RESISTING FORCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 135, 21 March 1939, Page 5

RESISTING FORCE

QUESTION OF RUSSIAN AID. CURRENT TREATY OBLIGATIONS. CONFERENCE OF POWERS URGED (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Independent Cable Service). (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Marcli 20. It is understood that the Cabinet considered a. Soviet suggestion that Britain call an immediate conference of Foreign Ministers of Britain, France, the Soviet, Poland and the Balkan States. According to well-informed circles, the "Soviet Ambassador (M. Maisky) made the suggestion during his meeting with Lord Halifax, at which he promised to immediately, consult his Government regarding the British invitation to join a common front. Lord Halifax is reported to have asked whether Britain could rely on full military support from the Soviet. M. Maisky replied that he was unable to undertake a commitment beyond the current treaty obligations, but the Soviet Foreign Commissar (M. Litvinoff) was most anxious to discuss the situation. PREPARED TO RESIST., - "" 1 -s THE ATTITUDE OF TURKEY. ADVANCE TO BLACK SEA OPPOSED LONDON, March 20. While democratic and political circles discuss, the. possible attitude of various countries in the event of an invasion of Rumania, the ‘ ‘Daily Telegraph” learns that Turkey definitely does not desire a common frontier with Germany, arid is prepared to resist a German occupation of. the shores of the Black Sea. Turkey, however, does not believe such an invasion is imminent, as Herr Hitler must protect his flanks before he makes such a move. This would involve the practical absorption of Hungary, a step which, even with the. consent of the Hungarian Nazis, would further complicate the position of Italy in.the axis. * , It is reported from Bucharest that 200,000 Rumanian troops are mobilised in blockhouses and dug-outs ( along the Hungarian frontier await-, ing Germany’s next move. King Carol has decided on jnst sufficient | military measures to prevent a- sudden smash-and-grab raid in the north. Reports from "the north say that Russia is moving large numbers ol troops to the Rumanian-border where fortifications, are being rapidly constructed. SOUTH AFRICAN PRECAUTIONS. A WARNING BY GERMANY. GUARD AT STEELWORKS. CAPE TOWN, March 20. . The precautions taken by the Government of the Union of South Africa included! the cancelling -of all defence force leave and a warning to all defence reservists to be available within 24 hours. The Government is also concentrating the African Naval Squadron at Simonstown (the naval base near Capo Town). It is revealed that a German Note stated that if permission for migrants to land were withheld the Germans would not bo responsible for the consequences. . # A guard is mounted at Pretoria steelworks, which employs a number of Germans. v VOLUNTEERS WARNED. GERMANS IN CZECH AREA. COMPULSION AS ALTERNATIVE. PRAGUE, March 20. All Germans'Njn the Czech Protectorate are asked to volunteer for Army service. They are offered compensatory exemption from the “volunteer” labour service. If the appeal does not succeed, it is understood that all Germans aged between 20 and 40 will bo called up. This is expected to produce a force of £400,000, who will be equipped with Czech arms, with which most of them have been trained. The production 'of the Skoda armaments works is to be reserved exclusively for the German Army and Navy, while other factories are to supply .I he Protectorate Army. Arrests by the Nazis continue, including a member of Parliament, Professor Jan de Kozak, a friend of Dr. Bones, also M. Hinterhoff, head of the Polish News Agency. At Sofia 2000 demonstrated against Germany. M. Charlton Thompson, the Czechoslovakian Consul at Leeds, lias ordered the Consulate staffs to wear mourning.