Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-04-07
What Will Holland Do?

w HuL w III II OILuHU Luz
The report that Holland has closed her German
frontier and is massing all her available forces
along that border suggests a world of interesting
possibilities For the past week the Dutch military
and naval authorities have shown uncommon eau
ton and activity. Officers on leave of absence
have been recalled; railway cars which were placed
at the army.s disposal on the outbreak ofrthe war
and subsequently were released have been requisi-
toned again; departmental heads have been daily
in conference; and sundry other circumstances
have betrayed a sense of national anxiety
The natural inference is that Holland suspects
an invasion of her neutrality or fears that the
drift of the war situation may draw her into the
conflict 1t is improbable that the Allies would at
temnt to land an army on Dutch soil for march
unon the Teutons without Dutch consent. But, as a
leading publicist of the Netherlands is quoted as
saying:
eff the Germans begin seriously to be
afraid of such a contingency, what influence
will that have on Germany's attitude toward
us? We must assume that she is acquainted
with our defensive capacity. If she judges that
capacity inadequate and considers that Britt
ish irruption through Holland into Germany is
to be feared, would it then be strange II we
we're approached from the German side with
they would mean the abandonment OF our
neutrality toward the Allies?"
The Dutch Government so far has been impec-
cabIy neutral and self-contained despite many
trials to its temper Wrapped in the shadow OF
fire and sword, it has kept peaceful and cool Its
commerce has suffered at the hands of both bel
ligerent groups but especially at the hands OF Ger
many whose stealthy warfare has sunk twenty
eight Dutch vessels. These accumulated wrongs
noffb he Tuh
nita apparently by German submarine. No won
der Hollands nerves are on edge.
The present crisis, however, seems independent
of the submarine ISSUE though that issue may bulk
large in the outcome. The point of immediate
friction lies in the demands which Germany may
make, or perhaps has made, on the apprehension
that the Allies contemplate an invasion of German
soil by way of the Netherlands That, at least, is
the gist of the yelled comment now coming from
Amsterdam and The Hague. Public sentiment in
Holland has been for the most part proAlly, but it
has been first of all and pre-emiently pro-Dutch.
The Government has deemed strict neutrality best
for the country's interests both and hereafter
and the majority of the people have shared that
conviction. But If Germany, doubling the good
faith of that attitude doubling Hollands ability
to maintain it against British pressure, should
force the ssue-there little doubt to where
Holland, facing the necessity of choice between
the Central Empires and the Entente, would cast
her lot She would not cast it with the side that
has destroyed her peaceful ships and the side which
from all present omens is destined to defeat
The total strength of the Dutch regulars
and reserves, is about three hundred and twenty
thousand men, well trained and well equipped
These forces together with the country's wonderful
system OF water defense, would prove very formid-
able in repelling invasion But without striking
a'blow on her own account Holland could WELD a
far-reaching influence the wars outcome simply
by opening her territory to Allied expedition
against the Teuton lines in Belgium and in Ger
many itself. The Kaisers forces thus would be
caught between two fres-a predicament which at
this juncture might become overwhelming.
1t should be noted, however, that as yet there
is no official explanation of Hollands interesting
activity and official hint of what her course will
be- The entire situation is largely conjecturaL But
apparently it is filled with grave possibilities
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