Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-10-14
HOLLAND IS TRYING TO MAKE
The BEST OF WAR CONDITIONS
Politics Brushed One Side and All Parties Unit
ed on Common Cause-Course of Russia at
Wars End Causes Anxiety-Wonderful Sc
ries of Blundering Statements in Dutch Press
Dutch Generally Believe German Reports

The Hague, Sept. 1S.-Holland at
present has nc politics. ut is a bless
ing" said very intelligent burgher.
For the time being we have forgotten
the awful strife which during the last
ten years had made Holland a politi-
cal mad house. For once Protestant
and Catholic Holland realize that they
nave something in common"
But while Holland has no politics, ii
has political fears. Conscious of their
weakness her people ask: What if the
Germans lose? What if they win ?"
England is not trusted of course The
Boer war was a Dutch affair these
men will tell you, and the end of the
two South African republics is too re-
cent an event to have been forgotten
Notwithstanding what Louis Botha
and other Boer Leaders have said.
Under the old arrangement Holland
was able to play no inconsiderable role
in Europe. With the Triple Entente
occupying fully the attention of the
Triple Alliance, Holland managed to
look after her own affairs without in
reference. What is more her East
Indian possessions were then consid-
cred absolutely safe. Now the colonies
have become the subject of much
worry. Java, Sumatra and Borneo are
desirable property and while there is
nothing TO indicate that they will not
keep them, it Is felt that it is far
better to have an international politi-
cal condition under which the cupidity
of one great power checks that of an
other than to depend entirely upon
the good will of any single power. For
the taking of the Dutch East Indies
from the Dutch, Germany would have
gone to war had she been left out of
the deal, it is said here. The Holland
ers confess, when they will talk at all,
that they are apprehensive over the
great war. With Germany defeated
they see Schelwig- Holstein against
Danish East and West Prussia and
Posen Russian and Alsace-Loraine in
the hands of the French. Then with the
German Notifications RACED, and with
the army and navy limited to impot-
ency, Holland sees a loss of those
guarantees which the European stu
alton has formerly provided.
This feeling recently has overshad-
owed the anticipation that Germany S
loss in foreign commerce would IN
part become Hollands gain. To know
that until international affairs in
Europe had been readjusted suffic-
iently to establish a new balance of
power, Holland would exist entirely
by the grace and goodwill Of either
England or Russia fills the thought
full burgher with dismay. He is in
the sad position of disliking the Ger
man. loathing the Russian and mis-
trusting England. Honest interest he
takes only in the French. fearing at
the same time that Germany before
she succumbs, should such be the case.
would make of France the greatest
shambles OF history.
What his country may expect under
these circumstances he cannot fore
tell He hears rumors that Russia will
try to get possession Of the entire Bal
tic seaboard, and that Hamburg and
Bremen are even included in this am
bilious plan. Needless to say that
makes the Russian neighbour near