The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-12
IDENTIFICATION IS
 CAUSE OF STORM
Hollands Plans to Defend Flushing Much Criticized
MAY BE KAISER'S IDEA
Europe Quiet Except for Dutch Af- fairs-Reports That Chinese Army Will Soon Be Com
 pletely Reorganized


 | Berlin, February h. fspecial) Pc l litical interest in Europe Is still centered around the immense fortifacations
 which the little king of Holland has planned to build near Flushing, and
 which the diplomats of France and Eng
 land persist in attributing to the Kali ser's ever pernicious activity to build 8
 wall around his young empire. Flushing l is known to most Americans who visit Europe. principally as the continental station of one of the main routes con meeting England with the continent, the center of an immense net work of rail- roads, which absolutely control all traf- fic to Germany. Possibly, nay undoubt- edly, 1t is to Germany's adventage to have this important point fortified against sudden English attack in case of an Anglo-German war, but it is just as natural to suppose that Holland on her own initiative conceived the idea of building forts here, as Flushing Is the only exposed point on the Dutch coast.
 No matter how or where the plans or-i iginated, they have certainly aroused storm of indignation in England and in France, and although the French minister of foreign affairs, M. Pichon, in his much discussed speech in the French chamber only pointed out, that the Notifications meant a danger to the | neutral kingdom and, therefore, enti- tied the great powers to protest in the interest in that country it was never theless evident that he voiced the sen timent of England
 What has improved the situation somewhat in the fact that Holland prob- ably does not mean to fortify to tho extent first supposed. The finance com mittee of the Dutch senate poured oil on the troubled waters in it's recent re- port on the question, which said that although the government was not to be blamed because 1t asked money for streng thening the country's coast for tifcations, it had nevertheless gone too far in demanding more than was abso- lutely necessary.
 As matter of fact the Dutch mili- tary experts disagree and many of them consider 1t great mistake to concen- trate the country's whole defense at Flushing.
 Another question is whether the DOW CTS have any right to meddle with the defensive arrangements of the smaller bstates. and the present situation is ra1h- CT peculiar, showing Germany in the new part of defender of the privilege of the small states to plan tn cir own defense, but to a certain extent the Kaiser's government is right when it says that if France is entitled to order Holland not to build forts on her coast, Germany has the same right of dicta- ting to Holland. for, instance.
 Germanys sudden Interest in the well fare of the small states Is very touch ;v, when 1t is remembered that the build ing of the Dutch, fortifications favor German military politics.
 As matters stand, Holland will almost certainly be allowed to do as she pleases for diplomatic interference without absolute harmony between the powers is impossible. The affair Is principally interesting because of the i'll will it has aroused between France and Ger many. and because 1t Is new proof of the bitter rivalry between England and Germany.
 When even the sedate London Times has championed the cause of neutral Belgium with such unusual ferocity, no one for moment magnes that love of Belgium has been the motive, but sole ly English interests. England's con- stant fear of Germany's growing naval and military power. and a fear that Germany may use the Dutch fortresses as basis of operations during an event. ual war with England
 Aside from the storm in the Dutch teacup everything Is quiet in Europe and even the alarming news from Por- tugal, which has caused the newspa- pers such delight during this season of dullness. has ceased, probably because all the telegrams from that country are censored, and nearly all letters outgo- ing opened and examined Here in Germany 1t Is principally the "bIue black block" that Is, the alliance be- tween the Prussian large landowners and the Catholic clergy, which attracts attention. principally because its efforts have resulted in the adoption of a very stringent gag-law against the press which will give the reactionary Judges powerful arm against the liberal, rad teal and socialistic papers, and which has been greeted all over the country with storm of indignation, not the least of which arose in the annexed non German provinces of Prussian Po- land, Alsace-Lorraine and Schleswig. where It will be ruthlessly applied to suppress all national feeling, undoubt- edly with no more success than all pre- vious attempts at Germanization
 All over Prussia the movement in favor of the extension of the suffrage is growing in strength. and not a Sun day passes without more or less serious socialistic demonstrations. not only in Berlin, but in all tho industrial centers of the kingdom The socialist papers have for weeks impressed on the mem- bers of their party the absolute necessi- ty of abstaining from any move which might give the police welcome excuse for interfering. and as a result all the meetings have ben orderly. But it is nevertheless evident that the people are dreadfully in earnest, and that the Kaiser. as king of Prussia, must keep his promise, that the people shall be properly represented In the Diet. If he wishes to avoid an uprising which all- the troops of the Kingdom would not be able to suboue. If the 'junkers" are wise, they will read the "Mene, Te-