THE DEFENCES OF HOLLAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3125, 23 January 1911, Page 5

THE DEFENCES OF HOLLAND.

A BRITISH NEWSPAPER COMMENT

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT 0 LONDON, Jan. 20.

The “Pall Mall Gazette” says it is difficult to believe that the Dutch Government will hold out against the protest against the defence scheme. It adds that the Belgian protest will-"be pushed even to the point of war.

A DEFIANT GERMAN UTTERANCE. BERLIN, Jan. 20. Herr Iveim, ex-leader of the Navy League, declares that France and England in attempting to interfere in Holland’s sovereignty, are really aiming at Germany, and that the latter nmst oppose these organised and well-paid machinations.

The paper “Tagleblatt” attributes the weak London prices to be due to London rumors of differences between France and Germany concerning the Flushing fortification scheme, which has affected the Bourse. Reuter confirms this weakness on the Bourse as being partly due to the unfavorable foreign advance. GOVERNMENT ACTION CRITICISED IN DUTCH PARLIAMENT. (Received Jan. 22, 5.10 p.m.) THE HAGUE, Jan. 21.

During a debate in the States General several speakers criticised the Government for devoting too much attention to coastal defence, and added that a portion of the money asked for might more usefully be .applied to completing the fortifications of Amsterdam and improving the lines of defence l)3 r facilitating arrangements for flooding lowlying portions of the country in war time.