El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-04-04
OUR SEIZURE OF SHIPS is NOT
IN DISREGARD OF NEUTRAL RIGHTS

THERE seems to be doubt in the minds Of many people
whether the United States and Great Britain in req
usitonng than 100 Dutch ships in American and
British ports have not been guilty Of the sort Of ruth
less copulon Of neutrals Of which have frequently
N the past accused Germany Hollands loud protests have
helped create that doubt while Germauys furious ACCUSE
tons have not passed unnoticed.
Hollands protests to have been more loud than
snoereust loud enough Tor Germany to heaTout that
phase VIII be discussed later The important thing is to
know whether the United States and Great Britain act
ING with that conscientious regard for the nights OF sa
countries which they insist must be observed by all nations
throughout the world henoeforth whether they are
traplng rough shod Holland IN something the same
way that Germany has abused small countries.
Hollands merchant marine has been virtually out Of
action since Germany proclaimed the intensified submarine
warfare. Her ships with few exceptions have Rugged
the ports There II Dutch ships IN American ports
nearly 40 in New York harbor alone which haven't made
q voyage in months There than 40 others like
them in English ports. Holland next door to Germany
and continually under the imperial frOwn, withdrew her
great merchant from the European trade, with the
important exception that ships carried cargOes 10 Germany
and brought other cargoes back to Holland.
Immediately after the Uboat began in unrestricted
3orm Holland tined to bring home fleet OF ships from
British ports with grain and other cargoes which had been
contracted for before the intensified warfare decree Ger
many was notiled ana consented to the arrangement
pledgng that if the ships left British ports certain
time and followed specified course, safe conduct through
the would be given The fleet sailed, at
tackled by German submarines Of the ships sunk
Germauys pledge being worthless this case and
treachery great any other There were few weak
sfterward and compensation promised but It
Is doubtful whether it has been paid will BE-
At any rate that finished Hollands experience in send
depended Tgoes from Germany and those from other
countries brought in foreign ships incidentally, she has
received from America British French ships for
very long time baCsuss Holland does not recognize the right
Of merchant vessel to be armed for defence Holland
treats them vessels which leave port in "A
hours after arrival be interued No merchant ship
discharge cargo in "a hours and clear port.
The American public Is fairly familiar with the nego
tiatons between the United States and Great Britain on
side and Holland the other for restoration Of the
Dutch ships to world It very important TO
that this be accomplished With the need for ships be-
coming and urgent Of the largest merchant
marines Il the void could scarcely be allowed be idle
and useless in fairness and justice It could be induced
10 become useful
Holland herself made proposal which the allies &C
cped It provided for the sailing Of Dutch ships to any
European ports and Of the submarine zone, Holland
receive Compensation therefor and also certain crgOes Of
grain extra compensation Then Holland baked after
Germany conveyed threat that Dutch ships would become
the particular target Of the U-bosts and Holland informed
the allies that she could not carry out the agreement
The United States and Great Britain then conveyed
Joint message Holland that unless she assented to the
agreement BY March 49, Dutch vessels IN American and
British ports would be Tequisitioned that date As
matter Of fact they not seized March 10 because
Hollands reply had arrived and the allies generous
enough to grant additional time. On March 20 the reply
zrved It assened the agreement but declared Dutch
ps must not be armed must they carry any equip
nent OF This was obviously TO plaeate Germany