THE NETHERLANDS.
Between Waterloo, one of the world's most renowned battlefields,
and The Hague, which is to be the home of the Temple of Peace--what
a contrast; and yet Belgium and The Netherlands lie side by side!
Perhaps the contrast is chronological rather than geographical or
racial, for the Dutch have had their share of fighting on their
own soil, as they had their part in the victory of 1815. It seems
especially appropriate that The Hague should be chosen as the
permanent meeting place of the peace tribunal, for it is not only
centrally located for European countries, and, being small, is not
itself tempted to appeal to arms, but it has long been the home of
religious liberty, and its people were pioneers in the defense of
the doctrine that rulers exist for the people, not the people for
the rulers.
[Illustration: THE HAGUE]
The capital of The Netherlands--The Hague--(the name is taken
from the forest that adjoins) is a beautiful little city and will
furnish an appropriate setting for the building which Mr. Carnegie's
generosity is to provide. Plans are already being prepared for
this structure, and one of the officials showed me a picture
representing Peace, which may be reproduced upon the ceiling or
walls.
In the gallery at Moscow I saw a painting by the great Russian
artist, Vereshchagin. It is a pyramid of whitened skulls standing
out against a dark background, and is dedicated to "The Warriors
of the World." It tells the whole story of war in so solemn,
impressive, and terrible a way that Von Moltke is said to have
issued an order prohibiting German officers from looking at it when
it was exhibited at Berlin.
The emperor of Russia, who has the distinction and the honor of
having called together the conference which resulted in The Hague
tribunal, might with great propriety contribute to the Temple of
Peace this masterpiece of one of his countrymen, portraying so
vividly the evils which arbitration is intended to remedy.
[Illustration: THE MARKET PLACE AT AMSTERDAM.]
One of the members of the arbitration court told me that it was both
interesting and instructive to note how the nations appearing before
that court emphasized, not so much their pecuniary claims, as the
honor of their respective nations and the justice of their acts.
No one can foresee or foretell how great an influence The Hague
tribunal will have upon the world's affairs, but it would seem
difficult to exaggerate it. It is cultivating a public opinion
which will in time coerce the nations into substituting arbitration
for violence in the settlement of international disputes; and it
ought to be a matter of gratification to every American that our
country is taking so active a part in the forwarding of the movement.
But The Hague is not the only place of interest in The Netherlands.
The land replevined from the sea by the sturdy Dutch and protected
by dykes, the spot immortalized by the temporary sojourn of the
Pilgrims, the familiar blue china, the huge wind mills with
their deliberate movements, the wooden shoes, and the numerous
waterways--all these attract the attention of the tourist.
And the commercial metropolis of Holland,--Amsterdam--what a quaint
old city it is! Its more than three hundred canals roaming their way
through the city, and its hundreds of bridges, have given to it the
name of "The Northern Venice," and it well deserves the appellation.
The houses are built on piles, and as many of them are settling,
they lean in every direction, some out toward the street, some back,
and some toward the side. The houses are so dependent upon each
other for support, it is a common saying in that city that if you
want to injure your neighbor, you have only to pull down your own
house.
[Illustration: A NETHERLANDS STATESMAN.]
Amsterdam is the center of the diamond cutting industry of the
world, more than ten thousand hands being employed in that work. As
is well known, the Dutch are a rich people, and their commerce, like
their mortgages, can be found everywhere.
They have a constitutional monarchy, but they have universal
education and parliamentary government, and are jealous of their
political rights.
Denmark, Belgium and The Netherlands--three little kingdoms! Small
in area, but brimful of people, and these people have their part in
the solving of problems with which Europe is now grappling.
[Illustration: A DUTCH WINDMILL.]