Hour of Decision May Strike Soon

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 153, 1 July 1939, Page 5

Hour of Decision May Strike Soon

Turn For Worse in Danzig Stirrings of Nazi Campaign United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Junz 29. Reuter’s Berlin correspondent says that new* filterin' in from unofficial sources suggests that something is afoot in Danzig. Th« situation has changed for the worse. It is impossible, says the correspondent, to verify reports regarding the distribution of German troops. The Danzig representative of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that the Free City is to-night guarded by a “legitimately strengthened police force.” Otherwise there is no evidence against this “war drum of Europe.” Despite Nazi denials, rumours that a Free Corps is being formed and that arms and ammunition are being smuggled in persist. The Germans and Poles are blaming each other for creating a war psychosis. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent at Danzig says that 50,000 Danzig residents between the ages of 16 and 25 have been ordered to enlist in the Free Corps by July 6. Many are already training in East Prussia. The Nazi Press calls on every citizen of Danzig to be ready. The hour of decision, it says, may strike any day. It adds that Germany has promised to assist in any eventuality. It is semi-officially reported from Danzig that 16 heavy guns and large quantities of ammunition have been shipped in tugboats from East Prussia to Danzig and that gun emplacements ar» being constructed on the strategic hill at Bisehofberg, around which police and storm troopers have formed a cordon. Barracks have been transformed into ammunition dump*. Several hundred storm troopers have arrived to join the Free Corps. An aviation division drove in from Kocnigsbcrg. Tho majority of the men and materials arc being smuggled in over the Nogat section of the Vistula Estuary. An Associated Press of Britain message from Paris say* that French Government circles have been informed that Germany has called 60,000 reservists to the colours to strengthen the army These men will replace those who have been filtering into Danzig. GERMAN TROOPS GATHER ALONG RHINE Received Friday, 11.55 p.m. LONDON, June 30. The Paris correspondent of the British United Press say* there is evidence of Germany calling up further reservists early to coincide with the increased pressure on Danzig. The German frontier control has already been tripled. .Six regiments of infantry arrived at Carlsruhe last night and 30,000 troops from Essen are installed at the Saar frontier posts. Thirty thousand motorised units have reached the Rhineland in the past two days. Observers also report considerable troop movements at Keh], Lastatt, Salzbach, Trier and Eifcl. FOR THE HOUR OF DECISION Received Friday, 11.55 p.m. DANZIG, June 30. “ c are convinced there will soon be a demonstration showing how little Britain and France are willing to support Polish arrogance,” says the authoritative Danzig journal, Vorposten, which urges the population to strengthen themselves in anticipation of the hour of decision. “It is absolutely certain this decision will be taken and the Fuhrer will set a date. ’’ It adds: “Calm and strength v ill particularly be necessary in the next few weeks.” POLAND WON’T WATCH PASSIVELY Received Friday, 11.55 p.m. WARSAW, June 30. An official communique states: “There is no longer any doubt that, despite Danzig s denials, a Free Corps is organising ~ anz *B an d that barracks have been requisitioned, quantities of frozen meat stored and tailors regimented for uniformmaking.” The communique’s outspokenness surprised Polish political quarters and is interpreted as meaning that Poland won’t passively watch the infiltration of East Prussian Nazis into Danzig.