HOLLAND MOVES

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 15

HOLLAND MOVES

TO STRENGTHEN DEFENCES

In spite of the. present economic difficulties of Holland, the Cabinet is taking energetic measures to strengthen the country's defences in view of the changed international situation, says the "Morning Post."

The Dutch Government does not yet consider this situation alarming, but it is considered essential to reckon with certain undesirable possibilities.

Ths explains the new Bill, which provides lor the creation of a Defence Fund of £7,350,000 to finance urgent expenditure. This will provide for the Army, better anti-aircraft defence, more aeroplanes, more artillery, more munitions and equipment, and the establishment of fortifications near the crossings of the great rivers and at other places of special strategical importance. The provisions for the Navy include more expenditure on mines, minelayers and mine-sweepers, the building of a training-ship and two submarines (the X 19 and X 20) to replace two old submarines, and the completion of a flotilla-leader now under construction. ANTI-TANK MEASURES. This programme will be carried out in four years unless, as the Government explains, special circumstances might demand accelerating it. From statements in the Government Memorandum, replying to a written report of the Second Chamber about the 1936 Budget for the Army and Navy, it appears that special provision is to be made for the defence of Holland's southern and eastern provinces. Casemates armed with anti-tank artillery will be built near various important roads in order to prevent an aggressor with armoured and motorised linits suddenly pushing deep into the country, thus seriously handicapping the mobilisation and concentration of the Dutch Army.

The Government adds that the preparations for the construction of these casemates have already been made.

It was recently reported that barracks will be built at Ravenstein and Boxmeer, on the Meuse.

The paper "Limburger Koerier," which is published at Macstricht, the

capital of the Dutch province of Limburg, reports that it is also Intended to lodge troops at Grave, Hedel, Heusden, Doesburg, Ziitpheri,' and ZwolW, ail these places being situated near big rivers. ALLEGED GERMAN PLANS. The alleged plans of the German General Yon Epp were published some time ago in the "Revue de France." According to this report, Germany might suddenly attack France via Holland and Belgium, without ariy desclaration of war. As the eastern frontiers of Belgium and France are strongly fortified,' Germany,' it is thought, might launch a double attack: against Holland from Bentheim and from Cleves (Kleef) with two motorised armies, supported by a strong air fleet. ■■■:.,.■ These motorised troops might push through Holland in twenty-four hours to the Dutch North Sea coast and subsequently, in conjunction with the German main attack through Limburg, march through Belgium against France. As The Hague paper "Vaderland?' recently remarked, Holland ought to reckon with the possibility that such, a plan has been prepared. > It ought to be pointed out that none - of the above mentioned towns and villages is mentioned in the publications of the Dutch Government about the Defence Fund or in the statements regarding the Army ana Navy ""Estimates. The Dutch iirst Chamber recently voted a retrenchment Bill designed to effect economies totalling about £6,000,000 at par.