Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-07-02
DUTCH ARMY IS
PREPARED FOR
EVENTUAL|T|ES
Twenty-One Months Of War
Footing Has Resulted in
Producing Powerful Fight
ing Unit


The Hague, Netherlands, June Ia
interesting information as to what has
been accomplished in preparing the
uutch army for modern warfare in
The twenty-one months during which
il mas now been on o wal. footing was
contained in a statement presented to
parliament by the minister Of war
Major General Boshoom, when he
asked for fresh appropriation of
S40.0 600 600 to cover mobilization pur-
poses.
Even partial rehabilitation is still
ont Of the question. according 10 the
war minister.
Answering the question whether the
Dutch army was adequately prepared
for war and whether the material and
equipment fulfill modern require
ments, he said. that although it was
inadyisable to make public informa-
ton which might benefit a possible
enemy there was no doubt the Dutch
soldiers could face the prospect Of
war with confidence.
Troops Well Supplied.
In August, 1914 the material and
eduipment left much to be desired.
The workshops of the Kingdom were
not ready for mass production, These
shops have been enlarged and hun
dred factories have been equipped for
The production of war material There
is great supply OF hand grenades
i'm the use Of which the troops have
been trained. Gas masks, steel hei-
NETS. modern engineering material,
trench shields, barbed wire and pro-
tective material have been made in
large quantities
Searchlights for coast defense, land
positions, and field troops have been
increased. Automobile stations for
wireless telegraphy have been formed.
The army has at its disposal a large
number OF motor lOrries for the trans
port of troops and wounded. The
number of aeroplanes has been large
~ increased These are provided with
bombs, machine guns, and Quickfirers
and. as regards speed ana raising
nower they have been brought up 20
the standard prevailing abroad Pri-
vate industry has co-operated in the
building Of new aeroplanes, although
Holland remains dependent on foreign
countries for motors
Medical S.~vice t~rsov~s< -
As regards the medical service the
reserve hospital accommodation has
been increased by arrangements with
$50 civilian nursing institutions.
Moreover, an institute of military den
lists has been established Naccina-
ton against smallpox, typhus and
meningitis is being carried out.
An unfayorable comment on the re-
lations between commanders and men
in the Dutch army is the fact, now
made known, that many thousands OF
soldiers persisted in going on turlough
at Easter when leave was refused
them owing to the special circum-
stances that made the position dan
gerous for Holland. Severe punish
ment has been melted out to the men
concerned incidentally the minister
mentioned that there were fitty-two
suicides in the army at the beginning
Of mobilization.
No special announcement Is made
regarding the number of trained men
which the country now possesses, but
former minister of war, Mt II, Colyn,
says the total has increased to some
$1,000 and that if all the further
available landstorm are trained there
will be a he force Of $4,000 men
available.