The German Oculist
Theposition of Holland as a neutral state is one of increasing difficulty. She has no desire to join in the war on either side; all she asks for is to be left alone to pursue her own mercantile path and to maintain the rights and privileges of her kingdom. Naturally enough, however, she feels very uneasy at the close proximity of a power like Germany, which has shown how little the independence of nationalities is regarded in her military councils. Holland, it must be remembered, has the example of Belgium before her eyes. She knows therefore what it must mean to be overrun by Hunnish hordes, and to lose at once the vitality of her national life and the security of her towns.
Raemaekers’ picture graphically depicts the efforts that are being made by German agents to convert Holland’s neutrality into an active support of Berlin. The German oculist trying on spectacles persuades his patient that the Dutch cry “Oranje Boven” is synonymous with “Deutschland über Alles.” In the earlier stages of the war it did not interfere with German projects that Holland should remain neutral, for hers was a useful country through which to import the various supplies of munitions and food which Germany needed. Now, however, that the stringency of the British blockade has so largely interfered with the transit of goods, Germany may discover it to be to her advantage to possess Holland as an Ally. Hence the zeal of the Teuton oculist and his insidious attempts to make the Dutchman see things as Germany sees them. The fact is, of course, that the possession of the Dutch coast line would add not a little to German facilities in her submarine and Zeppelin attacks.
W. L. COURTNEY
ORANJE BOVENGerman Oculist(trying on spectacles): “What do you read now?”Dutchman: “Deutschland über Alles.”German Oculist: “That is right; that pair exactly suits you.”“Oranje Boven” is the Dutch cry which answers to the German “Deutschland über Alles.”
ORANJE BOVENGerman Oculist(trying on spectacles): “What do you read now?”Dutchman: “Deutschland über Alles.”German Oculist: “That is right; that pair exactly suits you.”“Oranje Boven” is the Dutch cry which answers to the German “Deutschland über Alles.”
ORANJE BOVEN
German Oculist(trying on spectacles): “What do you read now?”
Dutchman: “Deutschland über Alles.”
German Oculist: “That is right; that pair exactly suits you.”
“Oranje Boven” is the Dutch cry which answers to the German “Deutschland über Alles.”