The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-02-29

there may be political reasons rend-
| ering annexation desirable, Under
existing conditions the Netherlands
| which at one time were. the classic
fighting ground Of Europe, are no
longer OF trategic-geographical wars,
and its armies fought side by side
with the Germans against Louis XIV
and Napoleon ". the Netherlands
were the inevitable battlefield. But
those times are past. Even if-con-
trary to all expectations--peace on
| the Continent should ever seriously
be menaced, the Netherlands are
completely out Of the scope Of the
probable battle-ground. Therefore,
strategic reasons are likewise unten-
able. Is it then. to be supposed that
the free and independent Netherlands
constitute a political menace for Ger
many, menace which Germany log
lically would wish to anticipate by
annexation!
.No sensible person in Germany or
| the Netherlands believes that any
political combination could be con-
cluded, which, in European conflict
could force the Netherlands into a
coalition with England or France, n
directed against Germany. Only to-
tai ignorance OF the condition of both
nations, Of their racial and historical
relationship, the interests they have
| in common, can presuppose that the
| free and independent Netherlands can
ultimately, or eventually work polit-
ical injury to Germany. The init
ated know that Germany is assured Of
the neutrality Of the Netherlands, and
Germany requires nothing but this
neutrality.
Moreover the person who persists
in attributing to Germany covetous-
ness in the way OF annexation, in re-
gard to Holland, or Denmark, or the
German provinces OF Austria-Hung-
ary-in spite OF the fact that the hist
ory of German politics constitutes q
monument to the contrary-totally
misconstrue the spirit and purpose Of
the constitution OF the German Emp
ire Germany's not a federal state
into which other states can be read.
lily incorporated. The individual
states, forming this federal state, are
of greatly varying dimensions ant
importance and consequently are re
presented in a congress of the unitet
governments, Federal Counci
Bundesrat- with varying number Q
votes. Prussia, the largest of thes
states, has the most votes, and thu
retains in the Federal Council( Bund
esrat) the historical leadership whlc
it has enjoyed since the Empire wa
founded. Upon this Prussian corner
stone the Empire is reared. The re
lation Of the states to each othe
Iforms a tenacious, but complicate
equipoted-system, which, throug
being thus complicated, assumes
certain rigidity. The introduction
other states into the system, cons'
ouently would not be a matter ol
small moment and would not ;
nearly as simple as the casual obse
yer might suppose. The introductio
of such a foreign body would lea
many Of the individual states
v demand a reorganization OF represel
tation by votes in the Federal Cou
Gil (Bundesrat). Such a reorganiz
ton, like every decisive modificatit
\ OF Constitute, would at best be
most difficult and hazardous unde
taking.
Zone must therefore ascribe
II ignorance Of German conditions t
attitude of some chauvinistic paper
Western Europe, in deliberately
tempting to undermine German.
reputation, particularly in the Unit
States, and to inspire with fear
Danes, the Bohemians, the Austria
the Hollanders, on the ground OF
= possibly-impending union OF tn
states with the German Empire,
Il union which in Germany itself e'
lif desired, would encounter wellm
,superable difficulties.
certainly do not believe u
e.. Aa1nn 1f auuaxafi0n Ofi