The Washington times., 1915-01-28
AS SPRING APPROACHES

of an extension of the war area be-
fore the spring campaign shall have
progressed very far. The foreign Of
fees are not taking the public into
their confidence as to exchanges Of
the last few months, but it is very
certain that highly important align
ments are being perfected. The win
ter's contest has been one Of d.
plomacy quite as much as Of arms.
When the wars history is finally
ready to be written with full knowl-
edge, it will almost certainly be
found that greater things were &C.
complished in cabinet and council
during this winter than on the fields
Of France, Belgium, and Poland.
The government Of Holland a few
days ago warned the legislature that
conditions absolutely necessitated
maintaining the army in state Of
complete readiness to defend the
country. But from whom? He did
not say; the record in Belgium's
case suggests that Holland is most
likely concerned over the possibility
Of German aggression.
Switzerland is holding her forces
in readiness to oppose any violation
Of neutrality.
The allies have perfected arrange
ments to loan $25,000,0OO to Rou-
mania to buy war materials.
The Germans and Austrians are
reported to have warned Italy that it
must not mobilize troops on the
Austro-Italian frontiers; but at the
same time it is declared that Ger
many and Austria are sending their
own forces to that quarter, con-
vinced that Italy will be in the fight
ing before long.
Portugal has been fighting for a
number of weeks in Africa, though
she has made no declaration of war.
Greece is ready Ito the last gaiter
button" for participation that seems
certain to be forced upon her.
Spain and the Scandinavian coun-
tries, of all Europe, maintain insist
ent neutrality that thus far has
minimized the probability of their
being forced into the conflict.
How long can Denmark and Hol-
land keep out Of complication with
the warning powers? Through the
territory Of one or the other of these
is the natural route by which the al
lies could outflank the German EN-.
pire. Military authorities have rec.
ognized this from the very begin.
nings. If Kitchener's next Million
plus perhaps a half million from
Japan, could be hurled against the
north Of Germany by way of Danish
territory, the war would have a diff.
ferent aspect in a day. That very
thing is talked about in London, il
feared in Berlin, is urged in St. Pc.
tersburg. But it cannot be accom-.
plished without violating the neutral.
ity Of Denmark, as Germany vic.
lated that of Belgium. To do il
now would be for the allies to fling
to the winds all the public sentiment
that has wrought powerfully on thei,
side. If Germany could by diplo'
matte processes be led to adopt ar
aggressive attitude toward Denmark
the excuse would be produced easily
enough; but the Germans have real
lied their danger, and their DISPOSE
ton toward Denmark has been, by
all accounts, exemplary.
The diplomats of both sides are
right now devoting themselves to tn.
wire-pulling that will produce tn.
new lineup of powers that tn,
spring campaign is likely to bring
Great affairs are being arranged
and it is probable that no pending
diplomatic development is more i'm
portant than the United States pol
icy toward shipping, with all it,
menaces of a complication betwee,
this country and the allies.