The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of Over 6000 Weekly. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1902.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1343, 29 August 1902, Page 2

The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of Over 6000 Weekly. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1902.

A cablegram states that a Dutcli newspaper lias expressed disapproval of the proposed alliance uetween that country and Germ my. The full text 01 the proposed treaty is not before us, but its purport is that Holland shall give Germany trade facilities on the Rhine, and in return Germany is to give protection to the Dutch colonies. The whole business appears to be a first direct step in the direction of the absoiption of Holland by Germany, an aspiration which has long been held by German statesmen. Such an alliance would make Holland liable to be dragged into any war in which Germany might be engaged \ whereas standing alone she would be able to maintain her neutrality, and the necessity of maintaining the balance of power in Europe would bring allies to her side were her great and powerful neighbour to take hostile action against her. It will be many years yet before Germany will be able to be certain of the power to protect her own colonies should she become engaged in war with Great Britain. More particularly is this the case since the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, an alliance which common interest is certain to keep in force for many years. Again, the probability that any Power will make an attack upon the Dutch colonial possessions is most remote, if she remains an independent State unhampered by alliance with a Power which is preparing to act upon the aggressive so soon as her fleet is sulUeiently powerful and complications between other Powers render the time opportune.