Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-10-14
HOLLAND HARD hit
BY EUROPEAN WAR
TRADE WITH GERMANY LARGELY
CUT OFF AND MANY MEN
ARE IDLE.
SHIPPING ALSO AFFECTED
BY CLOSING OF NORTH SEA
Government Takes Stops to Aid Needy
Much Suffering Certain to Ensue
When Winter Sets in-Duteh Com.
plain Because Embargo on Shipping
Is Strictly Enforced.
Correspondence Of the Associated
Press1

INotleTudu, sept. IS-FTuuonL HeIl
in Holland continue to talk of the
European war in whispers and behind
closed doors, and one would almost
think the duke Of Alba was making
another descent on the lowlands. A
few days ago-before Queen Wilhel-
nina addressed the opening session
of the staten general on the subject
of neutrality. expressions pro and con
could be heard in the cafes and other
public places. But the gentle language
Of her majesty penetrated deeply-edi-
tors have again taken to their mental
retreats and the burghers again think
of the foods that will inundate most
of north-central Holland in case any
warning nation should attempt an in
Tasion. 81
Holland has begun to realize the
deliacy and difficulties of her position.
and the danger Of any pronounced
sympathy with one or the ether of the
belligerent powers. 1t is feared that
London might take advantage of any
expression of feeling in favor OF the
allies in the hope Of getting The Hague
10 make concessions which would
bring the Germans over the Dutch
borders. This part of the issue is clear
enoush-even to the Germans, whose
press refers to it now and then
suardedly. and with the animation
that it is better to have Holland afraid
of England than in love with Ger
many.
Many Men Out Of Work.
Holland on the whole seems to have
been we'll satisfied with the pre-
bellian status in Europe. Germany was
a good customer of the Dutch COL
onies and put annually millions into
the Dutch railways and oversee, river
and canal bottoms. That there are at
present out OF work in Rotterdam some
$4,000 men who heretofore made n
comfortable living in the transport
business creatd by German industry.
is daily reminder that after all the
interests Of Holland do not wholly lie
in the destruction of Germany's for
eign commerce. Holland. IN addition
to handling great part of Germany
supply Of food, also carried fully one
fourth OF the raw material imported
by the German manufacturers and
about one fifth OF the German exports.
having almost entirely the traffic orig
mating in Rhenish- Prussia. West
phalia and other parts of the empire
enjoying canal transportation facilities
accessible from the Rhine.
What the conditions Of this traffic
will be after the war. is problem
with the Hollander. Certain it is that
Germany's industrial position could
not be reduced without causing seri-
Gus losses to the Netherlands-of this
some $4,000 men. women and children
suffering from unemployment are the
evidence Formerly about 200 seagoing
vessels entered the port of Rotterdam
every week. At present the average
is below thirty five and most of these
are said to go with half-cargoes. River
and canal traffic is all but paralyzed.
and the railroad receipts are dwindling
constantly AS a member of the local
chamber of commerce remarked: Our
railroads are kept busy hauling coal
for themselves" He might have added
that when not doing this they are
obliged to handle one-tenth of the
Dutch army back and forth. the men
under arms being entitled to one day
with their families every tenth day.
Efforts to Prevent Suffering.
Much has been done by the govern
ment to avert disaster. employ the
unemployed, and lessen The suffering
of those unable to find work The gov
eminent has issued .Zilverbons''-
script calculated to replace the actual
currency which disappears from circu-
lation as soon as war threatens. The
cities, too. have been given the right
10 issue such money, backed by the
municipal property. This has had the
tendency TO restore confidence and re-
Gently much silver has been taken out
OF hiding SO that now conditions are
fairly normal.
public work which had been delayed
for one reason or another has been
,naugurated by the national govern
ment, and most cities are having their
sewers given q thorough overhauling.
In Rotterdam. for instance, many
streets have been torn up from one
end to the other, and large force
is being employed In lifting black,
eyil-smelling ooze from the canals by
means Of wire baskets at the end Of
a long pole-a primitive way Of doing
things, but ono which helps to keep
people in bread, II not in butter. Then.
too. the artificial advancing Of food
prices mas been given much attention.
Proclamations and announcements
everywhere direct that this or that be
sold at such and such price.
Money 10 being collected for the
support OF the poor. The fact is that
Rotterdam like all port cities, has a
sub stratum Of inhabitants to whom
bare feet, iil-clothed back and empty
stomach are Of greater concern than
~. else Alreed.- the policemen pa
troll in pairs. and where formerly it
was crime to spend night sleeping
on a bench in the park this no longer
arouses even the slightest attention.
Fear Hunger in Winter.
what will come with the advent of
winter is something Of which men
think but do not talk. There will be
an end to the amount OF money the
hetter classes Of the country can spend
In charity work Realization Of this
w.s sifnalized when few days ago
the chamber OF commerce and other
e.r.e societies decided to bring coll
lections to q definite basis. Contribute
lions are made in certain amounts and
a stated Intervals, but their contin-
nation necessarily depends upon the
economic conditions of those who make
them. with business almost at
stanAetifl there Is no telling when that
lime VIII he reached. With the COM
ins winteG, toA the demands are bound