INTEND INVASION IN NEXT 24 HOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 13, 16 January 1940, Page 7

INTEND INVASION IN NEXT 24 HOURS.

JOURNALISTS 9 VIEW. News Telephoned From Berlin. BOTH NEUTRALS READ?. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11 a.m.) LQNDON, January 15. The "Daily Mail" Stockholm correspondent says news telephoned from Berlin early this morning indicates that foreign journalists are convinced Germany intends to march across the Dutch frontier in the next 24 hours. ~ Both Belgian and Dutch newspapers deprecate these alarmist rumours, and emphasise the measures taken in their national interests. Tho Belgian news agency says Belgium remains calm, hut the Army is on its toes. Tliero were many blank spaces in the Paris newspapers, indicating the censorship of articles. Where they have been allowed to be printod tlicy take the viewpoint that the Bejgo-Dutch crisis is another Nazi bluff. Factory Shop Fires. Reports from tho German frontier sUitq that four large factory shop fires occurred in Berlin in the past 24 hours. They are believed to have been due to sabotageThe German concentrations on the Belgian and Dutch borders include some of the five Berlin divisions which were reported to have left the German capital recently. It is stated that their equipment Includes a large; number of swamp tractors, capable of carrying field guns, machine-guns and IQ to 15 soldiers each on dry land or in swamps. Tho town of Oronau, Close to the Netherlands border, Is packed with troops. The German-Netherland frostier is now open at only one point on tlio main line between Qldenzaal and Bentheim. Sinister elements in the new crisis aro Germany's unfounded charge that a Dutch aeroplane violated the German frontier, repeated flights by German aeroplanes across Belgium, and the renewal of hostile German Press attacks oq neutrals. Troop trains in Belgium were running nil last night and some civilians are being evacuated from the frontier districts in the vicinity of Liege. Motor cars, buses, carriages, cycles and horses havo boen requisitioned. Armed guards have bcon established at public buildings, Tho Press Bureau has been closed, and the General Staff of tho Army is issuing all information. Tliero is unusual air activity, and the public has beep warned to be >0 readiness fpr a blsck'Out.