WHAT THE DUTCH THINK.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144850, 30 November 1915, Page 7

WHAT THE DUTCH THINK.

GERMANY DISTRUSTED. At the outset one may lay down the general proposition that the sentiment of the citizens of Holland, the sentiment of the mass, can hardly he a matter of doubt. Por hotv can the sympathies of so valiant, so democratic and liberty-loving a people fail to be utterly opposed to tho Gorman spirit.' Yct it docs not follow, nor is it to be expected, that sympathy will bo allowed to override patriotic interests. But even bearing this obvious truth in mind one is still impressed and even surprised by tho extent to which the Hutch press as a whole is critical and antagonistic to German policy (says Alex. Devine in tho Daily Uiromcle). Anti-German cartoons abound and are freely exhibited all over Holland. One must not however, delude oneself into the belief that official Holland is not desperately correct in its attitude of strict neutrality. It is. the Germans admit it. The Allies cheerfully concede it. But Dutch opinion itself varies. Tho large number of individuals who have been making enormous fortunes and amassing German gold, but who now are feeling the effect of tho contraband restrictions, naturally do not cherish any particularly friendly feelings towards England. A Dutch fanner complained bitterly to tha writer of his grievance Tn not being able to procure chemical manure, which was entirely England’s fault. But it must not' be forgotten that fear_ of tho German is an ever-present anxiety to the Dutch mind, whether it bo military or civif.