The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-23
Claim They Went as Far as
Possible To Meet Demands.
Foreign Minister Makes Protest
Speech in Dutch Senate.
THEIR FLAG DISHONORED!
DenOunce Allies To Appease
Wrath of Germany Perhaps.
VIII Not Retaliate, but Continue
To Maintain Freedom.

The Hague, March 22.-seizure of
Dutch shipping by the allied govern
ments was unjust. Doctor Loudon, the
Dutch foreign minister declared to-
day in the upper Chamber
I without a shred of justice" he
said. 1.-THE associated governments
have carried out the proposal, altho
the Dutch government in its reply
went as far as possible to meet the
demands of the associated powers
The resounding protest of the govern
ment will find an echo in the TWO
chambers and among the whole Dutch
people. 1t is a protest imbued with
the principle of right The govern
ment will not have to reproach ltseH
if the country is subjected to severe
trials, with not having done its utmost
TO prevent this injustice
The second chamber passed unan1-
mously bill providing for the drain
age of the Zuyder Zee.
Attacks U. S. Seizure.
In the upper chamber Senator J. T.
Cremer attacked the United States
after the foreign minister had COM
pleted his statement. The senator re-
called the Hudson-Fulton celebration
IN New York to commemorate the dis
covery of the Hudson river.
"A committee was sent to America,
be said, land the speaker who repre-
Sented the Dutch government was re-
ceived with cheers by the Americans
when he made a speech commemor-
ating the achievements of his Dutch
ancestors. Then the Americans had
Tears in their eyes when they saw our
nag. The eyes of Americans have no
tearS to shed now over the dishonor
of our flag.
America regards neutrality as
partisanship. We refuse to furnish
war materials to the allies-that is
the head and front of our offending"
Doubt American Friendship.
Senator Cremer asked what flag
would be flown from the seized ships
and said he hoped it would be the
Dutch flag. but if that flag was used
he hoped it would be hoisted at half
mast. Referring to President Wilson,
the senator declared:
president Wilson calls himself our
friend. Well, Heaven preserve us
from our friends
The senator said he hoped the
Dutch would not take reprisals which
could be carried out easily against the
unfortunate interned prisoners in Hol-
land, but they should render good for
evil. He concluded:
"Our free and proud nation should
prove that in these days of brutality,
the Dutch are the only gentlemen re-
naming in Europe"
Socialist Rails on Wilson.
other speakers also criticised Presi-
dent Wilson Deputy Van Kelv. a
Socialist, said:
THE seizure of the Dutch fleet by
President Wilson under the pretext
of war necessities is as bad as<the vio-
lation of Belgium by Germany on the
same pretext. We will maintain our
independence come what may. The
American people have been misin-
formed and their indignation will be
great when hey learn the trush."
THE government had too much
faith in the friendly speeches OF
former American Minister Van Dyke,
declared Deputy Hooft. an anti-revo-
lutionist. ITO our. shame the govern
rnent has not considered that often a
wolf DISCUSSES himself in sleeps cloth
ing America has followed the prac-
tice of a brigand by holding pistol tC
our head. THE associated govern
ments have acted like common
thieves
Cites Trade Competition.
Admiral Roch said the United States
was taking advantage of the war to
create its own merchant fleet and de-
clared that England, aware OF this
was naturally seeking. by Selling neu-
trail tonnage, to fill out the gaps in its
own merchant marine arising out OF
the submarine warfare. Neverthe
less. England, he thought would fai
to keep it's new competitors, the Unit
ed States and Japan, out of the British
spheres of interest.