MAY AGREE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23325, 19 April 1939, Page 13

MAY AGREE

GERMAN CLAIM RETURN OF DANZIG FORCE NOT. LIKELY BELIEF IN LONDON By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, April 17 Well-informed circles state that Poland and Germany will shortly agree to the return of Danzig to Germany, says the Berlin correspondent of the British United Press. All sources agree that Germany will not attempt to take possession of Danzig by force. Secret Polo-German conversations are reported to have been begun at Warsaw. Colonel Beck, Polish Foreign Minister, boarded a train in which Dr. Gafencu. Rumanian Foreign Minister, was going to Berlin, and had a two hours' talk with him. The meeting was a surprise to political circles at Warsaw.

POWERS' STRENGTH LAND AND AIR FORCES A REMARKABLE BOOK PROBABLE OUTCOME OF WAR Independent Cable Service * LONDON, April 17 The newspapers publish lengthy reviews of a book entitled: "Military Strength of the Powers," by Max Werner (believed to be a pseudonym). Competent military authorities state that it is a remarkable book and that the figures quoted in it appear to bo fairly accurate. The author's main thesis is the invincibility and efficiency of the Russian Army, which has at least 10,000 tanks. The Russian Air Force, he says, is the strongest and most expert in the world, numbering at least 16,000 machines. Tho author states that in the event of war the British and French Mediterranean Fleets would be able effectively to blockade Italy and practically destroy her colonial empire. The book draws attention to the enormous defensive power df the Maginot Line, but says the French Air Force is unduly weak, while the tank force is scarcely adequate to meet the Germans. Max Werner speaks of the German Army with the greatest respect, and suggests that it could ultimately mobilise 300 divisions, although only 100 would be first-lino troops, while it is doubtful whether equipment would be available for all. The writer estimates that Germany has 7000 tanks. Tho Air Force also is most powerful and aims at having 8000 to 10,000 aeroplanes by 1940. In spite of this strength, the author believes that a war on two fronts would again spell Germany's doom.