The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-02
Switzerland, Cut OFF From Inn
ports, Faces Hunger.
GERMANS ON DUTCH BORDER
Ready to Strike at Little King
dom If 1t RetaIiates.
Neutral Capitals in Terror Over
Germany's Defiance.

what may be the supreme crisis in
the war, word is awaited from Amer
lea by the neutrals of Europe with
more poignant interest than by the
belligerents.
The smaller enthusiastically Hol-
handbook to Washington to deter
mine the issue which may mean their
own life or death.
Messages today from Amsterdam,
Rotterdam and The Hague indicate
fear that The Netherlands is doomed
to be crushed between German land
and undersea forces. An actual block.
ade, correspondents declare. means
starvation.
Present supplies of foodstuffs in
Holland may last month or two
months according to varying esti-
mates.
The London Times correspondent in
Holland today declared:
while the Dutch predominateiy
cautious, feel a disposition to stand or
fall by their rights, their eyes are
turned anxiously toward the United
States-the greatest neutral-to see
whether she will abandon her little
sisters to their fate
Dispatches from Amsterdam today
quoted the newspaper Telegram as
asking whether America will with
draw her protecting hand over neu-
trails and non-combatants"
U. S. Must Declare War.
The Amsterdam Handelsibad de-
clares:
IF America holds to the spirit of
the notes and ultimatums she has
sent to Germany, she must declare
war"
Switzerland faces a situation similar
to Holland. The blockade cuts off all
French ports except Cette, and that
means cutting off OF essential 1000
stuffs and raw materials.
Even Spain-America's enemy OF
the days of 1s9s-awaits Americas
determination.
London Feb. 2.-The neutral ma
tions of Europe are awaiting Amer
ica's decision as to Germany's new
war on the seas with anxiety
Dispatches today from the capitals
of Holland, Suain and the Scandina-
Wan countries limited that effort would
be made in each of those nations to
delay any action until that determined
upon by the United States is an
nounced.
Holland is perhaps hardest struck
of all the European neutrals. Dis
patches from across the channel today
gave graphic picture of the serious
ness with which the Dutch regarded
the German orders, seriousness
which was deepened by knowledge
that among the first ships to fall vic
tim to the new sea futhlessness was
Dutch freighter Holland is closer
to the barred zone" about England
than any other neutral nation and is
correspondingly harder hit by its re-
strictions.
Invasion Easy i'm Winter.
An increasing source of anxiety In
The Netherlands were reports of ac-
tivity of the German military machine
not many miles distant from the
Dutch border. 1t was pointed out to-
day that if by any chance Germany
should attempt violation of Dutch ter
ritory the winter season, when the
dykes and canals, are frozen and pas
sable by foot. is most favorable for
such a step
From Madrid came word that the
minister of foreign affairs had a Hong
conference with American AmbAssa-
dor Willard after a prolonged cabinet
session in which all the aspects of the
new German order were considered.
Premier Romanones was quoted as
declaring the new situation indicated
grave times for Spain.
Copenhagen reported a lengthy ses-
sion of the Danish cabinet: Stockholm
advices detailed the greatest appre-
hension voiced by press and public.
Practically all European neutraIs
have ordered all sailings suspended
until some decision is reached.
Swiss on Food Rasions
Berne, Feb. 1.-THE note in which
the German government informed
Switzerland of the Inauguration of an
unrestricted submarine campaign
named Cette as the only port in
France thru which Swiss traffic 10
authorized.
The Bund says that this will in
volve a different arrangement for the
conveyance of supplies to Switzerland
and will also render necessary a ra-
ton system for the Swiss and the is
suance of cards for the principal arti-
cles of food.
More Germans ON Duth Border.
Rotterdam, Feb. 2-More German
troops were reported this afternoon to
be massing at Dutch border points
near Weilen and Venebrugge adding
to the general apprehension in Hol-
land.