New-York tribune., 1919-01-19
GUARAN TE
The Rhine Barrier

Marshal Foch declares that "the Rhine
is the natural frontier which will protect
civilization. All the world must note
soberly what he says. He does not speak
as politician. He is not thinking in
terms of national ACKNOWLEDGMENT. His
view is simply that of the cear-eyed sol
der who has fought and won the battle
of civilization and who wants to con-
serve the fruits of victory.
"The Rhine is the guarantee of peace
for all nations who have shed their
blood in the cause of liberty" SO the
Allied generalissimo holds. France made
the greatest sacrifice to that cause. Pos
session of the Rhine barrier would help
greatly to guarantee her against a repe-
tition of that sacrifice. But the guaran-
tee would be not for France alone 1t
would hold also for Western Europe and
for the Allied nations which have just
freed themselves from the menace of
German frightfulness.
Foch's military Judgment cannot cas-
ily be disputed. What if the safeguards
of league of nations turned out after
all to be only paper safeguards? The
countries which have felt the teeth and
claws of the German beast cannot be
blamed for demanding other safeguards.
A Germany confined behind the barrier
Of the Rhine would hardly be able again
to get that foothold in France and Bel
GUM from which it took the Allied
armies more than four years to dislodge
her
Germany prepared to conquer West
ern Europe when she annexed Alsace
and Lorraine in 1871. In the great
fortresses Of the Rhine she already pos
sessed an almost impregnable line of
defence. In Metz she acquired a sally
port projecting into French territory.
Belgium lay between the Rhine Province
and Northern France. But the Germans
intended to violate Belgian neutrality
and thus find d second avenue of inva-
sion leading toward Paris.
The supposed inviolability of Belgium
vas no protection to France. From a
military point of view it would be no
protection in the future Adequately
to guard both Belgium and France. the
frontier of Western democracy would
nave to be advanced eastward to the
Rhine from Switzerland to Holland.
That would mean that Germany, intend
ing to attack Western Europe again.
would have first Of all to clear the great
est single obstacle nature has placed in
the way Of armies marching west out
Of Prussia.
Even with Alsace and Lorraine lost
the Rhine would remain Germany's line
Of mobilization on the west. This line
IS guarded by the fortresses Of Cologne,
Oobenz and Manz. 1t could still serve,
as 1t did IN 1870, with the Rhine PROV
nee and Rhenish Bavaria as humping
on points beyond If it were elimi-
mated Germany would have to 90 back
many miles and construct new systems
of military concentration.
Marshal Foch makes no suggestions
~ltn regard to political reconstruction
mat Is outside his field German terri
ory west Of the Rhine might be com
''neo INTO an independent small state,
"eu1rallzed as Belgium is or as Luxem-
,'lg is' the Allies retaining military con
1' q the river But these are questions
~ 'ae statesmen at Paris who are re-
.@s'ing the map Of Europe Marshal
'cA speaks only as a soldier who is try
''s 70 lessen the chances Of another Ger
"'@n irruptlon into Western Europe.
German military aspirations, as well
% German patriotic sentiment, were
,,1'yssaiilzed in Die Wacht am Rhein. "
'cn merely turns the facts Of the mill
4'y situation against the Germans when
ae says: "Thcn let US watch on the
Rhine"