DUTCH SHIPPING TORPEDOED

INDIGNATION IN HOLLAND GERMANS HAD GUARANTEED SEVEN SHIPS’ SAFETY

FROM LEONARD SPRAY. ROTTERDAM, SUNDAY. “Not even in its wildest moments has German Kultur or frightfulness achieved before such despicable ‘success.’ Nothing can hide the fact that a deliberate blow has been struck at this country. The last shadow of doubt concerning the intentions of Germany has been swept away. War has been declared on the merchant shipping of the whole world.” The combination of biting sarcasm and downright condemnation from one Dutch newspaper crystallises the opinions of the people of Holland on the torpedoing of seven of their finest freight vessels by a German submarine. When the first news arrived yesterday morning it caused no excitement, no consternation, in Dutch shipping circles, for the simple reason that the owners knowing the circumstances under which they had left refused to order it.

Seven steamers torpedoed, seven steamers which had set out under the guarantee of the German Government, seven steamers, nearly all either bringing grain to Holland for the Dutch Government or bound to America to fetch grain, seven steamers voyaging under such conditions destroyed at one blow by the agents of the very Government which had assured their safety! No; it was too fantastic, too incredible, was mere wild rumour.

Then came the official confirmation, and it was realised that what was believed impossible had really occurred. For some hours the material side was forgotten in the deepest anxiety as to the safety of the crews, and the whole country gave a sigh of relief when the news came that all the men had been landed.

The U-boat commander who launched his torpedoes at these seven vessels must have known he was imperilling the existence of a whole people to whom his hypocritical Government is always professing friendliness. Holland, dependent on overseas supplies for bread, and already on rations, has not only lost at one blow 30,000 tons of cargo space, but also sees the possibility of its life-line being cut. For what awful dilemma is this country in?

On the one hand, its vessels must take the seas or else it is faced with ruin and eventual starvation. On the other, it sees the Government of its ruthless neighbour determined that those ships shall remain in port or only sail at terrible risk of destruction.