Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-13
WHAT WILL HOLLAND DO2
g py H. ' Wells
by the New


w nat changes for Holland arc likely
10 result from the present war?
Let me. as AN irresponsible Journalist.
try TO estimate them. and try TO fore
cast what Holland Is likely to do In
the next few months do not want for
moment to suggest what DutchInen
ought to do: this preaching to highly
Intelligent ncutrals Is not n writer's
business, but ! want to imagine how
things must look In the private mind
OF wary, patriotic IIollander. and 10
guess what may be the outcome Be-
cause In many ways Holland does seem
to hold the key TO the present situa-
ton.
II is clear that Whatever fears may
have been felt for the integrity of Hol-
land at the beginning OF the war must
now be very much nbatcd. The risk OF
Germany attacking Holland diminishes
with each day Of German failure, and
the whole case and righteousness OF the
allies rests upon their respect for Hoi-
land Hollands position as regards
Germany now Is cXtraorlinn strong
materially, and as regards the allies IL
Is overwhelmingly strong morally She
has behaved patiently and sancly
through trying crisis. She has en-
durcd much, almost Inevitable provo
cation and temptation, with dignity and
honesty. Were she now subjected to
any German outrage she could strike
with her excellent army OF 100000 men
AZ Aix-la Char clle. and turn rcpulse
into rapid disaster.
sword at BnciS OF German.
That Is the interesting thing about
the Dutch position now. The Dutch hold
a sword ~ the back OF Germany. Were
they to come into the war on the Ger
man side they would, no doubt, pro-
vide n most effective. but certainly not
decisive reinforcement To the Ger
man western front. but they would
also lay open q convenient way for
the allies to the vital part OF Germany
Westphalla. But were they to come I'm
on the side OF the allies they would at
once deliver n conclusive blow. They
could cut the main communications of
the German army in Flanders: they
could round up and assist to capture a
very large portion OF the German
western forces. and they could open
the road not only to attack. but TO
turn the Rhine dcfenscs. In fact, they
could finish Germany
This situation is already fairly OBJ
Vious: / bctray no strategic secret; it
must become manifest to every Dutch
man before many more weeks. One has
but TO look at the map. Every day now
diminishcs the possibility OF Germany
being able to make any effective coun-
tcrattack, any Belgian destruction, in
Holland, and every day increases the
weight of the blow that Holland may
NciiNcT. w nat are the chances that
Holland may now ultimately realize to
the full the possibilities Of that blow
and join the allies?
Against her doing so is the consider
alton that she Is doing very we'll as she
Is. She keeps her freedom. Practically
the allies fight to secure it for her. The
dread of Communication which has hung
over Holland for forty years seems to
reccdc.
And, of course, n secondary re-
straining force there is the rcasonabl
fear Of devastation. The good Ger
man" vindictivcness might make one
last supreme effort.
Wants the War to End.
But. on the other hand, is she really
doing as well rs 1t seems? Unless she
intervcncs this war will probably last
for another full year. She wants 1t to
end. 1t is terrible oppression. Her
army must remain mobillZcd, even If 1t
does not fight. Her trade stagnates She
is encountered by refugees. What If she
struck to end the war and get the
tension over? Not now, perhaps, but
presently. simultaneously with the
Franco British countcrstroke that now
draws near
And by coming In there is something
more than the mere termination OF a
strain and the vindication Of interna-
tional righteousness to consider. There
is the possibility, and not only the
possibility but the possible need, that
Holland should come out of this world
war aEgrandizcd. / want to lay stress
upon that, because It may prove de-
cisive factor In this matter.
The Dutch desire ACKNOWLEDGMENT for
the sake of ACKNOWLEDGMENT as little as
any nation in Europe. But what If the
path of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT be also the
path Of safety?
1t Is clear that both France and Bel
GUM will demand and receive terri
torial compensation for these last
months Of horror. It is ridiculous to
suppose that the Germans may fling
war in its most atrocious and filthy
form over Belgium and some Of the
sweetest parts of France without pay
ing bitterly and abundantly for tho
freak
Quite apart from indemnities, France
and Belgium must push forward their
boundaries so far that IL ever Germany
tries another rush she will have to rush
for some days through her own lost
lands. The only tolcrable frontier
against Germans is>a days march deep
In Germany. OF course. Liege will have
to he In hn f,,k,,