part. evidently because of
the Teuton threats to torpedo ships
leaving Holland.
With the ships actually in possess
sion of the United States and the al
lies, little time will be lost in putting
them in the transatlantic transport
service.
American naval crews were at once
available for manning them as the
bureau of operations and naviga ton
had planned this matter carefully in
advance. Actual seizure was accom-
plished about Z o'clock last night and
far reports here show no diff
Guilty was encountered
Owners Receive Pay.
The Dutch will be paid for the ships
under the terms of international law
In making his statement to seiz-
ure. the president pointed out fully
that Holland has acted under the sfia-
dow of the hampering German influ-
ence and emphasized that this gov
ernment is entirely friendly to The
Netherlands. She will get food sup
plies, as originally proposed and the
Nieuwe Amsterdam will be permitted
to return to Holland because of an
agreement recently made for such re-
turn
Requisitioning of the ships at this
| time was regarded as vitality impor-
tant blow at Germany, aiding as 1t
does in the American speeding up of
supplies and troops to France
Criticise Seizure of Dutch Ships.
The Hague, March 21.-Premier
! Loudon, speaking in the chamber in
reply to criticisms of the government
! in Connection with the shipping situa-
/ ton, today characterized Americas
policy ''all but benevolent"
| Dutch Ships at Frisco.
| San Francisco, Cal, March 21-
United States naval crews were in.
charge of three Dutch vessels here
today, following President Wilson's
proclamation requisitioning Dutch
! shipping. When the Americans
boarded the vessels, in each instance
the masters filed written protests and
were given official copies of the gov
ernment orders. Masters of the ves-
sells remained aboard as guests of the
| United States.