New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-02

spent the entire night examining the
different. questions raised.
After a special meeting of the Cabi-
net to-day to discuss the German dec
laration official announcement was
made that Spanish ships would con-
tinue their traffic with the Allies, as
at present, but that severe defensive
measures would be necessary" II is
believed here that this may fore
shadow similar action by the United
States.
A Reuter- dispatch from Madrid de-
cares that the Minister of the In
terror. on communicating to the news
papers the note of the Central Powers,
begged the editors, in view of the ne
cessity of preserving neutrality and
because of the gravity of the situa-
ton, to assume "a discreet COM
posure."
The minister stated that he feared
disorders when the purport of the note
was understood by the public. par
ticularly in the Eastern districts.
where the measures of the Central
Allies threaten interruption of for
eign trade, rs well as dislocation of
the internal life Of the nation.
The impression prevails in Madrid,
adds the correspondent, that Parlia-
ment will be adjourned at once to pre-
vent discussions which might prove
dangerous" or embarrass the execu-
tive branches of the government.
Holland is also anxiously awaiting
some action from the American gov
eminent, and the indications are clear
that the Netherlands intends to guide
her policy by that of the United States.
An Evening News" dispatch from
Rotterdam to-day declared that one of
the largest Dutch ship brokers, after
studying the German note, states that
the policy of Dutch shippers would be
to swat and see whether the United
States would take quietly Germany's
breach of her agreement
IF nothing more than a paper pro-
test follows" added the shipper, "the
firms will lay up their ships"
At The Hague this afternoon a con-
ference to discuss the crisis was held
at the Ministry of Marine by the For
eign Minister, the naval authorities
and representatives of the Holland
America and other Dutch shipping
companies. Nothing could be learned
of the conclusions reached. as all the
{ participants NtAt Pitbttu " sN~ACNfF
IA Dutch Halt Sailings
The Dutch government has provision
ally forbidden the saflings Of all vessels
according to a Reuter- dispatch from
The Hague. This includes neutrals.
The government intends TO furnish in
dications of the routes TO be followed
in the future. after conference with
the ship-owners and naval authorities.
/ IL was officially announced at This
Hague that the German Minister to The
Netherlands had notified the govern
ment that Germany was willing to make
special arrangements TO respect pas
senger and mail traffic between England
and Holland. IL is not known whether
these proposed arrangements are SINH
lar to those suggested to the United
States by which one liner a week would
be allowed TO dock at Falmouth. 1t IS
stated, though. that no mines Will be
laid on the Flushing Southwold route.
Nevertheless, Dutch anxiety remains
keyed to the highest pitch. From YmuI-
den comes a dispatch that the steam
ers Zeelandia. Ystroom and Rynstroom
were forbidden to put TO sea yesterday.
For the present the prohibition will en-
brace all Dutch steamers and fishing
vessels which have been in operation
outside of Dutch territorial waters.
Advices from Rotterdam reported
that arrangements for rarIonlng Hol-
land had been completed. They were
not intended to be put into effect until