NAZI ARMIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23432, 23 August 1939, Page 13

NAZI ARMIES

BIG CONCENTRATION READY BY TO-DAY SUDDEN BLOW THEOEY .SURROUNDING POLAND By Telegraph—Press Association-—Copyright LONDON, Aug. '2l Germany's final military preparations, necessary if a decision in the dispute with Poland is to be forced are now in progress, says the Berlin correspondent of the Times. The concentration of troops is being expedited, so that all will be ready by Wednesday. Berlin is more heavily garrisoned by troops going eastward or in reserve than since the Great War. Germany's reason for a sudden blow against Poland is based on the assumption that the Polish Army could be put out of action in a very short time. Germany would rely on the slowness of the Western Powers to join in action owing to diplomatic delays and unwillingness to face war until Poland's eft'ective resistance had ended, thus convincing Britain and France that she is beyond help. Peace talks could follow. The Prague correspondent of the Times says the German manoeuvres are making demands on the principal roads, where emergency measures are being tested. Garages have been registered in order to accommodate 5000 military vehicles. A German officer is reported to be co-ordinating the hospital services. All Czechs up to the ago of 45 are mobilised for compulsory labour service and for the evacuation of the German civil population from Prague and other cities. Military police have been strengthened, bridges guarded, emergency railway schedules distributed, and air precautions overhauled. Bohemia is comparatively normal, but there, is marked activity in Moravia, where military equipment is going to Slovakia to zones where Germany has obtained the right to operate. The Vienna correspondent of the Times says large contingents of motorised transport were leaving the city all day for the German-Slovak frontier, in spite of the announcement that the manoeuvres would not begin until September 9. The British Associated Press correspondent at Zilina, Slovakia, says 250,000 German troops, accompanied by artillery and aircraft, are now stationed on the Slovak frontier, Poland's southern flank. AMERICAN VIEW STALIN'S DUPLICITY "LET THEM FIGHT IT OUT" PLAYING OFF THE POWERS 1 (Received August 22, 9.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, Aug. 22 It is felt in some quarters in Washington that the RuSso-Gcrnian agreement will bo passive, not aggressive. It is pointed out that it is merely a reiteration, because the non-aggression pact signed in 1926 has not been denounced. The New York Times, in an editorial article, savs: "If the step has been long contemplated it seems strange that Stalin won't to such elaborate lengths of duplicity in initiating the military Staff talks with Britain and Franco. It would he stranger, in view of Russian reserves and suspicions, if the move was a sudden decision. "Jt may still turn out to be grandstand play in the game of playing one side against another. If it is a real agreement it is an event of the utmost gravity. It is easy to imagine Stalin, as he surveys the sharpening struggle between the Fascist and democratic Powers, resolving to let them fight it out. "A weakened, and perhaps an exhausted, Europe would hasten the end of the capitalist system and offer tortile grounds for the spread of a proletarian revolution. In tho meanwhile the Soviet could turn with assurance to tho Fast and stiffen her attitude against Japan." EGYPT AND RUSSIA LONDON, Aiiff. 21 The new Egyptian Cabinet lias decided to recognise tho Soviet Government, says the Cairo correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain. This is regarded as a prelude to a resumption of the trade talks between Egypt aud Russia.