INVASION OF FRANCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1035, 26 January 1911, Page 5

INVASION OF FRANCE.

KING LEOPOLD'S APPEAL', AGREES TO GIVE PASSAGE TO GERMAN TROOPS. REVENGEFOR CONGO CRITICISM, By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. London, January 24. The "Pall Mall Gazette" publishes a diplomatic correspondent's statement that the lato King Leopold, of Belgium, exasperated ani alarmed at tho humanitar-, ian agitation concerning his administration of the Congo Freo State, appealed for Germany's protection, and agreed to an invasion of France through Belgium. This plan, after Leopold's death, fell into the hands of-persons who: communicated it to Franco. ■ ' The correspondent declares that experienced chiefs in the diplomatio service of the Continent believe that the rumour is true.

' WHAT GERMANY WOULD GAIN., The Kingdom of Belgium was part of the Netherlands' until formed into an independent State- in 1830. ' By the Treaty of London of-1830 the neutrality of Belgium ■was guaranteed.by Austria, ftussia, Great Britain, and Prussia. It was not until the signing of the treaty .establishing peace between Belgium and tho Netherlands in 1839 that all the States of Europe recognised the new kingdom. Writing in the "Nineteenth Century" last year, Captain Cecil Battinesaid: "A straight line drawn from Berlin to Paris not only traverses the territory of Belgium, but approximately follows through German, territory the main line of rail and road which must bo followed I by the greater part of the German troops available for war with France. Tho fortified line of the Meuse bars, the progress of the. Gormans in any attempt -to invado France from Strasburg and llctz. While it is certain, that the Prussian authorities face the possibility of having to recast their schemes Of concentration according to the circumstances which may arise on tho outbreak of war with France, yet everything indicates the probability of largo German, forces attempting to turn tho French barrier forts on tho Meuse by crossing Belgian territory, nor is it a secret that the German Government has already assured tho Belgian that, should such a necessity unfortunately bo forced upon tho German, authorities, y«t the passago of troops through the country would bo but a temporary expedient, and that Belgian independence is safe, provided only that Belgian neutrality, is maintained in the war. The developnmt of the German railways debouching on the Belgian territory and the Meuso Valley, the sidings for detraining troops, and other preparations, left no doubt that tho alternative of marching through Belgian territory was being carefully arranged for by tho Prussian General Staff."