New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-06
Navy Experts Believe Ship
Seizures Will Bring
War Declaration
PAGE SEES BALFOUR
AND SPANISH ENVOY
Ambassadors Consider a
Neutral UniOn-Ameri-
cans Eager to Enlist

canoe OF President Wilson's action in
breaking with Germany is becoming
clearer to thinking people here, who
look beyond the war and see in It a
tremendous step forward toward world
freedom, independence and democracy.
The press and the public Of Britain
regard the entrance of the United
States into the war as inevitable. Even
members of the government, though
compelled to mask their true feelings
to avoid any appearance of eXerting
pressure 10 that end. are known to be
Of the same general opinion.
Germany Will Strike First
Naval officers are frank and decided
in their opinions, however. They be-
lieve that Germany will take the in
itative against the United States, max
ing the seizure Of interned cruisers in
American ports the excuse for declar-
ing war; as she did when Portugal
seized German merchantmen interned
in that country. All express the high
est admiration for the American navy,
but doubt whether there would be any
necessity for its use in European wa
ters, except where liners needed small
warships as conveys.
Ambassador Walter Hines Page had
prolonged conferences to-day with Al
Balfour. the Foreign Secretary, and
with the Spanish Ambassador. Tho
possible participation of Spain and the
Spanish countries in action
similar to that of the United States
was discussed at the latter conference,
it is understood.
Ambassador Page is presumed to
have discussed with Balfour all the
questions evolving from the rupture
between the United States and Ger
many. Mr.. BalfOur was extremely care
full to approach every subject on the
basis of continued American neutrality
Americans Eager to Enlist
So long as the American government
and its accredited representatives con
tinue to deal with foreign countries as
"A neutral British officials are deter
mined to regard her in all official nego-
tations as such, though holding to the
private opinion that America is now
behind the Allies as against the Cen
trial Powers.
The American Embassy. and Consul
late were crowded to-day with Amerl-
can callers eager 70 otfer their services
in the event of war. while Consul Cen
cral Skinner was flooded with letters
from Americans in the Allied armies
inquiring whether they could return to
America as army instructors. Many
callers also sought Information as to
the best means of returning to Amer
ica. but all were tod that no Otfici$
advice could be given.
Ambassador Page and his assistants
were busy all day planning Tor the
continuation of Belgian relief and com
pleting arrangements for the transfer
of British interests in Germany. Inc
fact that tentative plans we're made for
the transfer of British interests TO
some other neutral in Austria-Hungary
was regarded here as an indication that
the American officials regard rupture
with that country imminent.
Foresees Union of Neutrals
Referring TO President Wilson's ad
vice TO other neutrsis, The Westmin
ster Gazette" says to-day:
"Thus what the President clearly
contemplates is something more than
solitary action Of the United States in
behalf Of American citizens; IT Is Joint
action by all neutrals in defence OF
common rights. He may not succeed
wholly in this. but he is likely TO have
a large measure of success. and ac-
cordly joint action for the defence OF
each by ali would, We imagine, be cs-
tablished."
"The Manchester Guardian" believes
that President Wilson has already re-
ceived assurances that other great neu-
trial powers will follow the lead of the
United States.
"If other powers, notably, we sup
pose, practically all of the powers of
South America, should join the United
States in this step there is a strong
probability that they also will join in
the next and decisive one of entering
side by side into the war; says "The
Guardian"