The sun., 1917-02-07
SPAIN REFUSES
TO FOLLOW us.
Switzerland Also Will Not
Break Relations With Ger
many at This Time.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.--Spain and
Switzerland. the first two neutrals to
make known their decision, will not fol-
low President Wilson's suggestion and
press their protests against the German
submarine war zone decree TO the point
Of severing diplomatic relations with
Germany. Spain will protest emphatic
ally and withhold action. Switzerland
will follow a milder policy.
The explanation of Spain's attitude is
partly based on the Spanish Govern
ment's belief thak some leading neutral
nation must remain In position to act
az Intermediary for the bellgerent ma
tions and thereby check the tendency of
the world war TO engulf all the nations
Senor Riano. the Spanish Ambassador.
called at the state Department to-day to
officially notify Secretary Lansing that
his Government was ready to take over
American interests in Berlin.
May Cause Break Later.
Coincident with this decision was the
definition OF Spain's attitude for the inn
mediate future which IL to be that Of a
neutral Power. The spanhh protest
against the war zone decree may. how
ever at any moment precipitate change
In the relations OF the German and
Spanish Governments, especially II
Spain's rights on the high seas are seri-
ously interfered with.
President Wilson had hoped to swing
the neutral nations into line for the
purpose of impressing Germany with the
Inevitable consequences OF pursuing her
plans for unrestricted warfare. But now
that this plan has failed this Govern
ment in one sense is relieved that neu-
trail interests will be taken care OF by
Spain.
There is little to be gained by these
nations coming In after hostilities break
out between Germany and the United
states, II hostilities come, II is explained.
The chief Importance would have been
Joint action now.
Others May Keep Out.
No word has yet come from the other
neutrals, and the United States now
hardly expects them to follow the Pres
extremely delicate, II is admitted. TAX
ing Holland as an example. II Is fully
realized that action by Holland against
Germany might at once result In an at
tempted invasion Of Dutch soil by the
German troops now close to the border.
Entente diplomats here frankly ex-
press their hope that the United States
will not actually enter tne WAT.
Several OF the Entente representatives
let Il be known to-day that they enter
tanned a growing fear that Germany de-
liberately precipitated break with this
country In order to hold American muni-
tions and supplies here. thus cutting of
imports to the Entente probably more
effectively than any single step that the
Central Powers could take.
Real Cause Of Fear.
Even II tho United States In the event
OF war following the break should UNDER
take to arm and equip an army for
| operations in Europe It would require
nearly a year OF training. II IL reckoned.
| before II would be wise TO send the force
to the front
In the meantime. the Entente spokes-
men point out. all the effort and energy
that this country might be putting forth
toward the military defeat OF Germany
would go into channels that could not
lead to that end. unless the war were
, prolonged beyond all belief
Tho greatest military aid hoped for
from this country In Entente circles In
COntjwued oW TAtrd PaOs.