A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 2, 27 September 1939, Page 10

A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

A swift extension of activity on the estern Front has taken place in the past 24 hours. Previously the Allied offensive was on a 90-mile line from the Luxemburg border to Lauterburg, and the rest of the Franco-Gennan frontier was manned but quiescent. Now an artillery duel appears to be in progress along the Rnmc foi 80 miles south of Lauterburg.

Sinister German movement is reported from the Swiss frontier east of Basle. Air reconnaissance is being carried out along the Rhine, which flows parallel with tins frontier for 60 miles or more, and troops are being concentrated there.

The suggestion is that the Nazi High Command may attempt to outflank the Maginot Line in the south by launching an offensive through the top of Switzerland. Many bridges cross the Rhine at Basle, at Waldshut, 30 miles to the east, and at Schaffhausen, near the point where the Rhine flows out of Swiss tenitory. Moreover, there is a gap in the French fortifications between Basle and Huningtte (five or six miles to the north), this being a demilitarized zone tinder the terms of the Treaty of Paris.

Notwithstanding the recent speculation concerning the Dutch and Belgian frontiers, the French from the outbreak of war have had in mind the possibility of a blow aimed through Switzeiland. The day after war was declared a strong French fotce was concentrated near the junction of the three frontiers. A Nazi violation of traditional Swiss neutrality, whatever its military value, would be a desperate venture. J. he Swiss are fully jirepared and would resist by every means at their command. Italy would be gravelv affronted, and world opinion electrified. * * * *

It is not improbable that the extension of the Allied offensive denotes the arrival of British troops on the northern line in more substantial numbers. So far, however, no indication has been given as to the section of the front the Tommies will occupy. 'rhe French are still thrusting strongly into their salient east of Saarbrucken, the objective being Blieskastel, near the edge of the German Palatinate. Some 40 miles east, at Weissenburg, the Germans are counter-attacking strongly, but have been held. Though French shells are- now pounding some West Wall fortresses, the German fire is falling short of the Allied emplacements. This demonstrates the valuable advantage gained by the rapid advance of the first week, followed by a consolidation of the line, which enabled heavy French artillery to be brought up close to the rivers Saar and Blies.

The situation in Poland is unchanged, but increasing attention is being directed to Russian activities on practically all of her European frontiers. She is massing troops along the Rumanian frontier, as well as near the borders of the Baltic republics.

Rumania’s lively fear of a Red Army move into Bessarabia is reflected in additional defence precautions. Part of Bessarabia is Ukranian, racially linked with the southern Polish territory now held by the Russians.

The Turko-Russian negotiations are still in the realm of speculation, a new theory being that the Soviet Government is offering to guarantee Turkey against German expansion in return for the closing of the Black Sea (an action which would debar the Allies from access to the Baku oilfields).

There is also talk of diplomatic activity between Russia and Yugoslavia—a further indication that the imponderable bear is making every effort to dominate eastern European policies. * * * *

The Allied air arms are again active. The French have bombed Friedrichshafen, the German airship and munitions centre on the far side of Lake Constance from Switzerland, while the R.A.F. have treated western Germany to another “leaflet offensive,” Germany has extended her U-boat campaign to neutral shipping., Swedish and. Finnish vessels being made victims.