Evening star., 1939-09-03
European NeutroIs
Prepare Defenses
BIZ Frederic J. Hdskin.

but, 50 febrile has become the political
situation on the worried continent that
they have prepared themselves to defend
their borders and their cities against
aggressors These countries have been
neutrals for so long in so many conflicts
that it is half forgotten that they both
have exceedingly warlike backgrounds.
No one can read Of the tales of Switzer-
lands struggles for independence and
Hollands expulsion of the Spanish con-
querors without realizing that neutrality
has been a matter of policy and not one
of supineness.
Both countries escaped invasion in the
World War, but both learned lesson. 1t
is believed that all that saved Holland
from invasion by Germany was the
tremendous adverse reaction through
out the world to her march through Bel
gium, despite the guarantee of treaty
the famous scrap OF paper.
At any rate Holland is taking no
chances. Her border marches with Ger
many and while Americans often use the
term Dutch" somewhat Interchangeable,
the fact is that the Dutch are not SYM
pathetic with Germany at all. They
speak different language and have diff
ferent ideals.
Holland does not want to be embrolled
in any European war, but has felt 1t
necessary to be prepared. While very
little has been said about the matter.
especially on this side of the Atlantic,
Holland has built border fortress mod
eled after the famous Maginot Line OF
the French and said to be as impreg-
nable. Indeed, French engineers are
understood to have assisted in the de-
sign.
This border fortress is mostly under
ground. with easements emerging from
the surface at various points. In the
sand dune regions these are readily
camoufaged The same general size and
shape Of sand dunes, they are colored OF
the same hue and are dificult to iden-
tify from a distance on land and from
the air Beneath the surface are quar-
ters for large numbers of troops and all
that is known to military science is at
these mems command.
At all frontier bridge heads and out
side the various cities and towns of the
Netherlands small underground forts
have been constructed and also barriers
especially designed to resist the advance
of tanks Intricate barbed wire defenses
can be put in place on short notice
Holland is a country famous for Its
artists in the past and there is much
artistic talent still there. 1t has been
utilized in camouf1age work by the mill
tary authorities and some remarkable
effects have been achieved. An enemy
might come upon what appears to be
one of the old Dutch windmills. right
out of Dutch landscape by Hobbema
or Van der Nicer. but he had better be-
ware That windmill may become .
vastly more fearsome adversary than any
Don Quixote ever encountered.
The period of compulsory military
training in the Netherlands has been in
creased from six months to two years.
At few hours notice 100000 trained
will bring 1000 900 to the colors Their
equipment is modern in every respect
and the men know how to use it. In
addition to the many land Notifications,
the mouths of the Scheldt and the Mas
have been mined and the whole coast Is
fortified, especially with anti-aircraft
guns.
co1Ipyr, th;yke of up1lord
going nation in these times, except for
her picturesque fishing boats. but 1t must
not be forgotten that once Holland was
almost mistress of the seas. Won Tromp
was terror to all nations and De Ruy-
ter actually sailed up the Thames to
London and threatened to lombard the
capital city Of the nation which claimed
to rule the waves. AS part of her new
defense plans, Holland has built new
navy of no mean strength.
Holland, of course, is Vulnerable to
far greater extent than Switzerland be-
cause of her colonies in the East and in
the West Indies. She must keep open
her lines of communications with these,
and she must be especially strong to
fight for her rights, because she con-
trolls such vast resource of rubber,
which has become one of the more
precious of world economic materials
No one can read the stirring tales Of
William Tell and Arnold Won Winkelreid
without realizing that underneath their
peaceable exterior, the Swiss have a war
| like strain. Although having the longest
record of neutrality of any country.
Switzerland has been caught up in the
European fever and has gone far to pre-
pare for defense She has tremendous
initial advantage in that almost the en-
| tire country is natural fortress.
While she has standing federal army.
her military strength is chiefly militia.
each cantonment operating more or less
independently. The Swiss defenders have
similarity to the early Americans In
that each soldier keeps his arms con-
stantly by him. Few other countries In
| Europe would have sufficient faith in the
loyalty of their nationals to permit them
to be perpetually armed in their own
| homes. There is compulsory military
| training, but each soldier is permitted to
| take his rifle and ammunition home. The
| limited cavalry keep their mounts at
| their homes. Thus, Swiss Army can
be modified, ready equipped, more rap
idly than any other army in the world.