11
非
HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
CABLE
NAZI OFFENSIVE ON LOWLANDS CANCELLATION WESTERN
PLANNED FOR JANUARY
Complete Solidarity
Between
Belgium And Holland
STOCKHOLM, JAN. 16 (REUTER)—IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OBTAIN AUTHORI- TATIVE INFORMATION IN BERLIN TO SHOW WHETHER THE BELGO-DUTCH DEFENCE MEASURES ARE REALLY JUSTIFIED BY GERMAN THREATS, STATES THE BERLIN CORRESPONDENT OF THE DAGBLANDTI.
Certain quarters in Berlin, however, are not surprised at these measures, since there are many signs to indicate that an offensive has been planned for this month.
t
It is unlikely that the offensive would open with a breach of Holland's neutrality, but events might lead to this.
GENERAL PLAN" OF NAZI ACTION
The intense cold improves the possibilities of action in the flooded low countries. The only object of an immediate German offensive will be how to end the war very quickly.
Soldiers of units visited by Herr Hitler at Christmas
LONDON. Jan.. 18 (Havas) have written home to the effect that Herr Hitler told his
Political circles consider the troops that the war would be over by spring, but authori- present German threat against|tative sources in Berlin describe such reports as nonsense. Holland a serious one, although
The presence of large German concentrations near possibly only a manifestation of the war of nerves. Information the Dutch frontier is no longer a military secret.
General Staff. indicates that an
from Germany, possibly volun-|
AMSTERDAM, January 16 FULL SOLIDARITY · tarlly given out by the German (Reuter) The Dutch, mill- ROME, Jan. 16 (Reuter)-It is tary authorities continued to undertood that the former attack against Holland was pre- check over the country's de- Dutch Prime Minister, Dr. Colijn pared for Jan. 17 and later · on] postponed to Jan. 25:
fence preparations yesterday, cold Count Clane and other lead- Simultaneously. German
com- troop but no
aning tallaris last week that
between concentrations in the vicinity of nounced.
plete solidarity existed Luxemburg and North-Eastern.
Belgium and Holland and that France have led to the belief that
an attack on cne would mean an the German General Staff has drawn up the following plan:
Strong action against the narrow French front in order to hamper the transportation of French and British troops to the north.
The second phase will be an attack against Belgium. in the general direction of Ostend and the third phase the in- vasion of Holland, hoping for a very rapid success, since the Allied and Belgian troops will be occupied elsewhere.
NAZI HOPES
measure
were
"Holland is prepared for anything, but it must not be assumed that there is any imminent danger at the mo- ment," Reuter was told in The Hague.
HOLLAND REMAINS
CALM
attack on the other.
states
OF LEAVE FOR
B.E.F. & R.A.F.
LONDON, Jan, 16 (Renter) -The military measures taken by Belgium and Hol- land and the temporary can- celiation of leave in the BEF. continge to be the sub- ject of much comment in Britain and other parts of the world.
No further statement "has been made about the can- cellation of leave for the BEF, but well-informed cir- cles in London point out that" the situation created over the week-end seems to have been similar to that of last Novem- ber when the low countries were threatened by an inva- sion from Germany.
AIR FORCES TOO message from Reuter's special correspondent with the British Air Forces in France states that it was officially announced that, for the time being, leave for the British Air Forces in France have been cancelled. This does not affect those at pre- sent on leave, who will return in the normal tima
FRONT
Shells Fall In Luxemburg
LONGE - RANGE NAZI GUNS IN ACTION
LONDON, Jan. 16 (Renter)—In Luxemburg yeste day morning, a. shëll struck a hotel during violent artillery action on the Western Front Three houses were hit and several windows broken by shelf fragments, but no one was hurt.
several
SEVERAL SHELLS According to the Luxemburg press
shells landed in Luxemburg on Sunday. One shell hit, a high-tension transformer. causing an electrical breakdown. It is not yet known where the shells came from,
·LONG-RANGE GUNS
PARIS, Jan. 16 Beuter-The Nazis are reported to have, brought long-range guns into action on the Western Front, near Luxemburg. and civilians have been evacuated from some of the French villages ten miles behind the front lines.
