Dutch “Waterline” Areas Evacuated; Nazi Frontier Activity Ominous

Northern Advocate, 10 November 1939, Page 5

Dutch “Waterline” Areas Evacuated; Nazi Frontier Activity Ominous

(Received 2 p.m.) i , ' DON-DON. November 9. HOLLAND HAS EVACUATED BOTH NEW REGIONS PREPARATORY TO FURTHER FLOODING. Shipping is banned from the Meuse and Merwede. The Amsterdam correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that inundation of the main water defence line by the centre of Holland began late tonight. Buses were requisitioned for evacuation. Trains have been curtailed from Amsterdam apparently owing to troop movements. Despite the usual reassuring statements, the Dutch public is more nervous and high military quarters more active. 'Movable defences and road obstructions have been fitted in position, while Germany is extending the Siegfried Line at an enormous speed along the Dutch frontier.

Cavalry on Frontier While neutral sources persistently report from Berlin that Hitler has finally chosen a plan of campaign and informed critics expect decisive action within a fortnight, German activity on the Belgo-Dutch frontiers has taken a more ominous turn. ’ Officially, it is t learned in London that German horse cavalry has gathered on the Dutch frontier, to which petrol and other supplies are being taken in trains. It is pointed out that cavalry is the most useful on sodden terrain. Belgian troops went to the BelgoDutch frontier, where the defence work is speeding up, states a Brussels message. Belgian mobilisation approaches the peak, with 600,000 called up. The Belgian military authorities took over the main roads and dug new trenches along the Albert Canal near Maastricht and the Tongue of Holland between Belgium and Germany. All defences along the Canal are fully manned and the bridges mined. , Dutch Clash With Germans The Exchange Telegraph Company’s representative at Amsterdam reports that one man, believed to be Dutch, was shot dead and a number of Dutchmen were kidnapped at Velno, on the Dutch-German frontier tonight, during an armed clash between German officials and Dutchmen. A German motor-car crossed the frontier when a Dutch car was approaching the Dutch barrier 10 yards from the German Customshouse.

The Germans presumably wanted to continue the journey into Holland in the Dutch car. Ran Across Border German officials and customs officers all armed, ran across the Dutch frontier, menaced onlookers, and ordered customers of a nearby cafe to move Inside. A wild shooting affray followed, in which an occupant of the Dutch car was shot dead and the body was dragged back into Germany. The others in the Dutch car, and the car, were seized and taken to Dutch territory. ' The Dutch authorities have ordered an immediate investigation. Optimism Waning Optimism in the small neutral countries following the recent peace move seems to be on the wane. Reports from the German frontier have been less reassuring in the past 24 hours, says the Amsterdam correspondent of “The Times.” It is reported from Emmerich, the German town on the Rhine just across the border, that two pontoon bridges are being built on the Rhine. It would be easy to convey them downstream into Holland. The affair of the smuggling of Dutch uniforms into Germany has assumed large proportions. A search of houses reveals that a number of uniforms have been smuggled in lately. Four Germans have been arrested on suspicion of purchasing Dutch military dress. One German suspect possessed an aeroplane. Situation Most Critical. A despatch from Brussels says the Belgian Government regards the situation as being more critical than at any time since the outbreak of the war. The second class of reservists, estimated at 5000, has been called up. Aircraft, believed to be German, have repeatedly violated Belgium’s neutrality. The airmen have photographed fortified areas, in spite of anti-aircraft gunfire. The Belgian people have been told for the first time that their country may be invaded by the German forces, .which are massing on the frontier. The population has been advised how to act in the event of aerial bombardment. A censorship has been imposed to prevent the srpead of alarmist reports. More Troops on Frontier. Militarist circles in Paris say that the German troops on the Dutch frontier have been considerably increased >in the past few days. The Berlin correspondent of the Copenhagen “Politiken” says all German soldiers and air force officers, who have been resting since the Polish campaign, have been ordered to rejoin their units. The military correspondent in France for the “New York Times” (Mr G. H. Archambault) says there is a tendency to believe that a German offensive is near. At least the following point seems to be confirmed:— Offensive Near? Firstly, Allied aerial reconnaissance over enemy territory has noted the arrival of reinforcements on the Rhine-Moselle front, and important additions to .the troops concentrated along the Dutch border.

Secondly, German aeroplanes have recently been flying over Belgium, mostly engaged in reconnaissance work. < Thirdly, the Dutch military authorities have reinforced, and are still reinforcing, their defensive ■" waterline. Fourthly, the Allied forces along the Belgian frontier have been fully prepared for all emergencies.