Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-03-27
ALL DUTCH SHIPS
SEIZED BY U. S.
Wilson Says Seizure Is Neces-
sary to Override Hollands
Fear of Berlin.
ALLIES ALSO TAKE ACTION
President Expresses Sympathy FOR
Neutral Nations Position Which
is Made More Difficult by
German Threats.

Washington, March 22.-The presi-
"Wednesday night taking over 6O0,OOO
tons of Dutch shipping within the ter
ritorial waters of the United States
At the same time similar action was
taken by the allied governments on
100000 tons of Dutch ships In their re-
spective ports.
The navy department, as announced
by Secretary Daniels, takes over the
vessels. He minated that for the
present they will remain under the
navy's control.
This action indicates that the ships
viii be Immediately put into service in
the most vital war work of the moment
getting men to France and food to
the allies.
The Netherlands flag fluttered down
at sunset Thursday from the Jaekstaffs
Of vessels throughout the world, total
ing 100000 of much needed tonnage.
On Thursday the Stars and Stripes,
the red ensign of England and the tri-
colors of France and Italy were hoist
ed and the ships will start their serv-
ice in democracy's cause.
This action ends the German grip
on some Of the finest ,hip tonnage in
the world held idle because of Ger
many'S CSercive measures against her
little neigEGor
Had Holland carried out the PROPOSE
tons she made to this country, which
she did not do because Germany for
babe Ii, these ships would not have
been used in the war zone. AS it is
there are no strings on them and Amer
lean troops and American munitions
viii form most Of their cargOes.
There are about 100000 tons of Dutch
shipping in American ports and about
100000 in the ports of Great Britain.
In discussing the negotiations, fol-
lowing the submission of our final pro-
posal President Wilson made this
comment
"A reply has been received which,
while in itself unacceptable, might
under other conditions have served as
basis for further negotiations. But
the events to which / have alluded
had served to demonstrate conclusiveiy
that we have been attempting to nego-
tiate where the essential basis for an
agreement namely, the meeting Of free
wills. is absent.
Even were an agreement concluded.
there IS lacking that power Of indie
nh 1.4h MI
performance.
II say this not In criticism of the
Dutch government / profoundly sym
pathize with the difficulty of her posi-
ton under the menace of a military
power which has in every way demon
strated its disdain of neutral rights.
But since coercion does in fact exist,
no alternative is left to rs but to ac-
complsh, through the exercise of our
indisputahle rights as sovereign, that
which Is so reasonable that, in other
circumstances. We could be confident
of accomplishing it by agreement.
Steps are accordingly being taken to
put in our service Dutch ships lying
within our territorial jurisdiction"
This action on our part and the
similar action which is being taken by
governments associated with us leaves
to Holland ample tonnage for her do
nestle ana colonial needs" says the
president. we have Informed the
Dutch government that her colonial
trade will be facilitated and that she
may at once send ships from Holland
to secure the bread cereals which her
peoT require. These ships will be
freely bunkered and viii be immune
from detention on our part.
Ample compensation viii be paid to
the Dutch owners Of the ships which
viii be put into our service and suit
able provision will be made to meet
the possibility of ships being lost
through enemy action.
1t is our earnest desire to safeguard
TO the fullest extent the interests of
Holland and her nationals But, ex.
ercisng In this crisis our admitted
right TO control all property within our
territory, we do no wrong TO Holland.
1.-THE manner in which we propose to
exercise this right and our proposals
made to Holland concurrently there
with. cannot. believe fail to evidence
to Holland The sincerity Of our friend
ship toward her"