-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 |