AFRICAN COLONIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23284, 1 March 1939, Page 11

AFRICAN COLONIES

FRENCH PRECAUTIONS DESPATCH OF AEROPLANES ITALIAN ASPIRATIONS (Received March 1, 12.15 a.m.) PARIS, Feb. 28 Units of the French Air Force at present at Chartres, near Paris, are going to Algeria to-day as reinforcements, says Le Petit Journal. The presence of numerous fast chaser aeroplanes in important North African centres demonstrates France's concern for the defence of her Empire. An Independent Cable Service message from Paris says the increasing importance of happenings in the East is evidenced by tlio decision to raise levies of 50,000 men in . French Indo-China, bringing the total armed forces to 100,000. Thirty-five of 50 pursuit aeroplanes ordered from Holland will be sent., to Indo-China and the rest to Jibouti, where the anti-aircraft forces are being strengthened. M. Mandel, Minister for Air, has ordered the construction of an aeroplane factory at Hanoi. It is reliably stated in Berlin, says a telegram from the German capital, that Dr. Attolico, Italian Ambassador, and the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, discussed Italy's expected demands against France. Well-informed circles believe that Italy will present her "natural aspirations" through diplomatic channels instead. of by public declaration.