New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-03
Restricted Sea Areas of
Allies and Germany
Overlap
NATIONS SUPPLY
OF FOOD MENACED
All Dutch Shipping Halted,
NieuW Amsterdam Being
Recalled to Port

The Hague, Feb. Holland is fac
ing with anxiety future which is gen.
orally regarded as black enough. al
though optimists are not lacking. Those
who are inclined TO take the more
cheerful view point out that the Ger
man proclamation of two years-that
ships entering British waters would be
torpedoed-caused as great a commo-
ton here as the latest German note,
but did not prove such deadly blow
TO Dutch shipping as was feared at
first.
Nevertheless, the gravity Of the sit
uation is realized everywhere, as on
the present showing Holland, whose
economic life depends on overseas COM
munication, : cut off from transatlan-
tic traffic and sea connections with her
colonies, which means that the food
supply is gravely menaced.
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
10 the Atlantic seems 20 be efectually
closed.
All shipping Held Up
The Holland-AmerIca Line. which or
dered back the steamship Nieuw Am
sterdsm after il had sailed for New
fnF. v-czs1rNa -, e. Nau
York Office 20 hold up all saIllngs 70
Holland. There are thirteen Holland
America steamers afoat, and il is
hoped that those on The way to Hol-
land will return on their own initiative
TO the nearest American port on learn
ing OF Germany's intensified submarine
campaign.
The governments prompt order yes
terday evening to suspend all salings
was only a temporary measure. 70 re-
main in force until it is learned
whether any ocean pathway is still
open. This matter was the subject OF
ii conference this afternoon among
Cabinet members and representatives
OF the foremost shipping companies, in
regard to which the following semi
official note was issued this evening:
The conference discussed possibli-
ties and means whereby sea connec-
tons, especially with the colonies, may
be kept open without coming into col
lision with the belligerents. IL also
considered means Of safeguarding yes
sells en- route. Meanwhile the govern
ment invites ship owners not 20 permit
their ships 10 leave port without first
consulting the authorities"
Stock Exchanges fanicky
Both the Amsterdam and Rotterdam
stock exchanges have been much dis
turbed and at times panicky. This has
been especially the case with stocks OF
shipping companies, which fell Is 20 80
per cent, although partial recoveries
were made later. American indus trials
dropped 10 per cent. The insurance
market was paralyzed for a time
All the newspapers expatiate on the
dangers Of the situation. Some Of
them profess 10 discern a connection
between Germany's latest measure and
the recent movements of German
troops along the eastern border of Hol-
land.
This ia no blockade" says the Am
sterdam "Handelsblad.' 1T il a self
granted leave vsntonly TO destroy neu-
trial shipping and murder neutral sail
ors and fishermen"
All eyes are turned toward America.
Most Of the newspapers canvass the
possibility OF war between Germany
and the United States, which the Han
delsblad" thinks is made inevitable by
the stand taken By President Wilson
earlier in the negotiations with Ger
many.
The concession which Germany has
offered the Dutch government regard
ing the Flushing route 20 England Is
virtually Identical with that extended
10 the United States for passengel
steamers without contraband, accord
ing 10 the Berlin correspondent Of The
"HandelBblad." The possibility also ex
ists, says the correspondent, for nego
tiations regarding regular service b.
Dutch vessels TO the Dutch colonies.
Commenting on the German note
/ the "Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Coursnt
reaches the conclusion that il consid
erably increases the prospects of Hol
land being drawn into the war. Il eX
presses doubt, however, whether Ger
many will be able 10 increase the Of
fec,ivepe.s OF her submarine warfare