Evening star., 1939-11-15
Strong Belgian Stand
Saved Netherlands,
Paris Reports
kozis, Ready to March,
Told Dutch Would Get
Immediate Aid
BY EDGAR ANSEL MOWRER,

BY EDGAR ANSEL MOWRER,
Chicago Daily News Foreien Correspondent.
PARIS, Nov. 15-The Netherlands
was saved from German week
end attack at the 18th hour only by
a Belgian declaration conveyed to
Germany that a NaZ invasion of
Holland would automatically bring
Belgium. France, and, naturally,
Great Britain, to the Netherlands
defense.
Faced last Friday by what was
considered virtually certain evidence
that Germany intended to launch
its armies against the Dutch over
the week end, the Belgian cabinet
acted with a magnificent burst of
courage. Having received assurances
from both France and Britain that
Belgium could absolutely count on
their military support to the limit,
the Ministers simply told the Ger
mans that Belgium and Belgium S
big friends would not stand for an
attack on Holland and would not
treat it as a localized affair, but
would enter into action in the de-
fense Of the Dutch Immediately.
This information, conveyed to
Adolf Hitler at the last available
moment, forced the Fuehrer to halt
his planned attack.
Strong Forces Ready.
1t has been known for a long time
that the German forces opposite
Holland, particularly in the hollow
Of the frontier near Cleves, were
being increased to size out of all
proportion with any but offensive
intentions. The last news insisted
that no less than Is German divi-
sions were identified along the
Dutch border and could be speedily
reinforced by others stationed near
Belgium and still others within easy
distance in the German interior.
Not only this. These divisions
we're pyramided one behind the
other, like a football team for a
smash through tackle, with armored
divisions we'll out in front. Holland,
it was commonly figured, might be
smashed and the seacoast reached
in a narrow strip, within 48 hours,
whatever measures the Dutch took,
for the Dutch Army is inexperienced
and none too we'll equipped and the
Dutch water, though the most for
midable of all barriers, is slow to rise,
while most of the highroads on which
armored divisions would travel fol-
low dikeS high above the general
plain.
No Limited War"
Then the Germans were suddenly
informed that they would not be
allowed to eat another artichoke
!eaf"-meaning the Netherlands-in
peace and that the moment the
! first German crossed the Dutch bor-
der Belgium's 20 divisions would
swing into action. 1t was known
that British air support to the
Dutch was certain, furthermore, and
that once Belgium opened its gates
British and French divisions, ar
mored and otherwise believed quail
tatively superior to German similar
units, would swing into action with
a speed which might open the eyes
even of Col Gen. Johannes Blasko-
witz and Col. Gen. Walter Won
Reichenau, who with their army
group commanders were prepared to
do to the Dutch what they had done
to the Poles.
In other words, the general limit
less war the Germans so far have
done everything to avoid would have
started, and the allies and Germans
would have met along the almost
completely open Dutch frontier
British air attacks on advancing
German columns would almost GER
talnly have started the air war which
both sides SO far have done every
thing to avoid
This correspondent can now state
that last Saturday the French staff
feverishly took all necessary meas
ures in expectancy Of an imminent
attack on Holland and the real
beginning OF the war"
Holland has been saved, at least
for short time. Obviously those
who know Hitler do not expect him
supinely to accept this terrific de-
feat.
| Copyright, 1899, CHICAGO Daily News Inc