Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
CONDITION OF HOLLAND
Discomfort OF THE PEOPLE
WITH WILHELMINA.
Popularity Of the Queen-Mother-Dis-
trust Of Kaiser Wilhelm-The
Recent Strike.
From the London Chronicle.


Five years ago Queen Wilhelmina was
crowned at Amsterdam amid fervent DEM
onstrations OF a popular enthusiasm as
founding to those who until then had re-
garded the Dutch as the most reserved and
phlegmatic among nations. The golden
haired daughter given to the king in his
old age, like the princess In a fairy tale,
fired the dullest Imagination. For was not
the child the sole descendant of that great
hero who had holden the power and glory
of Spain so cheap" and who sleeps in his
mausoleum of black marble in the dim old
cathedral at Delft? To turn for moment
to the past is to comprehend the deep-seated
vitality of Dutch patriotism. 1t was but
natural that 1.-The last bud Of the tree of
orange" should be thus beloved, and that
her subjects should drc fond parallels be-
tween her situation and that of the great
queen-empress. whose magnificent jubilee
all the world had watched in 1897.
certain similarity of circumstances was
hailed as an suspicious omen. The sullen
mutterings of the socialtits were drowned
In the shouts of the loyal multitude. Even
the dark and sinister warning of the assas-
sination of the Empress Of Austria was not
permitted to check the universal rejoicings.
AT that time England was regarded by Hol-
land with something almost approaching
and at court largely replaced French. while
the English style of living and even English
modes OF dress were constantly adopted.
Then came the South African war and a
volte-race in pubic opinion. 1t is both I'M
necessary, and undressing to recall the
vltuperations Of the Dutch press, striving
by shrill denunciation to atone for It's utter
lnSlgn1hcance, or the incivilities and even
insults with which travellers were continual
ly met. 1t was reasonable that the Dutch
should side with the Beers, but they would
have been well advised to have done SO in a
less rancorous spirit of partisanship. They
are now awakening to the fact. for the
comparative absence of English tourists has
aHected the prosperity OF the hotel keepers
anu certain lucrative trades have materially
suffered. War fever has now dwindled
Gown TO concentrated hatred Of Mr..
Chamberlain, based on a trembling certain
ty that protection in England would spell
ruin for many a Dutch farmer by increas-
Ing the cost of dairy produce In England
and Scotland.
Loss Of Popularity.
The land Of fat green fields and gray wa
tiers is not as self-satis1ed as was the case
IN 1893. The strikes last May, although
suppressed 80 promptly. had serious causes,
and marked effect. The last observant
traveller. whether he comes in contact with
the court officials or with the man in the
street. will perceive that Queen Wilhel-
nina Is no longer the idol Of her people,
her marriage. If never as violently unpop-
ular as was represented by some English
correspondents, Is not regarded as an I'M
qualified success. Prince Hendricks pro-
nounced dislike for the title of Prince Con-
sort is Varfously interpreted, for by his own
express desire he Is now styled instead
Prince of the Netherlands. He is some
what unfortunate in not possessing the
winning manner so valuable in his difficult
position. and. although his indifference to
m IN dc l. L.
associates. he is still stranger in a land
very definitely adverse to anything Ger
man.
When the royal pair recently opened par
lament at The Hague even the appearance
of the golden coach. which was a national
coronation gift, did not insure for the queen
more than tepid welcome. The fact that
some OF the spectators of pretty miniature
pageant did not even lift their hats as the
queen passed struck foreigners as signif-
cent. 70 those who had not seen Queen
Wilhelmina since her dangerous Illness,
there was something pathetic in the pale
changed face. In SOmber contrast to the
bright smiles and healthful aspect Of her
glrlhood. The apathetic crowd was how
ever, manifestly untouched by any chival-
rous sentiment and the murmur of grow
ing anxiety as to the national future is ev-
erywhere audible.
Position Of Queen Regent.
All Holland signs for a direct heir to
the throne and discusses the subject in
cessantly. The idea Of becoming German
lied Is everywhere abhorrent, and the
German emperor is viewed with not a lit
tie mistrust and suspicion. This rich, in
dustrial, peaceful people still has a latent
pride in Its splendid blood-stained his
tory. Singularly enough, the most formi-
dable rival to Queen Wilhelmina in the
affections of her subjects is the queen
mother. whose popularity is the sole ex-
aa ant on RI, hn 10 &fr -
prejudices. 1t will be apparent later how
much was effected by the tact and ability
OF Queen Emma during her long regency
At present all Holland resounds with
praises OF her unbounded charities and
constant care for the poor and suffering
OF her adopted country. She is the heroine
of ballad that is sung frequently, and
as frequently received with acclamations.
She is there described after the death of
the king as giving the crape-veiled scep-
ter into the hands of her child. Take it.
mother; reign a while for me- who am
too weak, is the childs reply. and then
the poet wakes fervent as he relates how
well she welded the scepter, and how. al
though the people "swore eternal fidelity
to the blonde daughter" yet "the lady
from the land of the mountains, she con-
quered the hearts of the people by the
sea"
The familiar quotation that "the fault
OF the Dutch lies in giving too little and
asking too much applies aptly to the
~ thttAtuuC Va SONcIt uiScOnIenI with
their young sovereign. 1t may be but a
passing phase, as was the case in that
half-forgotten time when Queen Victoria
was herself the subject Of acrimonious
criticism, and when there was a breath
OF something very like disloyalty abroad
1t Is far too soon to judge Queen Will
helmina's political capacity, but she has
already shown some strength of charac-
ter which is hereditary in the House of
Orange. and her future career will be
watched with sympathetic interest nv