GERMANY AND THE ARGENTINE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 18 April 1939, Page 5

GERMANY AND THE ARGENTINE

AGREEMENT TO TAKE WOOL AND WHEAT TO PAY WITH RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK (Received 18th April, 11.5 a.m.) BERLIN. 17th April. Germany agreed to take eight thousand tons of Argentine wool and millions of lons of wheat half yearly, paying with railway rolling stock.

REMARKABLE BOOK

“MILITARY STRENGTH OF THE POWERS” INVINCIBILITY OF RUSSIAN ARMY WAR ON TWO FRONTS WOULD SPELL GERMANY’S DOOM (Received 18th April, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, 17th April. The London newspapers lengthily review a book. "The Military Strength of the Powers,” by Max Werner (believed to be a pseudonym). Competent military authorities stale it is a remarkable book, and that the figures appear to be fairly a ecu rale. The author's main thesis is the invincibility and efficiency of the Russian Army, which comprises at least 10.000 tanks, and the Air Force, the strongest and most expert in the world, which possesses at least 16.000 machines. Mr Werner declares that, in the event of war. the Anglo-French IVT(>diterranean Fleets would be able effectively to blockade Italy and practically destroy her Colonial Empire. The book draws attention to the enormous defensive power of the Maginot Line, but says the French Air Force is unduly weak, while the Tank Force is scarcely adequate to meet the GerMr Werner speaks of the German Army with the greatest respect, and suggests that it could ultimately mobilise 300 divisions, though only 100 would be first-line troops, while it is doubtful whether there would be equipment available for all. He estimates that Germany has 7000 tanks, while her Air Force also is most powerful, and it aims at 8000 to 10.000 ’planes by 1940. Despite this strength, the author believes that a war on two fronts would again spell Germany’s doom.

STRAITS BEING PATROLLED

FURTHER DESTROYERS ARRIVE GIBRALTAR, 17th April. H.M.S. Terrible and the French warship Fantasque are patrolling the Straits. The French destroyers Boulonnais, Foudroyant and Bretojs arrived.

DUTCH AIRWAYS

23 KLM PILOTS CALLED UP (Received 18th April, noon) LONDON, 17th April. KLM London representative announces that 23 KLM pilots have been called up. ITALIAN ARMY EXTRAORDINARY APPROPRIATION TO STRENGTHEN FIGHTING EFFICIENCY (Received 18th April, 1.30 p.m.) ROME, 17th April. An extraordinary annual appropriation of £5,555.000 for ten years is announced to “strengthen the army’s fighting efficiency.” It is reliably slated that it is required mainly for Albania, Libya and the French frontier.

MILITARY SERVICE PERIOD

INCREASED IN HOLLAND U.PA.-H.v Electric Telegraph—Copvrightl AMSTERDAM, 17th April. The military service period has been increased from eleven to twenty-three months. SOVIET AID AGREED TO BY RUMANIA REPORT FROM PARIS (Received 18th April, 11 a.m.) PARIS, 17th April. Well-informed circles state that Rumania agreed to accept Soviet aid by air, also to permit the passage of troops across Rumania.