ENEMY THREATS

Grey River Argus, 17 January 1940, Page 7

ENEMY THREATS

TO SMALL POWERS Joint Nazi-Communist Move [Aust. &'N.Z. Cable Assn J (Received January 16, 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, January 15. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Copenhagen} .correspondent says: “It is generally felt that the Russian threat on Scandinavia, and the German threat on the Low Countries, are closely connected. It is believed that Berlin and Moscow have divided the neutral countries of Northern and Western Europe into vague spheres of dominatiori', and that the latest events have represented joint Russian-German assault on the Oslo group of Small Powers as a whole, and also individually. .“A Wilhelmstrasse spokesman said: “Belgiurii and the Netherlands have been asking for this and for a long time by their failure to preserve proper neutrality. If they had resisted the British demands, this situation would not have arisen. ’

German Intention

TO INVADE HOLLAND. VIEW OF FOREIGN JOURNALISTS. LONDON, January 15. The “Mail’s” Stockholm correspondent says: News telephoned from Berlin early this morning indicates that' foreign journalists are convinced Germany intends to march across the Dutch frontier in the next 24 hours. GERMAN OFFENSIVE. LIKELY ON SATURDAY. PARIS, January 15. The commentator, M. Morice, affirms that Hitler will launch an offensive against Holland and Belgium on January 20.

Belgium Calm but Alert FRONTIER MANNED AND EVACUATED. LONDON, January 15. The Belgian newspapers deprecate alarmist rumours as to a German invasion. The papers also emphasise the measures that have been taken to safeguard Belgium. The Belgian news agency says that Belgium remains calm, but the army is on its toes.

The military measures which Belgium has decided to put into operation amount to almost total mobilisation of the country. When this is completed only one further phase of mobilisation will remain. The measures were announced by wireless and by notices posted in the streets. The news was received with complete calm, and the general impression is that the measures are precautionary. A'report from Brussels says that troop trains are running all night. Some civilians are being evacuated from frontier districts near Liege, and riiotor-cars, buses, carriages, cycles and horses have been requisitioned: 1 Armed guards are established at public buildings. The press bureau is closed ahd the General Staff of the Belgian Army is issuing all information. There has been unustial air activity. The public has been warned to be ready for a blackout;

KING LEOPOLD TAKES COMMAND. BRUSSELS, January 15. As a sequel, to the new stage of mobilisation, King Leopold has assumed supreme command of the army; and .’established his general headquarters at the Ministry of Defence,. which is now limited to admin,istrative work. FRANCO-BELGIAN CONFERENCE. LONDON, January 15. M. Daladier received the Belgian Ambassador and Marshal Gamelin.