Evening star., 1940-01-07
Dutch Scholars in America
Organize Cultural Society
Dr.. A. J. Burnouw
Heads New Group
Formed Here

A score OF NetherlandS-born edu-
Gators met at the Netherlands Le-
cation yesterday and Friday to form
an organization to promote cultural
relations between North America
and their native land.
They called the new group the
Society of Netherlands Scholars In
North America, and named as their
first president DR.. Adrian Jacob
Barnouw of Columbia University,
the only professor of Duth Htera-
ture and language in the United
States.
The idea for the new association
originated several months ago dur
ing conversation between DR.. A.
Loudon, Minister from the Neither
lands, and DR.. Barnouw. The Min
lister invited the group to meet
at the Legation, and the scholars
made him their honorary presi-
dent, although he was not eligible
for membership, since he was neith-
er an educator nor a scientist.
The association includes five as
tronomers and various chemists,
theologists, geographers, historians,
research men, mathematicianS and
inventors, drawn from colleges and
universities in the United States,
and from scientific institutions.
The temporary secretary was T.
w. Scheltema of the Library of
Congress and the permanent Sec
retary named yesterday was DR..
S. Van Valkenburg of Clark Uni
versity, Worcester. Mass.
Water Defense Described.
DR.. Van Valkenburg, geography
professor in the graduate school Of
the university, described the Neither
lands intricate water defense to
the scholars, discussing it from the
geographical standpoint.
He explained how things that had
happened 10000 years ago had help
ed construct the defenses and how
glaciers and shifting rivers for
thousands of years had created
parts Of the system.
Only a small part of the country
would be flooded, he pointed out,
and the inundated areas would be
under only two or three feet of
water. After the threat had passed,
he said, the water could be pumped
out quickly.
The water defenses are built on
four lines and the first of these is
many miles back from the border,
indicating that the Dutch would
not make the mistake of the Poles
by attempting to defend q border
line.
Four Parallel Lines.
The four defense Hnes-which run
roughly in parallel lines from the
German border to Amsterdam. by
the sea-vary from l to 10 miles in
width. Though the water would
be comparatively shallow-too
shallow for ships-its bottom is
criss-crossed with bitches and ca
mails, which would create too great
a hazard for soldiers who might at
tempt to wade.
1t is the opinion of the Dutch
that these defense zones, which can
be flooded at the first sign of dan
ger, would check any invaders. The
Utrecht line Is particularly strong.
They may shoot over them, but
I doubt fssthey can get through
them" DR.. Van ValkenburR said.
The newly-formed group Will seek
the exchange Of professors between
the United States and the Neither
lands, the establishment of more
chairs Of Dutch literature and
language in American colleges, and
the financing of scholarships for
young Americans at Dutch colleges.
All the associations members were
born in the Netherlands, but most of
them are now naturalized American
citizens. The first meeting was
made up largely of residents of the
East, although one delegate came
from Nebraska and another from
California.
The group expects a larger meet
ing about this time next year.
Organizers estimate that at least