Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-09-15
HOLLAND is READY
Little Dutch Kingdom Will Fight to
the Death.

Ino D0dtn.
Holland is a nation that prepares
for war in silence, says an Amster'
, dam correspondent.
One had expected that the usua
scenes-cheering crowds as the hastil!
mobilized troops marched to theil
positions, excited groups in the street:
discussing the news and general pop
ular enthusiasm. But, instead o
that. Amsterdam is as silent and un
emotional as ever. l have watched
the troops pass by, and they go or
without band or song. and / have no
heard a single cheer from the people
who gather casually as if ashamed Of
showing interest to see the soldiers.
Little groups gather around the
cafes and shops to read the --latest
kilograms, but there is no excited
chatter or discussion-nothing but
stolid facts and silence. But 1t Is the
silence Of determination and strength
1t is characteristic Of their quiet
courage that to an extent matched by
no other nation, the Dutch have pre-
pared for the worst in a way that must
involve unparalleled sacrifice.
"Bloed Of zweet?" (blood or sweat?
This is the question the Dutch are
today asking themselves Which Is
more precious, which more painful tc
shed? And Holland, which has beer
built up by the sweat Of its people
says that blood must be shed to spare
the sweat Of future generations.
There must be no wars after this
great one. Some here call it the last
war, and prophesy that when 1t Is
over men will have seen the madness
Of the Armageddon forced upon Eu-
rope by Germany. The Hague has
long been famous as a peace center
and Rotterdam reflects the Hague as
the Hague reflects Rotterdam. After
this war there must be disarmament
and reduced taxation and rest for al
men. Germany must be taught thai
she cannot any longer mislead the
world into the waste Of labor caused
by ornaments.
Germany Wants Ports.
Holland knows that Germany wants
ports on the North Sea for her navy
and that the Dutch ports are geo.
graphically the most obvious objects OF
her ambition. So in silence Holland
is ready, having counted the cost.
The first line of defense is in and
around Amensfoort, where the pick OF
her army bestrides the main road be-
tween Amsterdam and Germany. Fol
week or more they have been
marching there, and I motored past
regiment after regiment Of sturdy
little men in blue uniforms, nearly all
smoking cigars as they trudged along
in silence.
Everyone Of those men is to be
sacrificed if the Germans come said
a prominent citizen of Amsterdam
Not a German must pass Amensfoort
while one of our men is alive to
shoot"
And after? That is when Holland
will put into operation a desperate
plan worthy of gallant little nation,
whose whole history tells Of unflinch-
ing struggles with strong enemies,
whether men or the sea. Practically
the whole north Of Holland, with Am
sterdam as the center lies below the
sea level, guarded by huge dams and
banks. Hollands mind is made up.
If the invader cannot be driven of
the country will be given back to the
waters from which it has been won.
Tho Hague to be Kept Dry.
At every sluice gate on the network
of dams that are Hollands earth
works against the ever-threatening
water, there are soldiers awaiting one
order. Once that is given the gates
will be opened and the water will
rush in to cover hundreds of square
miles of land, whether village, crop
or pasture around Amsterdam. Only
the capital will remain, her huge ring
of dams keeping the waters back.
Here the queen will reside with her
government, surrounded by vast
sheet Of water too deep for troops to
march through, too shallow for boats
that would be Of any service.
If ever the moment comes for Hol-
land to make the great sacrifice, the
people from the countryside will be
brought to Amsterdam. and all the
cattle driven in to victual the city.
There is a special committee in Am
sterdam at this moment ready to deal
with the matter. Given an hours
notice they can house 2O0,0 from the
countryside, some billeted on the
citizens, others sheltered under can
vas in the squares or schools and other
public buildings. There are huge sup
plies Of food that can be drawn upon
at once.
People Eager to Fight.
That is how Holland will meet the
invader who overcomes her first line of
defence. Already a quarter Of mil
lion men are under arms. Others are
being called up, including the 1915
militia. ordinarily not due for service
till next year, and in few days nearly
1000 men will stand equipped and
ready.
The saddest folk are the young men
not yet liable for service who cannot
persuade the authorities to give them
uniform and rifle. The students have
formed a committee, and all young
men not called to the colors are in
vited to enroll themselves as volun-
teers for any service they can render
to the state.
Some will get in the harvest, which
lies ripe, while the farmers sons and
laborers are in barrack or camp;
others will help the government in
its measures for controlling food
prices. should shopkeepers be tempt
ed to seek extra profit.
Diamond Cutters Idle.
II have offered to drive a railway
engine if the government wants any
help there" said a young journalist