THREAT TO DUTCH,

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 157, 4 July 1940, Page 8

THREAT TO DUTCH,

GENERAL DISMISSED.

Friction With Germans In

Demobilisation.

NAZI TECHNIQUE REPEATED British Official Wireless. (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Julv 3.

An official announcement from Amsterdam that General Wmkelman, Commander-in-Chief of the Dutch Army, "has been dismissed from his post and transjx>rted as a prisoner of war to Germany has occasioned no surprise in London. It follows closely the often repeated technique Germany adopts towards conquered peoples, and is regarded as an indication of the measures Germany may be expected to adopt towards the individuals of other countries which have placed themselves at her disposal by entering into negotiations.

In Dutch military circles in London, General Winkelman enjoys a high reputation for his probity and public spirit, and it is believed that behind his dismissal lies a story of considerable friction between the army of occupation and the Netherlands people.

The German announcement mentioned that General Winkelman'a subordinates, as well as the Dutch Commander-in-Chief. hadf failed to observe the rules laid down for demobilisation, "ae a result of which the orderly projrress of demobilisation has been disturbed."

It adds the following ominous warning to the population as a whole:—"lt is in the supreme interest of the population to see to it that no further disturbance of demobilisation shall occur."

Authorised persons in Berlin declared that the German occupation of France was completed according to schedule and the armistice terms.