Evening star., 1921-11-29
DUTCH INTEREST IN
PARLEY DISCUSSED
Dr.. Van Dyke Says It Is
Three-foId in Washington
Conference.

dollandS place In the washington
conference on the limitation of arma-
ment and problems Of the far east Is
discussed by DR.. Henry Van Dyke in
an article appearing in the Yale Daily
News. DR.. Van Dyke said. in part:
Holland has a three-fold interest
in the Washington conference. On
each Of these three points she is en-
titled to be present as an interested
observer and also to give advice and
counsel IL occasion should arise. Sec
retary Hughes, whose stalwart good
sense has been, shown in drawing up
the program for the conference. recog.
nized that the presence of this small
nation was justifable and therefore
desirable.
81. Holland is a seafaring nation
and has been So for many centuries.
Every seafaring nation has natura!
and undeniable interest in the naval
question. Such a nation cannot afford
to contemplate on the one hand leav-
Ing the freedom and order OF the seas
without protection. or on the other
hand permitting the energies and the
resources which should normally be
devoted to the great enterprise OF
peaceful commerce to be diverted into
the maintenance OF costly and burden
some navies under the false policy OF
competitive armament. An agreement
between the great seafaring nations to
check this ruinous policy, without i'm
periling tho peace and liberty OF the
water highways Of the world. would
be of immense advantage to Holland. /.
Has International Habit.
s2. Holland is a country singularly
representative of the cause OF inter-
national law. From the days OF Hugo
Grotius until now she has held lead
ing place in that region of thought
and action. and has contributed many
famous names to the honor roll OF in
ternational lawyers. No doubt in the
beginning it was the absolute devo-
tfon of Holland to the cause OF poiit-
cal and religious liberty which con-
centrated her attention upon this SUD.
ject. For a small country cannot
hope to keep its freedom and tnde-
pendence among the large countries
except by the maintenance OF those
ideas OF reason and justice which are
the foundation Of international law.
This necessarily has formed. be-
yond a doubt. an international habit
Of mind among the Hollanders. And
It was this habit that led them, In
spite OF reluctance and embarrass-
ment, to accept the German ex-kaiser
as a political refugee. and to grant
him the right Of asylum.
Now the whole idea Of the present
conference in Washington is founded
upon the hope that the application OF
the principles OF reason and justice
will gradually supplant war as the
means of settling disputes among ma
tions. Thus We may say that the
world court of international justice.
recently established by the league of
nations stands behind the Washing
Nd OF
promise of security and the prospect
Of success In this Holland has a
profound interest.
Great Colonial Dominions.
"3. Holland, although one of the
small countries Of Europe. is one of
the great colonial dominions of the
world. The Dutch possessions in the
East Indies include the. islands of
Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Celebes.
They have a population OF over forty
millions, and are among the richest
and most productive regions Of the
earth. Sumatra is full Of mineral treas
ures: Gold and silver, tin, lead, copper,
besides coal and petroleum. Borneo
yields. in addition to these, antimony,
The industries center in Java and
arise from the rich agricultural prod
ucts Of the island-rice, tobacco. tea,
coffee. indigo and sugar.
There can be no satisfactory solu-
ton of what is called the problem of
the far east and no putting Of perma-
nent peace into the Pacific unless the
interests Of Holland in the Dutch East
Indies are considered. These islands
are next-door neighbors to ous own
possessions in the Philippines.
Idea UD Again.
'Ths hope of being able to do
something to establish q good under
standing and a sincere cooperation
between Holland and the United
States in maintaining peace and or
der In the Pacific ocean was one of
tho motives that make me willing to
accept, under the guidance Of Presi-
dent Wilson, diplomatic post at
The Hague in 1913. To this motive
President Wilson, who loves peace
30 much that he willing to fight If
necessary to save it from destruc-
tion, gave his warm approval. But
unfortunately this idea of concert
of powers, including Great Britain,
France, China, Japan and the United
States. to protect the peace Of the
Pacific was brushed aside by the
violent miiitaristic action Of the Ger
man government In August, 1914. Now
the idea comes up again after the
victory of war agaiN6t war has been
won. Holland has An equal interest
with the United States and the other
nations in bringing this great idea
q little nearer to the full success
which all true peace-lovers wish and