FALSE RUMOURS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23143, 15 September 1938, Page 13

FALSE RUMOURS

DOMINION'S POLICY "*i ATTITUDE TO ,WAR j GENEVA ATMOSPHERE j FEARS OF A CONFLICT ! By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright | (Received September 1-1, 0.20 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 14 J A statement in League and j London circles that the British Gov- t a ernment was concerned because New Zealand had told 'Whitehall | she would not go to war over the > Czechoslovakian issue can be em- j phatically denied, says the Geneva > correspondent of the j

Associated Press. - v " | It was rumoured in Geneva to-day that New Zealand was at variance with 'J Britain over her European policy; also 5 that Australia had intimated by impli- '! cation that she was not willing to be / dragged into a possible conflict. It is understood that the question has never jj arisen in London. i

It is officially intimated that as far ' as New Zealand is concerned,' her atti- | tude has not changed since Mr. _ ij Savage's announcement that if England J is at war, New Zealand is at war. Nor jj will it change. |j The correspondent adds that the European situation has completely sub- j merged interest in the League's busi- ,\

ness. The atmosphere in Geneva grows | more electric almost every hour. f Several of the delegations to the League were advised to-night by their J Governments that war at any hour . j is a possibility, in which case the League would adjourn immediately and <j the delegations would return home |j without delay. The vast League building has become ! a place of intrigue and suspicion. j| War is the only topic of discussion in the corridors of the Palace of Peace. ~~ ' «i' ; ~ i CANADA'S POSITION

SUPPORT FOR BRITAIN

NO ACTUAL COMMITMENTS WOULD RISE TO OCCASION f (Received September 14, 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA. Sept. IE It is officially stated that Canadian j Government officials express amaze- ;i ment at a report from Geneva that Canada is reluctant to support Britain in the event of war. A spokesman stated to-day that Canada had not yet been asked to make commitments, but Britain did not need assurances. Canadians had been told that if war was declared Parliament would be summoned before definite action was • taken.

The Cabinet discussed the European situation fully to-day, but issued no statement.

Any proposal to send an expeditionary ( force to Europe would meet with strong opposition in Parliament, as a large body of public opinion, particularly in Quebec, would be likely to insist upon limiting Canada's participation to home defence. It is anticipated that all steps short of declaring war would be taken and facilities given to volunteers to join the Imperial forces, and that supplies would be placed at the disposal of Britain. However, if Britain were seriously threatened, there would be hardly a dissenting voice on the question of aiding her by every means. The Czech crisis, at least at present, is not regarded as being in that category.

MILITARY STRENGTH POWERFUL CZECH ARMY MODERN EQUIPMENT Of the military strength of Czechoslovakia widely differing opinions have been expressed but Czech authorities believe that their country could hold out alone against a Great Power for three or four months. The frontiers are long—l7so miles —the fortifications are limited, but where they exist they follow the French system, of zones of depth, natural advantages being used and lack of them supplemented. Under compulsory military service of two years the annual enlistment was about 75,000, this giving, with an officer strength of 30,000, a peace-time force of 180,000. Last year the period of service was raised to three years, this bringing the strength to about 300,000. The army is organised into seven army corps divided into four provincial commands. It is believed that at the beginning of this year there were 14 infantry divisions.

Among numbers, of auxiliary units are 11 frontier defence battalions always ready for action. They consist solely of reliable Czechs and Slovaks. Artillery is provided upon the usual European scale, many batteries now being mechanised. Three months' supply of oil is stored. Anti-tank and quick-firing anti-aircraft guns are wejl distributed.

Recently the transport battalions were increased from four to seven. Measures have been taken to create a reserve of heavy lorries and skilled drivers. For this service 20,000 volunteers were secured from Prague alone in one week in April. The air force, which has ' more fighters and reconnaissance aircraft than bombers, was estimated last ye.lr to have a front-line strength of 650 machines and a second-line strength of 720 machines. Personnel numbers about 10,000. In addition there is a voluntary organisation, the Masarvk Flying League, with a large membership of pilots. Aerodromes of all kinds numbered 66 last year, but work has been proceeding on SO more. "Since the greatest military danger is invasion by land," says an observer, "everything else is subordinate to what is required for helping the front of land to hold up the attack; yet Czechoslovakia is exceptionally well placed for doing damage by air in near by countries. In Czechoslovakia the bulk of the people do not live in towns it is the Germans who live most in towns, the Slovaks least); and the key industries have been decentralised and redesigned. To air. attack at least Czechoslovakia is less vulnerable than Germany, incomparably less vulnerable than England." The armament industry is extensive, factories being well scattered, but raw, materials have largely to be imported.' On the Danube there is a "navy of 25 craft.