The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-27
title Country, an Isl.
and in a Sea of Strife.
Fulfilling Her Task
With Splendid De.
vOtiOn

Dutch Cove. nmcnt, howcvcr. has not
allowed thee discussions To- prove a
check In doing what 1t cons d,ts r,rcs.
yary tN hc done ia the fJ,i m"at Of
Ho lands international duties. since
tho construction Of the ~for;rcs. WIS
FAR from finished whca the WI. b-ok.
out. ;he tax which this fertilization
wou.. have nccl ADJ" To bear had
been ready mus; mos ho added m
part to the share ~ ouT fleet.
The nr,; days OF August we for
Holland full of suspense. On July 81
both tho army and the fleet were a..
ready mobi;ized. THIS mobilization
took pace with great ,n.mn,ss crra'
rapidity and great cSa,tG".S. accord.
ing to the pans of the military 81.
thorltles. When il apprayc. that fH.
German troops, az had long been sIs.
pcctrd. were indcc. "o.u: 70 march 20
F:nrce through Belgium tho appointed
Dutch forces wore already o. the from
tier 10 defend the ~roun'ry's neutrality
II neeossar and 'ha defensive wo-k,
In the heat Of tho country and aiong
the coast wore occupied by their gar.
r.sons. Al the same timo ,h' p-eparl.
tons FOR everything ~lclong.ng To- th'
defence Of these works and PARTON.
larry for the foundations were starte.
with full strength.
Fortunately it appeared immediateIr
that 1t was Germany's firm Intention
to respect Hollands rcutral,ty. Ye'
the task of our troops during thos
first days at tho frontier was eNaCtirE
Not only was IL necessary 20 intern
soldiers from both the Belgian and
German armies, who for some reason
or other entered our territory, bu'
a large number OF wounded, both Ger
mans and Belgians. who were con.
veyed across our frontier had to %
cared for. while a great part Of tHr
civil population of the Belgian front.e'
towns and villages took refuge in our
country.
Briefly must call attention TO r."
state Of things at the time when, IL
the further course of the war, An
werp, Belgium's central redoubt, wh!ch
is situated close to our frontier. w.
attacked and after a few days defcU.,
fell into the hands OF the Germ
army. The battle took place, as
were. under the eyes Of our troops
The question whether England b.
order 10 COM TO the aid OF ANTWERP
would perhaps think II necessary Co.
violate the neutrality OF the Scheld'
wal on all lips. The suspense was
short. but intense. A great exodus OF
the civil population into our country
took place in those days.
When the defence OF Antwerp was
abandoned the majority OF the Belgian
and English troops that had taken par
in this defence managed TO escape to
the south and there to Join the army
80 ~. nAa NVs oa xv
fed to Dutch territory and had to be
informed.
The act hat the present war. above
all. where It 10 waged between Ger.
many and England. 10 an economic
! struggle gives . special sisnihoancs
70 the naval warfare. II 10 super.
fiuous to say that the interests OF the
Dutch commercial feet are also CLOSELY
involved by It, the more 30 since the
Powers at war have repeatedly re.
sorted to which are entirely
at variance With the principle OF Q
free SEQ.
TIL vigorous protests hat the Dutch
Government has several times been
compelled to utter in connection wit
the operations against our Commercial,
feet have u days Of grea'
anxiety. And still Hollands eyes ar.
ixod on the North Sea as the seen,
whore the decision in tho naval wa,
10 expected.
Also the maintenance OF neutrality
In our extensive colonial waters AZ
n time demanded constant watch.
especially when the German cruisers
were appearing Unexpectedly in d,f-
ferent quarters. This Is proved ~
the fact that the Emden even ap-
peared In the roads Of Penang. Ma.
lacca. and there blew up a Russian
ship and the French torpedo destroyer
Bousquot.
For Hollands military situation
Japan's and Turkeys participation IN
the war was a matter Of great i'm
portance. The question whether
Japan's taking part would lead 70
further international entanglements
In the East and whether the sense
quences Of Turkeys declaration OF a
holy war would also he fel, IN our
colonies had to be earnestly consid.
cred n realized In the military
measures taken by us.
Our Government and our military
authorities follow the course ~ N.
wal both on land and on sea with
deep interest. II eventually the Ger
man armies are compelled 10 retreat
to their own territory and once more
take their route through Belgium, NV
then followed with their adversaries
at their heels there will come d'~'-
cult days for the Dutch military
forces.
Up to the momen Holland has
been spared tho Calam!tlcs of wa
Following the example Of tho much
respected head of our State. 'H"
Queen, who, faithful to tho glorious
traditions OF her race, fl'fls TO-
difficult task with peerless devotion
and conducted by a Government ~
extremely able men, who watch over
Hollands rights n duties IN a wav
which only history will he able -
give its full due Of honor. the Dutch
nation stands unanimous and self
confident in the midst Of the raging
war.
Rut no Dutchman doubts that H0'-
lands army and feet will, II asains'
all hope and expectation II Shouts
he necessary, nght to the last mar
to maintain neutrality and defend
our independence.