Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-01

part of the Dutch merchant feet 10
which, according TO hte projected Lon
don plan. they would eventually become
tntftieo
'rhe Netherlands Government. under
the stress OF circumstances, prepared 70
accept this condition as soon as the GER
tainty could be had that the fullest re-
lance could be placed not only on the
100000 tons. but also on the full 400,-
600 as the basis OF definite regulation.
The Government was In a position 20
accept because at the deliberations in
London and afterward Il was understood
strictly that Dutch ships would be em-
ployed only outside the danger zone, and
that therefore. they would in no case
undertake services for belligerent
which would be an infringement Of neu-
trality.
London Engagement Broken
Suddenly the aforesaid London en-
gagement was broken on March Z, when
the cardinal point, that ships given in
exchange for the advance Of 100000
tons OF grain ships with tonnage
amounting to about half million were
not TO be used In the danger zone. was
revoked. The onerous character OF this
change lay not In the fact that the
Dutch ships were 10 be sent into the
danger zone--for this has nothing to
do with neutrality-but because II was
evident that to enter that zone, sit
uated as IL Is aroused the associated
countries in EuroLe, would amount to
large extent to the transportation
OF troops and war material. from Amer
ica to the European cobelligerents. More-
over, the Dutch ships, IN armed, would
run the risk OF armed conflict with Ger
man warships. Holland, as a neutral
country, could not, therefore, consent to
tho use OF its ships in the danger zone
unless tho associated Governments could
guarantees that the ships would not be
armed and would not transport troops
OF war materials.
In the light of the foregoing, the rea-
soning Of the presidential statement In
accordance with which the seizure was
held to be necessary because Holland
would be unable to observe the con-
tract. cannot be sustained. II Is contrary
&c the true facts. The only true rep
reRentation Is this.
The Powers IN question, owing to
the loss of ships, felt constrained to re-
place the tonnage by obtaining the dis
posal OF a large number of ships which
belonged not to them, but 10 the Neither
lands. They became aware that the
| Netherlands Government could not per-
NIT the ships 20 sail In the interest OF
the associated governments. except on
the conditions imposed by neutrality.
/ Dut wnlCn were, IN tne JuuBtnentS OF lne
governments, not sufficiently in accord
ance with the interests Therefore. they
| decided to seize the Dutch merchant
feet in SO far as it lay within their
power.
"The NetherIa nds Government deems
10 its duty. especially In serious times
such as the present, to speak with COM
plete caBdor. IL voices the sentiments Of
| the entire Dutch nation, which sees In
the seizure an act of violence, which IL
will oppose with all the energy of its
conviction and its wounded national
| feeling.
According to the presidential state
ment, this procedure offers Holland
ample opportunity to obtain bread grain.
This is so only apparently for would II
not be an irresponsible act, after the
experiences of d. ch ships In American
and British ports, to permit other ships
TO sail to these ports without adequate
guarantees that these experiences shall
moi recur?"