The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-03-21
United States, Requisitions
All Ships Upon Hollands
Refusal to Voluntarily
Give Over Steamships.


chant marine to normal activity, IN.
United States government tonight REQ
uisitioned all Dutch ships In Ameri-
can waters. At the same time. Great
Britain was taking over Dutch ves-
sells in British ports.
A total of II ships OF probably 6O0,-
900 tons was added to the American
merchant marine by the reauisitioning
Another 100000 tons are put into the
allied service by Great Britain's action.
Most Of them will he used in the food :
carrying trade between the United
States and Europe.
President Wilson'S proclamation
taking over the ships was issued only
after word finally cnme from London
that Hollands delayed reply was ii re-
lection OF the British American de-
mand. The government had waited
more than 4s hours beyond the time
when Holland had been requested to
make a decision as to whether she
would carry out the original pact or
submit TO requisitioning. Every effort
was made to avoid drastic action as
transfer by gareenent was sought.
rather than by seizure. although the
latter Is an exercise OF sovereign rights
justified in international law and
practiced by all nations.
Carry Out Plans.
Although the ships had been taken
over without any formal agreement.
the United States proposes to carry out
scrupulousiy the terms of the original
pact, so that Holland shall receive am-
pie foodstuffs and will be protected In
her colonial trade by having sufficient
tonnage to maintain it's commerce.
The proclamation was ISSUED after
the war trade board received word
from London that Holland had refused
the American uitimatum for transfer
Of ships, according to the original
agreement, which Germany blocked.
All Dutch shipping In British waters
- being requisitioned simultaneously.
Naval guards will go on board the
ships Immediately. Approximately y
vessels. with "A tonnage estimated as
high as 100000 thus will be added TO
American merchant marine The ships
In British waters will add another $780,
900 or 100000 tons to the allied mer-
chant fleet.
Wilson Makes Statement.
the following statement.
+ For some months the United States
and the entente allies have been con-
Quoting negotiations with the Dutch
government, with the object of con-
ment.
~ very clear statement OF the
character OF these negotiations was
- sN-H.
lament by his excellency. the minister
of foreign affairs OF Holland. An ap-
pears from the statement. the discuss
sion proceeded upon the basis of two
fundarnental propositions. namely that
the United States and the allies should
faciiitate the importation into Holland
OF fOodstuffs and other commodities
required to maintain her economic life
and that Holland should restore her
merchant marine to a normal condition
OF activity.
ut was the task OF the negotiators
to develop a specific application OF
these propositions. which would be &c.
ceptable to the governments concerned,
Rsaeh One Agreement.
Early in January, 1918. the neGo-
tiat0fs came to an understanding
which Was embodied In tentative
agreement which was submitted to the
government concerned In order that. II
acceptable. it might be ratified. or. II
Unacceptable. counter proposal might
be made. n
"The negotiations becoming pro.
Ilonged the Dutch delegates proposed.
| IN order that their ships might sooner
- ,..to six,A
Dutch tonnage lying idle in American
waters should. with certain exceptions
be Immediately chartered to the Unit
led States for periods not exceeding 80
days. This proposal was accepted BY
the United States government and on
January IS, 1918. the Dutch minister
at Washington handed to the secre-
tary OF state OF the Cnited States 9
note expressing the terms OF the tenn
porary chartering agreement and his
governments acceptance thereof.
Only Temporary.
This agreement provided. among
other things, that 10000 tons ol
Dutch shipping should. at the discfe.
tion Of the United States. be employed
partly in the service OF Belgian relic,
and partly Tor Switzerland on SAT-
conduct to cette. France. and that. FOL
each ship sent to Holland In the serv,
Ice OF Belgian relief . correspondent
vessel should leave Holland for th<
United States. Two Dutch ships u
The United States ports with carEos'
/ of foodstuffs were to proceed 70 iol
Ihnd, similar tonnage being sent III. ex
Iehange from Holland TO the Cnitet
States for charter as In the case o
Eother Dutch ships lying in the Cnite'
States ports.
"The agreement was explicitly tenn
IporAry In character. and. being de
signed to meet an immediate situation
Iprompt performance was OF the es
ISence. The Dutch government At ono
disclosed. however. that II WAS pn