FESTIVITIES IN HOLLAND

Evening Star, Issue 23056, 7 September 1938, Page 9

FESTIVITIES IN HOLLAND

QUEEN WILHELMINA HONOURED ACCESSION ANNIVERSARY, Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright AMSTERDAM, September 6. Cheering crowds thronged the streets when Queen Wilhelmina entered the

city on the eve of the fortieth anniversary of her accession. The festivities will be continued for a week. LONGEST REIGNING MONARCH Queen Wilhelmina is now the sovereign in Europe with by far the longest reign, and she has won for herself a deep-felt appreciation through her simplicity and unfailing energy and sagacity. Thus the clauses in the Constitution of the Netherlands, pertaining to those • governmental actions requiring the approval of the Queen, are no dead letter to her. The Queen has also gained respect and renown for herself as an artist. Last year an exhibition of her works was held, the proceeds of which were donated to the national crisis relief committee. When in 1916 great floods ravaged the Netherlands, the Queen visited all the stricken regions, not heeding the barren cold and the discomforts of endless travelling in barges and primitive rowing boats, to bring comfort to the distressed. Such acts of 'kindness as these, revealing a feeling of nearness and simple, human, cordial interest in the wellbeing of her subjects, have carved out for her statues of love in the hearts of many people. It was remembrance of Queen Wilhelmina’s wise and loving guidance of the Dutch in the difficult years 1914-18 that in November, 1918, when a Socialist revolution appeared imminent, added special emphasis to a manifesto issued by all the Ministers of the Cabinet urging the people to support the legallyelected authorities. Impressive demonstrations took place, as this manifesto proved to be the starting point for a complete reversal of public opinion, and the Queen travelled extensively over the country to receive the homage of the nation, but also to strengthen the people’s cohesion to law and order.