DUTCH INDEPENDENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16202, 12 April 1916, Page 8

DUTCH INDEPENDENCE.

GERMANY SYMPATHETIC.

WARNING AGAINST ALLIES.

Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, April 10. ' Despite, official Dutch, denials the Austrian and German press is discussing at length Holland's preparations against threatened attacks by the allies. The Neue Freie Presso flatters the Dutch Premier for his diplomatic silence, thus enabling the British Government to retreat from its intended assault on Dutch independence. The paper adds that the delegates to the Paris Conference were desperate because the military situation which was devised included the disturbing of Holland. The Dutch Premier answered by hurrying on Holland's military preparations.

| Copenhagen reports state that in consequence of the British attacks on the west coast of Schleswig neutrals have been prohibited from entering Sylt Island. During the debate in the Reichstag on the Budget Herr Payer, a progressive member, said that the Chancellor's speech showed that no power in the world was able to take away Germany's military gains. Nevertheless neutrals were in an uncomfortable position, and particularly Holland, where the pressure had reached a point which obliged her'to protect her coasts against the allies. The Germans felt keenly that she was suffering for Germany's i sake, because the attitude of the j allies against her was aimed at Gerl many.