The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-12
AT THE HOTELS.

J. @. Mulder and D. J. Van der Hou.
wen. TWO powerful young six-footers from
Hees. Holland. are at the Riggs They
have come to this country to look
around and decide on a suitable place
10 settle down IN business. Both have
been in South China, the French part.
for twelve years, and. returning 10 their
native land. Holland. they found that
the climate was TOO cold and did not
agree with them.
The French are having their trou-
bleS in Tonquin. and they will have
them as long as they are in possession
Of that place. In fact. as soon as the
Chinese feel themselves strong enough
they will drive all Europeans out OF
China. But there is not so much danger
as there is with the japanese They
need close watching"
Speaking OF the Netherlands, Mynbeer
Mulder said there is nothing in the idea
that Germany has designs on Il: that
France and England would at once
come TO the assistance OF Holland should
her independence, neutrality. and SOW
ereignty be attacked. 1T is much better
for Germany that Holland is not a part
OF that empire. At present Holland
serves as a sort OF buffer state, thereby
protecting Germany The Prince Con-
SORT although nos popular at first, be-
cause stranger in our country, has
now gained the confidence and respect
Of the Dutch people. At the time OF
the wreck Of the steamship Berlin on
the coast Of Holland he worked like
any other man in trying TO save life and
property. ana from that day ne has had
the friendship Of our people"
Fred B. Cotton, a civil engineer OF New
York and st. Petersburg. Russia, is at
the New Willard. Discussing the con-
servation OF natural resources and the
deforestation OF Russia. Mr.. Cotton said.
This ruthless forest destruction which
has been going on for long time has
had serious effect in reducing the aver
age rainfall. The belts OF wood attracted
and held the moisture, which was slowly
distributed for the benefit OF agriculture.
Now, In vast regions, as. for instance,
on the black soil. there is hardly a tree to
be seen, and the consequence is that the
underground rivulets which nourish the
soil have disappeared The forest also
broke the force Of fierce east desert
winds. Now these winds, piercingly
cold in winter and scorchingly hot in
summer. burst with full fury on the
sgreat plains. In summer their blasts are
capable Of whitening the corn in few
days, and with them come sand storms.
which turn fertile land into permanent
deserts.
a further consequence is that the
rivers have become shallower." continued
Mr.. Cotton IN winter there is nothing
to hold the snow, which is blown together
in great heaps. and, thawing. dissolves
/ into temporary torrents. washing away
/ acres Of tlllage and carrying of all mois-
/ ture before IL has had time 10 soak into
/ the soil The river beds cannot contain
/ all this water. and foundations occur;
/ but when 1t has swept down there is no
/ further supply. The Woronesh, on which
Peter the Great built his first ships. is
now a mere rivulet: the Worskla, which
/ twenty years ago was a beautiful river.
/ surrounded by woods and pastures. has
/ absolutely disappeared; the Okla has be
I come so shallow that barges coming from
Nizhni NovEorod ,,ere stranded upon its
sands At DorOgObush the Dneiper can
be crossed by carriages. On this river
navigation has stopped, as its depth was
reduced 70 Two and three feet; and even
on the Volga steam navigation is inter-
rupted IN many parts. the river not being
able 10 carry away the sandbanks. Il is
evident that even the most costly works
| Tor ODeninu the channels will 10 ~ IfffIa
avail. The cause lies in the devastation
Of the forests. The law by which the
/ government interdicted the ruthless fell
( ing Of timber came too late. and re-
/ planting is slow work, although II is the
only remedy Tor the evil"