HOLLAND.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 November 1917, Page 5

HOLLAND.

AN APPEAL TO AMERICA. NEW YORK,'Noevember 25. The United Press Association's Hague corespondent interviewed Cort van der Linden (Premier of Holland), who said: "America detains the ships of small neutrals and withholds foodstuff and raw materials. Consequently we are without bread, and there is very serious unemployment. Can srou$ r ou wonder that we resent America's attitude. We have given guarantees that imported cereals will not be re-export-ed, though our own dire requirements is the best guarantee to that effect. "Holland exports to Germany some dairy and agricultural products as compensation for coal, iron r potash, and chemical products received from Germany, but these are offered to both belligerents in equal proportions. This is the only possible policy for a neutral country wanting to be on friendly relations with its neighbours, and needing them owing to its geographical position, and economic structure. Our exports to Germany are so small compared with Germany's population that I cannot understand the talk of Holland feeding Germany.

"I do not believe that America wants us to break commercial relations with Germany, thus forcing Holland to a onesided economic policy and killing our vital condition of independence. I believe this explanation will be satisfactorily, and merely ask that Holland be .treated according to the principles America wants to prevail among the nations."