DUTCH FEAR OF WAR.

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13488, 19 May 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

DUTCH FEAR OF WAR.

The peace outlook constitutes the one absorbing topic in the Netherlands and more than adequate explanation of the Hollander's intense interest in the latest turn ol events is afforded by a glance at, the burdens, problems ami anxieties which the past twelve months havo brought the Dutch nation and itrulers.

The Prime Minister himself, Cort van der Linen, has only just again told the 'Thamber that "the Government 11i! considers there is danger of the country being drawn into the war. It can by no means- admit,'' he added. "that the danger grows less the longe* - the war lasts, but in existing eircvjiistances regard* it as essential that an adequate defence force shall lv immediately available for the energetic mam tonance of our neutrality " And the

ij£hamber, including tho Socialists, hj«, on.ee moro unanimously passed the bills prolonging the term ~f u,>- nu-u with > tho colors. However, in the two and a-half ypars of mobilisation the trained army reserve has been increased by over 100,000 men. and eleven of tho sixteen levies under arms in August, 1914, have now been relieved by newly-trained troops, and sent home on indefinite leave. The munition supplier* have been correspond ingly reinforced. Notwithstanding what has been achieved, however, thorp is sharp criticism of the arnn' and it* administration. The bitterest attack? are constantly made or, the Mmistci for War, and Mnjo'-General N. Bosboom's position would s:em to be noni too secure. Emphasis is particularly laid on the continued lack of artilleryin which the army was notoriously weak when war broke out —of anti-aircraft ftiins and aircraft. So far as the political situation iconcerned, the Premier and his Libya 1, extra-parliamentary Cabinet still appear to be firmly seated in the saddle, although voices are heard on the right in favor of a coalition Ministry. Tie. general election is due next .litne. lon negotiations are. on foot to postpone tin actual oleetoraJ si niggle until 1918, when there would in any ea.=o have tr .. -be a fresli election if the revised con sitit-utlon finally passes, and that, an election on the new proportional representation system. The suggested ide is that the present party seaTs shall not be challenged in June next, this meaning tho practical re-election of the pre Mint. Chamber. Incidentally there i;

tHorno discontent with the Prime Minister's* refusal to propose a revision of tho constitution cancelling any potential claims of foreign, i.e., German princes to the throne. It is said here that the Queen is opposed to such a stop, but it is also believed the Premier fears giving offence to the foreign Power most interested.

(Ah to the state of affairs in the country itself, there is still considerable ferment in the frontier regions. De&pito the continual seizures of goods and tho frequent shooting fatalities. large bands of men continue to en gag • in smuggling, even soldiers are caught at it from time to time. Another regu. lar feature in tho border lands is the considerable influx of e.-caped prisoner? of war and deserters, whose ranks have recently been reinforced by numbers of

fleeing Belgian and Polish civilians. In tho economic realm the food supis the Government's chief concern. Tho outlook has just been painted in somewhat gloomy colors by the Minister of Agriculture, in view of tho grain .situation, in. America and elsewhere and tho shortage, of cargo apace. On th H othicr hand, the system of distribution adopted is sewely criticised. At pre Bent the citizen buys many foodstuffs at x , less than the actual market price, and will sooner or later have to pay the balance in taxes. The arrangement has been made for tho sake of the poorer w ltflassop, ibut critics' argue that the Gn , vernment is out to achieve as great a disorganisation of economic life as they can at a maximum cost. Preparation* aro being made to introduce a universe, bread card system with a view to ceo nomy. Tho soldier's rations have alI ready been cut down. In order to save tho stock of beef, mutton is being issued to the army once a week. This is quite a revolution 0 in Holland, where mutton has hitherto • been almost unknown as an article of popular diet, albeit the war and article's comparative cheapness is bringing it more into vogue. There has been export of cattle i\.r some time. The fr Allies appear to be permitting a freer import or grain, presumably in consequence of the arrangement made for iho export of l.irg? quantities of agricultural produce to Britain. tgfc Despite tho Government's requisitioning of ships for the transport of grain and other products and t"a inroads of mints i>nd torpedoes on the merchant fleet, Dutch shipowners are very prosperous, and high dividend 1 iiim.v again be expected. The shippins movement at live chief Dutch ports is still onlj a fraction of its normal volume. Holland i , nevertheless, pre paring for a brighter future. A Bill has just passed the second Chambei for the deepening of the waterway leading from Rotterdam to the sea, while a measure introduced.a day or two ago provides, among other extensions at Amsterdam, for the construction of a new harbor to meet the demand for ■ wharfage facilities for ships of deep draught. The moil steamship service--1o and from the Netherlands East Indies have now returned, to the much shorter route through the Suez Canal.