New-York tribune., 1919-02-03
Vessels To Be Turned Over
to Holland at End xof
Their Present Voyages
Tonnage Famine Relieved
Owners Are Declared to
Have Profited by Action
Taken as War Measure
Netc York Tribune
WdshinQton Buroau

" dShlnQton bureau
WASHINGTON, Feb d Because
tonnage has steadily increased since
the signing of the armistice, the Wal
Trade Board to-day announced that
Dutch ships now under the control and
In the service of the United States
will be returned to Holland immedi-
ately and Internationally. The ships
will be transferred at the conclusion
OF their present voyages
The return of the Dutch ships marks
the conclusion of the long and pro-
tracted discussion relating to the mat
ter, which began soon after the en-
trance of the United States into the
war.
The War Trade Board issued the
following explanation of the necessity
for taking over the Dutch tonnage
"The whole chain of circumstances
leading up to the final reQuisition of
stitutes one of the most important and
interesting chapters in the history of
the war
History of Episode Reviewed
at was on July 8, 1917, that the
President issued proclamation
authorizing an embargo on shipments
of our essential materials to all coun-
tries, although, of course, this applied
especially to enemy countries and
neutrals. To exercise such control was
one of the primary functions of the
War Trade Board But previous to
the creation of the War Trade Board,
its predecessor, the Exports Council.
sent q note to the northern neutrals-
Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Holland.
This note, sent to Holland on July
"a, 1917, explained that, although the
United States was anxious to supply
Holland in so far as possible with
commodities for her vital needs. where
such commodities were not reexported
TO Germany, our own strictly war needs
were so great and so pressing that
they must take precedence over the
needs of neutrals. In addition to civ
ing Holland this explanation of the
embargo. that nation was asked for
detailed information in regard to her
needs for food. fodder and raw mate
rials
"In October, 1917, the Holland gov
ornment was sent over to this countrv
to negotiate for an economic agree
ment.
meanwhile the embargo had the
actual effect of tieing up in our ports
more than eighty ships, detained either
for the reason that they were loaded
with or intended to load embargoed
cargoes, or because it was not possible
to grant them bunker licenses.
Negotiations Without Result
1.-The negotiations conducted by the
governmental commission sent to Hol-
land by this country did not reach any
successful consummation. Late in 1917
representatives of the War Trade
Board, Mr.. Vance Mccormick and DR..
A. E. Taylor began conferences with
Dutch representatives in Paris. Later
these negotiations moved to London,
and on January 25. 1918, a provisional
agreement or 'modus vivendi' between
representatives of the War Trade
Board and the Dutch government was
consummated providing for tempo
rary release of the Dutch tonnage in
our ports
Holland agreed to charter the ships
TO US for period of ninety DAYS, pro
vided the ships we're used only out
side the submarine zone. Provision
was made in this agreement for por-
ton Of this tonnage to be used in
Swiss service and for Belgian relief.
sent to Holland in the service of Bel
glan relief corresponding ship was
to leave Holland for our ports.
Trade Treaty Not Ratified
The underlying cause of this agree
ment was the fact that this country
was in vital need of shipping and be-
cause the Dutch government had small
desire that its ships should be tied nm
indefinitely. Meanwhile general agree
ment in regard to RESUMPTION of trade
with Holland was under discussion. but
was not ratified.
And the provisional agreement of
January rs was not carried into effect
promptly by the Dutch government.
Holland, prder pressure from Ger
many. was prevented from sending
PACK shlps TO replace those sailing in
,he service OF Belgian relief, as had
Deen specified in the agreement.
because of this failure. because
the provisional agreement on shipping
was not. working out successfully, and
because no progress was being made
WIN the general negotiations, the as
sociated governments in March, 1913.
came TO the decision, in view Of the
delay, that they would have to have
unrestricted use Of the Dutch ships
iying In our ports, and Holland was
notified to this effect.
On March 20 1913, the President
issued proclamation authorizing the
requisition OF all Dutch shipping in
our ports on that day
Ships Seized on March 20
Accordingly On March 20, 1918, the
Dutch ships in oar ports wee taken
possession Of by the United States gov
eminent, to be opcarted by the Shin
ping Board and the Navy Department.
There weee eighty-seven of these ships
with an aggregate tonnage of $4,000