FRANCE ACTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23433, 24 August 1939, Page 11

FRANCE ACTS

MILITARY MOVE TROOPS CALLED UP MANNING FBONTIEBS PLEDGES TO I'OLANI). By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received August 21, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 23 France sent thousands of reservists to the frontiers last night. The Government is anxiously awaiting the report of M. Naggiar, Ambassador to Moscow, upon which will depend the decision whether to break off the Moscow talks. President Lebrun will preside at a Council of Ministers to be held at 10 a.m. to-morrow. Tt is expected new decrees will be enacted to enable further military measures to be undertaken. The French Emergency Cabinet held a meeting yesterday which lasted 90 minutes. It was announced that new instructions would be despatched to the French diplomats in European capitals. Army Chiel Consulted M. Daladier, Prime Minister, later conferred with Marshal Gainelin, commander of the Allied forces. Approximately <IOO,OOO additional French soldiers have been called up. There will be 110 mobilisation, but units may be recalled to the Colours, thus bringing the Army to a strength of 1,50P,000 men 011 a war footing. The Cabinet decided to reaffirm, in common with Britain, its military pledges to Poland and to discover Russia's intentions regarding the pact with Germany. It was also decided to take all appropriate military measures. Renter's Berlin correspondent says the French Ambassador has requested French residents to leave Germany. Attacks on Russia The French press, while acknowledging that the pact is a tremendous setback, considers the real import remains to be seen. Whatever the outcome, it is re-emphasised that Britain and France will stand firm. Many papers violently attack Russia's "duplicity," which made German aggression a matter of days, not weeks. It is foreseen that Russia is attempting" to create a new European alignment, enabling her to exert her own guidance in the future balance of power. Le Matin writes that the only thing now inevitable is that Britain and France should allow themselves to be perpetually duped and betrayed, and allow themselves to be made ridiculous in the eyes of the world. MINES BEING LAID GERMANS OFF DENMARK SMALL POWERS' PRECAUTIONS ORDERS TO FORCES LONDON, Aug. 22 German warships nre reported off the Danish coast carrying out mine-laying exercises. Sweden has ordered her second submarine squadron, due to visit Ostend, to remain in home waters. It is reported from Stockholm that Swedish Ministers abroad have beep ordered to abandon their holidays. and return to their posts. Leave for all Dutch troops on the const and frontier has been withdrawn.