Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-01-30
HAGUE PROSPECTS
ON PEACE OUTLOOK
All Holland Anxiously Awaits
Next Movement and Mean
while Watches Warily.
DANGERS SURROUND DUTCH

Correspondence of The Associated Press.)
The Hague, Netherlands, Jan, To-
The peace outlook constitutes the one
absorbing topic in the Netherlands |
and more than adequate explanation
OF the Hollander's interest in the |
latest turn of events is afforded by |
a glance at the burdens, problems and
anxieties which the last twelve
months have brought the Dutch ma.
ton and its rulers. AS another year
opens the watchword still is unccas-
ing vigilancc-not only with respect
to the country's defense and its for
eign policy, but in the economic realm
in regard to the supply of the r. W ma
terials for its industries and public
services and of the food OF its people.
For though some politicians are al
ready beginning to talk about entire
or partial rehabilitation if the peace
wind blows at all favorably, it ap-
pears quite certain that not a regi-
ment will be disbanded until the
peace treaty has been actually signed
and the belligerents themselves be-
gin rehabilitation, for Holland
knows full we'll that even the peace
congress may bring its own dangers
for the nation that holds the mouths
of the great northern European wa
terways. The prime minister him
self, Cort van der Linden, has only
lust again told the chamber that the
government still considers there is
danger of the country, being drawn
into the war. 1t can by no means
admit" he added, that the danger
grows less the longer the war lasts,
but in existing circumstances regards
it as essential that an adequate de-
Tense force shall be Immediately
available for the energetic main
tenance of our neutrality" And the
chamber, including the socialists, has
once more unanimously passed the
bills prolonging the term OF the men
with the colors.
More Munitions.
Howere, in the two and half years
of mobilization the trained army re-
serve has been increased by over l00,-
900 men, and all of the sixteen levies
under arms in August, 1914, have now
been relieved by newly-trained troops
and sent home on indefinite leave.
The munition supplies have been cor
respondingly reinforced. Notwith-
standing what has been achieved,
however, there is sharp criticism OF
the army and its administrations. The
bitterest attacks are constantly made
on the minister of war, and Major
General N. Bosboom's position would
seem to be none too secure. Empha-
sis is particularly laid on the con-
tinued lack of artllery-in which the
army was VIGOROUSLY weak when
war broke out-of anti-aircraft guns
and aircraft.
So far as the political situation is
concerned, the premier and his liberal.
extra-parliamentary cabinet still ap-
pear to be firmly seated in the sad
die, although voices are heard on the
right in favor OF coalition ministry
The general election is due next June,
but negotiations are on foot to post
pone the actual electoral struggle un-
til 1918, when there would in any
case have to be fresh election II
the revised constitution finally passes,
and that an election on the new pro-
portional representation system. The
suggested idea is that the present
party seats shall not be challenged in
June next, this meaning the practical
reelection of the present chamber.
incidentally there is some discomfort
with the prime minister's refusal to
propose a revision of the constitution
cancellng any potentional claims of
foreign, i. e., German princes, to the
throne. 1t is said here that the queen
is opposed to such step, but it is
also believed the premier fears giving
offense to the foreign power most
interested.
Frontier Aroused.
As to the state of affairs in the
country itself, there is still consid-
cradle ferment in the frontier region.
Despite the continual seizures of
goods and the frequent shooting ia
talities, large bands of men continue
to engage in smuggling; even soldiers
are caught at it from time to time.
Another regular feature in the border
lands is the considerable influx of
escaped prisoners of war and desert
ers, whose ranks have recently been
reinforced by numbers OF fleeing Bel
gian and Polish civilians.
In the economic realm the food
supply is the governments chief con-
Germ. The outlook has just been
painted in somewhat gloomy colors
by the minister of agriculture, in
view of the grain situation in America
and elsewhere and the shortage of
cargo space. On the other hand. the
system of distribution adopted is
severely criticized At present the
citizen buys many foodstuffs at less
than the actual market prize, and will
sooner or later have to pay the bal
ance in taxes. The arrangement has
been made for the sake of the poorer
classes, but critics argue that the gov
eminent is out to achieve as great
a disorganization of economic life as
they can at maximum cost Prep.
arations are being made to introduce
a universal bread card system with
a view to economy The soldiers
rations have already been cut down.
Saving Beef.
In order to save the stock of beef.
mutton IS being issued to the army
once a week. This is quite a revoIu-
ton in Holland, where mutton has
hitherto been almost unknown as an
article of popular diet, albeit the war
and the articles comparative cheap
ness is bringing it more into vogue.
There has been no export of cattle
for some time. The allies appear to
be permitting a free import of grain,
presumably in consequence Of the ar.