Dangerous Rumours of Armed Clash

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 47, 25 February 1938, Page 7

Dangerous Rumours of Armed Clash

Europe's Hostile Camps British Efforts For Peace (British Official Wireless,) Received Thursday, 6,30 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 23. The Home Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, speaking at the National Chamber of Trade lunch in London, said that for months past Europe had seemed to be irrevocably splitting itself into two hostile camps and both were arming with feverish activity. In both alike there were very dangerous rumours of an inevitable clash, but the British Government were not prepared to accept war as inevitable. They did not believe a catastrophe must come and they were determined to make a sustained effort to drive the haunting fear of war out of the hearts of men and women in Europe. They might fail in their attempt, hut he asked the country to believe in their integrity. This, said Sir Samuel, was no cowardly, shady negotiation upon which they had embarked. It was an honest attempt to face the causes of difference and remove them with honour and justice to both sides. Nor was it in any sense a sacrifice of old friends. If they wished to make new friends, there could be no question of abandoning old ones. “TO THE LAST DROP OP BLOOD” MAYOR OF VIENNA HITS OUT United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Thursday, 8.5 p.m. VIENNA, Feb. 24. The Mayor of Vienna, Herr Richard Gehmidtz, who is a strong Catholic, made a surprising anti-N£,zi speech before a large audience. “We will fight for Austria’s independence to the last drop of blood,” he asserted. “We reject Utopians, who believe it is possible to combine 90,000,000 Germans in one state. A regime which is hostile to the church will not last.” CZECH WARNING TO OTHER POWERS GENERAL STAFF IS QUITE READY Received Thursday, 8.5 p.m. PRAGUE, Feb. 24. A communique issued by the Chief of the General Staff, General Krejei, states: The general staff is aware of the possibility of a war against the Republic without a formal declaration of war. It is well prepared and will not be taken by surprise. The standard of army defence works and the armament industry is highly perfected. Any enemy will do weil to think twice whether a surprise attack has any prospects of quick success. A huge barrier of permanent fortifications is being constructed over the length of the frontiers and eight aircraft factories are working at full speed, while a detailed scheme of food supply has been worked out.