EUROPEAN UNREST

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1936, Page 2

EUROPEAN UNREST

GERMAN SUFFICIENCY PLAN HITLER AND BUSINESSMEN (by CABLE —PBESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] (Recd. December 21, 1 p.m.) LONDON, December 20. “The Times’s” Berlin correspondent says that Goering and his secretary were holding a conference with leading representatives of German industry, regarding the four-years’ self sufficiency plan, when Hitler unexpectedly arrived, and delivered a speech exhorting industry tb fulfil its duties under the plan. Hitler explained that he had entrusted to Goering the execution of the plan, because for Goering the word “impossible” did not exist. It is reported that the purpose of the conference was to impress on the industrialists the military urgency of the plan, owing to the lack of confidence with which the Government s whole economic policy was viewed in business circles generally. FOOD RATIONING. BERLIN. December 19. Christmas is likely to be Germany s last opportunity of unrestricted feasting for some time. Herr Hitler’s New' Year greeting takes the form of huge crimson placards, displayed throughout Germany, instructing housewives to register their requirements of butter, lard, margarine, dripping, suet, and oils. This is the first step in fulfilment of the four-year self-sufficiency plan. Rationing will begin on January 1. Nazi officials are at present taking a house-to-house census in order to discover the needs of each family.

Tho public is' most perturbed, , recalling the rigours attending the wartime issue of food cards. It is understood that bakers have been instructed not to sell bread before it is 24 hours old because fresh bread does not satisfy hunger as stale does.

NAVAL STRENGTH. LONDON, December 20. The naval year book published in Berlin shows that early in 1937 Germany will possess a submarine fleet about tw'ice as large as that of 1914. Submarines complete or ready in the Spring w’ill consist of 24 250-ton vessels, 10 of 500 tons, and two of 712 tons, although UlB, w'hich recently sunk, must be deducted. Surface vessels being constructed include a 35,000ton battleship, tw'o 26,000-ton battleships, two aeroplane carriers, three 10,000-ton cruisers, six destroyer?, and 12 torpedo boats. All are being built under Anglo-German naval agreement. The 250-ton submarines have three torpedo tubes- and a crew of 25. The 500-ton vessels have five torpedo tubes, an 8.8 centimetre gun, and a crew of 35. The largest will have six torpedo tubes, a 10.5 centimetre gun, and a crew’ of 40. LUXEMBOURG’S REQUEST. (Received December 21, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 20. The “Observer’s” Brussels correspondent says: The Premier of Luxembourg has conferred with the Government. ‘ It is believed that he is anxious for closer political contact with Belgium, and to secure an extension of the British guarantee to Luxembourg. It is understood that France is prepared to include Luxembourg in the guarantee offered to Belgium. Newspapers point out that Luxembourg provides dn ideal line of passage for German troops attacking the Maginot line, along the Belgian frontier. FRENCH DEFENCES PARIS, December 20. The Minister for Defence, M. Daladier, in the Senate, announced the drawing up of a programme for better, co-ordination in defence, including industrial mobilisation, compulsory military training for the young, and paying special attention to strategic roads, petrol supply, and home-made substitutes for commodities usually imported. DUTCH PRECAUTIONS THE HAGUE,. December 20. A bill is being prepared to increase the annual levy—at present 19,500 men —probably to 32,000, and prolonging the first training period, hitherto five and a-half months, to a year. The Government explains that it is essential to have a trained force permanently under arms to resist surprise attacks. AGREEMENT REPORTED. LONDON, December 19. The “Daily Mail” says that after Signor Mussolini’s speech at Littoria it is learned that Britain and Italy have reached an agreement in principle. It is hoped to issue a communique early in 1937 setting out the views of both Governments that their Mediterranean interests do not conflict, and also that tho status quo will be maintained. It Is understood that a satisfactory arrangement has been reached concerning Italy’s Abyssinian conquest. CONSCRIPTION IN BRITAIN? (Reed. Dec. 21, Noon). LONDON, December 20. The “Sunday Pictorial" declares that conscription is bound to come in Britain, unless there is an increase in recruiting early in 1937. It says: This is the opinion of those most closely in touch with the situation. The periodical, “New Statesman,” says a Bill is being prepared to cover the whole of the male population.