New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-05
Believe War Is Certain

tion Of war by the United States. pre-
cipitsted by some covert act" Of Ger
many, is believed TO he inevitable. The
wisdom Of going slowly is clearly un-
derstood and appreciated, however.
The seizure of German ships in
American ports and the possibility Of
their being used later to relieve the
shortago in the worlds shipping is an
exceedingly pleasant thought TO the
British people and officials
IL was especially noticeable that. al-
though Parliament does noc meet again
until Wednesday. scores Of members OF
Parliament nocked into town to-day 20
discuss the new situation. Tonight
tho political clubs are buzzing with OK
Cltement.
All tho newspapers are filed with
stories and comments on the decision
of the President. Americans tempo
rarliy or permanently resident here are
extremely gratiiled as their statements
TO The press show. Many of them are
worried about their return 10 America,
not fearing the trip. but wondering
whether the disarrangemcnt o. steam
ship schedules will prevent their early
departure.
The news Of the severance of diplo-
matte relations with Germany was tele-
phoncd TO the American Ambulance by
the American Embassy. The news was
Immediately announced TO the staff
surgeons, the young American college
students who drive auto-ambulanccs
and act as orderlies, and the nurses.
Round after round Of cheers were
given for President Wilson.
Auxious Over 1000 Americans
The renewed confidence and dctermi-
nation of the people are strisingly
shown in many ways. They have taken
the German threat as personal chal-
lcnge. tn" honor system regarding
food is accepted the same as if it were
accompanied by restrictions and penal
ties by Parliamentary act.
One point rather agitating the Ameri-
can community in London is the posi-
ton Of the 1900 Americans now in Ger
many. The general impression is that
as far as possible they will try TO reach
neutral soil within the next few hours.
as otherwise their position is likely to
be unenviabIc.
Many Of them. according to advices
received tonight by way of Copen-
hagen. have planned TO journey by way
Of Switzerland and Spain, rather than
through Denmark Once they reach
London there will be no difficulty in
taking care Of them.
No news has been received concern
ing Ambassador Gerard and the other
American officials in Germany. The
embassy here is ignorant whether he
will come to London or attempt to go
home by the northern route. Ii is
generally believed that he has already
provided for the American colony in
Germany.
Belgiaus in Grave Situation
Much concern is expressed in all
quarters regarding the Belgian relief
work that has been conducted by the
American Commission. While no final
action will be taken by officials of the
commission here until word has been
received from Herbert C.. Hoover, the .
chairman. who is still in America, men, [.
bers of the London office are working
steadily to evolve some plan for the =
continuation of the work !
Unless the American workers receive /
order from Germany 10 get out of the |
occupied areas in Belgium and North /
ern France operations will go on as !
usual. II these workers are forced TO /.
retire the work will be turned over to /
some other neutral
The commission will continue to send
food to the refugees in any event, of !
ficals say. Advices from Rotterdam to- /
day stated that relief ships would be
permitted to land there, provided the
British authorities passed them. While
the latter are not likely to accede to
this reqlest, it is hoped that COM
porimse can be effected whereby relief
ships may be examined at Rotterdam
after traversing the free zone around
Scotland.
it is realized that hundreds of thou
sands Of persons would starve to death
if the relief work were allowed to come
TO an end even for a short time. and
determined etfoits will be made in any
case to assure the continuation of
part if not the whole of the work.