The Daily News. MONDAY, JULY 23, 1917. GERMANY AND HOLLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, JULY 23, 1917. GERMANY AND HOLLAND.

It is quite possible that in view of the events in connection with the war that are closely followed the little storm cloud that is menacing Holland may not have received due attention, but it is none the less a most important matter. An Amsterdam cable dated Tuesday last stated that considerable perturbation existed in Holland over the fact that Germany claims the whole ol the mouth of the Ems, as shown in the latest German staff map, and that the German authorities bad begun to exercise a quasi-jurisdiction over the mouth of the Ems. On the following day a cable from the Hague stated that the Government was inquiring whether the naval action at Petten was within Dutch territorial waters, as some eye-witnesses aver, but it was hoped that tho attack would end the traffic between Rotterdam and Emden. Then comes the news irom Amsterdam announcing German indignation at the capture of her steamers, and alleging that Britain had violated Dutch neutrality by bombarding Bergen op Znom. In tlii" f"i>i«rl ; Ti ," . <.->*■..-•<

Zeitung asserted that tlie Dutch Govern ment must understand that Germany demanded positive measures of neutrality or Holland must resign herself to her i'atc. This characteristic piece of Muff may or may not have arisen from ignorance of the true facts of the case, but it certainly accuses Holland, as well as Britain of a breach of neutrality thai is of course reprehensible .1 their (pari, hut perfectly justifiable -when committed by Germany. The capture of the German merchantmen was, however, effected, as far as can he judged from the reports, at a point remote from the Frisian Islands outside territorial waters, though some of the ships made all haste to escape to the prohibited area. The Dutch do not complain so much of a British invasion of territorial 'waters, their principal objection being against the British stoppage of the zone left open for the convenience of the AngloDutch coastal trade —a zone which Germany utilises as a matter of course. Where a broad stretch of ocean exists outside the coast of any country tiiere j are no difficulties . over the regulation three-mile limit assigned as territorial water, but a glance at the map will show that a3 between Holland and Germany the position becomes complicated owing to the narrowness of some of the dividing waters. Germany claims the whole of the inlet of the iX'orth Sea into which the river Ems meets near Emden. This is practically a claim to Dutch territorial nvater. and is therefore a serious matter. It is clear that when the water area between two countries is not over six milea trouble over the three-mile limit is bound to arise, and this is the case as between Germany and Holland at more than one point. Naturally Germany will demand her full three miles and little Holland cati only protest while her powerful neighbor violates Dutch territory. When the British Government found that Germany was making a practice of using the zone left open by the British to facilitate trade with Holland, it rightly closed that zone, and treated with indifference the Dutch protests and claims made at Germany's instigation. Germany cannot be blamed for trying to run the blockade, but she must not squeal at disasters involved in the risk'. Germany has no compunction about seizing any territory or waterway she desires, provided it is in her power to do so. She has filched the Emden stretch and is doubtless prepared to aibsorb all the outlets to the North Sea belonging to Holland and Belgium. It is evident that the present German move is to irritate Holland into I hostilities, but the Dutch are adhering to their phlegmatic attitude and keeping their heads cool, but whether this will save them from being wiped off the map remains to be seen, lor Germany will not stick at trifles in the fulfilment of her desires. As Ztfebrugge and Ostend are becoming too hot for tenure Germany will naturally play.another card and it will be for the Allies to make such preparations as will prevent the enemy from becoming a more active menace to Britain than at present. The position of affairs as regards Germany and Holland would seem to be reaching I a stage when the weaker 'will go to the I wall.