Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1918-03-22
RESIDENT ORDERS
DUTCH SHIPS IN
U. S. PORTS SEIZED
Action Taken by Wilson Defeats
German Coercion.
HAS SYMPATHY FOR HOLLAND
Executive Declares Americas Action
is Necessary to Overthrow Small
Nations Fear of kaiser-Al-
lies Take Similar Action.


dent issued his proclamation taking
over 100000 tons of Dutch shipping
within the territorial 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-
spectiye ports.
Under Nays Control.
The navy department, as announced
by Secretary Daniels, takes over the
vessels. He intimated that for the
present they viii remain under the
navy's control
This action indicates that the ships
win 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 fiuttered down
ut sunset last night from the iackstaffs
Of vessels throughout the world, total
Ing 100000 Of sorely needed tonnage.
Today the Stars and Stripes. the red
ensign of England and the tri-colors of
France and Italy were hoisted and the
ships viii start their service in democ-
racys cause.
This action ends the German grip
on some of the finest ship tonnage in
the world. held idle because of Ger
many's coercive measures against her
little neighbor.
Wilson Issues Statement.
The following statement by Presi-
dent Wilson was issued simultaneously
with the proclamation
''For some months the United States
and the entente allies have been con-
Quoting negotiations with the Dutch
government with the object of conclud-
Ing general commercial agreement.
a very clear statement of the char
acter of these negotiations was made
on March - to the Dutch parliament
nv his excellency the minister of for
eign affairs of Holland.
AS appears from the statement the
discussion proceeded on the basis of
two fundamental propositions, namely,
that the United States and the allies
should facilitate the importation into
Holland of foodstuffs and other COM
modities required to maintain her eco
monte life, and that Holland should re-
store her merchant marine to nor
maj condition of activity
1T was the task Of the negotiators
10 develop a specific. application of
these propositions which would be ac-
ceptable to the governments concerned.
Arrangement Agreed Upon.
Early in January, 1918. the negoti-
ators came to an understanding which
was embodied in tentative agreement
which was submitted to the govern
ments concerned, in order that, il ac-
ceptable, 1t might be ratified. or, If un-
acceptable, counter-proposal might
be made.
The negotiations becoming pro-
longed, the Dutch delegates proposed,
in order that their ships might sooner
be put into remunerative service,
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
uary rs the Dutch minister at Wash
ington handed to the secretary of state
Of the United States note expressing
the terms of the temporary chartering
agreement and his governments ac-
ceptance thereof.
Unable to Carry Out Agreement.
''The agreement was explicitly tenn
porary in character, and being designed
10 meet an immediate situation, prompt
performance was of the essence. The
Dutch government at once disclosed.
however that it was unwilling or I'M
able TO carry out this chartering agree
ment which 1t had itself proposed.
The first desire of the United
States was to secure at once shipping.
as contemplated by the agreement, to
transport TO Switzerland foodstuffs
much needed by the state.
Zone difficulty after another was.
however. raised to postpone the char
tering Of Dutch ships for Swiss relief.
and although the reason was never for
mally expressed, it was generally
known that the Dutch ship owners
feared lest their ships should be de-
stroyed by German submarines. 4 even
though on an Grand of mercy and
though not traversing any of the So
called danger zones proclaimed by the
German government.
''rhat this fear was not wholly IN
Justified has unhappily been shown by
thc recent act of the German govern.
his1t in sinking the Spanish shin 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 to comply with the agree
ment on the ground that the German
government had given Holland to un-