PARAPHRASE TELEGRAM to Lord Reading, (Washington), Foreign Office, day 18th 1918. 7:30 p.m.
No.3071.
Urgent.
Referring to Sir W. Townley's telegram No.1808 of May 14th. Requisitioning of Dutch ships.
Text of United States note to Netherland Chargé d'Affaires at Washington has been communicated by Mr. Sheldon to us. It raises a very delicate point. Your Excellency will remember that in the course of our correspondence respecting conditions of requisitioning, you reported decision of United States Government that they would not requisition any Dutch ships that might reach subsequently to March 21st United States ports (see your telegram No.1311 of March 27th). His Majesty's Government on their part assured Netherland Government solemnly that after March 21st the associated Governments would not requisition any Dutch ship sailing from a Dutch port (see my telegram to Sir W. Townley No.646 of March 21st, repeated at the time to you for information of United States Government).
We feel it necessary in these circumstances to make it quite clear that we consider ourselves bound definitely by the pledge we have given. It appears to us that any one-sided departure from it is bound to expose the associated Governments to a charge of breach of faith, which in the present political state of Holland would be particularly harmful. Moreover, as we have left her practically little more tonnage than she requires to carry on according to the estimated scale of rations her necessary oversea trade, there should be no occasion for further requisitioning on any material scale. Individual ships could probably be obtained on an emergency on charter with the consent of the owner.
Netherland
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United states of America.
TRADE AND TREATY. 362
PARAPHRASE TELEGRAM to Lord Reading, (Washington),
Foreign Office, day 18th 1918. 7.30 p.m
No.3071.
Urgent.
Referring to Sir W. Towley's telegram No.1808 ( of Kay 14th. Requisitioning of Jutal ships).
Text of united States note to Netherland Churgé d'Affaires at washington has been communicated by Mr.Sheldon to us. It ruises a very delicate point. Your Excellency will remember that in the course of our correspondence respecting conditions of requisitioning you reported decision of United States Govern- went that they would not requisition any Dutch ships that wight reach subsequently to March 21st United States purts (see your telegram No.1311 of Larch 27th). His Majesty's Covemment on their part assured Netherland Goverment solemnly that after March 21st the associated lovemments would not requisition any Dutch ship sailing from a Dutch port see my telegram to Sir.. Townley No,646 of March 21st repeated at the time to you for information of United States Govement.
..e feel it necessary in these circumstances to ake it quite clar that we consider ourselves bound definitely by the pledge we have ven. It appears to us that any one-sided departure from it is bound to expose the associated Goverments to a change of breach of faith, which in the present political state ofolland would be particularly harmful. Moreover, as we have left her practically little more tonnage than she requires to carry on according to the estimated scale of rations her necessary over- seus trade, there should be no occasion for further requisitioning! on any material scale. Individual ships could probably be ob- tuined on an emergency on charter with the consent of the owner.
Netherland
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