Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1918-03-08
DUTCH-AMERICAN
RELATIONS
Pamphlet Issued By Rev. A. v.
c. P. Huizinga of Thompson
Being Sold For Benefit of
Seamon's Union.
Following Is An Extract of the Re
cent Publication Written On
Invitation.

-
mouth of the river which bears his
name, and the Dutch settled in
"Nieuw Amsterdam" It was from
Delftshaven that the Mayfower sailed
for these shores with the Pilgrim ia
theirs. John Adams obtained loans
for, and an early recognition of the
struggling colonies from the Dutch,
when Paul Jones was boisterously &C
claimed in Amsterdam.
The relations between the Neither
lands and the United States have ever
been of the best, because no causes
Of serious friction have presented
themselves in their international deal
ings Their relations to one another,
however, are neither close, nor very
important. The Dutch send here
many of their national products, such
As Bulbs, gin, cheese. caeoa, earthen-
ware, etc. Besides these commercial
dealings, Dutch scientists and artists
come to America in increasing num-
bers, and many have become we'll
known here These include Hugo De
vries, De Groot, Snocuk Hurkronje,
Berlage, Kuyper, Bavinck, Frederic
van Eeden, Julia Culp, Van Rooy, Ur-
lus, Hagemans, Tiliy Koenen, Lou
Tellegen, etc.
The experiment of the Queen Will
helmina lectureship at Columbia Uni
vsrsity, which was to further interest
in, and knowledge of the Dutch, I'M
fortunately failed Yet, interest in
Holland, and American relations with
he Netherlands, are Enthusiastically in
sreasing.
TRANSACTIONS of Dutch works are
much more frequently made than for
nerly, while in Holland American
books are eagerly read, and often
translated into Dutch. This is but one
sign of quickened mutual interest.
A mutual understanding, based upon
direct personal contact and inter
course between the Dutch and Ameri-
cans cannot fail to produce happy re
suits Moreover, real understand
ing cannot be had by proxy. Let the
Dutch listen to the Americans, and
the Americans lend ear and heart to
the Dutch Interpretation of life, be it
IN science, art, or in social conduct.
And above all, in these troublous
times, let US give each other a square
deal in our mutual business relations.
For national sentiment is everywhere
and always susceptible to fancied or
real injuries in trade. 1t must be
acknowledged that the application of
the embargo by the United States to
goods already bought, paid for and
delivered on board of Dutch vessels
has not furthered sympathetic un-
Outstanding, or improved pleasant re
lations. Nor does the impressment of
Dutch citizens in the American army
receive favor with the Dutch. Both
these grievances, however, have been
fortunately removed. An agreement
has been reached recently by the
United States and the Netherlands.
At present scores of Dutch steamers
are on the high seas to the Dutch East
Indies to relieve the food and sugar
situation here The federal govern
nent has declared not to impress ma
r 49, 20
vice.
1t has been said "the Dutch are be-
tween the devil and the deep sea" IN
this murderous war. Holland has,
however, from the very beginning
maintained a rigid neutrality, un-
mindful of either devil or deep sea-
In order to preserve its own judg-
ment in this matter of neutrality the
government wisely armed itself to the
teeth, and has remarkably well
trained and strong army ready to re
pei infractions of neutrality by any
Of the belligerents. We are confident
that they would give a surprisingly
SOOu account VI themselves III N''1N
war should be forced upon the Meth
srlands.
No outsider need or should counsel
us regarding the Dutch policy. We
insist in determining that for our
selves, and the government has ener-
getically prepared to be able to back
this rightful claim Of a sovereign ma
ton. At this stage of the conflict the
geographical situation of the Neither
lands, combined with its armed
strength would render the Dutch a
formidable, if not decisive factor IN
the war. And the Dutch are grateful
to their government for this energy
IN getting the nation thoroughly pre-
pared for any eventuality. 1t IS a
comfortable feeling that of self-rell-
ance, to be able to assert ones rights.
Moreover, does it not sound like irony
when warning nations, disregarding
all rules of international law, pre-
sumo to counsel the Dutch, founders
Of the science, and sustaining it from
Grotius, Bynkershoek, Barbeyrac to
Uar Asear Joost van Vollenhoyen