File No. 656.119/336
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page ) to the Secretary of State
[Telegram]
London
,
April 9, 1918, 11 p.m.
[Received 11.23 p.m.]
[Received 11.23 p.m.]
9425. War Trade Board [from Sheldon]:
No. 400. Your 292.1 Foreign Office tells me that Vollenhoven has intimated to them that he hopes shortly to be in a position to resume negotiations for a general agreement. He stated to them and to me that there are a few points which the Dutch Government consider it advisable to have settled about which there is at present a certain misunderstanding.
- [1.]
- The British statement regarding requisition, paragraph 6, states that the Associated Governments gave an undertaking that Dutch ships which might leave a Dutch port after March 21 shall not be brought into Allied service otherwise than in agreement with the owners first. Van Vollenhoven says this leaves Dutch boats on the high seas or now in neutral ports indefinitely subject to requisition. I understand Foreign Office take the view that they are and that this will tend to induce their owners to negotiate.
- 2.
- Van Vollenhoven wishes to know whether Dutch ports included Dutch colonial ports. Foreign Office say “Yes.” Please cable me your views on these points and if you are in agreement with the general clause above quoted. I fear that liability of boats in foregoing category, one being still subject to requisition, may make opening of negotiations for a general agreement more difficult. I understand from Shipping Mission that questions of charter rates and insurances value have practically been agreed upon with the British and that a communication may shortly be ready to send to the Netherlands Government. This communication might furnish an opportune occasion for eliminating any misunderstanding on the points mentioned above.
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