-4- #176, February 7,3 p.m., from London.
 
      
 
 
January 30 that some of the many reports received by His Majesty's 
      Government suggested that Herr Hitler was considering an attack 
      on the Western Powers in the near future and that his plans might 
      involve the occupation of Holland. Sir N. Bland explained that 
      His Majesty's Government could not vouch for the reliability 
      of any of these reports, but in view of their number it would 
      not be safe to ignore them and His Majesty's Government were 
      therefore carefully considering the position. Dr. Patijn informed 
      Sir No Bland that he was satisfied that there were no German 
      troop movements against Holland at the moment, but he added that 
      his latest information had not reassured him. He indicated that 
      if the worst came to the worst, the Dutch would defend their 
      front line defences as long as possible and then fall back and 
      let in water. They were about to spend ten million florins to 
      strengthen the frontier and he estimated the period of possible 
      resistance at three to four days. Doctor Patijn is visiting London 
      on February 14th for the Grotius anniversary celebrations and 
      I hope to have a conversation with him then."
 
      
 
 
The British Government has not yet replied to the French communication 
      referred to in numbered paragraph three. With regard to the French 
      suggestion that the British