The Detroit times., 1916-05-02
~ hGRsERr COREY

| things we hear"
One hears enough. When IN
wild geese ny north the farme
knows that the end Of winter is a
hand. The wild geese OF rumor ar
dying now. The suggestion that tn
breakup OF the great war Is at hand
Here are some II the rumors:
Holland is preparing 70 take side
against Germany.
Italy will declare war as1ins
Germany.
Bulgaria has asked for a separate
peace.
Greece may enter on the side o
The allies.
Rumania will do likewise
These rumors admittedly ma,
no, be confirmed said the common
tator. But IL must be remembered
shat the best news Is never printed
here. The public IL only given such
morseis As have been predigested ey
the various charcelle-.Ss. The rn
mors are at least supported by the
changing attitude OF the little coun
tries.
European politicians take a frank
~ cynical view of each other and
Of all politics. which is why they
have shown themselves so complete
~ unable 70 comprehend the United
states. Altruism does not enter
into their calculations They ex
pect each country TO take the par
ticular step which will most oenef'
IL. They realize that the only right
EFT 20 q neutral has been 10 keep
cut of the road on pain OF being run
over. They know conditions have
been intolerable 10 the neutrals
and they expec: them to join the
winning side the moment II becomes
clear which side will win.
The Swiss papers have frankly
discussed the facts OF the war from
the beginning" said my gossip.
Switzerland had on the whole been
neutral, but Of late her press has
inclined distinctly 10 the allied side.
Spain was very proCerman AT The
outset, both for business reasons
and because for centuries Spain has
borne . rrudse against England and
France. The tone il changing there,
Sweden Is rather anti-Russian. for
good reasons. than pro
German. She remains anti-Russian
but somewhat less pro German Den
mark and Norway seem to be inclin
ing more and more to the allies
side. In spite OF the inevitable an
noyances Of the blockade. In gen
eral Il may be said that Europeal
opinion Is showing itself more clear
~ anti-German. This can only b.
because the defeat of the GermaI
10 clearly foreskadowed."
ttellsnd's Activity
Perhaps II is because OF THU
change OF tone in the smaller coun
tries that the rumors anoat are -
readily believed Recently. for ex
ample, Holland withdrew all mill
tary leave. and seized Railroad
trucks for army purposes. anc
showed ether indications of an 10
creased military activity. The pres
on both sides Of the fence was dis
turbed In mind. showing quite clear
~ that NO definite indication Of Hol
lands Intentions had been given
But the eossips insist hat HOLLAND
has seer the handwriting on thu
wall.
"She viii Join with Us" they say
"and permit q blow TO be struck a
the weak tip Of the German wing il
Belgium"
II one seems Ekeptical. the crown
ing argument In proof of this sug
gestion is brought forward
Tor what other reason" one Il
asked, 30 you imagine that Eng
land has been holding an army o.
100000 men In reserve In Grea
britain, She can hardly fear In
vasjon. II cannot BE- they are be
ing held there for training. French
men and Germans are hammered
into soldier shape IN three months
Does II take an Engiishman ionge'
10 get ready"
There seems no question that Ger
many concentrated troops on TIL
Holland border very hurriedly. Tn
theory many hold Il that German.
had beer apprieed that Holisn'
might join the allies. and took thi
most natural step. whereupon Hol
!and-which country has 20 fAr o
the evidence shows been neutral 4
the point OF III temper with bot
sides--took the steps noted. Thor
Ia no evidence that Holland ha
banned action with the allie.
There IL some reason 70 believ
that such action has been ant!c
ratsd By both sides.
"whSxid Mr.. Asquith visit Rome
II not 70 demand that ftaiy enter IN
war against Germany, ~ well q
against AustYiaf"
Well, there seems 10 be no pa
ticuias answer to that, unless on
falls bark upon barefassd GOSSIP
That IL that Italy will only decisr
against Germany whea certain d.
iaands have been met. Thsss d.
msods have to do with the Piraeu