FRENCH PRECAUTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 September 1938, Page 7

FRENCH PRECAUTIONS

RESERVES CALLED UP PREMIER’S RE-ASSURANCE

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] (Recd. September 6, 11 a.m.) j PARIS, September 5. I Numbers of French reservists have been called to the colours for the purpose of manning the Maginot Line, j The frontier garrisons are at full strength. All leave is temporarily ' cancelled. M. Daladier, after a conference with ]M. Bonnet, issued a communique, stating that leave was cancelled and the reservists called up, as an unavoidI able precaution, in view of the Ger- ■ man frontier reinforcements. I He urges calmness, which “is an 1 essential element in the maintenance of peace. In any case, according to the latest information, the general situation is apparently tending toward an appreciable relaxation of the I tension.” NOT MOBILISATION. (Received September 6, 3 p.m.) PARIS, September G. “Precautionary measures” include Navy and Air Force preparations, cancellation of leave of officials of Ministries, gendarmes on the frontiers, and employees of prefectures. “We are ready for any eventuality, and are not losing sight of the fact that Germany has 1,500 o n o men under arms,” declared a Foreign Offier spokesman. j He announced it was intended t>> man fully the forts and defences of the Maginot line and other frontier garrisons, but he emphasised there is no question of mobilisation. The measures could be regarded as a series of separate operations.

Newspapers do not feature the measures, which are accepted by the civil population, without excitement. FRENCH SUSPICIONS. PARIS, September 5. The press still suspect a plebiscite demand in Czechslovakia, which M. Lo Jour likens to a categorical ultimatum, which Britain and France would find difficult to accept. Madame Tabouis, in “L’Oeuvre,” says that Hitler has ordered the negoriations to continue till September 10, then he will propose a plebiscite, and immediately invade the Sudeten territory, for which lie estimates three days will be sufficient. Prominence is given to the unveiling of the memorial at Bordeaux, to commemorate the American entry into war, whereat M. Bonnet emphasised the desire for peace, but the determination to stand by treaty obligations. GERMAN CLAIM. (Received September 6, 11.30 a.m.) BERLIN, September 5. “Just manoeuvres,” is the laconic explanation of the frontier movements. Officers declared it was ridiculous to talk of anti-French concentrations. At Nuremberg, it is stated that the authorities are surprised at the French action, and declare that while not questioning the right of France to take any steps thought necessary for her security, Germany considered herself entitled to take similar steps. CZECH VIGILANCE. (Recd. September 6, 1 p.m.) PRAGUE, September 5. It is learned that France gave Czechoslovakia advance information of the military precautions. It is not expected that this will be followed, at present, by exceptional Czech measures, as vigilance has long prevailed. BELGIAN CALM. BRUSSELS, September 5. Military movements are unlikely, as the Government does not consider special measures necessary. SUDETEN DEMONSTRATIONS (Recd. September 6, 8 a.m.) LONDON. September 5. Reuter’s Prague correspondent reports that obviously organised Sudeten demonstrations yesterday in Petscheng and Garnischkranu, chanted “We want the Fuhrer. One people, one country one leader.” These suggest that the plebiscite idea is not far in the background. Dr. Hodza had not left Prague at the week-end. He had an interview with M. Benes yesterday. Official circles do not support the rumour that Lord Runciman may see Hitler. It is pointed out that this would change the private nature of his mediation into direct intervention.

WATKIN—HENLEIN INTERVIEW [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, September 5. Mr. Watkin met Henlein at the latter’s residence at Asch yesterday, to discuss the development at the Berchtesgaden interview between Henlein and Hitler. In view of the highly confidential character of the exchange of views, no information is available as to what transpired. Lord Halifax and his advisers had before them in Loudon to-day. a brief confidential report received through the British Legation at Prague, to which Mr. Watkin reported of the Runciman mission's impression of the results of Henlein’s visit to Hitler. This information was being considered along with other relevant factors. Lord Halifax hopes to be in a position to leave for Geneva on Friday to head the British delegation to the League Asssembly. At the meeting of the League Council on Friday, Britain will be represented by Mr. Butler. . CZECH NEW PROPOSALS (Recd. Sept. 6, 3 p.m.). PRAGUE, September 5. Cabinet, after sitting for five and ahalf hours, issued a communique stating that new proposals were being presented to the Sudetens. Earlier, the Sudetens again declared, after a conference with Henlein, who reported on the Berchtesgaden conversations with Hitler, that the dispute could be settled only by a comprehen-

sive and rapid realisation of the Carlsbad demands. HITLER AT NUREMBERG. (Received September 6, 8 a.m.) NUREMBERG, September 5. Hitler arrived at 11 a.m., accompan ied by Dr. Goebbels and other party leaders. He alighted at the golddraped station and inspected a bodyguard of the Black Guarders. He drove to his hotel, the route being lined with cheering thousands. The Jew-baiter, Herr Franconia, carried out the promise to remove all traces of the festive city’s great synagogue before the Congress, and only a vacant space remains. LATER. The route was lined by cheering thousands. The station precincts were lined' with Storm troopers, with arms interlocked to restrain the crowds, whom a second line of troops faced. Cold, wet weather failed to dampen the Nazis’ enthusiasm. Hitler was welcomed by the Mayor as the creator of Greater Germany and the liberator of Austria. Hitler responded: “Again the Nazis, this time of Greater Germany, meet to gather new strength for the task of •the coming year. We are happy that our Austrian brothers are with us.” It was announced that the regalia of the Holy Roman Empire is being transferred from Vienna to Nuremberg. CATHOLICS IN AUSTRIA. LONDON, September 5. The Vienna representative of the “Daily Telegraph” says all Catholic, pastors yesterday read a pastoral letter signed by Cardinal Innitzer on behalf of the archbishops and bishops throughout Austria. The pastoral declared religious deflar.'e .'.j.’iintt the Nazis, pledging the clergy to protest against the secularisation of marriages, and the excluding of priests and nuns as teachers from educational and charitable establishments.

JEWS IN DANZIG. LONDON, September 5. The “Daily Telegfraph’s*’ Warsaw correspondent says: The Medical Council of Danzig is depriving all Jewish doctors of the right to practice in Danzig as from October 1. HUNGARIAN CONSCRIPTION. BUDAPEST, September 5. The Prinrne Minister (Dr. Imredy), affirming Hungary’s peacefulness of intention, announced the introduction of a Defence Bill based on conscription, and including pre-military training. GOLD AND DOLLAR RISE. (Received September 6, Noon.) LONDON, September 5. Gold 144/1, dollar 482 J, franc 178 5-16. The rise in the dollar is attributed to the recent flight of so called “funk” money from European currencies, owing to the uneasiness on the continent, to dollars, of which the pound bears the brunt. T.U.C. POLICY. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS-] RUGBY. September- 5. The Trades Union Congress at Blackpool, accepted the recommendation of its Standing Orders Committee, to hold a private discussion on Thursday, on the international situation. On Wednesday a joint meeting of the General Council National Executive Committee of the Labour Party and the executive of the Parliamentary Labour Party is expected to france a declaration that will be an interstatement of Labour’s policy. In his presidential address, Mr. H. H. Elvin commented on the aspects of the European situation, recalling the position in 1914, and declared that all those who had lived through the last war, should have learned the illusory nature of armed peace.