The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-09-07

a result the neutrality Of the country
has been vigorously respected.
From the ear 1916 on, every boy in
the kingdom has been obliged to pre-
pare for military service. 1t is not de-
sirable to give the exact. number Of
soldiers in the army which has been
modified since July Of the year 1914.
But in a general way we can state that
every male being in the country who is
Of good physical condition and who
can walk with a gun across his Shout
ders has in some direct or indirect
fashion given part of his time inc his
services for the benefit Of his country.
The old law, which made an exception
for only sons, was reScinded several
years ago. n Napolenic system, which
allowed rich young men to buy them
selves out Of the army, has been abol-
ished. The army is now a democratic
school, in which classes are thrown to-
gether for one common purpose.
Every young man who has reached
the age of 10 years ppears at his
special garrison. For q full year he is
instructed in the rudimentary princi-
pies Of a soldiers trade. If he cares to
enter the special service Of artillery,
aircraft, or bmarin work., he will
have to spend one or two years more.
In that case, however, he learns a USE
full trade which will help his chances
in his future work. When he has been
taught his business he goes back into
private life. Except for a short annual
maneuver, he has nothing further to do
With the military system until a sudden
emergency shall call him back to the
colOrs.
Holland a hope to accomplish
great things with comparatively weak
forces, because it has an ally mightier
h steel or irOn or high explosives.
That ally is the North sea. The king
dam ~ tHA NT-tla-l.,. l. .-.. I-t
conquered from the ocean. Open the
dikes which defend the land against
the angry aggressions of the sea and
the country will disappear beneath
three feet Of water. This excellent
method of defense was known to our
ancestors. 1t was first used in the year
1872. In the month Of April in that
year a number of starving Dutch revo-
~lutionists captured a small Dutch town
named Brielle. The Spaniards tried
to reconquer 1t. The Hollanders opened
the locks of the Meuse. The water
came and h Spaniards went.
"A few later the town Of Lei
den, situate in the heart of the coun-
try, was delivered from Spanish siege
by a fleet Of catboats and flat bot
toned scows sailing across an i'm
promptu lake and storming Spanish
forts after a charge Of swimming and
wading sailors.
In the year 1915, when the new
kingdom of the Netherlands was de-
tlnltely reconstructed, it was decided
70 use the water in a scientific fashion
for the defense Of the country. The
eastern part, flat and covered with
heath, was to be left open to invasion.
The heart of the country, nine feet be-
low the level Of the sea, was to be
turned into an ingenious fortress.
AT the present time the old idea has
been continued with but small changes.
A strong force of cavalry and infantry
provided with bicycles is left for the
defense Of this territory. These men
must try and stay the invading power
as long as possible. 1t is their duty to
destroy all bridges and to dispute any
attempt Of the enemy to cross the bie
rivers. Meanwhile the regular army
a retired behind the system of for
tresses and foundations, which are al
together designated as the 'waterline.'
The 'Waterline' consists of two
parts. The first line Of defense runs
from the Zuyder Zee due south to the
loWer parts or the rivers Mouse and
Rhine. 1t cuts off the provinces of
North n South Holland. and half of
the province Of Utrech. 1t creates
a large artificial lake from six to 10
miles wide, which covers all roads ca
nails, bridges, railroad tracks and
fences.
In many places where an attack
might be expected, barbed wire fences
have been constructed in such a fash
ion that they will be completely COW
cred by water. At irregular intervals
there are more than 40 little Islands
armed with heavy guns. They cover ali
the roads which in normal times cross
this territory, and they know the ex-
act range Of every foot of ground Cor,
rather, mud) in h waterline.
Behind this first line of defense
stretches the second one, which is the
most important. 1t consists Of another
group Of foundations and some 4S for
tifications, and forms a broad circle of
defense for the town Of Amsterdam,
Here the strength Of the country has
been concentrated and, ever since the
beginning of the war, every lock and
every dixie have been guarded. Within
six hours this territory would be ready
to resist an invasion. Within IL hours
thousands Of acres Of the most fertile
grazing land would be covered with
four feet Of salt water. After a day
and night neither man nor machine
could cross the artificial sea surround
ing the hear Of the country. The much
dreaded shells of the heavy siege guns
would cause a big splash, but would do
no damage"