NEW ADVANCE BY BRITISH

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24501, 26 February 1945, Page 5

NEW ADVANCE BY BRITISH

CANADIANS FIGHTING IN CALCAR (Rco. 11 p.m.). ' LONDON. Feb. 25. Fbllowing close upon the new offensive on the United States Ist apd 9th Armies' front, British infantry of the Canadian Ist Army, launched a new attack on Saturday morning. Scottish troops have reached the line of the Niers river below Goch and are under a mile north of Weeze (south of

Goch). The Germans have withdrawn their main forces east of Cleve back to Calcar. Canadian troops are now fighting inside Calcar. A field correspondent says; “The attack on Saturday was south of Goch in the direction of Weeze. It went in before dawn, and progress of more than half a mile has been made towards Weeze in spite of heavy artillery, mortal’, and machine : gun fire, and our forces are now closing in on the town from the north and northwest. More than 200 prisoners have already been taken. “Canadian infantry have improved and extended their positions east and south-east of the Cleve fptesi. Patrols report that the enemy is holding Calcar probably in some strength. The total number of prisoners taken since the start' of the offensive in this area is in excess of 11,000.”

SECURITY OF EUROPE

FRENCH AND BELGIAN

AGREEMENT

ECpNOMIC PACT MADE

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 24. “It is authoritatively stated in Paris that complete agreement on the necessity for separating the Rhineland and Westphalia from Germany as a guarantee for future European security exists between France and Belgium,” says the Paris correspondent of th©| British United press. “The agreement was reached after* two days’ conversations between the Belgian Foreign Minister CM. Spaak) and French Cabinet Ministers. “An official communique says that they discussed political questions concerning the two countries and particularly various aspects of the German problem, the reconstruction of Europe, and organisation for world security. They disclosed a wide agreement of views as well as a-common desire to continue theif efforts in the political and economic spheres In order to reach ‘harmonious collaboration on corresponding interests and the deep sentiments ot the two peoples.” It is also announced in Paris that four economic, agreements have been reached between 1 Prance, Holland, Belgium, and Luxemburg. They are,’ first, an economic consultation agreement between all four countries, which will be signed soon; second, a commercial agreement between France, Belgium, and Luxemburg; third, an agreement between France and Belgium pn the exchange of information about the financial holdings of nationals of each country in another’s country; and fourth, a provisional agreement fixing the rate of exchange between the French and Belgian franc. France, under the commercial agreement, wil’ supply agricultural products, chemicals, and building materipls to Belgium. Belgium will export to France sulphur matches and manufactured goods. • ' , The economic agreement aims at enabling the four countries to pool their productive capacity and resources during the reconstruction period where there is little hope of relying on imports from overseas. Efforts will be made to avoid the re-establishment of competing industries. Authoritative quarters : emphasise that no customs unions at present are contemplated, and there is no question of establishing a so-called western bloc, to which France, in fact, is strongly opposed. Britain, Russia, and the United States were kept fully informed throughout the talks.

EARL LLOYD GEORGE’S CONDITION

(Rec. 5.45 p.m.) LONDON. Feb 25 Earl Lloyd George was last night reported to.be in good spirits, but he is fighting an increasing weariness.