The Washington herald., 1909-04-04

From the Chief European Correspondent Of the
LAhan News Bureau.
Paris. April 3.-Every town and village
in Holland and every settlement in the
Dutch provinces is preparing to con-
tribute toward gifts to be sent TO The
Hague this month. when. il is hoped. an
heir TO the throne Of Netherlands viii
arrive. When, last summer. the happy
news Of the coming event was rumored.
everybody was afraid to believe ii. But
when. on Christmas Eve, the official an
nosncement was made in the States
General. plans were formed 20 delight the
Queen with gifts for the royal nursery.
Wflhelmina was placed in a difficult
position when she was told Of these pro
jects, as it has always been the custom
with the Dutch royal family to decline
gifts from its subjects. With much tact
she drew up q message saying that.
while she appreciated greatly the kind
intentions Of her people. she hoped the
greater part Of the money raised would
be devoted 10 purposes Of charity.
Gifts for the Baby.
The Dutch subjects were not to be
turned from their original purpose, but
they will observe the Queens wishes. In
every town and village a committee has
been formed 10 receive contributions, and
IN every province there Is a central COM
mittee which VIII arrange for one gift
from the entire province. In every case
It IS expected that enough money viii
be left. after the presentation 20 the
Queen OF an article Of value. TO make
substantial gift to the poor.
The province OF iceland is preparing
TO send to The Hague a white perambu- |
lator. with a sunshade made by the ia
nous Sluis lace makers. The Hague 1
itself will give a cradle. the embroidery |
Of which IS being prepared by the hand
that embroidered the Queens coronation /
robes and her wedding dress. Leewarden /
viii give a silver book in which the events |
OF baby's life may be noted The book !
will be accompanied by an antique oak |
stand
From Rotterdam Will come a silver |
mug. plate. spoon. and egg cup. and from 1
Amsterdam a Washstand with silver ever |
and basin Among the other gifts are q |
screen painted by famous Dutch artists. |
an antique oak chest for linen. a press |
for baby's clothes. white laCqueTed fur I
niture. a clock in Hinloper carved wood, |
and set Of scales The Dutch colony in /
London IS collecting money for the en- |
dowment Of a free bed in one OF the Lon /
don hospitals TO be always at the dis |
posal Of a Dutch patient.
Color Is I'm Doubt.
It IS a custom in Holland TO use pink /
ribbons and pink lining for the cradle /
curtains when a girl would be most well |
come, and light blue when boy is hoped /
for. When women Of The Hague in
quired which color the Queen preferred /
for the cradle the diplomatic answer
came that she selected a special shade
OF old gold for the nursery. and would \
prefer the same color for the cradle.
The baby trousseau had already been \
prepared. when the Queen was disap- /
pointed in her expectations the first time l
The dainty little garments were made in
different schools and workshops Of HOl- /
handmade embroideries and is a good I
judge OF reedlework. so the layette was
ordered with much loving care
II a prince is born. the event will be 4
announced in The Hague by 1M shots
from a cannon. II a princess. by fifty
one shots on a warm summer evening
In August, 1850. the booming Of cannon
was suddenly heard over the city. and the
inhabitants eagerly counted the shots
There came forty-nine. fifty. ffty-one-
then a moment of suspense. but no more
shots followed
Affection for Queen.
"Only girl" were the words most
frequently heard to announce the birth Of
Wnhelmina. princess OF Orange-Nassau.
daughter Of King William III and Queen
Emma-wOrds long since regretted in af-
fection for the young sovereign.
Within a few weeks the Hollanders
will again strain their ears TO catch the
sound Of the firing and they will be only
too glad 10 know that royal baby has
been born. that the young Queens fondest
hope has az last been realized after eight
years Of marriage Meanwhile numerous
gifts from patriotic Dutchmen have been
promised 10 other babies born on the
same day as the hoped-fOr heir 20 the
throne.
As soon as the Queen has regained her
strength the royal family will go 10 her
country residence OF the Loo. where the
Queen passed the greater part OF her
happy childhood. Her loyal subjects pray
that there, under the old trees IN the
healthy Gelderland air the young scion
OF the iIlustrious house Of Orange will
grow up big and strong, watched over