Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-20
HOLLAND AND PREPAREDNESS

Dispatches from Holland report dis
cussions in the second chamber, where
the minister of war
Pushing Defense had declared that
the coast defense
CONSTRUCTORS. constructions were
being continued. and that severe meas
ures were being applied against ex-
portation of contra band.
Queen Wilhelmina. II Is recalled. in
her speech from the throne in Septem-
Der, 1914, declared that lit was the
firm will of the government to preserve
its integrity and to observe strictly the
duties of neutrality. friendly relations
with all the powers, and that the mari
time and land forces should be pre-
pared to protect the national inter-
ests"
second chamber the chief of the eabi-
net declared: ITO assure this re-
spect of neutrality and independence
OF the country, to which the Holland
government holds resolutely, the gov
eminent counts upon its military
forces" In June in the way of seri-
ously utilizing its military force. the
government submitted a project which
satisfied those who favored an in
crease Of the army. 1t proposed mill
ta{y obligations on all valid men under
forty. who, until then had been ex-
empted because being only son. the
brother of a militiaman or the support
of family.
The project was vehementIy opposed
by the revolutionary group (socialist)
on the ground that preparedness-mili-
tary reforms-would push the coun-
try into war. The Bourgeois party
was divided on the subject. also the
catholic party. but the Tijd was in
favor or the project, whilst the Gem
trum opposed. Under such conditions
the cabinet made concessions. The age
limit OF military service was reduced
to thirty in place of forty. but this
rule would only be in vigor during
the war. Thus arranged. the project
was Voted-55 against 10, with numer-
Gus abstentions. The proposition to
partially demobilize the army was pro-
posed by the socialists, but the cabinet
refused to consider it,
This refusal of the cabinet was a
manifestation of the firm will of the
Holland government to
The Queens defend the neutrality
A.4: and independence of
government at any cost.
Queen Wilhelmina, in pursuance of that
policy, continually inspects the troops,
the barracks and the military trenches
on the frontier, becoming more and
more popular among her soldier sub
jects, who constitute a force that COM
pels respect
AS woman and sovereign. the queen
desires to preserve her kingdom from
the horrors of war and her profound
loyalty to country is sure guarantee
that she will not falter, and this will
be sufficient answer to the contrary
The recent publication of the official
Orange book" has convinced the Hol-
landers of the extreme delicacy of the
problems which it was necessary to
solve.
After the first days of the war, when
violation of territory by Germany
seemed imminent, there occurred the
incident of destruction of the CONNER
cial ships. the Medea. Bataviar and
Zaastroom. followed by Hollands notes
not entirely satisfactory, but they
served at least to calm public opinion,
which was excited over what was
deemed a provocation.
Another incident, April Is, 1915, in the
North sea. twenty miles northeast of
Ostend. was the affair of the Holland
steamer Katwijk, which. at anchor. was
torpedoed by a German submarines
neutral ship from Baltimore, Md. car
rying provisions to a neutral govern
clared it was a mistake; it expressed
regrets and offered indemnity. There
were frequent violations of Hollands
neutrality by Zeppelins and taubes,
which ended by excuses formulated by
the German government.
During April. 1915, the Holland gov
eminent discussed the question of re-
establishing a lega-
Relations With ton to the Pope. The
the Pope. indignant and pro.
tested. Nevertheless the Cort van
den Linden cabinet submitted project
for the creation of a provisional en-
bassy at the Vatican, which was adopt
ed June 10. almost unanimously. after
Minister Louden's lucid arguments.
The minister was blamed from many
anti-Christian. anti-democratic, anti
historic, in contradiction to the man.
date of a liberal government. Il re-
ceived." said Minister Louden, "anony-
nous letters, the ldSl nOuT OF my flln-
isterial life had sounded. Was it really
true that we possessed anti-papists
who would renounce peace rather than
obtain that peace in collaboration with
the Vatican? Has the object in view
been lost. Are there people uncon-
scious of the drama being enacted on
the east and west of Europe? Are there
those who would not be grateful to
Holland if she could abridge by a
month. week, a day, this war? Are
there those who ignore the duty of that
Holland which has occupied unique
international situation by her interna-
tional conferences and peace con-
gresses-Holland which Is the seat even
of the Palace of Peace? Even if the
collaboration with the Vatican should
not produce the desired object, 1 am
convinced that 1t would be better that
full in these conditions than not to have
taken part in the action of the Vati-
can"
These. forcible arguments made
grave impression on the chamber,
which. by SO against 10. voted the re-
establishment Of the embassy.
There Is society in Holland, with
in other countries, which
works as an ultra
Holland League pacifist" society.
A..:4 NJ known as the "Hol-
wal land League Against
War;" or the Merchandising Anti-Oor-
lag Rad" A report recently pub
lished gives that association $1,000
lryiI1