MOST SATISFACTORY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 253, 25 September 1939, Page 7

MOST SATISFACTORY

ALLIED POSITION. STRUGGLE ONLY BEGUN. LONDON, Sept. 23. The Paris correspondent of the New York Times says that the Premier (M. Daladier) was able to report to London to-day a more satisfactory situation than that of last week. Though the German propagandists are dwelling on British and French inability to give Poland effective aid, it is pointed out here that they neither promised to prevent invasion or immediately to throw their whole weight against Germany if the Poles were attacked. They would take up the fight, and they have done so, it is believed, in a manner most likely to lead to the ultimate salvation of the Polish cause. it is more insisted here that the struggle has only _ begun, 'those in a hurry had better revise their whole conception of how victory can he assured. The Mediterranean has still field the real centre of interest. Herr Hitler’s aim from the outset, of his career has been to give Germany an outlet to the Mediterranean, lienee Bussia’s intervention is not deemed to. be entirely disastrous. It is seen that she is tending to re-establish the balance in Eastern Europe and the Balkans since the Versailles Treaty.

The German High Command records artillery action at isolated points on the Western Front. It adds that anti-aircralt fire forced down a French ’plane at Saarbrucken. A German ’plane was shot down in an air fight. The Frefich repulsed an attack in three waves by German- battalions on a wood. It is reported that the presence of General von Brauchitscli coincided with a marked renewal of local activity through, the whole Western Front, including patrol engagements and a heavy bombardment of the French lines. GERMAN PRIVATIONS. German prisoners complain of insanitary conditions in parts of the Siegfried Line, where cold and damp affected the occupants. They complain also of badly ventilated concrete blockhouses. A communique issued by the Ministry of Information states that transports are daily reaching France with British troops, all of whom were equipped with lifebelts during the crossing. The British soldiers are fraternising with the French and directing traffic at crossroads. NEUTRAL PRECAUTIONS.

The Belgian Defence Minister (General Denis) reported the opening of. the Albert Canal dykes to protect Antwerp by artificial inundation. The measure is described as purely tionary.The Paris correspondent of the New York Times says that the British and French forces are most prepared to meet the German menace on the left flank. The menace is indefinite as yet, hut it seems to be coming probably through Belgium and Holland. He understands this to be the significance of the Dutch, as a precaution, having opened sluices in the area around Utrecht, which is reported to be flooded. The people of Luxemburg are abandoning the German frontier and taking refuge in the interior. Continued German concentrations in the Aachen zone are sufficient to warrant these neutral precautions. It was from Aachen that von Kluek’s First Army and von Bulow’s Second Army marched simultaneously. The Third Army and the Fourth Army started from Malmedy, and the Fifth Army from Trier. The Dutch frontier fortifications, which are not permanent, it is reported; are being.strengthened feverishly along three successive lines.

A French observer contrasted conditions in the French and Nazi lines on the AVestern Front. In the Maginot Line the French troops were well housed and had electric kitchens and an adequate supply of hot food, hut the quarters inside the Siegfried Line were, ill-ventilated and food had to be brought in from outside. A message from Switzerland stated that 25 per cent, of the men in the Siegfried Line were ill, chiefly* with rheumatism and stomach trouble. Once the heavy armoured doors had been closed during an attack accompanied by heavy artillery bombardment, it was probable the men would be confined in damp, cold, concrete blockhouses, with little sleep or air.