A BACKGROUND OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 2, 27 September 1939, Page 8

A BACKGROUND OF THE WAR

Women As Conscripts

FORMATION OF NAZI LABOUR CORPS

The Nazi doctrine that woman's X>lace is in the home, has not stood the test of a war emergency. According to reports, the first two age groups (17 to 25) of the Women’s Section of the German Labour Front, are shortly to be called up for labour service, and camps for 60,000 women are ready. Practically every country has its army of workers and its bands of willing helpers in time of national emergency. But Nazi Germany goes even further. Every woman is. expected, like every man, to consider serrice t 0 the State of supreme importance, or, in the words of the Reich Women’s Leader. Frau Gertrud Scholtz-Klink, to “adjust herself to the demands of the new age.”

The extent to which this is achieved, and the methods adopted is indicated by an article 'by Frau Scholtz-Klink on “The Place of Women in. the NewGermany.” Just as the notorious Gestapo and the S.S. guards see to it that the will of the National Socialist . Government is carried out, so too. it is the duty of the Women’s Section of the Labour Front (Fraument) to see that the women are 'thoroughly acquainted with what will be required of them. . According to Frau , Scholtz-Klink, there were 8,000,000 members of this women’s organization in 1938. Their task was mainly,to look after the interests of the 11,000,000 women employed in the various occupations and factories. “They must take a pride in their -work and must be able to say, ‘I have a useful duty to fulfil, and the work I do is au essential part of the work performed by the whole nation.’ ”

Changes In Trade Vast changes in the normal flow of Great Britain’s trade have followed the outbreak of war. The cutting-off of imports valued at over £50,000,000 annually from the enemy, Germany, from Poland, now in German and Russian hands, and from Czechoslovakia, incorporated in the Reich, illustrates the extent of this, and the extent to which a reorientation of import trade must be made.

Imports to the United Kingdom from Germany in 1937 were valued at £36,188,000, from Poland in the same year £10,858,000, and from Czechoslovakia in 1936, £5,837,000. Germany’s principal exports to Britain were glass and glass manufactures, coal-tar dyes, woollens; hosiery, machinery, toys, rayon goods, chemicals, electrical goods and leather goods. From Poland Britain received principally eggs, bacon, sawn soft wood and sleepers. Czechoslovakian exports to Britain, were confined largely to hats and capes, gloves, boots and shoes and glass. It will ibe the part of the Dominions to do all they can to supply the deficiency in the imports of the two important food items formerly supplied by Poland.

Nazis And Switzerland The unfortified area’ between Huningue and Basle at the junction of the French and Swiss borders, through which it is suggested that the Germans may try to drive a wedge into France, has been accepted as a demilitarized zone for centuries. More than 100 years ago a pact was reached between the French and the Swiss that there was to be no military activity in this area, and the pact has since been religiously kept. The Rhine river runs through this area, and significance has been attached to the reports that the Germans have been conducting air reconnaissance Hights from near Schaffhausen, which is a town on the German border near Fredrickshaven along the Rhine to Basle, and to the fact that the Germans have also been constructing aerodromes in this area.

The Germans are, of course, under the same obligation as France and Switzerland to observe this area as a demilitarized zone, but the German attitude toward obligations is too well known to believe that Hitler’s advisors have not appreciated the possibilities of a thrust at this point with no Maginot Line to oppose them. England To France

An official wireless report describing the transport of British troops from England to France lias been written in a manner suggesting that a round-albout route is being taken.

‘“All on board soon settled down to the inevitable pastimes. . . . The voyage passed uneventfully.” These are unusual words to apply to a 'sea trip which can Ibe as short as 26 miles.

In time of peace there are about 20 different routes of travel from England to the Continent, 13;of whieh are to and from France. The regular services include London-Dunkirk, LondonHavre, London-Bordeaux, London-Mar-seilles, London-Toulon, Dover-Calais, Folkestone - Boulogne, NewhavenDieppe, Portsmouth-Havre, Southamp-ton-Cherbourg, Southampton-St. Malo, Southampton-Granville, Liverpool-Bor-deaux.

The longest of these passages, of course, are those to the Mediterranean ports, but tlie Loudon-Bordeaux and Liverpool-Bordeaux routes are 680 and 670 miles respectively. From Southampton to St. Malo is 103 miles. The shortest journeys are from Doviir to Calais and Folkestone-Boulogne—-about an hour and a half.

Many people in time of peace, however, prefer the Newhaven-Dieppe journey, which is somewhat longer on the sea, but saves some of the noisy boredom of Continental train travel. Amenities Of Travel

Crossing the Channel, in the fast, up-to-date vessels now in service is an exhilarating experience—when the weather is fine. Tlie trim little ships are capable of up to 25 knots and they are admirably equipped for the comfort of passengers. The message made reference to the brewing of the “strong sweet tea of the British army” on board. If, however, discipline was relaxed for the crossing, it is probable that another type of 'brew was also popular. The Channel steamers have large bars and seem to carry an apparently inexhaustible supply of English beers.

Having reached France the troops (again assuming a temporary relaxa- , tion of discipline) would lie able at the nearest railway station to sample the dry ligOit wines that are so much easier to obtain than a drink of plain water. A pint bottle of wine, a bottle opened and a paper cup, can be bought from any French station refreshment trolley for a few pence. The exchange rate being what it is, “Tommy’s” pay will buy him many little luxuries in France. The franc is worth about a penny halfpenny, which means that quite a long bus ride iu | Paris may be had for a halfpenny.