POINTS FOR DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22919, 16 January 1940, Page 7

POINTS FOR DISPUTE

Low Countries And Germany “THREE SINISTER ELEMENTS” (Received January 15, 8.30 pm.) LONDON, January 14. Sinister elements in the new Belgian and Dnteh crisis are Germany’s unfounded charge that a Dutch aeroplane violated the German frontier, repeated flights by German aeroplanes across Belgium, and a renewal of hostile German press attacks on neutrals. Holland’s cancellation of leave affects 50,000 men, and Belgium’s new call to the colours mobilises 30,000 to 40,000 men. It is unofficially stated that there are now 700,000 men mobilised. The military measures which Belgium has decided to put into opera: Hon amount to almost total mobilisation of the country. When this is completed only one further phase of tnoblhsation will remain. The measures taken by Belgium teere announced by wireless and by notices posted in the streets. The news was received with complete talm, and the general impression is lhat the measures are precautionary. A report from Brussels says that troop trains are running all night. Some civilians are being evacuated from frontier districts near Liege, motor-cars, buses, carriages, cycles and horses have been requisitioned.

Armed guards are established at public buildings. The press, bureau is dosed and the General Staff of he Belgian Army is issuing all information.

There has been unusual air activity. The public has been warned to be ready for a black-out. Tbs Belgian radio announced that de military authorities had decided ta additional measures to reinforce ibe army. A certain number of reservists of the 1920-1921 classes had Jfcn called up, also technicians. July, one phase of mobilisation re®uins unimposed, and this can be Spected only if the country is in»aded.

The newspaper “Independence Beige’ 1 states that the authorities feel ■hat they should at present utilise *4 effectives to surround themselves *ith the maximum guarantees. News agencies stated that importtn.t troop movements in which all tots would participate were to be earned out yesterday. Earlier defence measures were believed to be a reault of almost daily Mghte of German aeroplanes over togian territoi’y. German aeroptaijes twiett viedated Belgian territory oh Saturday arid the anti-aif-defences were in action. A special meeting of the Dutch "toet is in progress at The Hague, inhere readiness for all eventualities Kras announced. Holland’s first line of defence is “ Q w ice instead ol water. The Dutch Publishes an officially inspired quoting expert opinion that feezing would not mean that the Otory’s water defences would be repaired. It is stated that the enemy - °to be unable to cross ice in the °f a withering fire from an entoaxed army. Ice -would not afford thf^Tw 0 * 1 to especially as ae Dutch have devised means of jawing the water from under the 'Which is then unsupported, tw I sf ssa ge from The Hague says Holland’s defences are more an they were last NoMany areas have been flooded. The icetot waterways have started to

thaw, but the inundated areas are unlikely to bear weight for a day or two. Two German spies have been arrested. One is alleged to have transmitted weather reports from a radio in a car, and the other was endeavouring to procure large quantities of motor tyres. There has been a large round-up of foreigners in Amsterdam... Informed quarters in Berlin describe the precautions by Belgium and the Netherlands as “another epidemic of fear based on false reports.”

The Dutch authorities .announce that the allegation that a Dutch aeroplane violated German territory is absolutely untrue. ..