SMALL NEUTRALS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 28, 13 November 1939, Page 5

SMALL NEUTRALS

HOLLAND PREPARED. ANXIETY OF THE PUBLIC. THRUST BY GERMANS FEARED. United Press Association--Copyright.) LONDON, November 11. Holland now stands fully prepared to defend her neutrality. In spite of official assurances, public anxiety is evident over a possible Gorman thrust across Holland.

Tho Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says authorised sources reiterated the Government’s declaration that it would respect the neutrality of Holland and other non-belligerent countries, provided they observed their neutrality. That was Germany’s last word on the subject.

An official spokesman in Amsterdam declared that there were no grounds for undue nervousness.

Holland is particularly anxious that her defence measures should not be interpreted as directed against any one belligerent. Inaccurate reports published abroad have created irritation.

The nation, however, is prepared to meet any situation.

The Dutch Foreign Minister (M. Kleffens) has issued a statement deny ing that King Leopold and Queen Wilhelmino discussed anything but the peace appeal. He regretted that the mediation offer had been interpreted abroad as a Belgian-Dutch manoeuvre. “We are experiencing all the difficulties of a belligerent,” he declared “None of our ships have voluntarily submitted to contraband control, but the Straits of Calais are so narrow and the danger from mines so great that it is impossible to keep out of reach. The British have not used violence. It is untrue that Holland is assisting Britain’s control measures.

“I trust that nobody will violate our independence. We do not want to be an instrument of British measures against Germany, or German measures against Britain. ' Residents in the flood zones have been told to be ready to leave • their homes. Roads from the east are blocked. Lighthouses on the northern coast have been put out and all lightships with the exception of one have been brought into port. All motor-cars and trucks have been commandeered by the Netherlands Government.

The Dutch authorities aro investigating tho Venlo border incident and aro certain to lodge a strong protest when German responsibility is established.

Precautions are also being taken in Belgium, where King Leopold had talks with his Ministers to-day. The Government has banned a number of newspapers, including the official Rexist journal.