Germany’s Rhineland Fortifications

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 181, 3 August 1938, Page 5

Germany’s Rhineland Fortifications

Thousands Conscripted To Hurry on Work SIGNS OF COMING MILITARY ACTIVITY Received Tuesday, Midnight. LONDON, Aug. 2. Reuter’s Berlin correspondent reports that 12,000 workmen, mostly carpenters, excavators and masons employed on Berlin’s public building programmes, have been sent to work on the fortifications in Western Germany in the past few days. It is understood General Goering gave the men no option. Between 50 and 60 thousand are reported to have been conscripted from all over Germany for the same purpose.

An indication of approaching military activity, presumably exercises, is that farmers near Berlin have been ordered to complete the harvest before August 15 in order that the military may use their horses.

FRANCE IS VIGILANT

LONDON, Aug. 1.

The Paris correspondent of The Times says that France is not taking special counter-measures against the German fortification campaign in the Rhineland, though she may accelerate her military works on the Belgian and Swiss frontiers.

The Government is vigilant, especially as German officials have been warned to complete their holidays by August 16. France is not blind to the disagreeable implications of the warning, but recognises that possibly it was given with the object of influencing the attitude of Britain and France in favour of the Sudeten Germans.