Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-09
HOLLAND WOULD BE
A SUICIDE IF SHE
FOLLOWED AMERICA
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the beginning OF the war and had
the honor Of modifying In three
days, which is the shortest of any
nation except Germany. They are
fairly well prepared now, but are
lacking big guns, anti-aircraft guns
(they have only two), and flying
machines Cifteen aviators and
about twenty machineS). will not
vouch for these figures, but same
were stated to me i'm Holland. Their
forts have been rendered useless
since entirely new tactics have been
developed in the war and Holland
Is following suit. In most places
they cannot dig trenches because
they would reach water after dig
g1ng foot. but have built trenches
on the surface, protecting same by
earth. concrete and steel
opinion in Holland is divided.
Both belligerents are feared and far
from trusted, but Holland would
night any nation which tried to in
wade. Their fate would be the same
as that of Belgium and Roumania
in case Germany should take
the notion to attack, but they would
put up Stiff fight. Holland is be-
tween two fires which are both hot.
How President Wilson can expect
Holland to follow the lead of this
country in breaking diplomatic rela-
tions, l fail to understand, because
the position of Holland is entirely
different from that OF the United
states and il is entirely dependent
Tor its existence on the course which
England or Germany decides to take
HAS MANY REFUGEES.
Holland Is at present feeding near
ly million foreigners. Belgian re-
fugees, English, German and Belgian
informed soldiers, Russian and
French escaped prisoners, German
deserters, etc Each day many new
arrivals are reported. To keep the
population of Belgium from escap-
ing the Germans have built a barbed
wire fence along the border diVid-
ing Holland from Belgium, which is
several hundred miles long and
through which live wires are run.
which kill every one that come in
contact with Them. BY using planks
and barrels some manage to get
away.
The situation in Belgium is terri
from their families, to be transport
ed to Germany to be forcibly worked
in ammunition plants and mines.
Slaves in the south were better
treated than these Belgians. They
are paid, but what does money mean
when you cannot buy food with II.
Every week a large colony Of chill
dren from Belgium comes to Holland
g.
Charities in Holland) and after a
fortnight are sent back to make
room for others. Pitiful the looks of
them, poor, hungry, pale thinfaced
girls and boys. How they do enjoy
their brief stay with plenty milk and
food and how they hate to go back to
hunger and need.
Not only Belgium sends its chill
dren to Holland to be fed, but Ger
many also sends every week a train
load of children to Holland to stay
week or so. These children come
from the industrial centers where
food is most scarce. Skinny, hollow
features have most of them, but
happy with the thought that once
again they can eat their fill.
GERMANY IN WANT.
The food situation in Germany is
getting more serious every day. A
friend of mine, who lives in Ger
many but is Hollander, received
permission to make three day stay
in Holland for business purposes
while was there and he told be the
following:
81 have not tasted coffee for two
years. but have drunk a mixture of
some roasted grains tasting like a
cross between a quinine powder and
hcorice. Milk is all reserved for
babies and sick people. Sugar is
only to be had in very small quanti-
ties. 1 can get bread Ga mixture of
beans, meal and flour) on my bread
card and, as don't care for it, the
quantity is enough for me. L get
a piece of meat the szze of a pork
chop and a piece of butter the size
of a walnut which has to suffice me
for the whole week. Ny wife also
gets the same portions. No other
oils or fats are to be had for love or
money. Fish we can get as much
as we like. 1t keeps US from starv-
ing, although boiled fish without
fat, morning, noon and night for two
years, IS not to be recommended as
a diet. Potatoes, turnipS and other
greens are scarce and high"
Since my return, Germany prac-
ticaIly has stopped all importatiOns
and Holland will feel the pressure
more than before Scarcity of coal,
grains and other foodstuffs has the
effect that the government will have
to make requisition of nearly every
thing and hand it out on cards. FIX
ports OF all focdstuffs will be entire
ly prohibited. All l can say is that
/ am glad to be an American and
have the privilege of making my
home here.