WAR MENACE OVER HOLLAND.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15189, 9 April 1917, Page 7

WAR MENACE OVER HOLLAND.

NO REGIMENT TO BE DISBANDED. ARMY HAS 100,000 MORE MEN. THE HAGUE, January 30. The peace outlook constitutes the one absorbing topic in the Netherlands, and nioro than adequate explanation of the Hollander’s intense interest in the latest turn of events is afforded by a glance at the burdens, problems, and anxieties which the past twelve month.-, have brought tin.- Dutch nation and its ruler's. As another year opens the watchword still is unceasing vigilance—not only with respect to the country’s defence and its foreign policy, but to the economic realm, in regard to the supply of the raw materials for its industries and public services and of the foo dof its people. For though some politicians arc already beginning to talk about entire, or partial demobilisation if the peace w,nd blows at all favourably, it appears auite certain that not a regiment will he*disbanded the pence treaty has been actually signed and the belligerents themselves begin demobilisation for Holland knows full well that even the peace congress may bring its own dangers for the nation that hods the mouths of the great northern. European waterways. The Prime Minister himself, Cort van der Linden, Iras only just again told the Chamber lluii “the Government still considers there is danger of the country being drawn into the war. It can by no means admit, ’ lie added, “that the danger grows less the' longer the war lasts, but in existing circumstance?) regards it as essential that an adequate defence force shall be immediately available for the energetic maintenance of our neutrality. ’’ And the Chamber, in-olud-.ng the Socialists, has once more unanimously passed the Bills prolonging the tciui of the men, with the colours. ARMY IS GREATLY INCREASED. However, in the- two and a halt years of mobilisation tbe trained army reserve has been increased by over 100,000 men, and eleven of the sixteen levies under arms in August, 1914, have now been relieved by newly-trained troops and sent home on indefinite leave. The munition supplies have been correspondingly reinforced. Notwithstanding what has been achieved, however, there is sharp criticism of the army and its administration. The bitterest attacks are constantly made on the Alinioter for Wat, and Major-General N. Bosboom’s position would seem to he none too secure. Emphasis is particularly laid ok the continued lack of artillery—in which the army was notoriously wca-k when war broke out—of anti-aircraft guns and aircraft. So far as the political situation is concerned, the Premier and his liberal, extra-parliamenta 17 Cabinet still appear to be firmly seated in the saddle- al, though voices arc heard on the rightin favour of a Coalition Ministry. The general election is due next June, but negotiations are on foot to postpone the actual electoral struggle until 1918, when there would in any cast have to be a fresh election if the revised Constitution finally passes, and that an election on the new proportional representation'system. The suggested idea is that the present party scats shall not be challenged in June next, this meaning the practical re-election of the present Chamber. Incidentally there- id

some discontent with the Prime Minister’s refusal to propose a revision of the Constitution cancelling any potential claims of foreign, ie., German, princes to the throne. It is said that the Queen is opposed to such n step, but it is also believed the. Premier fears giving offence to the foreign Power most interested. FERMENT ALONG THE FRONTIER. Ms to the state of affairs in the country itself, there, is still considerable ferment in the frontier regions. Despite the continual seizure of goods and the frequent shooting fatalities, large bands of men continue to engage in smuggling; even .soldiers arc caught at it from time to time. Another regular feature in the border lauds is the considerable influx of escaped prisoners of war and deserters, whose ranks have recently been reinforced by numbers of fleeing Belgian and Polish civilians. Despite the Government’s requisitioning of ships for the transport of grain and other products and the inroads of mines and torpedoes on the merchant fleet Dutch shipowners are very prosperous, and high dividends may again be epected. The shipping movement at the chief Dutch ports is still only a fraction of its normal volume. Holland is, nevertheless, preparing for a brighter future. A Bill has just, passed the Second Chamber for the deepening of the waterway leading from. Rotterdam to the sea, while a measure introduced a day or two ago provides, among other etensions at Amsterdam, for the construction of a new harbour to meet the demand for wharfage facilities for ships cf deep draught. The mail steamfillip services to and from the Netherlands East Indies have now returned to the much shorter route through the Suez Canal.