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Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1918, Page 2

]x 011(3 of the last of his speeches Baron von Kuhlmaim reminded his hearers that the Rhine flowed through German territory into the North Sea, and bade them remember that the expansion of Germany should be directed to the west as well as to the east. He was speaking in defence of the Treaty of Bucharest in the German Chamber of Commerce, but his speech has directed attention to the German claims on Holland. The articles which appear in the magazines for Juno are of interest one in the “Fortnightly Review” on Holland's inevitable decision, and another in the “Nineteenth Century” on DutchGerman railways. The second article has been freely quoted in the French Press. It is too detailed to be fully discussed liere and cannot well be studied without a map. It shows how Germany was slowly getting control of Dutch railways before the war; in some cases by linking them up to her own ; in others by taking over non-paying lines; in others again by obtaining concessions. The writer, Demetrius Bonlger, says that the Dutch opinion has been considerably excited by this gradual process, and by the threats which have been lately directed to their Government. The anonymous writer of the “Fortnightly” article, however, suggests that the Dutch Ministry and the Court contain many strong German sympathisers who have not been verj f careful about their country’s independence. He adds to the story of the railways a list of the German outrages committed on Holland, and contrasts, them with the consideration shown by the Allies from the very beginning of the war. The Allies have many friends in Holland, jn the Government in Pailiament, and in non-official life, who soo the present danger to their country, but this writer thinks it necessary to appeal to them to assert themselves now, lest Holland shall lose her old position in tho councils of Europe and all the associations of her history.