EASING OF TENSION BETWEEN HOLLAND AND GERMANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16837, 30 April 1918, Page 5

EASING OF TENSION BETWEEN HOLLAND AND GERMANY.

BELIEF THAT DUTCH HAVE ACCEDED TO DEMANDS. Australian and N.Z. (Received 7.30 D.m). LONDON, April 28. The Rotterdam correspondent of the Daily Telegraph quotes the Berlin correspondent of the Rotterdam Courant as follows. "There is a feeling of confidence in authoritative circles here regarding the negotiations with Holland. Details are not yet known, but it is believed the affair has been settled." The Daily Telegraph correspondent adds that officially inspired messages mean that Germany is satisfied she has succeeded in forcing Holland to accede to the demands. Indications in Holland point in the same direction, although the public feeling is still tense. Country depositors on Saturday withdrew large sums of money from the banks. The Hague correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that the Foreign Minister's announcement that the development of the sand and gravel question has not taken an unfavourable course, but that the situation'is serious, is interpreted to mean that the Government is agreeing to the German demand, but fears complications with the allies The public is alarmed by the German newspapers' sudden wave of threats and the advocacy of military ru hlessness. The Telegraph's correspondent at Rotterdam says that the Germania, the official organ of the Centre party, declares that if the war lasts long enough a poiut must be reached when Holland and Switzerland will be forced to join one or the other group of belligerents. Other German papers state that Holland is in danger of becoming a British bridgehead towards Germany, like Belgium. The correspondent adds that the Dutch people express the utmost anxiety, o\ ing to Germany's bullying attitude. A prominent Dutchman, interviewed by the Paris Journal, said that the Dutch army of half-a-million was in readiness to defend Holland's rights against aggression. There was no reason to believe that she was on the verge of a rupture with the Central Powers, and it was expected that a compromise would be reached upon Germany's demands regarding the Rhine, shipping, and the exchange of food. Holland, with Germany menacing her on one side and the allies adopting a firm attitude on the other, was in sore straits. (Received 10.40 p.m.). > NEW YORK, April 29. The Rotterdam correspondent of the New York Times states: Great interest has been shown ip a statement by a German officer who said: "We will teach yoif Dutch a lesson on Aijgusfr |. fteep that date in mind." ». • .. .* . i .i. .