Friday's Times contains a telegram from Brussels headed "Germany, Holland,
and Belgium," which deserves the careful attention of all those who realise that it is quite possible that in the near future the most vital and absorbing foreign problem may be the relations of Germany and Holland, and the attempt by the greater to absorb the lesser State. According to the Times correspondent, Dr. Kuyper, the leading Dutch statesman, is "keenly alive to
the benefits arising from a closer commergial union with Germany," in spite of the official denials that he con-.
templates any movement in that direction. The Dutch
must, of course, settle their own affairs for themselves ; but unless we are greatly mistaken, they will resent the loss of commercial independence for its own sake, and will also remember that it is only too likely to be followed by the loss of political freedom. We are speaking now only of a voluntary loss of Dutch independence. If any forcible interference with that independence were attempted, this country would certainly have something to say in the matter, and would, we trust and believe, be supported by America, and France and the other free Governments of the world.
