That Holland is determined and prepared to defend its neutrality is
evidenced by the statement from the pen of a Rotterdam correspondent of
the London _Standard_. “Holland,” he says, “has a trusty friend in the
water behind its dikes.
“Holland is well prepared against an invasion of its frontier on the
German border, about 200 miles long, and the northern portions could
easily be defended by the filling with water of numerous morasses and
bogs.
“The coast along the North Sea, owing to the want of harbors, is
practically inaccessible and the Zuyder Zee being shallow is capable of
being closed by fortified works outside of Heider. Forty miles of the
eastern front is now defended by the fortresses Muiden and Naarden in
the center of the Utrecht region, and eighteen forts aid the batteries
toward the south of Gorkum.
“Then there is a closed canal system arranged in such a manner that the
whole region of Muiden and Gorkum may be flooded for miles. This is
easy, as the greater portion of the land in the area to be flooded is
below the sea level. The Dutch, however, are not satisfied with these
precautions, as the water courses might freeze as in the past. Therefore
behind the Muiden-Gorkum line seven block forts or fortifications have
been erected at intervals of two miles, and there are also
fortifications at Niewerhus.
“Behind the water line of defense there are more block forts at
intervals of two or three miles strengthened with batteries.
“A block fort is a redoubt intended only for quick-firing guns of light
caliber and is not constructed with the idea of resisting heavy
projectiles, which, owing to the broad stretches of water, could only
with difficulty be used.
“The fighting forts are protected by concrete roofs and iron cupolas
from the fire of howitzers and mortars.
“They are also supplied with artillery capable of resisting siege guns.
“In a similar manner the Dutch are protected equally along the southern
frontier from Gorkum to Brielle.
“As it is estimated that every kilometer requires for its defense 1,000
men, about 120,000 men are required for this region. This is the precise
strength of the present Dutch army, which should be able to defend this
portion of Holland against forces double its strength.”