NOT MENACED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23504, 15 November 1939, Page 11

NOT MENACED

DUTCH ASSERTION DUTY TO PREPARE GERMAN DECLARATION RESPECT NEUTRALITY By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, Nov. 13 The Netherlands Prime Minister, Jhr. Degreer, in a broadcast, said that there was not the least ground for the wild rumours that were circulated recently about an acute menace to Holland. The sole basis for them seemed to have been foreign broadcasts and press reports, and some measures taken by the Government. These measures were not due to any increased danger, but were precautionary mobilisation. They were not ordered because Holland s neutrality was threatened. "There is.no more acute danger than in the first days of September," he said. " During the last war similar measures were taken, not because of imminent danger, but because the circumstances put greater demands on our preparedness. 1 The present mobilisation is not because we have not trusted the word given by both warring sides that our neutrality would be respected, but because it is our duty to be prepared for all eventualities. " The Dutch Government believes in the sincerity of the words of both warring parties. This provides another stimulus to our strict neutrality." The official German news agency states that Germany intends to respect the neutrality of Belgium and Holland as long as Britain and France respect it and Belgium and Holland show themselves capable of preserving their neutrality. Tho Amsterdam newspaper Handelsbrad says the extension of the Siegfried Line opposite the Dutch frontier is feverishly proceeding in accordance with Hitler's orders, apparently as a precaution against an Invasion of Germany by Britain and France through Belgium and Holland. The latest precaution taken hy the Netherlands Government is to forbid transport on several canals 'in the southern part of the country. The Dutch police arrested two Dutchmen employed at the German bordertown of Nordhorn. They are charged with insulting Hitler in remarks about him after the Munich explosion.

NAVAL DEFENCE SOUTH AFRICAN FORCE MINE-SWEEPING PROPOSED NEW WESTERN COMMAND (Received November 14, fi.s p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 13 The Capetown correspondent of the Times states that a South African naval defence force is being formed for mine-sweeping and submarine work. The Governor - General of South Africa, Sir Patrick Duncan, with the approval of the King, has accepted ap-

pointment as Colonel-in-Chief of the South African air forces, according to a British wireless message. The creation of a new military command in South Africa is also announced. It is the South-West Africa command, which comprises the mandated territory and the port and settlement of Walvis Bay, to which under the recent proclamation the South Africa Defence Act applies. Citizens in So nth-West Africa have for some time past urged the Union Government to create a military organisation in that territory. TRADE WITH SOVIET BRITISH PROPOSALS LONDON, Nov. 14 It is learned that a list of goods that Britain is willing to sell to Russia has been submitted to the Moscow authorities. This is an outcome of the AngloSoviet trade talks, which have been going on in London for several weeks. The talks are still in the preliminary stage and the list is still under consideration.