Britain and Dutch Trade
The publication by the Dutch Government of decrees giving effect to the Anglo-Dutch trade treaty signed last month shows how useful an instrument the treaty may be in tightening the blockade of Germany. Following the precedent set in the last war the Dutch Government has approved the creation of an official organisation known as the General Netherlands Imports Centre, to which goods will be shipped directly. The Allied Governments under- take that goods consigned to the centre shall be passed through their contraband control without detention or delay, the centre, on its part, undertaking that there shall be no re-export to Germany of various categories of goods, notably foodstuffs, textiles and rubber, consigned to them under licence. The arrangement has been well received in Holland, on the ground that contraband interference will be reduced to a minimum and the normal trade of the country will continue on normal lines. Germany is critical, and is examining the situation to discover whether the decrees "can be considered compatible with Holland's obligations as a neutral." The phrase has an ominous sound, and the answer given to the question raised will no doubt depend, not at all on what Germany really thinks about Holland's observance of her neutrality, but on how far it may suit Germany's plans to violate it. No light will be thrown on that except by the unfolding of events.
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