GREATER TENSION

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 89, 15 April 1940, Page 7

GREATER TENSION

NEUTRAL. STATES:

DEFENCE ACCELERATED^;

ALARM IN HOLLAND

MARTIAL LAW EXTENDED

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.),

LONDON, April 14. Tension throughout the Europe«v ; neutral States is widening and deep- '.' ening. . - ■' Accelerated defensive preparations in Sweden, Belgium., and Holland, • and a new'crop of rumours throughout the Balkans, indicate that the >l diplomatic war is not slackening, but here again the Allies appear to have assumed the initiative. The Dutch defences are now placed • in the third stage of alarm. and pre*' • paredness, meaning that every man is ~ at his post and engineers -waiting be-, . side the sluice gates to release the - waters. Troop movements continue" „ every night. The unexplained absence of all four; of the National-Socialist members from • the second chamber. of the Dutch. Par* '' - liament has created a political stir. A message from The Hague says that' ' a Dutch Boyal decree extends maftial, , law to the provinces of North Brabant, \ ; Groningen, Drentbe, and Overyssel,;. -\ thus placing the whole country wholly," ' : \- ---or partially under emergency coifrql:'.".. Air-raid exercises have been carried f out and British residents warned to; "r be ready to leave at the shortest notice, - ; and in the event of emergency to' re- -' port at the Consulates in Rotterdam "••. and Amsterdam with only hand ? luggage. • . The Government has announced thai x . Holland will maintain' her independ- -. - ence and will not make precautionary -.r military agreements with any of tke '■ belligerents. BELGIAN EFFORTS TO AVOID WAR "..■" The Belgian army has placed guards- , on all public buildings, Ministries, radio stations, air fields, and, post .'- ---offices, thus completing all except the final stage of full mobilisation. - :i ",'- It is announced that Belgium is pur* chasing from the United States fight* '^ planes. capable of 430 miles an hour. ■ King Leopold conferred with, hjp . Cabinet -and received the Norwegian ',-; Minister. M. Spaak, Premier of Belgium, said .-^ in a speech: "Belgium is doing hei ; utmost to avoid war, but she naust "ba v, strong and united." .Turkish defence measures include 3 ; request by the ; Government for an . extraordinary credit of £2,000,000. ' The Turks are following-events in - ■ Scandinavia with passionate interest" and they appreciate fully that Britain ' -. France are fighting for the small nations^ '