The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-02-28
Dutch and German
Troops on 30 rider
Dl1t ~ dl1e Z rouble|
And as a Result Their Lines are
Removed a Distance of
100 Yards.

\ Correspondence Of Associated Fress.l
II AMSTERDAM, Feb. 81 The Dutch
and German soldiers who have been
| patr0lling on opposite sides Of the
boundary line since the war began
have been ordered 70 withdraw from
close contact on account OF the fact
that g. number OF disagreeable Incl
dents have occurred Up to- the be-
ginning OF February the Dutch soi-
diers and the Germans paced side by
side and carried on conversation; It
appears that trouble sometimes arose
through the expression Of diverse
views. 50 the commander or zee pa
trolls have now separated the men BY
distance OF 100 yards. Between the
small strip Of territory separating the
Dutch from the German sentries no
one Is permitted ia 60 except ON
chance of being Immediately shot,
Behind the frontier line on both
sides have been erected field forth
hcations in the shape OF trenches and
/, gun emplacements. Those in Dutch
territory are so placed as to render
impossible any surprise inroad into
| the Netherlands. and they are defend
led by strong bodies OF troops. On
the opposite side in Belgium the en-
trenchments face away from the Dutch
frontier and are evidently intended
to offer shelter to the German army
In case 1t should find itself obliged to
retire from its present position In
FLANDERS.
There is a strong feeling among tns,
Dutch troops that the Germans will
be forced over the frontier. In Linz
burg should the allied forces even
tually push them out Of Belgium. This
/ little strip OF Holland, forminS sort
Of appendix to the south, is bounded
on the west by Belgium and on the
east of Germany. 1t is very narrow
and would offer greet temptation to a
retreating army trying to get away
from Its pursuers. The Dutch realize
this and are determined to oppose
any such action by every means in
their power.
On the other side OF Holland the
greatest attention Of the Dutch gov
eminent Is directed toward the pre-.
yention of attempts to smugglc con-
traband articles over the frontier
from Holland into Germany. These
attempts are frequent owing to che
profit attached to such transactions.
The precautions taken against such
runs are of the most extreme ss-
verify The frontier line Is patrolled
night and day and the, troops engaged
in this work are frequently changed
SO that they may not become too in-
innate with the inhabitants Of the
frontier districts and SO be inclined
ito display laxtty in their vigilance.
While these efforts to maintain a
strict neutrality are maintained there
has been some criticism OF the Dutch
government In consequence OF its ac-
ton in keeping such a large number
OF troops under arms. Premier Cort
van der Linden, however, maintains
that the position taken up has been
the only correct one under the cir
cumstances and declares that the gov.
ernment is sure that 'sthe Netherlands
Will, neither now nor in the futufe.
surrender her rights to anyone with
out a struggle
There is a strong movement among
section of the people In favor Of an
appeal for Intervention in the inter-
ests OF peace. There exists an ANTI
War League which recently has dis
played great activity and petitions are
placed everywhere for signature ask
ing the queen of the. Netherlands TO
make some move in this direction.