The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-30
SEES ALFONSO AS
GERMAN MEDIATOR
English Writer Says Spain's
King Is kaiscr's Choice as
Peacemaker.
HOLLAND FEARS TECTON'

Special Cortspordenes to THD SrH.
LONDON, March 2s.--An important
provincial paper. the Liverpool Daily
Post. possesses In its editor In chief, Sir
Edward Russell. one Of the most capable
Britain. whose weekly article. entitled
and experienced Journalists in Great
From a Club Window" II !s not too
much to say provides a mine Of informal
ton for other less well informed news-
paper men.
In his most recent contribution Sir
Edward Russell directs attention to two
countries which he II convinced must
play an important part In the !mme-
date future of Europe. In Sir Edwards
opinion. both Holland and Spain. in the
mex; few months. may become OF I'M
mense national worth, and he gives the
following reasons for his belief.
Holland has no doubt quite leglti-
mately made large sums out OF the war
In its earlier stages by being the main
emporium for Germany. But the fall ~
the mark. IN spite of strenuous Teutonic
m~achina.ions. has forcibly Impressed the
commercial Dutch. Again. the recent
Outrages on Dutch vessels have more
deeply stirred the inhabitants Of Hol-
land agains, Germany thar the English
realize, Except during the Boer War.
tho Dutch have always exhibited most
friendly feelings toward England. com
bined with the greatest dlstrnst Ut Ger
many. The Queen OF Hollands mar
riage was not very popular. because II
created fear OF Teuionlc influence ~
court.
Some six years ago, when the present
writer was IN Holland. the Dutch upper
classes talked Of the wal between Eng
land Germany as being inevitable. II
England was defeated. one heard on all
sides, then Hollands only resource
against annexation by Germany would
b. the opening OF the bikes. That feel
ing has never changed during the pres
ent war. though Germany has lavished
money galore on its small relehbors. II
can be said with emphasis that never
b.eore has our Foreign once been IN
such close relation to the Dutch Govern
ment.
Before the close Of the summer some
interesting developments are quite pos.
s,hle In that land Of sturdy men, hard
thinkers and good iivers. Nowhere. not
even In Sweden, does one get better food
or see larger Individual consumers Of II
than In that country OF superlRtive
ciea and geographical fatness.
'Spain IN becoming OF increasing note
because the strong prO-tierman FEELING
found In certain quarters at tho outset
of hoStilities has scnsibly abated In the
last two months. The King OF Spain
has taken the place earlier occupied by
President Wilson az the ohief impartial
onlooker upon hostiiities. II Germany
wants peace she will appeal for It
through the Intervention Of Alfonso.
He has kept aloof a. far a. possible. al.
tough tho Roman Catholic influence OF
his court 10 probably pro-0erman. Hut
he has lone immense and unacknowl-
edy ID work for the relief Of prisoners.
and when English relatives now try to
trace a missing warrior the most siren
nous efforts are made to assist them by
the Spainiards. Portugal's declaration
OF war against Germany has made con-
siderable stir in Madrid. Spain will not
rght, but she may have much to gain
commercially IL she engineers peace.
"Pcace, or rather the cessation OF hos
%tI,ities In III autumn, II now becoming
. uraa.!ca, matter ~ Hypothetical dis
cussion. II is because Of this increasing
po.cntiality that the coming budget Is
viewed with comparative equanlmity, tor
II is understood to he only . six
months budget, And after that? Well
We wait and hope"