The situation became critical and numerous Swiss delegations in London and Paris tried desperately to obtain ships under all circumstances. However, the Swiss were told that they had to help themselves somehow. There were several other schemes, for instance the forming of a Dutch/Swiss shipping company using Dutch vessels marooned in US ports. This plan failed mainly because the USA, after their entry into the war, confiscated the ships for their own use under the so called Angary rule.
From History of San Diego
" First-order estimates called for 3 million men or, possibly twice as many more to fight on European soil. The logistical load would be 6 tons per man -- or more. Shipping capacity was estimated at first to be 18 million deadweight tons -- and might even be higher. All that, when there would only be 3 million tons available by June 1918. Clearly, what had to be done was to be on a massive scale.18 USSB managers stated their objective to be 1,200 ships of 6 million tons in 1918 and 9 million tons during 1919 by negotiation, contract, and angary.19
I remember jokes about the Swiss Navy, but this was no joke
to the Swiss.
an[ga[ry 7a%4g! rc8
n.
5LL angaria, enforced service < Gr angareia, impressment for the public service < angaros, a mounted courier; prob. < OPers term6 International Law the right of a belligerent to use or destroy a neutral?s property if necessary, with the obligation of full indemnification
