The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-10-13
HOLLAND FACING DELICATE TASK
 ON NEUTRALITY


 hind closed doors, and one would al- most think the Duke of Alba was making another descent on the Low lands. Before Queen Wilhelrnina ad- dressed the opening session of the StateT-Genera1 on the subject of neu- trality, expressions pro and con could be heard in the cafes and other pub lie places But the gentle language of Her Majesty penetrated deeply editors have again taken to their mem tai retreats and the burghers again think of the floods that will inun- date most of North-central Holland inscase any warning nation should at tempt an invasion.
 Holland has begun to realize the de1icacy and difficulties of her position and the danger of any pronounced sympathy with one or the other of the beIigerent powers It is feared that London might take advantage of any expression of feeling in favor of the allies in the hope of getting The Hague to make concessions which would bring the Germans over the Dutch borders. This part of the is sue is clear enough-even to the Ger mans. whose press refers to it now and then guarded1y, and with the in tfrnation that it is better to have Ho1- land afraid of England than in love with Germany.
 Holland on the whole seems to have been we'll satisfied with the pre-beI- lion status in Europe. Germany was a good customer of the Dutch colo nies and put annually millions into the Dutch railways and oversea, river and canal bottoms. That there are at present out of work in Rotterdam some 15,000 men who heretofore transport business created by German industry, is daily reminder that af- ter all the interests of Holland do not wholly lie in the destruction of Ger nanyss foreign commerce. Holland. in addition to handling a great part Of Gernany's supply of food, also carried fully one-fourth of the raw maternal imported by the German manufactures and about one-ffth of the German exports, having almost entirely the traff1c originating in Rhen4sh-Prussia, Westphalia and oth- CT parts of the empire enjoying canal transportation facilities accessible from the Rhine.
 what the conditions of this traffic will be after the war, is a problem that Germany's industrial position could not be reduced with out causing serious losses to the Netherlands of this some 60, 1000 men, women and children suffering from unenploy- nent are the evidence Forme about 300 seagoing vessels entered the port of Rotterdam every week. At present the average is below 35, and T1ost Of these are said to go with half-cargoes- River and canal traf- f1c is all but para1yzed, and the rail- road receipts are dwindling eonstan mt ly. As a member of the local Cha m Der of Commerce renark rked. Our railroads are kept busy hauling coal for themselves. He might have ad- ded 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
 Much has been done by the gov ernment to avert disaster, employ the unemployed. and lessen the suffer ing of those unable to find work. The government has issued 'sziIverbons'' calculated to replace the ac- tua1 currency which disappears from circulation as soon as war threatens The cities. too, have been given the right to issue such money backed by the municipal property. This has had the tendency to restore confidence and recently much silver has been taken out Of hiding so that now con ditions are fairly normal.
 Public work which had been de- layed for one reason or another has been inaugurated by the national gov ernmeut, and most cities are having their sewers given a thorough over hauling. In Rotterdam, for instanea many streets have been torn up from 2 force is being employed in lifting b1acks ev1l-sune1ling ooza from the ca naIs by means of wire baskets at the end of long poIe-a primitive way of doing things. but one which helps to keep people in bread if not in butter. Then too, the artificial ad- vaneing of food prices has been given much attention.
 Proc1amations and announcements everywhere direct that this or that be sold at such and such price.
 Money is 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, ill-clothed back and empty stomach are of greater con- licemen patrol in pairs, and where formerly 1t was crime to spend a night sleeping on bench in the park this no longer arouses even the slight est attention.
 What will come with the advent of winter is something of which men think but do not talk There will be an end even to the amount of money the better classes of the country can spend in charitable work. Reanza- ton of this was signalized when a few days ago the Chamber of Com merce and other civic societies decid- ed to bring collections to a definite basis. Contributions are made in certain amounts and at stated inter yaIs, but their continuation necessar- | lily depends upon the econ on1ic condi- stions of those who make them. With business almost at a standstiII there is no telling when that time will be reached With the coming of winter, TOO, the demands are bound to be- come heavier and needs more press All this is best understood when one sees and hears that the better classes are taking the wise pre- caution of providing against mob vio- dences against their homes
 The systematic interference of Eng land and France with Dutch shipping g is not rehshed here. Holland is is said has given every proof that she is willing to do her best for the preser- vation of her neutrality. That some