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NAZIS
FOR
POISED LIGHTNING
THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 8, 1940
READY ATTACK
Allies Would Get Only Few Days' Warning
But It May Not Mean a Thing
LONDON, TO-DAY.
THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE SURE THAT GERMÁNY WILL, OR WILL NOT, ATTACK IN THE NEAR FUTURE ARE EITHER VERY BOLD OR VERY FOOLISH – PERHAPS BOTH, COMMENTS THE MILITARY CORRESPONDENT OF “THE TIMES” IN A B.B.C. BROADCAST.
He himself doubts whether those with the best informa- tion are certain one way or the other, and thinks that possibly the Nazis themselves have not made up their minds.
The other day, Field-Marshal Goer- ing said that a German victory would be won in the West. Obviously, the Allies would not base their plans on this statement, but nonetheless, it brought the problem into the fore- ground again.
There is every indication that ar- rangements for a German offensive on a large scale are ready.
All along the French, Luxemburg, Belgian and Dutch frontiers the Ger- man Army is massed.
All the best troop formations are there, including the mechanised and motorised divisions. Significant per » haps is the fact the latter two crack units are facing the neutral coun- tries.
Plans have been drawn up and the ammunition dumps are full.
It will only need a few-days. for, final preparations to be made. There will be no further warning to the Allies or, at the most, only the slightest warning.
NATURAL.
Yet this concentration is natural and does not mean a mass assault is certain. The Nazi threat must be kept up and that of the Allies faced. Furthermore, German railways are no longer quite as effective as they were, and, therefore, stocks must be centrated because otherwise they could not be concentrated quickly.
con-
Make no mistake: the attack, if it should come, wilt be colossal In weight. The German Command knows the techniqué well, has stud. led every possibility and tried to find a weak point. The German ar». tillery is "first class" and of excep- tional range.
JAPANESE TACTICS IN SHANGHAI
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
SHANGHAI, TO-DAY. FOREIGNERS WITHOUT -EX- TRALITY RIGHTS AND CHINESE RESIDING NORTH OF SOOCHOW CREEK THE JAPANESE-CON- TROLLED
IN RE- AREA-HAVE CENT WEEKS. BEEN FORCED
TO OF APPEAR BEFORE A “COURT REHABILITATION” TO FACE CIVIL "ACTIONS, ACCORDING TO IN-
VESTIGATIONS COMPLETED BY. THE "NORTH CHINA DAILY NEWS.”
Ignoring of summonses of Japanese officials brings-immediate arrest and in many cases punishment, says the paper.
The whereabouts of the "Court" is unknown, but it has been establish- ed that hearings have been held in a place believed to be occupied by the Japanese Naval Landing Party.
Four cases handled by the Court came to public..notice though it was impossible to obtain statements from the persons involved.
In one case, the wife of a Russian watchman was arrested at her home and taken to the Japanese Naval Landing Party premises. She later released on the request, of S.M.P.
was the
If Hitler decides to attack, he willed to accompany her.
The woman's small chilld was forc- be making a gambler's throw, since rested because she owed $80 to
She was ar- the result will decide the issue of the Chinese storekeeper. war, if not immediately.
TERRIFIC VIOLENCE”
a
Other cases also involved Chinese debts. The Court is functioning
GEORGE FORMBY WITH THE B.E.F.-George Formby, the welt known Lancashire comedian has been on a visit to the B.E.F. to enter- tain the troops. He has amused them with Impromptu turns as well as at the E.N.S.A. concerts in various towns. Photo shows George Form- by giving an impromptu turn to troops in a French farmyard. right, Fox).
VENLO INCIDENT SILENCE
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Amsterdam, To-day.
to
There is still no Information as the fate of Lemmens, the Dutch chauffeur, who was kid". napped by the Gestapo at Venlo, the Dutch border village, on No- vember 25 together with the two British agents, Captain Stevens and Mr. Beat.
Enquiries from Lemmens' wife have been forwarded to the Reich Chancellery, which has merely replied that her request is being examined by the Gestapo, this may mean that he is still alive. Havas.
ALLIED ACTIVITY
(Copy-
London, To-day.
This coming week is ex- pected to provide even great- er Allied developments than last week.
Talks have already begun between Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax and the British diplomatic representatives of the Balkon and Danubian coun- tries; a secret session of the House of Commons on Thursday will discuss the economic blockade; M. Reynaud, the French Premier, is now holding conversations with French Ministers of the Balkan countries; and a secret session of the French Senate will be
Reuter. held on Tuesday.
FRICTION BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND GERMANY?
(SPECIAL TO “CHINA MAIL “).
Belgrade, To-day.
Everything, therefore, would be without the knowledge of the Con- SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES will probably arise be-
thrown into the balance. It might fall on Belgium and Holland or against the Maginot. Line, but where- ever it falls, the' blow' will be one of terrific violence.
Though it may well be that the Allies could ask for nothing better to Inflict a major defeat and reach a decision, the Allled command has nat under-rated the formidable na- ture of tha task it may have to face. The general public should not do so, either,-
It will be a ferce and grim strug- gle. We may be confident, but it will not be). fr our favour all through.
The anxious hours of March, April and May, 1918, will be repeated.
From the German point of view, the casualties will be enormous. - It has yet to be proved that German morale can face thase casualties; they may be so great as it make it not worthwhile.
If the Germans start such a drive, it will be in sheer desperation. We
face the attack, are ready Reuter.
sular Body or any other recognised authority and has the obvious aim of curtailing the jurisdiction of the Chin- ese courts in the Settlement areas under Japanese control-Reuter.
KWANGSI OPERATIONS
Kweilin, To-day. Chinese forces east of the Nanning Pinyang and Nanning-Yamchow high ways converged on the former Kwangel capital during the week-end and have reached a point only a few miles east of the city, according to field despatches.
A third force, operating on the banks of the Watklang River, pene trated the Japanese line near Nanning and is in contact with units wes the highway. Central News,
tween Germany and Yugoslavia when the pre- sent clearing agreement expires at the end of April, M
Belgrade is now enforcing a new economic pro- gramme aiming at a restriction upon exports, with a view to ensuring, before everything else, satisfaction of the country own requirements in a case of emergency.
A special committee will soon be, quien created for studying the restriction of ter exports and in the course of negotia- tions opening to-day with Italy Trieste, Belgrade is expected to pro-
at
pose substantial reduction in her cattle exports to Italy.
The Reich will be the hardest by the new policy, as Germany, Yugo avian cattle piga" and
aral commodities which Yug [is disposed to sell only in res
against certain raw ma- Berlin lacks.
the quotes provided for "deliveries to Germany "Sloads: of wheat; 3,000. 15,000 1⁄2 toneg of. ähd≥800,000 pīga.
ure, it
that those"
the together.