TENSION CONTINUES IN LOW COUNTRIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 109, 9 May 1940, Page 8

TENSION CONTINUES IN LOW COUNTRIES.

AMERICAN WARNING.

Nationals Should Leave

For Home.

HOLLAND ON THE ALERT. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received noon.) LONDON, May 8. The Netherlands Minister at Washington, Dr. Loudon, announced that he radio-phoned Netherlands officials at The Hague and ascertained that reports that two German columns are moving towards the Dutch border for an invasion are "absolutely incorrect." It is understood that his appointment as paymaster-general for all Netherlands officials abroad is effective only if an emergency arises. Mr. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, said that diplomatic dispatches from the Netherlands indicated a great degree of tension, but there were no definite military movee. He added that In view of the second evacuation warning the United States diplomats had issued to American citizens in the Balkan and Danubian countries, there will be no excuse for their becoming trapped in the area should war enddenly strike there. The (merman Embassy in Washington has issued the following statement: "Berlin is on the alert for a surprise attack by the Allies elsewhere tha/i in the Balkans, to which the presence of the British Fleet in the ■Mediterranean has tended to divert attention." A Paris War Office spokesman eaid the rumours of a German invasion of Holland were to be interpreted as a propaganda campaign to worry the neutrals. The Netherlands wireless yesterday announced that no more weather reports are to be given. This is a measure that is in force in the belligerent countries. The Dutch frontier is quiet to-day, but civil life is interrupted ae reservists rejoin the colours. All transport in the provinces i« engaged in moving troops. There is no undue alarm, but there are many manifestations of deep patriotism. The Dutch radio stations resumed broadcasting after silence this morning and all other communications are almost normal. In' Berlin, official circles emphatically deny that German columns are advancing on Holland.