RHINELAND ZONE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 3 February 1936, Page 5

RHINELAND ZONE

REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS GERMAN TROOPS IN AREA ANXIETY IN BELGIUM (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Ist February. Though Baron von Neuratli when lie saw Mr Anthony Eden in London on 2S)th January made reassuring references to the existence of tlie Locarno Pact, it is now learned that he gave no specific assurance that Germany would respect the Rliinelfuid demilitarised zone. The Paris correspondent of “TheTimes” says this attitude is taken to mean that the demilitarised Rhineland zone will be tlie price of any eventful settlement between Germany and 1 the Western Powers, but that Germany might take matters into her own hands if the Locarno Pact is disturbed. ■

Meanwhile, reports from Brussels declare that the remilitarisation of the Rhineland is already an accomplished fact. The military, expert of “Le Soil-,” M. Tasaier, asserts that Germany poured 250,000 well-trained men into the zone, including 150,000 storm troopers, 40.000 mechanised troops, also members of the air force and labour service men. Three new strategical bridges have been built across the Rhine, making a total of 25 up-to-date bridges between Emmerich and Coblenz, while 15 new roads link the Rhineland with Belgian territory. M. Tasaier adds that anxiety in Belgium is great, especially as the German War Minister has forbidden the Press to mention the Rhineland problem, which is now being carefully examined in London, Paris and Brussels.