New Foreign Minister Tables Bill in Chamber The Hague, Nov. 30.
A bill would be tabled shortly to Provide humane help for China, announced the now Foreign Minister, Dr. Patijn, in his maiden speech im the Lower House to-day.
Dr. Patijn stated that he would continue on the lines of his. pre~ decesser, Dr. Colijn, in foreign polley.
All possible conditions of safely, declared, would be fulfilled if the Netherlands inspired confidence that they would defend themselves At any. cost.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that "the Netherlands were wholly free on the question of armaments, The country was not bound by. Promises oF secret treaties, In regard to 9 declaration of neutrality, Dr. Patijn said that the Netherlands were ina different position from Belium.. The Netherlands Government, he declared, had always. taken the stand that they should decide whether passage of foreign armies through their territory could be allowed.
It the great Powers, under obligation to the Netherlands, agreed that violation of Netherlands. territory would be a casus. belli, the Foreign Minister added, the Nether~ lands Government could not object, Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.