Do Not Feel They Are Threatened

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 95, 24 April 1939, Page 7

Do Not Feel They Are Threatened

Small States’ Reply To Herr Hitler’s Query BUT ABE PREPARED United Pres* Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, 7.5 p.m. LONDON, April 22. A general admittance that they do not feel threatened, but (with a few exceptions) that they are prepared for eventualities is contained in the replies given to Herr Hitler by smaller European States in answer to his direct query made on April 19 to a number of the smaller States mentioned in President Roosevelt’s appeal as to whether they felt they were threatened by Germany. The Netherlands Government has replied that it does not feel threatened, but will defend its country by all means in the event of an outbreak of any war. It is understood that the Belgian Government’s reply states that Germany, Britain and France answered President Roosevelt in 1937 by guaranteeing Belgian integrity. The Government has no reason to doubt any guarantor. It is understood that Lithuania has replied to the German demarche that she does not fear German attack, and has asked nobody to assist her. The Finnish Government has replied that it does not feel its neutrality is menaced by Germany. The Swiss Government declares it is confident its neighbours will respect Swiss neutrality, but it is decided to fight for Swiss independence if necessary. The Danish Government is reported to have replied to Herr Hitler that Denmark does not feel threatened. “We do not feel threatened,” is the verbal reply by Sweden. USE or HOLLAND FOR GERMAN STRATEGY . BASE AGAINST BRITAIN LONDON, April 12. German official apokesmen ridicule Holland’a military measures as fantastic, according to the Berlin correspondent of the Newa-Chrontcle. In private conversations, however, the correspondent states, they admit the existence of plans for the immediate occupation of Holland if the Western Powers commit “an act of aggression” like the occupation of Corfu (the Greek island near the entrance to the Adriatic), or Spanish Morocco, or any other act interfering with the complete liberty of action of the axis. They point out that there would be no warning by large-scale mobilisation or troop movements, because the present dispersal of troops in frontier districts, where they may be needed, would enable a powerful blow to be struck in any direction without apparent movements. The permanent garrisons in the neighbourhood of the Dutch frontier, the Germans consider, could overwhelm the Dutch army and occupy the country at a few hours’ notice.

Nazis declare that, just as the axis considered Albania an essential base for Italian activities, so is Holland essential, in the event of war, as a base for German naval and aerial action against Britain. GERMANS NOT IMPRESSED BY BRITISH “PLATITUDES” ROOSEVELT’S LOUD TRUMPETING BERLIN, April 21. “The inhabitants of Palestine and suppressed people in other Dominions and colonies of the British Empire will note with & bitter laugh Lord Halifax’s assurance that Britain wants peace and protection of property,” writes the Minister of Propoganda, Dr. Goebbels, in Voelkische Bcobachter. He describes Lord Halifax's speech on April 19 as a hotchpotch of nonsense and platitudes, containing all the arguments of a British party led bv Mr. Winston Churchill, Mr. Anthony Eden and Mr. Duff Cooper. ‘‘London errs in thinking that such speeches impress the German people,” he says. “President Roosevelt blew the same trumpet with full lungs. It sounded louder and was typically American. “Britain has a different concept of justice from America, and its Government is mainly responsible for the lowering of the tone of international relations,” he declares.