HEAVY HAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23719, 27 July 1940, Page 11

HEAVY HAND

PLAN FOR EUROPE GERMAN DESTRUCTIVENESS VASSAL BUFFER STATE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 26, 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, July 26 The German destruction of French liberties has been furthered by the creation of a Breton National Council which, according to the German News Agency, has proclaimed a new national State of Brittany independent from France, with which future relations will be regulated by treaty. The Daily Telegraph gives prominence to what purports to be a German plan to destroy Belgium as an independent nation and to create a vast vassal state acting like a buffer between Germany and Britain. Reconstitute Flanders According to the Daily Telegraph reliable information from Belgium and inspired comments in the Italian and German press and radio indicate that Germany aims to reconstitute Flanders with notable additions at the expense of Belgium, France and Holland. The opinion is expressed in Belgium that Germany realises she will not conquer Britain by invasion, for which reason she is attempting to build up a barrier against British offensive action. The new State would have a sea coast from the ridge behind Boulogne to the northern Scheldt, embracing the islands of Southern Zeeland. Calais, Dunkirk, Ostend, Zeebrugge, Flushing, Antwerp and the Hook of Holland would be maritime bases, and the whole plain of Flanders would be an air base. Access to North Sea In addition to the provinces of East and West Flanders, the new State would include the Belgian province of Antwerp, as well as Belgian and Duteh Limbourg, in order to provide access to the North Sea, and the great part of the French northern provinces. A report from Basle, Switzerland, says the German press deals sharply with the French newspaper discussion on war guilt. "Such polemics," says the German press, "will not help to clarify Franco-German relations." SECRET SESSION FOREIGN AFFAIRS DEBATE STATEMENT ON BLOCKADE (Received July 20, 5.35 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, July 25 Answering objections following the announcement that a secret session of the House of Commons would be held on Tuesday to debate foreign affairs, the Lord Privy Seal, Mr. C. It. Attlee, stated that the decision had been taken because the majority of the House seemed in favour and so that members might state their case very fully and the Government might make the fullest possible reply. The Minister of Shipping, Mr. It. H. Cross, will the same day make an important statement on Britain's blockade.

BRITISH FASCISTS 500 BEING DETAINED LONDON, July 25 The Home Secretary, Sir John Anderson, said in the House of Commons that detention orders had been made against over 500 members and former members of the British Union of Fascists. The authorities were supervising the activities of the remaining 8000 members. DUTCH BROADCASTS DAILY LONDON SERVICE (Received July 26, 5.35 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, July 25 The Queen of the Netherlands, Queen Willielmina, will open a new Dutch broadcast programme on Sunday. Facilities have been placed by the British Broadcasting Corporation at the disposal of the Dutch Government for a daily broadcast. AMERICAN CABINET WAR SECRETARY'S ASSISTANT WASHINGTON, July 25 The Assistant Secretary for War, Mr. Louis Johnson, has resigned and lias been replaced by Mr. R. Porter Patterson, who, it is .understood, has long been an adviser to Mr. H. L. Stimson, recently appointed Secretary for War. Mr. Johnson's resignation is in conformity with the tradition that a memmer of the Cabinet appoints his assistant. Mr. Johnson will bo offered a post as administrative assistant to the President, to watch the progress of the national defence programme. Mr. Patterson is the holder of the Distinguished . Service Cross. He .is at present -a. .circuit court- judge.