DEFENCE OF FRANCE

Evening Star, Issue 22559, 29 January 1937, Page 9

DEFENCE OF FRANCE

RESISTANCE TO SUDDEN ATTACK DEPUTY DRAWS ATTENTION TO NARROW ROADS Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright PARIS, January 28. (Received January 29, at 11.30 a.m.) “ Are th© French effectives sufficient to resist a sudden attack on the Maginot line, especially on a Sunday, when so many men are on leave? ’’ was the surprising question a deputy asked M. Daladier (Minister of Defence), who replied that the effectives were sufficient for any eventuality. The deputy protested that, while the wide German roads enabled transport of German troops to the frontier in four hours, it would take France 18 hours on her narrow' ones. GERMAN FORTIFICATIONS ALMOST COMPLETE ON RHINE LONDON. January 28. (Received January 29, at 1 p.m.) “ Within 12 months of the reoccupation of the Rhineland the remilitarisation of Germany’s western frontier is almost complete,” states the ‘ Manchester Guardian’s ’ diplomatic correspondent. A huge fortified girdle, in the opinion of experts, can be held with small forces against the entire French and Belgian armies, enabling the main offensive to be conducted elsewhere. It does not follow that Germany has abandoned the idea of a major offensive westward, but the immediate plan seems to be eastward expansion.