A War Communique states that there was activity by patrols and artillery, with local encounters be- 11 tween reconnaissance unita
Belgo - Dutch Crisis Dying Down
JAPANESE CABINET WELCOMED IN FRANCE
Special to the HK Daily Press PARIS. Jan. 18 (Havas)-The press generally welcome the new Japanese Government under Adml.
Several Dutchmen ta Rome have packed up and are to return at a moment's notice, although they are not liable for service.
A message from Paris
AMSTERDAM, Jan. 15 (Reuter) that the French Premier, M.For the second time in 48 hours) Dalader, saw the Belgian Am- Holland flatly denied Germany's AMSTERDAM, Jan. 16 (Havas)-bassador yesterday. He also saw allegations in connexion with the Despite the political tension, the Gen. Gamelin. Commander-in-crisis which began over the week-
end. population remains calm and one Chief of the French Forces. Incident only took peace in the
All papers quote authoritative
The Petit Journal quotes that sources for the denial that Belgium capital when some unknown per- sons broke the windowpanes of the
BERLIN, Jan. 16 (Reuter)-The) and Holland decided to stop Army both Minseiro and Sefyukal Par- German Official Tourist Office, on
Offcial German News Agency leave following information. re-ties are supporting the new Gov- the Calvestraat Amsterdam's busi- states that the British andfceived from the British and French ernment which thus represents the
est thoroughfare.
NAZI CHARGE
French Governments "deliberate-Governments.
M. Youal.
majority of Japanese opinion.
Admi. Yonai will be able to The provinces are calm and ap-13 passed on information" to Meanwhile, there is every sign
assume authority and prepare thé Farantly the precautionary mea- Amsterdam and Brussels to in-that the crisis is dying down
Anancial plans necessary to sures have been somewhat relaxed, doce the Netherlands and the According to the Dutch press,
Belgian Governments to carry out diplomatic circles in Berlin regard stabilise a situation already grave- the precautionary measures they the situation as in no way critically compromised. by the Chinese have taken."
for Holland or Belgium or
war-war. ranting any uneasiness on their part.
AUDIENCES BY KING
Thus, Germany hopes to gain bases for u huge air and sub- marine ampaign against Britain, which is apparently all that is left of the German war plans.
notably in Limburg. While such an attack is possible,, The only noticeable signs of un- It seems strange that Germany easiness are the crowds gathering should multiply her threats, giving around news stands which pro- Helland and Belgiumi time, to take minently display papers carrying all necessary measures.
SWEDISH PROTEST pictures of the inundated districts. BRUSSELS, Ján. 18 (Reuter)-d The German suggestions that Official sources favour such dis- sion con inues. well-informed cir-Brial and France were the in- STOCKHOLM, Jan. 16 (Reuter) play, which shows the population cles may it would be premature to stigators of the recent measures in-It is learned that the Swedish how difficult an invasion of the state that the situation is bound Holland and Beigium are denied at Government. country would be.
to reurn to normal.
The Hague where it is semi-officially Minister in Moscow to protest to King Leopold received M. Pler added: "The Netherlands Govern-the Soviet Government against the and M.ment is accustomed to consider the the incident On Sunday when There has been little, develop lot yesterday afternoon
Plexit also interviewed M. Spaak, international situation on the basis planes flew over 8wedish territory Intensive movements of who afterwards saw the Defence of information, the origin and re-and dropped bombs.
liability of which can be checked I is believed that the planes, German troops continue to be re-}
being in difficultly in snowstorm, ported from across the frontier. Restrictions for
the by themselves." closing
may have unloaded the bombs to but, according to usually well-in-hour of cafes were removed yes-
lighten their loads. BELGIUM WARNED formed sources. the concentra- terday
This is why observers ex- press the opinion that Ger- Imany Is at present only waging her war of nerves and hopes the moment will come when Belgium and Holland will be financially and morally tired of the constant tension and will relax their measures and precaution. Then Ger- many would strike.
TROUP MOVEMENTS
ment in the situation since terday.
yes-
tions are much bigger opposite Belgium than opposite Holland.
