Salt Lake Tribune | 1918-04-02 | Page 13 | Holland's Protest Fails to Convince

HDUJIRD'S PROTEST FAILS TOEOIIE WASHINGTON", April 1. Formal orders or-ders lor the taking over of all tackle, apparel, furniture and equipment, including- bunker coal and stores, belonging to the Dutch ships in American ports which have been seized by the United States, were issued today by President 'Wilson. Some of the masters of .the vessels removed re-moved or attempted to remove navigating navigat-ing instruments, glasses and other- equipment equip-ment when they surrendered possession of (heir ships. Tire navy was directed to take possession posses-sion of the property, anil the shipping board was instructed to make full compensation com-pensation to (he owners, in accordance with international law. The order applied to property already acquired as well as that still to be obtained from the ships' officers. Holland's protest against the requisi -tioninp; of-her ships by the United States and Great Brkatin, as published in the Official Gazette at The Hague and transmitted trans-mitted in new cables, reached the state department today. Minister Garrett al The Hague cabled the document, which was not sent as a formal protest, although al-though it is regarded here as such. It was handed to Minister Garrett simply as a statement of the government's views. Officials had not studied the statement carefully today, but it was indicated that it was improbable any alteration of the action of the United States and its co-belligerents co-belligerents would be made. It is quite possible that not even a reply may be sent, as the statement did not assume the form of a direct protest.