ghty-five miles long from north to south, and from ten to forty-five
broad. It proved, moreover, quite as treacherously dangerous a sea as
that which divided her from Britain."

The capital city of Holland contains more than a quarter of a million
people. Perhaps the most outstanding building in The Hague is the Palace
of Peace. It was dedicated August 28, 1913. Something like twenty
countries contributed materials for this great building. The granite in
the base of the walls came from Norway and Sweden, the marble in the
great corridor is Italian; Holland supplied the steps in the great
stairway, and the group of statuary at the foot of this stairway came
from Argentina.

The stained glass in the windows of the Court of Law came from Great
Britain, and the rosewood in the paneling of the Council Chamber is
Brazil's contribution. Turkey and Roumania each supplied carpets,
Switzerland furnished the clock, and Belgium the iron work on the door
at the main entrance. Our own contribution was a group of statuary in
marble and bronze at the first landing of the great stairway. Russia and
China furnished vases, Japan sent silken curtains, and France furnished
a magnificent painting. Thus the nations builded together and we all
hope the dream for which this Palace of Peace stands will soon become a
reality. We are glad that the building is now open again.

For more than four years Holland occupied perhaps the most difficult
position in which any country was ever placed. Every day of that time
she was between the "devil and the deep sea." Compelled to be ready for
invasion every moment, yet trying to remain strictly neutral, she had
the job of feeding hundreds of thousands of refugees. These were anxious
months and years, but the Dutch did most remarkably well and kept their
heads above water all the time. No people were more happy to see peace
come although they were compelled to harbor the greatest enemy
civilization ever had.

CHAPTER IX

THE NATION THAT THE WORLD HONORS--BELGIUM

During the world war the eyes of the world were upon Belgium and it is
quite fitting that an article be devoted to this little country whom the
world honors. Although one of the smallest of all the independent
nations yet before the invasion this little country stood eighth in
wealth and sixth in export and import trade among the nations. Texas is
more then twenty times as large as Belgium. Although not nearly all her
land is under cu