![]() As a consequence, it is of great importance for the Allied powers to defend Belgium and rush reënforcements to the Belgian army, whose resistance against German power could not be indefinitely prolonged. The temporary possession and occupation of Belgium, therefore, would be a trump card in the hands of the German diplomats when conditions of peace were discussed. Neither France nor England could possibly allow Belgium to belong to Germany, for such possession would create a permanent and extremely grave threat for both nations. The only purpose that a German attack on Belgium and its conquest would serve would be its trading value during the negotiations for peace. ![]() From this point of view, in declaring war on Belgium the Reich would uselessly increase the number of its enemies. ![]() The rapid crossing of Belgium in a surprise attack on France is no longer possible. Under these conditions the strategic advantages which Germany anticipated in 1914 have disappeared. The lines of defense have been solidly fortified the King of Belgium, who is a careful and conservative gentleman, recently declared in an official speech that the army assailing Belgium at this time would meet a resistance at least ten times stronger than that of 1914. Today this country has under arms an army of 800,000 men equipped with modern armament. The active army contained only 75,000 soldiers the infantry was armed only with rifles there was no heavy artillery, and practically no machine guns. At that time the Belgian military forces were very feeble. The invasion of Belgium in 1914 was an attempt to turn the French fortifications. ![]() The strategic positions of the two countries as far as Germany is concerned have certain points in common, but they are not exactly similar. Belgians and Dutch alike fear the conquering and dominating spirit of Germany, and their defensive effort is definitely turned toward the east. Since Belgium became a nation more than a hundred years ago, she has only once been invaded, which was, of course, by Germany in 1914. Great Britain for a much longer period has shown no disposition toward continental expansion, and in spite of her command of the seas, owing to the greatness of her navy, England has during the past years in no way interfered with the maritime activity of the small nations. France has long since given up the idea of territorial expansion as far as the Low Countries are concerned. Their official acts, in the maintenance of neutrality, indicate the conviction that their frontiers are equally menaced by all the belligerents, but this point of view is more official than real. I am going to try to explain this situation which at first seems paradoxical.īelgium and Holland have in reality only one attack to fear, that of Germany. ![]() This appearance is partially deceptive, and there are serious reasons for believing that the Low Countries will escape from a destiny which would certainly be disastrous for them. So it would seem at first sight that these two small, pacific, and hard-working nations are at the mercy of either belligerent, and that they will inevitably be dragged into the war. Belgium, like Holland, possesses rich colonies, but access to them is impossible without freedom of the seas. Through the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam foreign products pass into the interior of Europe, and through the same ports the products of Germany and other countries are dispersed to the world. Moreover, Belgium and Holland, with their extremely dense populations, - Belgium is the most thickly settled country in the world, - can only live and exist through international commerce. These two countries, which between them have not more than sixteen million inhabitants, are surrounded by peoples ten times more numerous, and all at war, not only on land but at sea. WHEN one glances at the map of Europe at war, one sees a small spot miraculously untouched in the midst of a conflagration - the Low Countries, Belgium and Holland. ![]()
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