The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1914. ON THE WHIRLPOOL'S EDGE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2280, 14 October 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1914. ON THE WHIRLPOOL'S EDGE

HOLLAND is no more anxious for war-than Belgium was. She has been doing v hcr'utmost to maintain her integrity and independence; but it is quite certain that if the Kaiser thinks he has more to gain than lose by treating Holland as he has treated Belgium he not likely to be , restrained by considerations of international morality. Up to the present the Germans have refrained from violating the neutrality of Holland because it has fiiid them to do so, and the Dutch on their part seem ■ to have carried out their duties as a neutral Power in strict accordance with the law of nations. They have given GoVmany no excuso whatever for forcing them into the fray. The' fall of Antwerp is, however, making them feel .very anxious. It has made their position more critical than- ever, and the opinion is gaining ground that if they desire to preserve, national independence they, like Belgium, will be compelled to fight for it. The London Times points out that as long as Germany, respects neutral rights and international law, Antwerp cannot be used as a btise for naval ■ operations against Britain. That true; but tho present- war has shown that Germany oares absolutely nothing for neutral rights or international law if they should happen to clash with her' aims and interests. Obligations to a weaker State are not going to stop her from making use of , Antwerp for the purpose of striking a blow at for the German Chancellor has deliberately stated that a wrong to another nation is justifiable if it is likely to help.his country in hacking its way through. Hitherto tho sympathies of the people of Holland appear to' have been divided between the Germans, and the Allies, but the unnecessarily ruthless manner in which Antwerp has been bombarded has done much to turn the tide of Dutch sentiment against the Teutonic barbarians. The very existence of the smaller nations, such as Holland, Belgium, and Switzerland, depends largely upon the sacredness of treaties and national rights, land tho Dutch must havo_ been deeply impressed by the terrible sufferings the Belgians have undergone simply because- thoy_ dared to resist the unprovoked invasion of their territory by the huge armies of tho Kaiser.

In describing how it feels to bo living on the edge of the European whirlpool, as the Dutch are at present, a writer in a London paper points out that Holland is "completely isolated by land, and with a seaboard facing directly upon the chief theatre of naval warfare, she might bo likened to a sand dune in a hurricane." Though she is not a belligerent, she has to maintain an army of 250,000 men on a war footing without tho stimulating influence which is provided by the intense enthusiasm of actual participation in the conflict. Armed neutrality is as trying as it is costly. The Dutch troops have had to watch and wait ever since the commencement of the war, and they must bo ready for all emergencies. Tho whole country is in a state of unrest and unscttlement, and a general feeling of uncertainty prevails. The critical point now scorns to have been readied. Everything depends upon the use Germany will attempt to make of lAntwcrp. It is stated that the Diitch are dotonninod to defend thoir neutrality with

all 'the resources they possess, and the Germans may be expected to think twice before they compel still another Power to take up arms against them; but the temptation' 1 of securing such favourable naval bases as the possession of Antwerp and the waters of Holland would ■give them may override all other considerations. Their war plans provided for the passage of their troops through Belgium in order to attack France; therefore the Belgians were forced to fight for their independence; and the Kaiser will treat the Dutch in the same way if he persuades himself that by 'so doing lie can inflict sufficient injury on Britain to counterbalance the drawback of adding another nation to the already formidable list of his enemies. The Dutch are desirous of keeping the peace; but they are a stubborn people, and if they should be compelled to defend their country they would probably give the Germans quite as much, trouble as the Belgians have done. The capture of Antwerp will not in it- ! self seriously alter the naval situation; but it opens up possibilities of further action against which Britain will have to take precautions. It has certainly added to the anxieties of Holland, and made it more difficult for her to avoid friction with tho belligerents. Holland's chief safeguard at the moment lies in the fact that Germany has been compelled to look to the ports and rivers and canals of Holland for tho bulk of her. imported foodstuffs. If she forces Holland to join the ranks of her foes, then another 'of her sources of supply will be cut off.