MARTIAL LAW DECLARED

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 November 1939, Page 7

MARTIAL LAW DECLARED

BY NETHERLAND GOVERNMENT FRONTIER PRECAUTIONS TAKEN [by cable —PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.] " ' LONDON, November 1. Martial law has been declared by the Netherlands .Government in several districts of strategic importance along the Dutch-German frontier. Some of these areas include what is known as the inundation areas, where water defences may be brought to play against an invader. This is the most drastic of several steps taken to-day by the Netherlands Government to put the frontier defences in order.

Another report from Amsterdam says: “It is officially stated that martial law will shortly be introduced in certain parts of Holland in connection with the possible flooding of areas and other, military measures,”

Holland and Switzerland are increasing their defences. In the Netherlands, the water defences have been further tested, and portions of the area have been flooded to soak the ground thoroughly. In Switzerland preparations are being made to transfer factories from frontier areas further inland. STATE OF SIEGE PROCLAIMED

LONDON, November 2. “The Times” Amsterdam correspon-

dent says: A state of siege has been proclaimed in Holland by Royal decree issued yesterday, November 1, in certain municipalities along the frontiers, including the inundation zones. It is unofficially reported that a quantity of water has’already been released into the area, that would be immediately flooded in the event of the country being Attacked, with the object of thoroughly soaking the ground, so that, if the sluices should be raised and the dykes blown up, the water would rapidly pour ovei’ the land, thus converting it into a sodden marsh, over which no transport could pass.

One report says that the province of Utrecht has already been flooded.