TONNAGE PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 155, 20 March 1918, Page 5

TONNAGE PROBLEMS

THE REQUISITIONED DUTCH SHIPS

GERMANY MAY CLOSE THE

"FREE ZONE"

ti ,m -i v, London ' March 18 - llie Daily Express" states that the Allies to-day temporarily take over a million tons of Dutch shipping now in Allied ports, which will bo utilised in carrying food. It is stated that Holland has accepted tho British and American proposals regarding the conditions under which tho ships have been requisitioned. Germany has been conducting a campaign of terrorism and sabre-rattling, and has threatened to cut off supplies of coal, iron, and steel in tho cvont of Holland agreeing — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Amsterdam, March 18. _ "be "Frankfurter Zeitung" says that if Holland agrees to the Allios' proposals there will be no further reaßon for Germany to maintain a freo zone in the North Sea—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

VESSELS TO BE SEIZED ON MONDAY AMERICAN NAVY WILL SUPPLY CREWS. (Rec. March 19, 11.30 p.m.) Washington, March 18. It is believed that Government agents will seizo tho Dutch ships on Monday. It is v understood tfcit no further information has been received regarding Holland's attitude. .The American Navy will supply crews for several Dutch ships.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WARNING TO NEUTRAL VESSELS ZONE WILL BE "VERY DANGEROUS » (Rec. March 20, 0.25 a.m.) Copenhagen, March 18. A Berlin official message states tb*fc o*;ing_ to the action of a British warship in the German Bight the Government has notified neutrals that they will _be compelled to take measures making tho w>ne very dangerous, nnd warn, neutral vessels sailing therein to comply with naval instructions. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

HOLLAND OBLIGED TO ACCEPT ALLIES' OFFER ANNOUNCEMENT BY DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER.. (Rec.'March 20, 1.40 a.m.) London, March 18. Tho Dutch Foreign Minister announces tl>at as Germany is unable to deliver the necessary -wheat Holland was obliged to accept tho Anglo-Ame-rican offer, coupled with tho demand for ships—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MERCHANT SHIPBUILDING BRITISH CONTROLLER APPOINTED. \ London, March 18. The "Daily Chronicle" states that Lord Pirrie has accepted the post of controller of merchant shipbuilding, nominally under Sir Eric Geddes, but he will havo wido powers of initiative. [Lord Pirrie is chairman of Harland and Wolff's Shipbuilding Company.]