THE LOW COUNTRIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 141, 23 September 1910, Page 2

THE LOW COUNTRIES.

GERMANY'S DESIGNS. It was recently cnW- d that Holland proposed to spend £3,000,000 on her coastal defences, and that it was alleged she did so under pressure from Germany. Germany has long been credited with a desire to possess Holland and Belgium, and it is (generally considered that th:: independence of Holland, at any rate, would not long survive a war in which Germany was victorious. The neutrality of Belgium was guaranteed by the Treaty of London of 1831, which was signed by Great Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia. Writing in a recent number of the Nineteenth Century on the subject, Captain Cecil Battin said: "A straight line drawn from Berlin to Paris not only traverses the territory of Belgium, but approximately follows through German territory the main line of rail and road which must be followed by the greater part of the German troops available for war with France. The fortified line of the Meuse bars the progress of the Germans in any attempt to invade Prance from iStrasburg and Metz. While it is certain that the Prussian authorities face the possibility of having to recast their scheme of concentration according to the circumstances which may arise on the outbreak of war with France, yet everything < indicates the probability of large German barrier forces attempting to turn the Franch barrier forts on "the Meuse by crossing Belgian territory, nor is it a secret that the German Government has already as-, sured the Belgian that, should such a necessity unfortunately be forced upon the German authorities, yet the passage of troops through the country would be but a temporary expedient, and that Belgian independence is safe, provided only that Belgian neutrality is maintained in the war. The development of the German railways debouching on the Belgian territory and the Meuse Valley, the sidings for detraining troops, and other preparations, left no doubt that the alternative of marching through Belgian territory was being carefully arranged for by the Prussian General Staff. Since concealment was no longer possible, nothing remained but explanation to soothe' Belgian susceptibilities. For the moment,' and so long as she remains on the defensive, Franee has every interest in supporting strict recognition of the inviolability of Belgian territory, thereby narrowing the frontier exposed to Ger-j man attack, and compelling the invader j to negotiate the 'Meuse forts, and to ! move out of the direct line which covers: his own capital and base. If, however, circumstances changed so as to enable I the French to resume the attacking role, it would be even more advantageous to their strategy to use Belgium as an ad-! yanced base against Germany than it is nowadays for Germany against France,' because this line of attack avoids the 1 fortified zones which bar the Moselle Valley and which hinder the passage of the broad Rhine. A direct march on Berlin by the main line of railway also skirts the comparatively barren hill' country of the interior, and falls at once upon the mpst important industrial centre of German, the occupation of which l»y the enemy would be a grave' Asaster affecting the power of Germany, for prolonged resistance." «