THE HAGUE CONVENTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14587, 25 January 1911, Page 7

THE HAGUE CONVENTION.

DUTCH DEFENCES.

By Telegraph.— Association.—

Pakis, January 23. The Figaro says that in the event of the fortifications of Flushing (Holland) proceeding, France, Russia, Britain, and Belgium will withdraw from The Hague Arbitration Court.

FLUSHING FORTIFICATION SCHEME. Popular opinion in Europe is that the defence of the Scheldt at Flushing is intended to hamper Great Britain and France in any attempt they may make by sea to uphold the neutrality of the Low Countries if threatened by any other Power. Writing on thie matter, the Brussels correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph says: — have it on good authority that the Belgian Foreign Office is, in a friendly tone, requesting information from the Dutch Foreign Office as to the projected Flushing fortifications. The object is not to question Holland' 6 right to protect its river board against foreign attack, but to ascertain the Dutch Government's intentions as to . the use they mean to make of the Flushing forts op the approach of any foreign fleet aiming, not at an aggressive movement against the Netherlands, but at reaching the Lower Scheldt to protect Belgium against attack at Antwerp. The Belgian contention is that the Scheldt is an international river, which '■'■ Holland is debarred from closing in sack a case, not only by the principles of international law, but also by the terms of- the treaty of 1839, guaranteeing Belgium's neutrality and enforcing upon Great Britain and the four other Powers interested the duty .of maintaini ing this state of ."SMog*-* 2,