Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-09
H. A. Fruitema, After Months
Stay in Netherlands, De-
CIareS Dutch Ready to Fight
ANY Nation That Attacks

An intimate picture of the situa-
ton in Holland, the courageous ut
tie buffer state that has preserved
its independence through countless
wars, is brought back to Atlanta by
H. A. Fruitema, of the Ashcraft-
Wilkinson company, who has just re-
turned from a months stay in Hoi-
land in the interest of the Atlanta
firm.
Mr.. Fruitema is a native born
HoIlander, who became an American
citizen through act of naturalization
in 1906. He declares that he is
strictly neutral and a strong pro-
Wilson man, believing that the
country is fortunate in having him
as its chief executive at this critical
time.
While praising the president, Mr.
Fruitema asserts that 1T would be
suicide for Holland to accept his in
yitation to break off diplomatic rela-
lions with Germany, because Holland
is entirely dependent for her exist
ence on the course England or Ger
many may pursue. Both sides in
the great war are feared, but Hol-
land would fight any nation that
tried to invade her, declares Mr..
Fruitema.
Mr.. FRUITEMA'S STORY.
Here is his story, just as it was told
by him to The Journal:
Mr.. II. A. Fruitemar with Ash
craft wilkinson company, returned
last week from a business trip 10
IL Lea bar mart
of October and remained in Holland
for a month. Usually a trip TO
Holland can be made in ten days,
but on account of British and Ger
man naval restrictions the steamers
had to touch Falmouth, England,
first to lay there for three days that
the English government might in
spect the ships papers and passen-
gers at leisure. Instead of gong
straight from Falmouth TO RoUter-
dam, as in peace time, the vessel
had to sail outside Of the coast OF
Ireland. Scotland, the Orkneys and
turn toward the coast of Norway;
slowly picking its way through the
North sea, preceded by a small
steamer of the company to avoid
mines and other dangers. This add
ed another six days to an already
tiresome trip, making a total of
twenty-one days. While a sea trip
in summer time of nine and ten
| days is a recreation. a winter trip
| of twenty-one days becomes at last
a torture.
Mr.. Fruitema states that he found
condi lions in Holland peaceful, hut
! far from normal. Commerce restric-
ton was everywhere, permit
needed for this and a permit for
that Sale prices fixed by the gov
eminent. food prices high, hotels
filled I'D with German buyers for
the German government and fami-
! lies which had moved from Germany
in the beginning of the war. Newly
rich people sporting around in fine
/ autos, but evidently not yet used to
the luxury and looking decidedly un-
comfortable (the wealth of Holland
has increased since the war to over
! S., 0OO, 900. O0O), throwing money
away. After my first week in Hol-
/ land a sudden change came in the
situate The government had taken
! stock OF its resources and found that
coal and grain were becoming
scarce. Every community was in
structed to close the shops at
o'clock at night, burning only one
light in the shop window. electric
signs were cut out, cafes and restau-
rants had to close at II o'clock in
stead Of o'clock: private citizens
were notified that only a certain
quantity of electric light and gas
could be used and if excess showed.
penalty of so per cent on the cost
would be inflicted.
TRAINS CUT OUT.
Several local trains were cut out
and some of the express trains
| also Although the weather wasr
| cold. no heating of the trains was
/ allowed and we had TO shiver alto
gether and say pleasing words about
the management.
The government passed a law TO
restrict the sale Of bread. which law
went into effect about the last of
| January. Each head OF the family
received a bread card for each mem
her upon which the bakers could de-
liver a certain quantity Of bread.
punching the card so that every
bakery should know that the quaint
! ~ was taken. Severe penalty was
placed on selling bread where guam
titv had been delivered. \ new war
tax was passed whereby those firms
which made war gain were taxed
heavily To arrive at a fair est
mate, each firm had to show its
books and state the gain made dur
ing 1912 10 1914 This average gain
was taken az n basis and deducted
from the average gain during 1914
to 1916 and or this surplus a tax Of
20 per cent was imposed The regu-
lar income tax and other taxes in
Holland amount to 10 per cent
Holland has been mohuized since
/ (CouS5nued ON Pare A. Column 81