HOLLAND AND THE WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 66, 17 March 1916, Page 7

HOLLAND AND THE WAR.

jBB SPIRIT OF HER PEOPLE. ' CERTAINLY NOT PRO-GERMAN. OfISIOSS OF A DITCH MEDICO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) DLNEDIN, March 10. The main topic of v chat which a "Star' reporter had last evening with Dr. A. E. Sitsen. a Dutch medical man. who is enjoying an extended furlough after having occupied for six years the important post of director oi the Mcdi- \ tsl School at Socrabaja i-lav a ), naturally concerned the war and the attitude Holland may be expected to take. The reporter found the doctor an interesting conversationali-it. notwithstanding the fact he professed quite frankly that he spoke of Dutch sentiment with" a certain difficulty, in view of the fact that it is so long since he left Holland to take control of the medical school. At the same time, he has followed the progress of events with keen interest a≤ far as possible through the medium of the newspapers of his native country, and it is on opinions formed from these sources that he based his remarks. As far as the Dutch colonists are concerned, they are not at all pro-German, but iv common with Hollanders as a whole they do not accept Britain's blockade without some protest. "The Allies have done some things which are very disagreeable for our nation. ,, said Dr. Sitsen. "They have imposed restrictions on our shipping, and naturally we do not accept that as right or fair. Until this moment Holland has had actually more to suffer from the Allies than from the Germans, but all the same we do not regard Germans with friendly feelings. Rather is it the other way." "Do you regard Holland a≤ a possible belligerent;" was a question which caused the doctor to smile before he answered quite frankly. "Xo," he replied. "While, as 1 have already told you. it is difficult for mc to express any definite opinion, yet I do not think Holland will enter "the war. And I may add that 1 think that it is best for the Allies that she should'maintain her neutrality. Were we to enter this war, then in two or three days, perhaps in one day, the German troops would invade us. and perhaps all would be lost, for their advance would be too rapid to allow of the English arriving in time to oppose them. And what if Germany secured Flushing? Flushing, I say, is perhaps the best port of the whole Continent of Europe, and it would undoubtedly be a very good base for Germany. Therefore Tsay it 18 best for the Allies that we rest neutral. Of course it may be possible that we shall be forced by circumstances. That can always bp; but if we are forced we are ready. We have at this moment 40.000 men, and 1 can tell you they are soldiers. They were mobilised as soon as there ■was danger. They were ready before Germany was moving, and from the beginning of the war they have been training. "Yes." declared the doctor, -with some conviction, "Holland would prefer to remain out of it: otherwise we should have taken sides before this. We shall be neutral, though certainly we maintain an armed neutrality. As far as 1 can see, the Dutch are not at all pro-Ger-man." "Would you go so far as to say that there is no likelihood of Holland ever joining forces with Germany?" "That is too difficult a question." replied the doctor. "Let mc ask you: Would you ten years aio have said that Kmrland and Russia would be lighting together to-day. AH I can do is to repeat that the sentiment of the Dutch people as a whole is certainly not proGerman. That is all I can say. Nobody can tell what the future has in store. It is foolish to prophesy, and I am no prophet." Dr. Sitsen and his wife have visited Australia and Tasmania. They landed at Bluff last week, and proceeded to the Lakee district, which they describe as charming. They intend spending some time touring New Zealand prior to finally leaving lor ilolland. via Honolulu and America.