Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-10-13
SMALL NATIONS ECA-,2SED.

but In T*,cir Eclipse .i5' TIER Sc
curly Against Ai;soIl. tin.
The aspiration with which the queen
regent Ct Holland closes tie ploclama-
tion in which she announces the acces.
sion of her daughter to royal powers,
that Holland "may become great in ev-
erything in which small nation can
be great" is evidence that she realizes
that this is al age in which little coun-
tries will do very well if they do not
become less. Ihisis an age of consoida-
ton OF power by the expansion CT terri
tory. Small nations, those with popu-
!ation CT few millions, that yet retain
their independence owe retention more
to good fortune than to their ability in
arms. The chief element Of this good
fortune is the rivalry among the larger
nations that would absorb them and the
determination of each of the great
powers that the others shall make no
acquisition that shall upset tie balance
of power. For this reason such small
countries as Switzerland, Belgium, Hol-
lard, Portugal and Greece are allowed
to continue on the map. Germany would
like to absorb Holland, but that would
not be tolerated by England.
France has long cast hungry eyes on
Belgium, hut Germany vetoos the full
iillment Of French desires, and England
would not be indifferent. We all recall
how Bismarck used to danglo before the
eyes Of Napoleon III the suggestion tbat
s1Mo Gay CT other, as the reward fer
his nutral;ty during Frussia's progress
in argrandi2emcnt, a slice of belgium
might Eo given to France. Switzerland
is surrounded hy covotous neighbours
Italy would like the Swiss cantcns
france would be pleased to roctify her
frontier at the Swiss expense. Germany
has similar wish, but Austria would
not consent to a partition of Switzerland
that did not give her predominance, and
against all this the other would tie par
titioners wculd be up in arms. Portugal
is protected by British friendship, which
takes caro- to make good thing for it.
self out Of tho old time relationship.
These small nations all live quite
comfortably in their isolation from
great interests, but tho day is PAST when
they can expand their territories or re-
peat the great deeds of their prime.
Switzerland lives on the summer Wis
ltors, and what Portugal lives on is
mainly memory, a drowsy little power
in corner by herself. Holland still has
a great colonial empire, with a native
population of more than 10000, 600,
and does a snug business, accumulates
money and is i'll every way most re-
spectacle littlo country, only aslsin,; to
DO let alone. Neither by land or sea is
Holland formidable power. Her amy
Is very small, as must be tho case with
a country whose population is about
3, 900, 600, mostly burghers Of the most
taste. The Dutch navy is
likewise small, and tho carrying trade
IT Holland is but tho shadow Of what
it once was.
Ihe llollandcrs arc a stout hearted
race, but i'll these days tho Eattlo is
With the strong, who have Il good or
sanization. That Holland may long
continue to dream beside her canals in
}eaco is tho wish OF her people, who,
/ cwevcr, arc rather disquietcd at seeing
he great scepter pass into tic hands Of
young girl They realize that ambi-
ious ncighhoring nations may aspire to
ontrol Holland by dynastic alliance
nd are naturally anxious that the
Incon's choice Of a husband shall not
all upon a prince whose kinsl1,cn may
+ can make him the agent Ct q arho,no
0 subvelt tho independence Of the
ingdom. Holland is constitutional
lngdom, where the people gro the
ource Of power, but even in such a
ountry the queens husband may exert
Il influence which the laws are power
ISIS to feat.-Boston Transcript.