Seizure of Dutch Cargo Ships Obverse

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.

Uncle Sam and John Bull trampling on a field of tulips to left, both carrying ships stolen from the Dutch under their arms, the nearest named HOLLANDIA; within curve: 1918