HOLLAND'S NEUTRALITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3985, 19 July 1915, Page 5

HOLLAND'S NEUTRALITY.

WHAT IT MEANT TO BELGIUM. WARNING BY MR CHURCHILL. THE WILD BEAST OF GERMANY. (Received July 18, 5.5 p.ni.) v ROTTERDAM, July 18. Air. Churchill, in an interview in the “Nieuwo Rotterdamcho Con rant,” censored in London, said that ( hnd Antwerp been able to obtain transports along the Scheldt the city need' not have fallen,- and the Belgians would have been able to ymointain their position on the Nethe instead of tlie Yser. . “Holland’s neutrality is not onesided, for she now holds Antwerp closed for the Germans ; but don’t misunderstand me, bad the Netherlands allowed the; violation, of neutrality she would have been attacked and perhaps a. great part occupied by the German Army. The Allies carefully respected the Netherlands’ right, as an in do pendent State, to consider her own interests. The Ames didn’t ask (or or even hint at a passage along die, Scheldt. Danger wilt never threaten from our side. ■ A freg. Netherlands cannot exist with a German Antwerp. There are possibilities of real danger because Germany may be forced to attack Holland. Germany is getting into the position of a wild beast in a cage. She sees the flames coming nearer and nearer, and makes d,operate dashes to left and right. Fortunately, your .good, brave army, and then your wonderful 1 waterline protect you. ’ After this war the position of small States will be stiongv than over. The criminal wmi has thrown himself on little Belgium will stand after Ins chastisement as a. fearful example.” Mr. Churchill added: "The Allies are. going to' win. The world stands open to us, and we can recuperate and strengthen ourselves as often as necessary." Britain’s determination and power grow monthly and men are streaming in. We are unable to equip them as quickly as they oiler themselves. but our iiwhistria 1 resources are being thoroughly organised, and the production oi ammunition will he staggering. 'The fleet continually grows stronger. The. Italians have joined us. They are fresh. More will follow. Is it strange the British were not so strong as the Germans on the first- day ? These people had preparedl themselves for lorry years, and j we had to expand while, lighting and partly to improvise. The “Nieuwo Courunt ." coni melding on Mr. Churchill's interview, says it confirms the fact that Dutch neutrality has nothing to fear irom England.

The interview gives satis!action in Holland.

OUR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.

DOMINIONS’ SPLENDID SPIRIT. (Received July 18, 4 p.m.,) SYDNEY, Julv IS. . The secretary of tho British Emigration League is advised by the Lands Department that West Australia, Queensland, and New Zealand have decided to allot land to provide homes for soldiers and sailors after the w ar. AN ENGLISH MOVEMENT. (Received July IS, 6.55 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. Tho Board of Agriculture has appointed a committee, under the presidency of Mr. Vernoy, M P-, to promote the settlement and employment of discharged soldiers and sailors on the land in England and Wales.

SOUTH-WEST AFRICA.

MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED

(Received Julv 18. 5.5 p.ni.) PRETORIA. Julv 18

General Botha lias proclaimed martial law over the whole of tlm territory hitherto known as German SouthWest Africa,

General Botha., <m the eve of ltis departure from South-West Africa, issued n General Order thanking the men for their wholehearted co-opera-tion.

General Bo tlm says he finds in the magnificent work performed uncomplainingly and resolutely an indication of what may be expected oi citizens who place duty before personal interests.

AUSTRIAN ATROCITIES.

BURIAL PARTY TREACHEROUSLY FIRED ON.

(Received Julv 18, 5.5 p.m.) ' ROME, July IS

Semi-official: While a surplicod ’ priest, accompanied by two medical men and stretcher-bearers with, a . white Hag, were burying 39 Austrians j outside the Italian t rein dies, they ! were deliberately fired on by the Austrians at a short distance. Tho priest and two bearers were wounded,, and the, funeral had to be a bn.i idoned. CHOLERA IN AUSTRIA. AN ALARMING OUTBREAK. VIENNA. July 16. Official: 809 eases of Asiatic cholera were notified on July 12. There is an alarming spread chiefly iu Galicia, where many/ cases have occurred among prisoners oi war, though a great majority of the civil population arc affected. * The authorities fear a spread to the interior oi Austria, where many sporadic cases have occurred. AUSTRALIAN WAR CENSUS \ BILL PASSES ALL STAGES. MELBOURNE. July 17. In the House tho War Census Bill passed all stages. During tho debate Mr Greene said he did not think sufficient details were given. He asked that the Government might ascertain how far it was possible to organise certain industries. . . Mr Bamford claimed that the Ministry was willing for conscription and why not have it now ? Mr Fisher said that anybody associating the Bill with conscription was wilfully misleading tho public. Mr Hughes said if the information sought bad been in the possession of England and Australia before, war would have been impossible. He for one would never send men out of the country by force to fight. When the time came to ‘do that the country would be rotten to the core and not worth fighting for.

N.S. WALES RECRUITS.

ALL RECORDS BROKEN,

Received July. 19, 1.15 a.m.).

SYDNEY, July 18. Last week’s recruiting boat tno previous records. Two thousand two hundred and forty men enlisted. A Pensions Committee has been formed from both sides of the House to assist the recruiting campaign. Messrs Holman and Wade will speak in the principal centres of the metropolis and the country.