FRENCH FRONTIER

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1936, Page 5

FRENCH FRONTIER

TO BE FORTIFIED

FEARS OF GERMAN INVASION

(United Press Association— % Electric

Telegraph—Copyright;.

PARIS, November • 4

After announcing 'France’s decision to ' loftily the. Belgian frontier, M. Daladier (Minister for Defence) said there would also be a further extension of the Ma gi not line along tlie Swiss frontier, making a formidable 800 miles of’ fortifications from tlie English channel to the Jura moun-j tains. Jt is a precaution against an invader violating Swiss neutrality. “1 will ask Parliament soon for a credit of 500,000,0,00 francs to complete the work, and in addition to establish a system of dykes in Hie north to flood the countryside contiguous to Belgium if .necessary,” he said.

Discussing the German army M. Daladier - said' the mechanisation oi it and the improvement to roads and railways presented a dangerous perspective, hut tlie army lacked officers. Ther e was only 12,000 officers and 800,000 men' and it would take a year to make up the shortage Eighty per cent, of the army was concentrated on the French and Swiss frontiers.

“Franc© must- count on herself alone, since the Belgian neutrality declaration will probably render the French and Belgian general , staff agreements ineffective,” said Mr Daladier. He regretted the existence of communist cells in the French army, and said he would not permit politics in the army nor any breach of discipline or strikes in the arsenals.

A Geneva message says the decision is regarded as the natural corollary of the fortification ' of the •Belgian frontier. Preparations have been going on in the Jura area for some time. The danger of violation of, Swiss neutrality is realised in Switzerland, where increased fortifications ar e planned.