Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25
HOLLAND BELGIAN DISAGREEMENT

The reconciliation OF Holland and Bel
GUM, which has been in the air fouthe
last three years or more.
Standing has received a setback
m.I, which is apparent I'm recent
Aav"sAe' dispatches from the Hague
and from Brussels. 1t is a question OF
the fertilization Of Flessingue or Flush
ing. the military port at the mouth Of
the Scheldt This is an old subject Of
disagreement, interesting not only Iiol-
land and Belgium. but also England,
France and Germany. The question is
envenomed by the renewed allegations
that the German emperor wrote the
Queen of Holland. insisting upon the
fertilization of Flushing in the defense OF
Holland and Germany.
The dispatch from the Hague reports
that during the debate on the foreign
estimates i'm the second chamber OF the
states general, NJ. Patyn, liberal, referring
to the question brought up some time
ago by Senator Van Heeckoren concern
Ing the alleged letter Of the Gre man en-
peror to the queen. said that ii was
known that this letter, alleged TO have
been written in 1904. was hon-existent.
N. Kuyper, ex-premier. however, wrote
an article to the Standard, giving the
impression that grave events had oc-
Cured I'm 1906" NJ. Patyn asked for an
emphatic response. and DR.. Marwes Van
Swinderen, minister for foreign ahars,
said: There was nothing to indicate any
interference with Hollands affairs and
he added:
1.-The question whether We ought 10 pre-
vent the passage of troops by the
Scheldt is not an unjust one, for our re-
lations with Belgium are SO friendly that
the time will come when We shall be
able to say: There is no Scheldt any
longer.
1t is interesting to refer TO English
opinion on the subject. The London Times
i'm its editorial writes that at no time has
the maintenance of the lesser powers OF
Europe been more essential to the Euro
pean equilibrium. The position of Hell
land was Of Importance to England. Her
frontier ran along those of Germany ana
her coasts face England across the North
sea. The area OF Holland was small. but
she was q world power by virtue OF her
colonies. There were grave int: national
questions TO be considered.
The fertilization OF Flushing was a
question which had found an echo I'm the
Dutch states general In Belgium, France
and England. Beigians We're exercised
over the effect upon Antwerp.
T.
There was another delicate question
which had arisen in Germany as a
pendant-the collection of
Navi0afion tolls in the navigation OF
rivers that flow through
AoI1s. Germany. Austria was
alarmed over the navigation Of the Elba
that passes through Bohemia before en-
tering German territory. Count Aehren-
thai had declared in Berlin that HAM
burg was far too important an outlet for
Bohemian trade for Austria-Hungary TO
consent to shipping dues on the Elba. y
With reference to the Rhine, which came
through Holland to the sea, the question
is Of still greater gravity.
The Times. concludes that although
England is not bound to Holland by
trality England is solemnly pledged to
defend, yet British interests and British
traditions are equally bound up In the
welfare and independence Of both coun-
tries"
There are other evidences that Holland
and Belgium are drifting apart rather
than toward each other, AS was hoped,
In their mutual interests. Some occult
influence is undoinE the work OF recon:
Citation which has been seriously studied
both from a military and economical
point. Queen Wiihelmina, it IL remarked,
In the speech from the throne at the
opening of the states-general. made scant
mention OF the visit of their Belgian ma
jesties to Holland. The Catholic press
Of Brussels attribute the silence of the
queen as a sort of protest against the
criticisms Of that press. Among other
things, q journal, the Twentieth Century.
charged that queen Wilhelmina had
adopted the ili-will of King William
against Belgium The Protestant queen,
1t was said, could not have sincere SYM
pathy for a Catholic nation. The Hol-
Certain action taken with reference to
metal impOrtatiOns OF which Holland. an
agricultural country. Is obliged to buy,
has lent color and conviction to the idea
that Holland proposes to make these pur-
chases on the Rhine. These facts, added
to Hollands intention to fortify the
mouth of the Scheldt, have strengthened
the suspicion Of a Secret Hollando-Ger-
man treaty.
In case of an Anglo-German conflict the
importance of the question is manifest.
The German feet in leav-
Military ing its base at wilhelms-
.,.,. haven Is within cannon
<oSslUilAty' shot distance of Sheer
ness and the British feet. 1t is assumed
that the German fleet would occupy the
Holland forts of Helder and Flushing.
Thus the actual fertilization Of Flushing
has caused Beigians to think OF the dan
ger OF being cut off from the succor
which they might expect from the Eng
lish according to the treaty.
In military circles there is no secret OF
the situation in Belgium in case of
Franco-Germano-E English conflict. Bel
gian neutrality would certainly be vio-
lated Diplomatic documents are very
uncertain elements at all times. In such
a conflict they would count for nothing,
and England. who knows this better than
any other nation. is justly alarmed at the
situation which confronts her.
So long as the Scheldt liz free to navi-
cation. the British cruisers could go up
as far as Antwerp to protect, il need be.
the landing of British army. which
would cooperate with the Belgian forces
to hold in check the invader.
Flushing once fortified, the navigation
of the Scheldt would be at the will of
Holland The German press urge with
persistence the fertilization of Flushing.
and at this moment it appears to be an
attack directed particularly against Eng
land Nevertheless. the Holland govern
ment and press maintain that it desires
only to defend itself against any aggres-
sor. whoever it may be.
The argument appears insufficient TO
LNVnryI fGt,