Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-11
This Changing World
Political Rother Than Military Strategy Seen
Dominant if Nozis Invade Netherlands
By CONSTANTINE BROWN.

BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
Military experts here and abroad
are still skeptical about an impend-
ing German attack on the Neither
lands and Belgium. They believe
some major operation is impending
on the western front, but they can
not see how the German general
staff can possibly consider a sue
cessful operation against the low
lands.
Should, however, this attack
against Holland materialize. the
opinion of the military experts is
that it will be motivated by political
rather than military strategy.
Heretofore all the diplomatic or
military moves Of Herr Hitler had
vague justification. He was able
to argue his people into fighting
Poland because of a number of
Germans living in that country and
because Of the anomaly of the Cor
ridor. The occupation of Czecho-
Slovakia was primarily based on the
fact that some two and half million
Germans lived in the Sudetenland.
But not by the widest stretch of
imagination can any one find ethno-
graphic or political reasons for Ger
many violating the territory of the
Netherlands, which has observed a
most scrupulous neutrality and has
no minority of any kind within its
European boundaries.
~ ~
All reports from Reich indicate
that the general staff and Field
Marshal Goering are not in favor of
action against Holland and Bel
GUM. They believe this would mean
the sacrifice of several hundred
thousand German lives for no good
purpose. Even if the lowlands were
conquered, after a long and bitter
struggle, the German Armies would
not be better of from the strategic
point of view. A German attack
would Immediately bring about
French British Intervention without
either. of the allies thinning their
present front. France and Great
Britain have enough men in reserve
at the present time to send all the
reinforcements the Dutch and the
Belgians may dtIce without weak
eng the Maginot lSle and making
German attack in that sector
easier.
Moreover. it is reported from Eu-
rope that Italy, which is still very
much on the fence, does not approve
of Germany infringing the neutral
ity OF two peaceful nations. It is the
opinion of many wel-informed OBJ
servers that a German onslaught
against the Dutch and Belgians
might be the determining factor in
1taly's present neutrality.
+ + +
The reported assistance which the
Germans have been promised by
Moscow in the event the German
adventure on the western front goes
sour is the only trump card being
used by Hitler's political advisers,
who are growing impatient at the
sloWnesS of the war It Is believed
that Moscow has indeed promised
the Germans all the aid necessary
II they started the war moving
again on large scale. But many
Germans who are lukewarm in re-
gard to the Berlin Moscow axis be-
lieve the Russians desire the ruin of
Germany, as well as that of the rest
OF Europe in order to promote the
idea Of a world revolution.
These advices from abroad are
based on conversations with leading
men in the European capitals and
on old-blooded estimate of the
military situation on this side of
the ocean.
The general military opinion Is
that it would be easier and more
beneficial for the Germans to try
and break through the Maginot line
than move through Holland and
find themselves confronted in the
end-after months of bitter fighting
and heavy losses-with the same
situation which confronts them at
present.
\ X X
The Belgian government takes a
serious view of the situation. This
Is natural for country which SUI
fered the brunt of a war between
1914 and 1918. They feel that in
the event Of a German attack after
Holland has been defeated Belgium
will become the theater of opera
lions Of the Germans, the French,