HOLLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1916, Page 5

HOLLAND.

NOT TAKING ANY RISKS. THE POSITION VAGUE. Amsterdam, April 6. M. Colyn, formerly Dutch Minister of JV'ar, rejects the possibility of an intention by Britain to land her new armies on the Dutch coast. The assumption is incompatible with the assurance that the neutrality of Holland will be respected. The question, however, is what Germany may think. If Germany judges our defensive capacity inadequate, and is apprehensive of a British invasion through Holland, it would not be strange if we were approached from the German side with proposals to which we cannot submit, because compliance would mean the abandonment of neutrality towards the Allies. While a waiting attitude might be adopted towards Britain, something positive should be done with regard to Germany. He suggested that the strengthening of the Dutch forces was to make clear to Germany that Holland liad the power and intention to prevent any menace to Germany's open flank. A PROTEST BY BRITAIN. - AGAINST A GERMAN LIE. Received April 7, 9.40 p.®, Amsterdam, April 7. The British Legation has protested to the Dutch Government against the canard that England s ent an ultimatum to Holland, asking that troops might pass through Zeeland, and saying that relations between Britain and Holland were never more cordial. The protest has made a good impression in Holland.