BELGIUM AND LUXEMBURG.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15037, 4 August 1914, Page 11

BELGIUM AND LUXEMBURG.

GERMANY'S TEMPTATION TO VIOLATE NEUTRALITY. It is mentioned in to-day's news that France has protested against Germany's violation of Luxemburg-. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a little kingdom of a thousand sauare miles enclosed by the frontiers of France, Germany, and ' Belgium. - In 1867 the Grand Duchy.was declared neutral territory by the Treaty of London, and its integrity and independence were guaranteed. It has belonged, ■ however, since 1-842 to the German Customs Union. ■" . .7 - -

In a sensational article .published by the "Matin." last year, M: Henry Berenger; a Senator, raised doubts as to the security of the Northern frontier against attack by way of .Belgium-and Luxemburg. General Pedoya, Deputy for Ariege, declared that M. Berenger's cry of alarm reflected the opinion of all those who had considered - too strategic problems of the next FrancoGerman war. An article in. the "Temps," unsigned, but" probably from the pen of General de Lacraix, reassured public opinion by affirming that the General Staff had considered the hypothesis of a German attack from the North, and that measures had been taken accordingly. The Northern frontier from Givet to Dunkirk, it was pointed out, owing to the lack of natural obstacles, had always been a temptation to the enemy. In 1870 Prussia was not strong enough to violate Belgian neutrality, and the invasion was from the north-east. Times had changed, and it did not now appear probable that the Treaty of London of 1831 could have a great influence over the natural development of Germany's strategic operations. The recent creation of railways and camps in tho Eifel only served to strengthen the probability of an attack by the Meuse and the Sambre. "Germany's situation, viewed from the standpoint of her very existence during a European war. obliges her to deal us a decisive blow as rapidly as possible. It must not be' forgotten that she draws from abroad a large portion of her foodstuffs, and that her ports, blockaded perhaps by a friendly fleet, could no longer revictual . her. The' prosperity of her finances rests. _no doubt, on the very flourishing condition of her trade and industry, but it does not allow of the test. of a • very long war. In spite of the fact that.it necessitates the violation of the neutrality of Belgium, and notwithstanding other eventualities which need not bo enumerated, it is therefore probable that the princinal mass of tho German Armies will attack by the North."