New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-14
HOLLAND READY TO
FLY AT GERMANY
Loss of Single Ship or
Single Life to Pre-
cipitate War.
from The Tribune Bureau ]

Washington, Feb. 13.-It is believed
here that the Netherlands will at any
moment be drawn into the general
European war by reason of the German
war zone proclamation with its threat
Of possible accident" to neutrals.
The commerce of the Dutch Kingdom
traverses the North Sea and the Eng
lish Channel in great volume, and has
multiplied with the coming on of the
present war. The nation depends on
its commerce. II could not and would
not cease to sail its ships, and, with
the new danger, it is felt that Dutch
merchantmen are more likely than the
vessels of any other neutral nation to
precipitate a crisis as a result of the
war zone decree.
It is pointed out here that the tenn
per of the people of the Netherlands
has already been sorely tried. Their
sympathics and their principal COM
mercial interests lie with the Allies,
and it is regarded as a certainty that
In the event of the sinking of a single
Dutch vessel by German submarine
or the loss of Dutch life through a
German attack the entry Of the little
nation into the general war will follow
overnight.
The Netherlands government is fully
prepared for hostiities. For seven
months the fully modified army Of
that country, numbering 100000 men
we'll equipped and more efficient than
that of the Belgians, has been ready.
Besides, there are interned in Hol-
land for the period of the war nearly
10000 British and Belgian marines, sol
diers and sailors, who, in the event OF
war, could enter the fray at once.
Their internment is under parole
only TO Holland herself. and their re-
lease would be automatic.
This menace on Germany's right flank
Is fel: to be serious. Should Holland
be drawn into the fight nearly 100000
well equipped men would be thrown
against the armies of the Kaiser at the
right and rear of the great army now
operating against Britain, Belgium and
France.
The sympathies of the Dutch people
are variously estimated as being from
so to 80 per cent with the Allies. Only
the royal family and few of their
closer adherents regard Germany as
either a natural ally or even as a
friend. Il is known that the closest
advisers of Queen Wilhelmina have
explained 10 her and to the prince con-
sort that they will not be responsible
for the action of the population if
restraint should be put upon them
after any destruction of Dutch life or
property by German war craft.
IL is felt among diplomats of the
neutral European powers in Washing
ton that the war is entering now upon
its most serious stage for the nom
belligerents whose territory adjoins
that Of the fighting nations. The Ger
man war zone decree is held measura-
bly, responsible for this feeling, but
there is also a suspicion that, as Ger
many feels the want of supplies OF all
kinds occasioned by her isolated posi-
ton, other acts Of n drastic character
will be undertaken by the aatlon in
the paroxysm OF desperation.
The Scandinavian nations and Hol-
land, although not having arranged an
actual concert OF action. thoroughly un-
derstand each other IN their dealings
with Germany. The Netherlands gov
ernment already has protested yehen-
emily against the German decree in
terms quite as firm as those used by
the United States. The three Scandi-
navian powers are expected TO follow
suit within the next three days. The
position of the United States having
been clearly defined. the five powers,
without even an interchange OF views
except on the occasion OF the meeting
Of the three scandinavian kings, ind
themselves in the present exigeney