Minister.
has instructed its
See also Pare 4
BY NEUTRAL
U.S.. ANXIETY
It is believed in Dublin that! LONDON, Jan. 16 (Reuter)-It is Political quarters here have the
DUBLIN, Jan, 16 (Reuter)-Mr. his sudden departure was due to
Japanese troops have evacuated difficult to attribute the anxiety impression that Belgium is play- Cudahy, U. S. Minister to Eire. the interna donal situation and
and Yuantan OD Govern- Pakiangkow unexpectedly last the desire of the U, S. in Holland and Belgium to any ing the leading role in this part-left Dublin.
Railway and single 'ncident, writes The Times' cular crisis.
aight to cake up a new
their representative Canton-Hankow position ment that military correspondent. It has Rumours of a Belgo-Dutch Mili- as U. S. Ambassador in Brussels. should be in Belgium immediate-Shenkang to the east, which are arisen rather out of an accumula- tary Allance are discounted in to which he was appointed aly to look after American interests now ocdupled by Chinese forces. tion of evidence polating to the The Hague and it is pointed out few days ago. possity, though by no means that the position of the two coun- certainty, that Germany entertains tries
Tery different. Were hostile intentions agat them.
Holland Invaded, it might be fan-
The Belgians appear to have reportant that Belgiam should en- ceived a warning from a neutral ter the war, but if Belgium is In- source that, a critical period might vaded, it might be far more ad- be approaching, but it may sald
vantageons to Belgium ta bave that their measures for increas ed mobilisation and the suspen-
Holland netral,
stor of military leave are precau- | t'oriary only.
CONTINUAL TOUCH Meanwhile, the Dutch and Bel-
It can be sald with confidence Bium Governments are in con- that both countries are better, tinual touch with each other. prepared than they were
last
The Dutch papers are dealing
there.
(International).
Nazi Submarine Torpedoes Steamer In Bay Of Biscay: Indignation In Holland
November; but their view appears with the situation more fully Crew
to be that the future depends on than they did last November and factors outside, and more import- the population is noticeably less defensive nervous, but crowds are gathered
ant
than, their
measures.
האימ
NAZI ERROES
at the news stalls, where the Bri- tish and French newspapers are displayed, and gravely dicussed Germany has, made some errors since last summer of which the the London and Paris versions of the situation, which are much biggest was the belief that Britain and France would not fight for more alarming than the accounts Poland or would resign themselves published here.
of
Unknown persons yesterday to the acceptance of a falt ac- compit once Poland was overrun. smashed the windows of the Ger-
If she now entertained the man Travel Bureau in one notion that the Ailles would Amsterdam's, main streets. hesitate to initiate bombing at-
CALMLY VIGILANT
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1940. -PAGE 7
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ANOTHER WHARF HORE - BELISHA'S
Dutch AVAILABLE AT Great
TSINGTAO
JAPANESE ATTEMPT blitzkrete TO INFLUENCE U.S.
OPINION
still to
engage in against the Allies together or even separately.
STATEMENT
Continued from Pagė 1 * »
army and that is so whether the questions be of provision of de- fences, of the adequacy or safety' "
their construction or the well-
being of the soldier, the conditions of service and the matter of his equipment,
"There has been,
80 far as I "If he does start a campaign TSINGTAO, JAN. 15 (Reuter) know no conniet of view or policy now against Holland or Belgium Another wharf bere is now avall-] with any of my colleagues with the he will encounter resistance, re-able for the use of third Power Government upon any point con- solute and prepared. The task of shipping. Number 4 wharf has cerning my departure, or other- Britain and France during this
"I declined the Board of Trade
period of renewed tension is to been opened for the handling of wise." take all necessary precautions and dangerous cargoes only,
an- post because I could not feel the AMSTERDAM, Jan, 16 (Reuter)—The Dutch steamer Arendskerk then to stand quietly on guard, This decision follows the (8.000 tons), bound for South Africa from Antwerp, was torpedoed by neither Ignoring Hitler's threats nouncement on Sunday that an assurance of that consideration. a German submarine in the Bay of Biscay, 100 miles off Ushant, nor playing into his hands, by additional and sank immediately.
berth shipping nervously taking, them at face Tsingtao Harbour and two godowns have been opened for third Power
The Italian stramer. Fedora saved all the secapants, her crew of value." 65. There were no passengers.
