Semi-weekly herald., 1915-04-19

fear that Holland might be drawn into
the war. The army Of Holland is mo-
bilizcd and officers are to be seen in
the streets, wearing bright new uni
forms. Tho reserves, who have been
following their occupations, have CIV
en- up their positions and gone to the
colors, In other words, Holland is
prepared for war in case 1t happens.
Inviting Prey.
This little country is peculiarly sit
uatcd and is an inviting prey to the
big nations which are near by. The
allies could make good use of Holland
II they were to invade her neutral-
ity, and would thus give them access
to the rear door of Germany; but II
war comes to Holland il viii not be
the work of the allies. They have
gone to war to reassert the independ-
ouce of Belgium and would certainly
80, 90 guliry of so bold and great n
piece of Inconsistency rs would be
involved in the violation Of Holland,
whose independence also is guaran-
teed by the great powers. If Holland
gets into tho game it will be by her
own action.
Some wise military men say that
Holland holds the key to the situa-
tion so far as the allies are concern
ed,
took long ride on all the rivers
and canals making up the harbor of
Rotterdam yesterday in beautiful
launch. and was impressed with the
presence of 50 many ships. There
are dozen or more large German
ocean liners, which are leading n
peaceful life by being interned until
after the war, OF course, if Holland
should go into the war she would take
possession of about twenty million
dollars worth of large ocean liners
10 start with.
Where Friendship Ceases.
was also impressed with the new
paint which is being put onto the Hol-
land boats. The body of the vessel
is being painted orange, the word
'Ncdcrland" being painted ON the
sides of the vessels in letters SO large
that no German submarine could pos
sihly make mistake. Usually the
Dutch flag is painted on the sides OF
The ships, the stripes running half
way round the length of the boat.
The stripes on the chimney top also
rcprcscnt Holland, and by these pgo-
,esscs Holland hopes that by being
,eutral her vessels may be spared
'rom destruction by mines or subma-
ines. noticed one large American
'essel which had been repainted and
he American flag had been painted
INTO the sides. 50 large that il could
be recognized as far as the
sye could reach. In addition there
floated FROM the stern u tremendously
large American flag. This work may
at SS stA NtsAAtf~ kAN NNAAshs -aAN
in this war 10 win and they do not
seem TO care whose bests they sink.
They are not looking backward, They
think that the United States is SO far
away that her participation in the war
would he Of no particular consequence
and they are counting On the thou
sands ef Germans in America giving
lheir sympAshscs. if not aid. to the
cause os the fatheriand. This war has
reached y stage where friendship
ceases; il is eontes; to the bitter
end and the lives which have been
lost are nothing TO those which will
be los, before it comes to an end.
The people of Holland are living
the simple hfc. they are putting in
their crops, The rivers and canals in
this busy city are threngcd with boats
and they are evidensly, without know
ias ii. emphasizing the English mot
to- business as usual