File No. 300.115/1187
The Minister in the Netherlands (Van Dyke) to the Secretary of State
The Hague, November 10, 1914.
[Received 8:15 p.m.]
[Telegram]
71. Your 52, 9th, received two-day. Information regarding clear and consistent attitude of Netherlands towards shipments has been obtained as follows, confirming 51, [October] 22,1 and 55, 27th2:
Holland-America Line has contracted with Government that their ships carrying cargo bought by or consigned to Government shall not accept private consignments of contraband or conditional contraband. Under present conditions this creates practical monopoly by Government of imports of cereals and cattle food on account of conditional contraband rules practiced by France and England. Shipment of flour and other foodstuffs consigned to private firms will not be barred from Dutch ports, if carried in American or other neutral bottoms; but Holland-America Line cannot accept such shipments. Netherlands Government has, no idea of forbidding fulfillment of private contracts made before the war. For their safety under existing conditions private Dutch importers having such contracts for American foodstuffs should apply to Department of Commerce here for permission to have such goods consigned to or bought by Dutch Government. Specific reply to your last question will follow as soon as I can get it.