The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-12
Would Compel British Action.

II Is not to- much 10 say that Sub
mission by Holland to German persua-
sion or force would compel the British
Government to instant action, action
that might easily involve the Dutch
nation in the war.
hitherto German diplomacy. blunder-
Ing elsewhere. achieved notable objects
as regards Holland. The Kaiser's ar
mics carefully avoided touching Dutch
territory. Berlin has treated The Hague
with the most c.rcumspect pollteness.
Holland has been flooded with press
matter clarifying tho German cause. As
result Germany, with a blockaded
coast and an inactive navy. has been
able to make considerable use of Hol-
lands ports
England with constantly growing ir-
ritation, has been obliged to endure this
most unsatisfactory state of affairs. But
holland resigns the mouth OF the
Scheldt to Germany and her neutrality
becomes tiagrantly one sided. as 10 many
II has appeared secretly to be. the whole
situation may change over night. The
crisis Is as delicate and as charged with
explosive FACTORS as can readily be
imagined
The Times asserts. on the authority
OF Dutch correspondent that Ger
many g preparing to lay claim 10 the
mouth OF the Scheldt on the ground
that the occupation becomes necessary
as an emergency war measure agains,
England an emergency comparable 10
the necessity for the violation Of the
neutrality OF Belgium The Pail Mail
gazette finds reason to state that the
Dutch neutrality is seriously threat
ened by Germany's new situation at Ant
werp. The star does not believe that
such a violation of Dutch neutrality
would be Of benefit TO the Germans
since they cannot get their warsbjns
out of the Kiel Canal.
| "step Toward Settlements.
Tho Figaro Of Paris prints an inter-
View with Dutch politician who insists
that Holland does not consider il To he
her duty to close the mouth of the
Scheldt and asserts that there is no
obligation resting upon Holland To stop
the passing Of ships between the North
Sea and the port of Antwerp. The
Td9ebidH of Berlin quotes Major
Moraht. well known German mllitarv
critic, to the effect that the occupation
of Antwerp is great step toward our
settlement with England" Such occu-
patton, according to the TaocbIatt.
would enable the Germans to direct
their efforts against tho toughest and
most INSCRIPTIONS OF our enemies"
Dutch newspapers quote German
newspapers as saying that with Ant
werp in the hands OF the Germans the
port will be available as a subsidiary
naval base against England and that
the operations will take on new form.
These hints. from variety of sources
all tend to show the gravity of the
situation.
There are assurances from Holland
and from individuals who have recently
travelled in that country that the people
fear and suspect Prussias aims. while
generally friendly toward the German
people. There Is also the assurance
that Holland understands her danger
of losing national identity and becoming
merely German province,
Nevertheless, there are racial. com
merCal and historic reasons which
might impel the Dutch to side with
Germany IL a decision was unavoidable.
The Prince Consort Henry OF Mecklen-
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