THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 16, 1940
Tension In The Low Countries
TEMPO
TROOPS
INCREASES AS CONCENTRATE
;
OPPOSITE BELGIUM
ANTI-GERMAN INCIDENT IN AMSTERDAM
London, To-day.
THE MILITARY MEASURES taken by Belgium and Holland and the temporary cancellation of leave in the B.E.F. continue to be the subject of much comment in Britain and other parts of the world.
MEXICAN
MINE TRAGEDY
Mexico City, To-day.
Sixteen were killed through the collapse of wall during blasting at the Dos Carlos silver mine, at Pachuca,
Bix others are feared to be dy- ing and four others were also in- jured Router.
No further statement has yet been made about the HOLLAND
cancellation of leave in the B.E.F., but well-
informed circles in London point out that the PREPARED
situation created over the week-end seems to have been similar to that of last November, when the Low Countries were threatened by invasion from Germany.
It is thought that the most likely explanation is that Germany attempted to stampede the Low Coun- tries into a state of panic.
de-
AMSTERDAM, TO-DAY. THE DUTCH MILITARY AU-
NEUTRAL VIEW OF SITUATION
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
COPENHAGEN, TO-DAY. THE BERLIN CORRESPONDENT OF THE "BERLINGSKE TIDENDE" STATES THAT THE GERMAN AU- THORITIES ASSERT THAT THE |BELGO-DUTCH MILITARY MEA- SURES WERE TAKEN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF "ALLIED PROPA- GANDA” AND ADDED THAT THE MEASURES WERE PURELY INTER- NAL AND DID NOT CONCERN GER-. MANY.
mea-
The correspondent, sald, however, that the Belgo-Dutch military sures were motivated by previous as- surances Holland gave Britain follow-
THORITIES CONTINUED TO CHECK ing the kidnapping of two British sub-
OVER THE COUNTRY'S DEFENCEjects at Venlo near the Dutch-German PREPARATIONS YESTERDAY, BUT border.
AN-
NO NEW MEASURES WERE
NOUNCED.
The paper concludes: "Strategical- ly, Germany does not wish to start an "Holland is prepared for anything offensive against Belgium and Holland but it must not be assumed that there although it is natural that sooner or Is any imminent danger at the mo- later Germany will seek the weakest ment," Reuter was told in The Hague. [point on which to start an offensivė."
There has been little development-Havas.
in the situation since Sunday. in
The official German news agency jattack on the other, Dr. Colijn states that the British and French |clared. Governments "deliberately passed on information" to Amsterdam and Brussels to induce the Netherlands and Belglan Governments to carry out the precautionary measures they have taken.
Meanwhile several Hollanders Rome have packed and are ready to return at a moment's notice, although not liable for service.-Reuter.
PARIS CONFERENCE Yesterday, M. Daladier, the French Premier, saw the Belgian Ambas- sador. He also saw General Gamelin.
Reuter.
LOW COUNTRIES UNITED
Rome, To-day.
the former Dr. Colijn, told Count Clano, the Italian Foreign Minister, and other leading Italians last week, that complete solidarity existed between Belgium and Holland. An attack on one would mean an
It is understood that Dutch Prime Minister,
Skin Injuries
quickly heal when treated with She- Ko. If the skin is broken a light ban- dage should be applied with a thin, layer of She-Ko, whilst in the case of bruises the injury may be rubbed with the gintment.
show
ATTACK THIS MONTH
Stockholm, To-day. It is impossible to obtain authorita- tive information in Berlin to whether the Belgo-Dutch--defence measures were really justified by Ger- man threats, states the Berlin corres- pondent of the "Dagblandti."
Certain quarters in Berlin, however, are not surprised at these measures, since there are many signs to in. dicate that an offensive has been planned for this month.
It is unlikely that the offensive would open with a breach of Holland's neutrality, but events might lead to this.
*
The intense cold improves the pos- sibilities of action in the flooded Low Countries.
BLITZKRIEG
Only object of an Immediate Ger. man offensive would be how to end the war very quickly.
NAZIS MASS
neutral.
ANTI-GERMAN INCIDENT
con-
Intensive movements of German Meanwhile the Dutch and Belgian
are keeping in troops continue to be reported from Governments across the frontier but according totinual touch with each other, usually well-informed sources, con- centrations are much bigger opposite Belgium than opposite Holland. Political quarters here have impression that Belgium is playing the leading role in
particular crisis.
this
MILITARY ALLIANCE?
the
The Dutch newspapers are dealing with the situation much more fully than in last November, and the popu- lation is noticeably less nervous, but crowds are gathered at the news-stalls where British and French newspapers Rumours of a Belgo-Dutch military are displayed, and gravely discuss the
and Paris versions alliance are discounted in The Hague, London
of the which are much more and it is pointed out that the position situation, of the two countries is very different.alarming than the accounts publish-
Were Holland to be invaded ited here. might be important that Belgium en-
Unknown persona yesterday smash- ter the war but if Belgium were in- led the windows of the German travel vaded it might be far more advan- | bureau in one of Amsterdam's main tageous to Belgium to have Holland | streets-Router.
Soldiers of units visited by Hitler U.S. NAVY NEEDS LARGER
at Christmas have written home to
the effect that Hitler told the troops the war would be over by the Spring, but authoritative sources in Berlin describe such reports as nonsense.
The presence of large German con- centrations near the Dutch frontier
UNDERWATER CRAFT
Washington, To-day.
are no longer a military secret. ADMIRAL STARK, Chief of Naval Operations,
Reuter. :
BELGIUM ON GUARD
Brussels, To-day. While the altuation continued easier. last night, Belgium's atitude... la ... đàn soribed as calmly vigilant.
Political circles state it is unlikely that "Phase D" of the Belgian mobili- Keep atin of She-Ko in the house sation will be changed, and it is un- and you will be prepared for emer-likely there will be a return to "Phase genci® It is equally good for the cur- unless there is a great change in
the international situation. tment of skin complaints.
SHE-RO
It is understood that the reason for
speaking before the naval committee of the House of Representatives yesterday, said the U.S. Navy needs bigger submarines than those of some other powers because undersea operations might be required in the South Atlantic.
Admiral Stark declared that Ger- | Japan to build a large number many and Russia had built large pum- submarines capable of operating In bers of small submarines for use distant areas."
the measures taken at the week-end "ped nearby potential enemies, but | ] Replying to criticism that the pro-
United States builds submarines posed $1,300,000,000 expansion fleet was not due to the discovery of plans for operations against potential aggres-was "top heavy in favour of destroy- on a German aeroplane which
sive enemy action more distant fromers. Admiral: Stark asserted that a forced landing but to poultice and our shores
Britain, had: 359 destroyers and other and heals military information received in
véssels specially- constructed” escort built or being built.—Reuter.
Brussels, Reuter.
APANERI SOLICY
uniform polley