THE SECRET OF BORKUM.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10585, 14 October 1910, Page 2

THE SECRET OF BORKUM.

GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS.

(By William Maxwell.)

It will be remembered that - some months -ago - Baron Heeckeren, who | was formerly in the Dutch- diplomatic service, declared in Parliament at. The Hague that "the German-Emperor had written a letter insisting on Holland strengthening her defences against possible attack by Great Britain; and hinting that in the event of failure lie would be compelled to take measures of his own." ■ . . The Dutch Government denied, cm. phaticallv that such a letter had been received'bv Queen AVillielmma. Baron Heeckeren, however, persists- m nia statement and points out that he .never said that the letter was addressed to Queen Wilhclmina. ' , I The independence of Holland and Belgium is our first and our greatest interest 011 the Continent of Europe. In the hands of a hostile Tower tho Netherlands would be as has often been said, a loaded pistol pointed at the heart of the British Empire. Between Brest and the Baltic there are no great natural harbors, save those 01 Holland -and Belgium, that could bo used with effect against us If Germany ever succeeds in controlling this maritime zone her "capacity for naval, militarv, and economic war would lie increased a hundredfold. Her ships would have secure bason within easy striking distance from our coasta : lier armies would have railways lor rapid concentration and for outflanking milfriends coming from France, and her rulers would be able not merely to paralyse but also to destroy all commerce between the Continent and the British Isles. . For these reasons wc are bound to look with suspicion on anything that tends to disturb the balance of power in this part of Europe and to preserve at all hazards the independence and integrity of the Netherlands. lhat this balance of power is being disturbed is undoubted. It is clear that m Borkum, at Emden, and at Malmedy—to take only three important pointsoperations are in progress to strengthen materially the positiou of Germany with regard to Holland and Belgium. With these developments I purpose dealing more fully at another time.. For the present it may suffice to indicate briefly the steps taken by Germany. ' . „ ' . . ,v„ The importance of Emden in the waters that divide Holland from Germany and flow into the North Sea is unquestionably great, though its capacitv as a naval base has been sometimes exaggerated. Eighteen months ago, when I paid my first visit to Emden I found nothing to justify some of th 3 legends that have been written. The inner harbor is little more than a broad canal fed from the River Ems and separated from the outer-harbor, by sluice-gates. The outer-harbor itself is narrow-and difficult of access and its limited accommodation and machinerv are taxed to'the utmost b> the merchant ships and colliers that crowd the wharf. At the most Emden would at present be practicable only for torpedo and small craft in war. But the importance of Emden as a naval base is already, undergoing a change. A few months ago work was begun on a new and a greater dock at the east of the outer-harbor. Alreadv sufficient progress has been made, to show that this new harbor will add greatly to the capacity of Emden tor commerce and for war. Not only ui <=ize but also in facilities for access this latest addition to the resources ot the Dollart "is vastly superior to the existing accommodation and will amply rcpav the expenditure. . The importance of the Dollart—tlio name given to these waters —needs no demonstration. A glance at the map shows it. Not only does the Doharb expose. Delfzvl and an important flank of Holland to attack from Germany, but it also gives the readiest access to the North Sea and the British coast. Not for commercial reasons alone does Germany lav claim to exclusive possession of the channel and spend so much time and money m preserving and improving it. Activity is not confined to Mitten and the mcuth of the Ems. Opposite the entrance to the Doilart lies the island.of Borkum, one of the line of sentries that seem to guard the Frisian coast, "Until • the arrest of Messrs Brandon and Trench the name of- Borkum was unknown in Britain, though it suggests to. the North German all the attractions that the Isle of AYight has for tho citizen of London or the Isle of Man for the north countryman. In recent years Borkum has become a popular summer resort, and vast sums are being spent on protecting it from the encroachments of tho sea. lhc waters are shallow, but a great mole, partly natural and partly artificial, stretches out 'from tho south-east to give anchorage for ships. The cnterpnse, so manliest to ivciv -visitor, is not lostncted 1o holidav ittiactions. The d.i\ is appioachmg when Borkum will be known not as a hohdav resort in the North Sea but as a flung baso foi naval operations Though there uc it piesent no foits of the kind to aitiart j, '"airera. fund" there arc works in piomess with vigilant and suspicious sentinels o\ci them and a little barracks foi aitilleijmen cautiously tucked away among tho sanddunes, over which is written on every side the woid "Verbotcn" (Forbidden) Belgium, unlike Holland, is a neutial State guaianteed In some of the Poweis, including Gieat Britain and Prussia . The impoitance of Belgium in war has been demonstiated on many historic occasions It occupies a most vital position foi offence and defence, and the Power that contiols it in war has incalculable advantage Geimam aheadv has several lines of concentration on the Rclgian frontier, and has dnect access In railway to the mipoitant centies of population and tiade Fiom Ai\-la-Chapelle there luns south and almost paiallel with the Belaian fiontiei a double line of lails which passes iieai to the vast mancr>uviing eamp of the Collcn/ Army Clips at Elseuboin This is not a conuiKicial iairway, despite its man\ and extensive sidings. It is obi ion si \ a nulitaiv i«ulwa> along the Belgian Irontioi At "Woismes a single bianch line goes west to Malmedv, which is close to the border. To leich Belgian teimoiv fiom Malmedy vou must walk or take the diligence, which tiavels twice a da> and is crovded with six passengeis For mom veais Gcimmiy niged upon Belgium ihc need for a lailwaj to join Maimed \ with Stavolot—flic Belgian fion'ioi tonn—ind the uil\,a\ system' to Tjt%° and Biussels Y\ uh a suspicious glance at the great nhtiiv camp ovei the boidei at Elscnboin the Belgians weie at fust shy .■ml then obstinate But the opposition has heen lemoved A tunnel now p.eices the fiontiei bevond Malmedy, the permanent w.i\ is made, and ma tew months thi« unnoitant line v ill bo opened for tiaflic and a new and impoitant nulitaiv loute into Belgium will b-» mide undei Geimau tontiol. _ Aie these sore of the measuicb that the Genium Empeioi has been compelled to take "m Older to the Nethei lands against attack J "