Luxemburger gazette. [volume] (Dubuque, Iowa) 1871-1918, 1918-03-28

Washington. d. c., March 20.-The
United States Government tonight re-
Questioned seventy-seven Dutch ships
a~ggregating 100000 tons and lying in
American waters. At the same time
Great Britain took over 100000 tons.
The Government waited forty-eight
hours beyond the time given to Hol-
land to consent. President Wilson is
sued a statement explaining why action
was taken.
Commercial Agreement Considered.
For some months says the Pres
ident, 1.-THE United States and the En-
tente Allies have been conducting ne
gotiatiOns with the Dutch Government
with the object Of concluding a general
commercial agreement. The discussion
proceeded upon the basis of two funda-
mental propositions-namely that the
United States and the Allies should
facilitate 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 con-
dition Of activity.
Ask Temporary Plan.
Early In January, 1918, the negotia-
tors came TO an understanding, which
was embodied in a tentative agree
ment which was submitted TO the gov
ernments concerned in order that, il
acceptable, 1t might be ratified. or. il
unacceptable, a counter proposal might
be made.
The negotiations becoming pro-
longed. the Dutch delegates proposed.
II, nrlar that THAR chime n,t,rht Scnna.
be put into remunerative service, that
Dutch tonnage lying idle in American
waters should, with certain exceptions,
be Immediately chartered to the United
States for periods not exceeding ninety
days. This proposal was accepted by
the United States Government, and, on
Jan. %. 1918. the Dutch minister at
Washington handed to the secretary Of
state Of the United States a note ex-
pressing the terms Of the temporary
chartering agreement and his govern
ment's acceptance thereof.
Dutch Fail in Contract.
"The Dutch Government at once dis
closed, however, that it was unwilling
or unable 10 carry u this chartering
agreement which it had itself proposed.
lue uISt ueSlTt % the OullSu SIdIeS
was to secure at once shipping, as con-
templated by the agreement to transport
to Switzerland foodstuffs much needed
by the state.
"One difficulty after another was.
however. RAISED TO postpone the char
tering OF Dutch ships for Swiss relief.
and although the reason was never
formally expressed, it was generally
l @ 4h~& TSL -------
feared lest their. ships should be de-
stroyed by German submarines. wen
If on an errand Of mercy and though
not traversing any of the so-called
danger zones proclaimed by the Ger
man Government.
THAT this fear was not wholly I'M
justified has unhappily been shown by
the recent act Of the German Govern
ment in sinking the Spanish ship, Sar-
dinero. outside the danger zone, when
carrying a cargo Of grain for Switzer-
land. and after the submarine COM
mander had ascertained this fact by an
inspection Of the ships papers.
I'm respect to Belgian relief, the
Dutch Government expressed its pres
ent inability on the ground that the
German Government had given Holland
10 uHueTStduu tudI III WOulu 1OrcfDly
prevent the departure from Holland Of
the corresponding ships. which, under
the agreement. were TO leave coin
cidently for the United States.
No Longer Free Agent.
ION March Z, through Great Britain.
a final proposal. expiring on the 18th.
was submitted to Holland. A reply
has been received which, while In IT.
self unacceptable. might under other
conditions have served as a basis for
further negotiations. But the events
to which l have alluded had served to
demonstrate conclusively that we have
been attempting to negotiate where the
essential basis for an agreement,
namely. the meeting Of free wills, Is
absent. Even were an agreement con-
cluded. there is lacking that power OF
independent action which alone can
assure performance.
IL say this not ir criticism of the
| Dutch Government prOfoundly Sym-