They are also anxious about their eastern frontier, which obviously would be threatened by a German attack so soon as they sided with our enemies.
I shall not enter further into the political and military possibilities which might arise if Holland, Belgium, and Denmark were driven to a sympathetic understanding by the war.

I will only point out how widespread an effect the naval war can, or rather must, exercise on the Continental war and on the political relations generally.

The attitude of Denmark would be very important, since the passage to and from the Baltic must mainly depend on her.

It is vital to us that these communications be kept open, and measures must be taken to insure this.
The open door through the Belt and the Sound can become highly important for the conduct of the war.

Free commerce with Sweden is essential for us, since our industries will depend more and more on the Swedish iron-ore as imports from other countries become interrupted.
It will rest with the general state of affairs and the policy of the interested nations whether this sea route can be safeguarded by diplomatic negotiations, or must be kept open by military action.