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Press, Volume LII, Issue 15773, 14 December 1916, Page 6

We have received from Geneva, through the "League of Neutral Countries," an interesting document prepared by the Dutch Section of tho League. This is a general circular signed by about 150 leading Dutch intellectuals, calling on the neutral nations to unite in the affirmation and defence of the principle that to rob any State whatever of its independence is a crime and a reason for fresh wars. Tho case of Belgium is dealt with in detail, and these Dutchmen give reasons for their belief that Germany aims at the annexation of that country. In view of the present turn of events the substance of the circular, so far as it deals with this point, is worth notice. In the Reichstag on December 9th, 1915, the Chancellor said he could not say what guarantees Germany would claim in the Belgian question, but "the longer and the more violently our enemies carry on this war against us. the more will grow the guarantees which we shall have to claim." And further: "It is a well-known fact that England and Franco considered Belgium as the territory through which to march their armies against us. ?rom tjhis we have to secure ourselves politically and militarily and economically." « The Dutch circular proceeds to examine. tho meaning of this, as follows: "Politically—this means that tho independenco of Belgium will not remain unviolated. Militarily—points to the extension of territory which probably will include the fortifications along the Meuse and thus wrench off a third or fourth part of the country, a fifth or sixth of its inhabitants. Economically—vhat else can it mean but- German control over Belgium's sourco s of welfare, especially its foreign commerce and traffic by sea? And months afterwards —on' April 4th, 191G, the Chancellor in the Reichstag said the following words: 'If anyone should expect us to evacuate the countries occupied in the West and moistened with the blood of our nation, without complete security for our future, we shall procure sound guarantees in order to prevent Belgium from becoming an Anzlo-French vassal State and being built up militarilv and economically as a bulwark against Germany. Hero neither we shall allow a status quo

ante, nor will Germany deliver the long oppressed Flemish people to be frenchifiod.' " Thus, the Dutchmen conclude it is evident that Germany means to 'Sontrol Belgian home policy and to prevent "the bloodily-crushed country" from having any sc-mblanco of independence. « A big problem lies behind Mr Taft's warning to America against the danger of dominance by militant trade-union-ism, and Mr "Wilson's significant reference to the Labour question in his message to Congress. Mr "Wilson advocates the amendment of the law to authorise labour disputes to be fully and publicly investigated before a strike or lock-out can be lawful —tho principle of the famous Lcmieux Act. which we long advocated for this country, and which is now on the Statute Book in the shape of the Labour Disputes Investigation Act. "The country." Mr Wilson said, "cannot remain exposed to profound industrial disturbances for lack of additional means of arbitration and conciliation, which Congress could easily supply. That is sound sense, but it is much to be doubted whether the President has not left this remedy until too late. What tho Lemieux principle, a« we may call it, requires for its usefulness is tho existence of an Administration strong enough to defend it. Militant Labour nowadays has no respect for any principle that cannot withstand its assault. Our own Labour Disputes Investigation Act will be mere waste paper tho moment the Government of tho day, whatever Government it may be, shrinks from fighting lawlessness as the Massey and Botha Government fought it three years ago. ♦ American trade-unionism has already had a striking success. It is Mr Wilson himself who is responsible for the fact that tho curbing of unionism's excesses will bo a monstrously difficult and probably very tragic business. The railwaymen in September issued an ultimatum to Congress, declaring that if Congrcs6 did not enact a law granting their demands in their dispute with the railway companies, all tho railways of the country would be idle. Mr Wilson, mucli 'agitated at this unfortunate menace to his candidature, and. anxious to win over the Labour vote, induced tho Democratic majority in Congress to grant the men's demand, and the law was passed just before the expiry of tho three days' notice. Since then the President has issued many long rigmaroles to the effect that ho granted tho men's demands simply because their demands were right and just. Of course, everyone knows that Congress simply surrendered to a threat, and to that extent recognised organised Labour's claim to dictate tho laws of the United States. Had the President stood firm and insisted on arbitration. America would have suffered, but the strike would have been beaten. As it is, the spirit of revolt and aggression in American unionism is ten times stronger than it ever was.