Ɛpsilon

WCP2709

Letter (WCP2709.2599)

[1]1,2,3

De Jonge Gids.

REDACTIE.

Amsterdam, RINGKADE 6.

June 26th 1898

Dear Sir,

The Dutch Social-democratic Review, "De Jonge Gids" lacking in consideration the senseless way in which Dutch government assisted by a Parliament which has only big eyes for interests of capitalists — throws millions away for 'national defense", takes the liberty to adress [sic] the following questions to a number of intelligent foreigners.

1e. Do you believe that a small and economic-feeble nation like Holland needs indeed an army, a navy and a lot of military officials?

2e. Do you believe that when this defenseless [2] people felt inclined to discuss its independency would be in greater danger than today?

In giving an argumented reply you would greatly oblige.

Yours respectfully | Herman Heijermans4 [signature]

[3]5

1
In ARW’s handwriting, "Answered".
2
The letter has not been found. An extract was printed in 1898 as part of an article entitled 'Holland's Militairisme' in Volume two of Heijermans’ socialist journal De Jonge Gids.
3
Wallace, A. R. 1899. Holland's militarisme [Dutch militarism], II. Meening van Dr. A. Russel Wallace: National defence for small communities. De Jonge Gids (Amsterdam) 2: 193-194.
4
Heijermans, Herman (1864-1924). Dutch journalist, author, and playwright.
5
In unknown handwriting, "Heijermansh".

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP2709.2599)]

For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon

Revision history

Transcribed by Paterson, Gavin [2019-12-17] Transcription checked by Chua, Christine [2026-04-18]

Please cite as “WCP2709,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP2709