London, Nov. 24 The Netherlands Government has made representations to the British Government against the trade reprisals planned in retaliation against the German mine campaign. The Netherlands Minister in London has told the British Foreinn fice that the proposed measures are particularly harmful' to neutrals, whether ar receivers or transporters of German soos.
The Dutch action is commented upon with surprise by authoritative circles in London, as Holland is said to have remained silent in face of German measures calculated to inflict far greater damage to neutral shipping.and, in their wanton course, aim At neutral vessels regardless of the destination or origin of cargo, where-fas the British move is confined pure ly to cargoes of German origin, is worth recalling, the same circles state, the sentence from Mr. Winston Churchill's "World Crisis" about a similar measure in the last war—"It is for neutral nations to recognize that it is not practically Possible, nor in neutral interests, 10 Claim the maintenance of a situation which would deprive naval strength of all rights while permitting naval weakness to indulge in every abuse."
These conditions, it is added, apply with additional force today, because neutral trade has already suffered as a result of the German campaign, to Which the British action is a reply.
Effort to Shorten War The more extensively Germany is able to carry on the war, it is pointed out, the greater the loss likely to suffered by neutral ships a crews; by their retaliation the Allies. itis asserted, are shortening the term of Germany's ability to menace the trade of the world. The British The Government is said to have shown considerable forbearance in the interest of neutrals in not taking this: action earlier, as it must have been fully expected by the German Gov The speed with which the elaborate scheme is now being put into operation as a result. of the utmost provocation, observers here state, illustrates the British ability to take decisive, forceful action, Tt Is also worth emphasizing, they say, that the French Government faking a similar measure, and is wholeheartedly favouring the policy. Those observers then say that consistency of "German propaganda Surpasses itself in recent. broadcasts with reference to mine Iaying inthe Worth Sea, The following four contentions, "Seven tf the mits the tsin Mis me ans of without I ie Germany's alm tin maritime auare, cio srtue "were alt "overseas Tt is not clear, the same observers assert, how. mines can discriminate between warships and neutral mer= chant, ships at spots where all over= seas lines mect—Reuter,
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