Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-15
HOLLAND MAY JOIN
IN GERMAN CAUSE
Signs That Kaiser's Propaganda
Is About to Be Crowned
With Success.
REPORT NOT YET VERIFIED
If Dutch Go to War, Allies May
Secure Scandinavian
Ports.
BY PHILIP EVERETT.


;hat the inccssant German propaganda
IN that country is about to be crowned
with success, and that Holland may be
expected to join hands with Germany
and Austria against France and Eng
land.
II this happens. Germany will be
able 10 use not only Antwerp, which
at present is useless as a seaport. be-
cause ships cannot enter or leave IL
without passing through Dutch waters.
but also the splendid port Of Rotter-
dam as a German naval basis, from
which England may be threatened
The Dutch people as a whole are
anything but friendly towards the Ger
mans. but the press. with the excep-
ton of two newspapers. have during
the whole war exhibited a strong pro-
German tendency. and the higher army
officers also have tried to conceal their
admiration for the German army II
is also said that the prince consort.
who is OF German birth. has been a
very active champion of his native
country in army circles, and, although,
OF course. he does not possess any
power under the Dutch Constitution.
his high position gives his word a
certain weight.
SECRET AGREEMENT
BELIEVED CONCLUDED
1t seems absurd to suppose that a
military coup d'etat should have any
chance OF success in Holland, and il is
said that several members of the Dutch
Cabinet have come under the infu-
ence Of the higher officers and court
circles. and that a secret agreement
has been concluded with Germany.
The people will be allowed no say In
the matter. but will be faced with a
fact accomplished. The English gov
eminent on the other side. has not
been blind TO what has been going on
under the surface in Holland. and will
use every influence in order TO induce
this country not to give up its neu-
trality. This would cost Holland her
colonies. even If nothing else happens,
and IL was noticeable that Germanys
loss OF Southwest Africa for time put
a quietus on German agitation.
AS countermove on the part Of
England. ! hear, Il secret agreement
has been made between the British and
the Scandinavian governments which
gives Great Britain the right 10 use
certain Scandinavian ports. principally
Copenhagen as naval basis. the mo-
ment Holland joins hands with the CEN
trail powers.
This would be likely to more than
offset all the advantages which Ger
many would gain through Dutch
breach of neutrality, for Germany is
exceedingly vulnerable from the north.
An English army landed in Denmark
possibly re-enforced by Russian troops,
would constitute a serious danger to
Germany, as Schleswig Holstein is
practically denuded of troops. and it
would be comparatively easy for an
English force landed In Denmark to
advance south and reach the Kiel Canal
in three or four days. In all Schles-
wig there is not a single strategicany
valuable position. from a defensive
point OF view, as the canal is fortified
only al the end. and the German fleet
assembled within would have TO make
q rush for safety.
In view of the fact that the present
governments. as we'll of Holland as of
the Scandinavian countries, and espe-
cially Denmark. have repeatedly eX-
pressed themselves as strongly in favor
of strict neutrality, the story as told
to me sounds rather unreasonable. but,
at the same time. it has reached me
from a source which ! have no reason
to disbelieve. / have related it exact
~ as II was told TO me. but | cannot
vouch for the truth Of 1t. 1t is. Of
course. utterly hopeless to try to get
any official confirmation here as we'll
as in any OF the countries concerned.
One thing. however, is certain: there
exists in Holland a military clique that
is strongly in favor of joining hands
4, q
of the Danish people there is a strong
feeling OF hostility against Germany
Also in Norway popular feeling is up
in arms against Germany, because of
that countrys ruthless destruction OF
Norwegian ships. In Sweden the adj
miration for Germany is rapidly dis
appearing, though there is still feel
ing of fear of Russia, in spite OF all
official assurances that Russia has not
for n moment thought of violating the
neutrality of Sweden.
HARDEN SPEAKS AGAIN
AFTER LONG SILENCE
Macmillan Harden has spoken again
after long silence. In the current
number of his paper. he discusses at
length the question whether Russia is
ready to make a separate peace or not
ne UOeS not take lItO consideration the
fact that the treaty of September binds
each of the allies not to conclude peace
separately.
The impression which the violation
Of treaty produces in these times.
when war Is carried on with asphyxiat-
ing gas, and when merchantmen are
destroyed without the slightest warn
ing, is not worth mentioning" Harden
II l.,
of Belgium and Italy. Germany insists
that Belgium was no longer neutral,
while the quadruple entente and most
neutral countries assert that II was
Austria that violated the treaty, with
Italy. Interests always speak louder
than conscience.
Harden then quotes Frederick the
Great to prove that the violation of
treaties lis permissible. when you be-
come tangled up in the maze Of Euro
pean politics. 1t Is difficult to preserve