Queen's Favorite

Stanchest supporter of Dutch Premier Dr. Hendrikus Colijn is his soverign, Queen Wilhelmina. Dr. Colijn is a devout Calvinist and a churchman who knows his Bible backwards and forwards. Her Majesty is the apotheosis of Protestantism e conservative, strong-willed Premier believes in balanced budgets, light taxes and a strong currency even in these days of cockeyed national finances; this seems the essence of good sense to the thrifty Queen.

The Netherlands electorate does not agree with Her Majesty, however, and the thrifty, devout Calvinist Premier's Anti-Revolutionary Party is outnumbered by both Catholic and Socialist Parties. Dr Colijn has ruled by forming unstable coalitions with the Catholics. Month ago the Cabinet split because the young energetic Catholics wanted to pitch into the unemployment problem with expensive public works and generous relief. This old Dr Colijn could not permit, for the budget was already unbalanced by an extensive armament program. The Cabinet resigned.

Queen Wilhelmina gave her aged favorite a free hand in forming a new Cabinet, but the Catholics would not cooperate and an alliance between Anti-Revolutionaries and Socialists was unthinkable. After three tries he gave up. The Queen asked conservative Catholic Dr. Dionysius A. P. N. Koolen to see what he could do, but even his own party was lukewarm in its support. Last week it was Dr. Colijn's turn again, and he finally produced a Cabinet of hoary oldsters, former Cabinet members and long-pensioned colonial officials. The new Government represents but a small section of Parliament and could be overthrown any time the Socialists and Catholics vote together against it. After being without a Cabinet for a month, Dutchmen hope the opposition will exercise discretion until this summer's critical days are over.

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