The Minister in the Netherlands (Van Dyke) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8 p. m.]
363. Your circular confidential August 30, 5 p. m. Netherlands embargoed all munitions of war August 7, 1914, principally to retain them for home use, but also for the other two reasons you mention. The sale of munitions of war would have been a negligible factor in supplying the belligerents, because Netherlands needs more than she has at present to supply her army, especially since it has been increased by over 200,000 men (see my despatch No. 310).1 War Department has just invited bids for 310 tons round steel, 58 diameter, and 600 tons steel both square and round, 78 diameter, for making shells and shrapnel. It is reported that the Bethlehem Steel Company has been asked to bid. Netherlands’ factories have been producing approximately 40,000 rounds of small arms ammunition per diem and have now a reserve of 280,000,000 rounds. I can find no sign of export of arms and ammunition from this country to belligerents. Possibly some has been smuggled. Military attaché Po reported on arms and ammunition in Netherlands dispatch to War Department No. 34, August 12.
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