THE CLOSING OF THE SOUND.

Thames Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 10194, 17 January 1907, Page 2

THE CLOSING OF THE SOUND.

(To the Editor-)

Sir, —Mr, Cork-ran has misunderstood my tfeinarks on the above subject. I did not mention anything 'about tlia friendshipl of ■ Germany far Denm-ark, tab km the contrary "thiafc Ganniany waist the only power I'of which] Denmark haidl anything; to fear."- His remarks afbout thci neutrality-of, m nation'being; useless as. .a| guarantee! to :ba left in peaas are riot 'borne out ;by facts,. Take the 'Ciaso of Switzaiinnd.. Has its neutrality ibeen. violated? Neither ihlas, Belgiumi's. Can 'Mr Corkran give an iriistance where a, ■country guaranteed neutral fljy aill thie powers baa been attacked? In any case thie word- h,a,s rather more meaning and influencethan the blessed naniiie of "Mesopotaanliai." It.is surely an advance for civilisation when arJbitration, takes the plaice of tililei sword and cannon. Many reforms cam bo initiaitedi before Socialism feecomesi universal. I aigree with this writer 1 that it is ai long way oft', ibiub not with, thie -statement 'tihlat Holland, Belgium, nndl Denmark would be a[bsoilbed .by Germlaaiy if England lost command of the sea. The other nations ciould nob allow it, and to use an (Aimericwiisimi G'SEinatny would have a. "bigger mouthful thian she ciould chew." I. do> not contend that because a country is acknowledged neutral thiat' fchley could totally disarm;, biu.t tihiey could reduce armaments. To prepare for war 1 does nob prevent wtaii", of that Are ha.ye sufficient evidence 1. It is iniconteistnlble that the more neutrality and arbitration. ..cornies! into forcei—nar tionafl and! internaitional—the less we will 'hiaive of sitriltes, strife, and bloodshed.'—l am, eta,

J. E!.. HAiNSEN 1. ThaaneiS, Ja,n,uniiy 17th.