Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-28
POSITION OF HOLLAND
Germany's Imperial Policy Of
Annexation.
MAY TAKE IN THIS KINGDOM
It's Absorption Would Hardly Be Of
Military Advantage.
WEAK ON THE ECONOMIC SIDE
The Dutch Are Predominately Com
mercial People and for Free
Trade.
MAY TAKE IN THIS KINGDOM
WEAK on THE ECONOMIC SIDE


ton Is an interesting diplomatic problem.
The Dutch are. after all, half German.
Moreover, there are some thirty thousand
Germans in Holland. and the trade and in
tercourse between the two countries are not
only Increasing. but also increasing rar
more rapidly than between Holland ana
Great Britain or France. About half the
Dutch imports come from Germany. The
Germans who settle In the Netherlands
soon assimilate Dutch ideas and become
absorbed in the population. as though they
had not come from the dominion OF the
kaiser. Nevertheless, there Is a fear that
Germany may annex Holland. unless the
latter is wide awake.
The idea that the annexation of Holland
Is one of the goals of German imperial
policy" said prominent diplomat today,
IN discussing this interesting question: has
long been entertained IN England, In the
United States and elsewhere. 1t is often
wondered whether the absorption of Hol-
land-or even an alliance with Holland
would be of military advantage to Ger
many. In many cases this question Is an
swered with an emphatic negative. 1t lie
declared by those in position to know that
only politically naive Germans, misled by
superficial considerations. entertain any
such notions But those who are known as
politically mature men-the men who de-
termine In the end the course OF events
are thoroughly convinced both that the es-
sential requirements of durable union are
lacking, and that the union would, in any
reasonably near future, not be a source of
Increased strength to Germany.
Weak on the Economic Side.
In the first place. the union would be
weak on the economic side. and would ac-
cordingly not give that military strength
which comes from increased economic
strength. Holland Is essentially free
trade country and the causes of this differ
ence are irremovable. Holland being pre-
dominantiy commercial, Germany predomi-
nantly agricultural and Industrial.
Now. 1t Is, of course, conceivable that, In
spite OF the obstacles which exist at pres
ent, the European continental countries
might follow the English In the tendencies
now making Roadway among them and
form closed commercial areas with their
colonies or other trans-oceanic countries
which would unite with them. A time may
come then when Holland compelled to join
a greater tariff unit, will turn to Germany,
with which even now it maintains closer
commercial intercourse than with any other
country. But would 1t not then be the Eng
llsh themselves who will have caused the
economic absorption of Holland by Ger
many? The foregoing statement shows an
Interesting possibility, which bears upon
Mr.. Joe Chamberlain's program Of imperial
federation. 49, }3A 81
Even IL a tariff union between Germany
and Holland were effected, this would not
In time OF war. AS to such a union being a
preliminary to a military or political union
1t is obvious that a military connection with
Holland would impose upon Germany bur-
dens and responsibilities far outweighing
any possible advantages. On the other
hand. a neutral Holland Is of the greatest
possible advantage to Germany.
mot only should the Germans then have
no concern about protecting her." said the
diplomat. but serious danger during
great war to Germany's social life would
become more remote. If Intercourse through
German ports should be stopped, their man
ufacturing interests. which maintain near
ly half Of the German nation, would be de-
priyed OF their regular supply of foodstuffs.
If even at present many factories in the
industrial sections of the country are OBJ
uged to close because they can no longer
hold. their own In the competitive race with
foreign lands. the army of the unemployed
in the large cities might swell to such pro-
portions that no way could be found to en-
ploy them profitably
A Neutral Dutch Maritime Trade.
Nothing could afford Germans greater
help than a neutral Dutch maritime trade.
This. by means of its water connections
with Germany's industrial west, can take
place of the trade that goes through her
north seaports, especially If suitable tariff
advantages and customs reductions should
be granted. Under Dutch or some other
neutral flag, the Rhine ocean vessels would
cover the river as far as Cologne. and the
Rotterdam lighters would have an enor-
nous business to handle Belgium, In this
connection, is only secondary considera-
ton, because it has no waterway to Ger
many. OStend, too, Is not available. Ant
werp could be crippled by an enemy under
all sorts of pretexts. since the River Sche1dt
discharges its waters between Holland and
Belgium and the rights of neutrals in a
naval war are capable Of the most varied
Interpretation.
IF Germany has shown that in a mill
tary union between Germany and Holland
responsibilities for the German empire than
OF profit-f 1t is indeed the neutrality of
Holland which is the most desirable condi-
ton for us-this does not necessarily imply
that Germany would not, upon any solicit
tation from the Dutch, willingly stake her
last ship and her last man to aid her in
the defense of Hollands home and her East
Indian possessions It might well be that
after long, arduous and common cam
paign the tried brotherhood would. by nat
ural impulse, be riveted for all time. But
it would again be England's fault If she
should suffer a threatening show Of force on
the part of the Dutch. This can be ex-
planned by the fact that the overpoWer1ng
naval dominion which England has main-
tanned for hundred years implies that no
naval war can be undertaken without her
expressed or tacit consent. This condition
OF things Is not likely to be changed Wftlia
q discernible time.
So long, then, as Holland Is not at
tackled, so long may the English and the
Americans drop their suspicious that the
coast OF Holland may be absorbed by Ger
many. The first lord of the English ad-
miralty lately declared that the German
marine was SO greatly favored by circum-
stances that 1t could assemble almost Its
entire active forces In Its home ports.
1.-THE Germans themselves" concluded the
diplomat t'have long been saying this. and
they viii surely not voluntarily do any
thing to forfeit this favorable state OF
things. The mere semblance OF reinforce
ment through the addition of the power
which small continguous country may
develop will not entice them. closely akin
though they feel to them through ties OF
blood"
Elephants Going Up.
From the New York Sun.