Seizure of Dutch Cargo Ships Reverse

Once the US entered the war, it was faced with the immediate problem of shipping large amounts of materiel and large numbers of troops to Europe. To answer the need for more ships, US President Wilson ordered the seizure of Dutch vessels in American ports under the international law’s right of angary, an act that angered the Dutch, and which provided the Germans with more fuel for complaint and satire.

Dutch sailing vessel surrounded by armed cruisers; within curve at top: NOT·LEHRT STEHLEN (“necessity teaches stealing”)