Sept. 6.
Strictty speaking, Queen Wilhelmina has occupied the throne of Holland for nearly thirty-three years, having succeeded her father William IIT in 1890 when she was but ten years old. But until her eight-tenth year when she was "'inaugurated'' at Amsterdam, the business of state was carried on under the regency of the Queen-Mother. Thus it is that to-day her Majesty is celebrating her silver jubilee among the heartfelt congratulations of the subjects who adore her. In those felicitations the British people will share with all possible good will. The value. to their respective peoples of the thrones which survived the war was enhanced by contrast with the failings of those which it destroyed, and there is an instinctive and natural sympathy between those nations which continue to enjoy the manifold advantages of a monarchical constitution. But for many years past the most cordial feeling has prevailed between J British and Dutch. There were times during the war when Holland was accused by some of leanings towards Germany, a suspicion not wholly unnatural in view of the Queen's Consort being.a German Prince: for on that fact there can be little doubt that Berlin counted to bring Holland under Prussian influence. But in those passionate days, judgment was-not always too clear-sighted and long before the end of the War it Was realized that the Dutch people and their Queen desired anything rather than to pass under the German yoke, from which her Majesty's birth bad saved them. Moreover, while they. preserved such careful neutrality as the importance of giving no offence to their formidable neighbour required, they were most lavish in kindnesses to the thousands of the Allied nations who came within their horders, to Belgians fleeing before the German invasion, to French refugees driven northwards by the German' retreat, and to the British fighting men interned in Holland, who could not say enough of the kind treatment they received.
For much of this and for the wise policy pursued by Holland in very perilous. days, Queen Wilhelmina was personally res-' ponsible. The warrings of her neighbours proved a heavy expense to Holland. Not only did her trade suffer, but she had to maintain a large army on: perpetual war footing, to defend her frontier from violation. This increase in the army was the direct work of Queen Wilhelmina, who takes the keenest interest in her soldiers and has acquired. no little military knowledge. In addition, she kept in close touch with all questions of foreign policy, and no despatch of any importance left Holland without her personal examination and approval. Like all monarchs worthy of the name she is a hard-worker, and her judgment is held in high esteem by those who work with' her. In private life Her Majesty is an endearing personality, a great lady but none the less pleasant and considerate to those about her, enjoying those simple pursuits which were considered the natural part of her sex when she was a young girl and, although possessed of very great wealth, of modest and even frugal tastes in every-day life. Under her rule the Dutch people have on' the whole enjoyed the prosperity which from the days of the kings of Israel
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.