“The cradle of a university of five centuries’ standing, and today herself partly in ruins, the City of Louvain cannot fail to associate with the memory of Washington, one of the greatest Captains, the name of the learned professor whose admirable precepts and high political attainments, as also his firmness of character and dignity of life, all contributed to carry him successively to the Presidency of Princeton University, the Governorship of New Jersey, and finally the Presidency of the United States.

“In order to perpetuate to future generations remembrances of these sentiments and our ardent gratitude, the Burgomaster and Aldermen have decided this day that in the new parts of the city, as they rise out of the ruins, three streets or squares shall receive the illustrious names of President Wilson, Washington, and American Nation.”

The State of Holland

An Answer to H.G.  Wells by Hendrik Willem van Loon

To the Editor of The New York Times:

My attention has been drawn to an article by H.G.  Wells, published by THE NEW YORK TIMES and by CURRENT HISTORY in its March number which proposed that Holland give Germany the coup de grace, suddenly attack Aix and Cologne, cut off Germany’s line of supplies, and thereby help win the war for the cause of justice.  I am not writing this answer in any official capacity, but I have reason to believe that I write what most of my fellow-countrymen feel upon the subject.

Holland is neutral.  The country is just as neutral as Belgium would have been had she not been invaded; as neutral as Denmark and Switzerland and the other small countries which are suffering so severely through this war.  If any power should attack Holland, Holland would no longer be neutral, but would inundate the central part of the provinces of North and South Holland, would occupy the very strong position around Amsterdam, and would fight to the end.  But unless attacked directly Holland will take no part in this war.

Mr. Wells hints at the idea of the righteousness of the cause of the Allies.  All races and all colors have been brought together to beat Germany.  Now Holland ought to do the same.  She is in a position to exercise great power with her fresh troops.  In the name of humanity, which has been so grievously maltreated in Belgium, let her join.  I think that the answer of the greater part of our people would be somewhat as follows: 

No quarrel was ever made by a single person.  It takes two to start a fight.  England and Germany are fighting for the supremacy of commerce.  In the course of this quarrel Belgium has been sacrificed.  We are extremely sorry.  We have opened our frontiers to all of our southern neighbors, They were welcome to flee to us with all their belongings.  We shall take care of them so long as they wish to stay.  Our position is not always easy.  The Dutch and