The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-05
Country's Patience Often Sorely Tried by Occurrences
Along Her Border, but Statesmanlike Course of
Leaders Averted Entry Into Conflict.


did not let them pass or II Germany re-
fused 10 export them. II needed all the
common sense. diplomacy. tact and sang.
frOid Of the Dutch Government to nut up
With either British or German demands
and smooth ont OF the way the obstacle, 8
cropping. IN In the most unexpected
quarters n threatening the country
with famine as we'll a. industrial par
aiysts. .'t.'
From the outbreak Of the war the ex-
tenslvs textile industries In Holland we're
crippled ~ a result Of the insufficient
supply Of cotton. and even when this
supply came forth more generously the
uncertainty Of getting future supplies
had q paraiyslng eff.c. upon this impor-
tant industry. The annual imports Of
cotton previous to the war amounted to
about $4,000 500 pound bales from ner-
lea and abou, 10000 500 pound bales
from India. Hut since the importation
OF manufactured cotton goods had prac-
ticaliy ceased more raw cotton was
needed by the Z. xtilc industries than In
normal times. The British Government.
however. objected to Hollands importing
more cotton than she used previous to
the war. Another prohl, N confronting
the textile industries was the difficulty OF
importing dyes'ufs, which could be got
only from Germany.
The same. difncuity Was experienced
with respect to iron by .te s|hipbuilding
industries. which az times found 1t next
to Impossible to get that essential metal
from Germany.
Conl Shortage Faced.
Most seriou ~ all was the coal sl,ua-
ton. The annual consumpt' on In liol-
land amount 10 abou, o.00o.u 200 tons
u which only 80 900 tons are produced
NJ h,mc: so the Industrial question prac.
t.cally resolved Itself into the Goa.
problem. Ordinarily. England sent an.
nusliy 5000 600 'or TO Holland. bu;
during the war she had to supply her
allies. France and Italy. 20 al extent
which made Il impossible for her {, con-
niue supplying Holland as well. Ger
many sends. normally, about So per
cent. OF tho coal consumed in Holland.
that 8. Rbou 100000 tons annually.
The English supply being cut OFF. iIol-
lani dcperded Almost cniireiy Oh Ger
NARY fo- her outside supply. II is ac-
kuoWicdged IN nltCh Government circles
and by her leader Of industry that n
70 not been Cor the good viii OF Germany
ir .rpJ'v.Hg he. during war times with
even su ncrHormal quantities oc coal an
uuprr .len;ed Industrial crisis would
have c1suei. In to h.lp out ito!-
land the Germans even permitted the
Be,gians to export coal To the Neither
lands.
Nevertheless coal is scarce IN Holland
and probably will remain so :or the
Who'll. duration OF the war, As a result
the gas works in Holland had 20 reauc.
'heir output and they even warned con-
sinners to b" worry economical with til"
use OF gas. as they could not guarantee
that their service would last.
The building indus,rie' Jared wors:
OF ali. When the war broke o al,
bu ldinG operations stopped Almost auto
ma IDEALLY. This resulted I'm par,lyz ng
all industries mauufaCtur'nc building
material and throwing or' Of employ
ment tens ~ thousand" of WORKING men.
THIS situation lasted .or man, uonths.
when relief am In III" shspo ~ orders
from T'slgium and Franc" f>r valid y"
material for tine r. building az devastated
cities and towns Now hr,ck. cement
artificial stone. gypsum. F'""l building
frames. glass and lumber factories are
exceeding busy filing orders Tor delivery
after the war