New Britain herald., 1918-04-13
German Interference.

''The statement of the Netherlands Government seems to imply that this agreement was in fact lived up to by the Netherlands Government, yet evil dence to the contrary Is found in the statement itself which refers to Ger man objections as having prevented performance by that Government of what is erroneously referred to as Americas demands, but what was in reality Netherlands undertaking, that when a Dutch ship left the United States for the Meth erlands a corresponding Dutch vessel should simultaneously leave the Netherlands for the United States. Had not the Netherlands Government under Ger man threats of violence, which were matter of common knowledge, felt unable to carry out the temporary shipping agreement. it Is inexplicable that the $. $. Samarinda and Adonis would not have sailed for Dutch port with their cargoes of foodstutfs, which under the agreement the Meth erlands was to receive, and of which it was asserted here people were in dirct need. Indeed, the statement of the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs made to Parliament on March 12, 1918, if it is correctly reported to us. sets out in considerable detail Ger many's objections, which precented performance of this shipping agree ment. As recently as March IA, 1918, after the Netherlands Government had been informed that the situation had reached a point where the asso- ciated Governments could see no al- formative but requisitioning, a note
 a Of Neth h erlands Government expressing the hope that Germany's objections might still be overcome, so as to per init at some future date complete per- formanCe of this agreement which was to have been put into operation i'm mediately and completely upon it's conclusion, nearly two months before.
 "One year ago the United States abandoned it's neutrality and pledged it's entire resources of life and treasure to insure the triumph of democracy oVeT autocracy and to assist to save the world from the blight of militar- ism. AS a result of a species of naval warfare directed against belligerents and neutrals alike, which the Neither lands government have themselves declared to be illegal, there has dur ing this period existed a shortage of SHlpplnS WnlCn lnreaCeIleu LO pOStpOnS at frightful cost the ultimate victory. This has created an emergency which, in magnitude Id significance, has sell i dom if ever before been equaued. 1 During this period there have been ly- | ing in the ports of the United States ] and subject to it's jurisdiction and con- ! trol approximately 500,0O0 tons of 1 ships of Netherlands registry.
 Delayed for Year.
 At any time within a year the 1 United States might have exercised lis 1 right to put these ships into a service | useful to it. Yet it forebore and for many months patiently negotiated, l first in Washington and then in Lon- don, until finally the temporary agrea- ment of January 25 was entered into. No sooner was this completed than It ! broke down under German threats of 1 violence which overruled the will of the Netherlands government expressed therein. Then and then only did the United States take steps to accomplish through the exercise of it's own right that which 1t was hoped could have been accOmpliShed by agreement and