Captain Wikster, of the Arêndskerk, telegraphed to his company, the United Netherlands Company of The Hague, that his abip was torpedord after being searched.
of the crew, 28. were Europeans, the remainder, being. British
Indians.
"
OPINION UNEASY
vestis.
Shipping circles regard, the. new concessions as, a' step in the right direction provided they are operated in Iberal spirit.
necessity.
in which persuaded the Prime Minis- ter to make this change, would allow of my energetic discharge, in (the national interest, of another
office."
FIRE RENDERS 40 THOUSAND HOMELESS
TOKYO, Jan, 16 (Reuter)The
disastrous are at Shisucks, about 100 miles to the south-west of Tokyo, in which 8,000 houses were destroyed and 40,000 rendered. homeless, is now under control ||
Special to the HK. Daily Press AMSTERDAM, Jan. 18 (Havas). Opinion Is most uneasy over the torpedoing of the Arenskerk, com- ing just when the Netherlands felt
It is pointed out that two small tacky against communications in BRUSSELS, Jan. 18 (Reuter)-
The vessel was carrying, 4,000 The Yorkshire Post says, "This compelled to take new military
berths: previously available have the event of a move against Bel-While the situation continue to tons of cargo, consisting of neutral wanton outrage looks rather like measures owing to aggravation of been denied to foreign ships for glum and Holland, she might be be easier last nigh. Belgium's piecegooda.
a new move in Germany's long- the International situation along months on the pretext or military disposed to try her fortune there. attitude is described
as calmly
"There was very great indignation standing campaign of terrorisation the Dutch border, otherwise It is considered that vigilant.
in Dutch shipping circles when the against her neutral neighbours. The fact that the Arenskerk
GENERAL DRIVE she is likely to do so only if in a Political circles state that it is first news arrived and further de- Our military correspondent sug-was torpedoed after examination mood, of desperation, because, unlikely that Phase D will be tail are being awaited before any gests that this campaign is aimed of her papers by the commander Every form of discrimination, It According to the latest informa- rightly or wrongly, these close ob- changed and also that it is in definite opinion is officially voiced, at building up a system of contin- of the German submarine is high is wald, has been used against tion the casualties were not as high servers belleve she desires to put likely tha; there will be a return
ental exchange under German y signincant as it shows that no foreign, particularly British, ship- as anticipated and it is report- off competition tri bombing as long to Phase C unless there is a LONDON, Jan. 16 (BWS)-The orders Neutrals are to forego mis:ake could have been possible. ping concerns as part of a generaled that only two are dead and as possible.
great change in the International sinking of the Netherlands steam their seaborne trade and consent The Algemeine Handelsblad anti- | drive against' foreign trade in the eight injured. situation.
to serve as suppliera of Germany's cipates an aggravation, or sub-occupied areas, er Arenskerk (7,905 tons) by a Ger
marine It is understood that the reason man submarine in the Bay of Bis-economie needs by land.
warfare "Germany, en- Shipping circles add that the
···HITLER'S HOPES ........ deavouring to prevent the trans-new concessions are subject to Au Kwong, 33. food stall Law for the measures taken at thecay, 100 miles off Ushant is re- ker, appeared on remand before week-end were not due to the dis- late, by some commentators, to "Hitler hopes perhaps, by this port of goods from Belgium and the same restrictions as have been used to nullify the spirit while Mr. HG. Sheldon at the Central covery of plans on the German the tension which, although some means, to reach a position which Holland by all means."
The Arenskerk was a big preserving the letter and the pre- Court yesterday charged with as aeroplane, which made a forced what relaxed, still persists in the would enable him to laugh at the sault on a police officer, Ganga landing, but to political and mill-low countries owing to the threa- British blockade and so, once freighter bull last year and one vious arrangement, therefore, is Sing The hearing was adjourn-tary information received in tening situation on the Dutch and more, to suggest of continuing the of the finest units of the Dutch capable of operation in the same
Belgian frontiers."-
He may well be reluctant mercantile best. ed to today.
11
Brussels.
WANTON OUTRAGE
-War.
manner.
“If that is so, it would ob- viously be an attempt to fsence third. Power particularly American, by the appearance of magnanimity while actually yielding noth-
·ing,” it is added.