NEUTRALS NEXT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3022, 8 March 1917, Page 6

NEUTRALS NEXT

GERMANY'S WEAKER NEIGHBOURS IN PERIL. Among the recent questions put to Lord French when interviewed by Mr. E. P: Bell, the London correspondent; of the "Chicago Daily News," was tho following:— ■ Are tho small neutral countries adjacent to Germany in danger of being overrun by the Teutonic armies, and in their turn treated as Belgium and others have-,been treated?

"I certainly think so," was the reply of the Field-Marshal—"this brilliant and sympathetic soldier," as Mr.' Bell describes him, "who, though almost naked of artillery, held the Teutonic legions at Ypres, saved the Chantiel ports, and made a vital turningpoint in the war." "How much can the Central Empires add to their military strength by. impressing Belgians, Serbians, Poles, and Russians? How many thousands or scores of thousands of Germans may , be thrown into the fighting fronts as a result of these impressments?" Mr. Bell asked.

Speaking with characteristic) anima- ' tion and directness, Lord French re- / plied: '''Field fortification and spade-' work are of far more importance and value to-day than at any previous time-, in the history of war. If the manual; labour thus entailed can be carried ous\ by impressing the populations of countries which have been subjurgated by hostile troops, this, of course, would; add immensely to the strength of the fighting fronts." • . .' . There aro many; other ways in which the populations of subjugated countries can be used, and principally it is necessary to consider and determine the military value of impressed men on lines of communication. This also is of much increased importance in war . to-day. It is difficult to assess this 'extra strength in-actual figures. Asked what'would be the effect upon' Germany's military position if she were', to give Holland, Denmark, Nor\ffay, and perhaps Sweden, the choico of joining her or being subjugated Lord French replied: "The subjugation of these other States will increase German military power in proportion as her military strength has boon enhanced ,by impressing the populations of the smaller countries she already has over- . run." '' .

"Then aro all these little States about Germany nn the nature of lifebuoys that she might seize if she were sinking?" Mr. Bell remarked. ' "Yes, I think so," was the reply.