HITLER’S NEXT BLOW

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23002, 23 April 1940, Page 9

HITLER’S NEXT BLOW

An Early Movement Expected UNEASE AMONG NEUTRALS (BSITI3H OFFICIAL WIEBLBSS.) (Received April 22, 8 p.m.) RUGBY, April 21. There is a widespread feeling that whatever happens in Norway, Hitler is likely soon to strike elsewhere, in one event to exploit his success, in the other to divert attention from his failure, according to the “Sunday Times.” “Incandescent lava,” it says, “can be seen brimming on the lip of the volcano. Men ask only in which direction it will overflow.” Sunday newspapers are much preoccupied with the degree to which the growing menace to neutrals of a Germany governed by Nazi doctrines Is being realised by those States exposed to Nazi aggression, which have so far escaped actual violence. There is a feeling that recent events must have served to bring home in many quarters warnings which British statesmen have repeatedly given to neutrals that until Nazi lawlessness has been defeated, there is no security for any State. Dispatches from newspapers’ own correspondents in neutral capitals indicate that in nearly every case vigorous measures are being taken or are planned against the Nazi technique of penetration, which has been so strikingly illustrated by events in Denmark and Norway. The “Sunday Times” writes: “Ever since April 9, when Germany suddenly invaded without provocation two neutral States, completely overwhelming one and seizing the capital of the other, all the rest of the European neutrals have seen where they stand. With the temporary exceptions of Russia and Italy, they know they, may be in imminent danger. They know, too, its source is Germany alone. Even Russia and Italy—though for the time being they feel safe and, though Germany : at the moment is pressing them to become her partners in a new crime, as Russia has already been in the brime against Poland —must be aware that their security would be gone if Germany were finally vie- 1 torious. “In Holland a state of siege has j been proclaimed over the entire ] country. In Jugoslavia, Dr. Stoja- ; dinovitch, so long and recently proNazi Premier, has been interned. J Sweden, Belgium, Hungary, Ru- ! mania and Turkey have alike taken ■ safeguarding measures." ! The Brussels correspondent of the ' “Daily Telegraph" says that Belgian j authorities discovered 50 German marine officers near Ostend and 1 Zeebrugge. The majority are be- ] lieved to have entered illegally. 1 Twenty thousand military boots j consigned from Germany to a small j merchant were discovered in a cus- : toms warehouse. The merchant denied knowledge of them. ! A message from Geneva says that the Swiss Government has sus- 1 pended the university course for German law students, many of whom are “engaged in activities contravening Swiss neutrality and endangering national security.” Sweden is taking fresh defensive j measures, A request has been made ( to the Government for an emerg- , ency law for compulsory labour ser- \ vice, A grant of £6,000,000 has been made for the purchase of artillery | materials and for the control of food j prices. j Steps are still being taken to clear < up activities of the Nazis. Newspapers and documents relating to the . activities of the Swedish National Socialist Party have been seized. ! More German aeroplanes have been seen over Swedish territory. J The newspapers comment strongly on this, declaring that these flights ; must be deliberate, and probably for photographic purposes. One newspaper declared that Herr Hitler had said that no country could be neutral unless it was prepared to defend its neutrality, but in Sweden, the Germans would find that they were ready to meet any violation of their neutrality. PARACHUTISTS CAPTURED MOPPING-UP OPERATION AT DQMBAAS LONDON, April 22. The Stockholm correspondent of the Exchange Telegra- hj Company describes the mopping-up of the last of the German parachute troops at Dombaas on April 21. The parachutists had occupied a farmhouse and the Norwegians surrounded it and advanced under cover of machine-guns. A - grenade was thrown into a cellar, and it wrecked the farmhouse. The Geymans capitulated after the loss of 25 killed and 26 wounded. One hundred and fifty were taken prisoner. The parachutists carried a surprising amount of equipment, including machine-guns, collapsible bicycles, two-way radios, saws, cameras, and welding apparatus. The Germans had compelled 50 civilians to carry the equipment for them.