NEUTRAL STATES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17274, 15 September 1916, Page 6

NEUTRAL STATES.

ESPIONAGE.

ARRESTS IN HOLLAND. ASSISTING THE ENEMY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. AMSTERDAM, September 13. A sensation has been caused in Holland by ihe arrest of a German named Hans Ses: and also Jacob Dirkzwager oi* suspicion of espionage. Dirkzwager until March was British Consular Agent a; Massluis, and also Lloyd's agent. It is alleged that the two consistently informed Germany of the/departure of vessels from Holland for England and that in one instance they disclosed che Batavier's impending departure. The manager discovered the betrayai of tho vessel's departure, and shs was delayed. It is further alleged that Dirkzwager assisted German vessels to escape from Rotterdam and notified Germany ol their departure. SPANISH SITUATION. THE MAURAS SPEECH. COALITION CABINET SUGGESTED. LONDON. September 12. Sonor Mauras's real object is doubtful Ho has always been a Francophile and an Anglophilo. though his clcirfcal and military supporters are pro-German. Now be is anxious to regain the popularity he lost through his harsh recession of the Barcelona revolutionaries. There are 80,000 Germans in Snain, who have conducted a most active and astute campaign and have largely persuaded the Spaniards that tho Centr.il Powers are invincible. Public ooinion is tending to believe tbo possibility- of a German victory, b'lt wants something in exchange for Snanish supnort. The Premier, M Romanones apnarentlv approves of M. Mauras's speech, and this may portend a union of the Mnuras and Romanones' forces in a National Cabinet. EXCITEMENT UNABATED. MADRID, September 12. The sensation caused _by Senor Mauras's pronouncement is unabated. The speech has induced King Alfonso to confer with members of the Cabinet. It is believed that a formal re-affima-tion of neutrality will be issued. ProAlly circles declare that the pro-Ger-maii campaign has been finally scotched. NORWAY'S LOSSES, i GERMANS SINK STEAMERS. (Received September 15, 12.25 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, September 14. German'submarines sank seven Norwegian steamers in "the las* two days.