Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-03
HOLLAND
WAR OR END OF
I HER COMMERCE
little Neutral Nation in
Most Critical Situation
in Two Years
SHIPPERS ARE WARNED

ROTTERDAM. Feb. 3.-Commenting
an the German note, the Nieuwe Rot
ferdamsche Courant reaches the con-
elusion that il considerably increases
the prospects of Holland being drawn
into the war. 1t expresses doubt. how
aver. whether Germany will be able to
Increase the effectiveness of her sub
marine warfare.
< AMSTERDAM, Feb. 3,---Never since the
beginning Of the war has Dutch ipinion
been so profoundly stirred as by the latest
German announcement The moment has
arrived when Holland is confronted with the
eravest issue any nation can be called upon
to decide the question of peace or war.
The Dutch one of whose predomlnatng
characteristics is caution, prefer to await
eyerts before committing themselves to an
irreyocable course of action but are fully
alive to the gravity of the situation.
A, important conference has been held
by the Foreign. Colonial. Agricultural and
Naval Ministers with Dutch shippers The
following statement was issued:
The conference discussed possibilities
and means whereby sea connections,
especially with the colonies, may be
Kent open without coming INTO COlllSlOn
with the belligerents. 1t also considered
means of safeguarding vessels en-
route Meanwhile the Government in
struc.e ship owners not to permit their
ships to leave port without first con-
sulting the authorities.
Every one sees that the provisioning of
the country is threatened with paralysis
r. Germany's measures. The question Is
ASKED whether 1t is Germanys intention to
I,Ila nd f,,t.s aiYn1t
her WILL
Newspaper opinion recognizes with un.
mstakable clearness that Germany threat
ans Dutch interests Strong protests are
made against regime of violence for limo.
cent noncomba tants. and eyes are anNlously
directed to the United States as the great
est neutral to see whether she will aban-
don her little sisters to the fate with which
they are menaced.
AMSTERDAM, Feb. 3.-The concession
which Germany has offered the Dutch Gov
srnment regarding the Flushing route to
England is virtually identical with that
attended to the United States for passen-
yer steamers without contraband accord
ing to the Berlin correspondent of the Han
delsblad.
The possibility also exists. says the cor
respondent for negotiations regarding regu-
. lar service by Dutch vessels to the Dutch
colonies.
The danger zones of which Great Britain
and Germany have given notice overlap
each other west of the Danish coast line
In such a way that .ingress TO the Atlaftic
seems to be effectually closed to Holland.
RERNE. Feb 3.-The note in which the
German Government Informed Switzerland
Of the inauguration of an unrestricted sub
marine campaign named Cette GOO miles
west of Marseilles) as the only port in
France through which Swiss traffic Is au-
thorzed.
different arrangement for the conveyance
of supplies to Switzerland and will also
render necessary a ration system for the
Swiss and the issuance of cards for the
principal articles Of food.
MADRID, Feb. 3.--The Minister of the
Interior has announced that the War and
Navy departments have given the naval
and military authorities instructions re-
quired by the gravity of the circumstances.
Premier Romanones was in conference with
United States Ambassador Joseph IL. Will
lard from midnight until o'clock. lie also
received the president of the Mediterranean
Maritime Federation, who Informed him
that the federation had ten ships at sea
with safe conducts given by German con-
suls.
Later the Premier announced that the
country faced very difficult situation.
Premier Romanones made the same dec
laration in the Senate. after which he had
an interview with the German AMBASSADOR
In spite of the Premiers stat !ment thai
discussion of the German note would moi
be countenanced by the government, depu.
ties and senators interested in shipping in
formed him that they intend to interpellat te
the ministers. Eduardo Dato, ex-Premiei
and leader of the Conservative Party, de
clared, however, that nothing must be dont
TO hamper diplomatic negotiations of the
government. King Alfonso returns tc
Madrid tonight.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. Feb. 3,-Com.
menting on the new German note, the
newspaper A Noticia says:
Germany has declared war against the
entire world. The German menace will
bring in its wake. the intervention of North
America and Consequently that of South
America. North America undoubtedly will
play decisive role in the conflict.
"Brazirs first step should be to take
hostage of German commerce In Brazil tc
insure her against the further damages
which she will suffer-"
The Epoca says: Emperor William ha:
gone mad. Now there are to be no more
neutrals. The entire world will revolt
against morbid Prussianism."