MR. WILSON'S INVITATION TO NEUTRALS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 34, 8 February 1917, Page 5

MR. WILSON'S INVITATION TO NEUTRALS.

REPLIES INFLUENCED BY GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. VIGOROUS PROTESTS FROM SOUTH AMERICAN STATES. JOINT SCANDINAVIAN ANSWER PROBABLE. .(Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, February Z. The present position regarding the attitude of the neutral nations in response to President Wilson's invitation to follow America's lead is that Switzerland has negatived Mr. Wilson's proposal, Holland probably will not .come up to Mr. Wilson's expectations, Spain has replied, and in the meantime her Government has refused to suspend shipping, the Scandinavian States are negotiating to send a mutual reply, Brazil has sent a strong Note to .Germany, while Chili and the Argentine stand firmly by Brazil. It is pointed out here that Germany's period of grace to neutral shipping in the submarine blockade zone expired to-night. Previous messages have stated that neutrals in the blockade zone would • 6e allowed till February sth to escape. . 1 '(Received 11 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, February 7. The Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian Governments received Mr. .Wilson's ..JJote yesterday. They are negotiating for a joint reply. (Received 11 a.m.) RIO DE JANEIRO, February 7. Brazil's protest against unrestricted submarining has been sent to Berlin. The Bolivian Minister says that Bolivia also protests. 11 a.m.) SAN DIEGO, February J. It is considered unlikely that Argentina and Chili will co-operate wit* . Jhe United States. The Chilian Press supports Mr. Wilson's attitude.