They would have the choice between a naval war with England and a Continental war with their German neighbours--two possibilities, each of which contains great dangers.

That England would pay much attention to the neutrality of weaker neighbours when such a stake was at issue is hardly credible.
The ultimate decision of the individual neutral States cannot be foreseen.

It would probably depend on the general political position and the attitude of the other World Powers to the Anglo-German contest.

The policy adopted by France and Russia would be an important factor.

One can easily understand under these circumstances that the Dutch are seriously proposing to fortify strongly the most important points on their coast, in order to be able to maintain their neutrality on the sea side.