ON MAGINOT LINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24101, 21 October 1941, Page 7

ON MAGINOT LINE

WHEAT AND POTATOES FORCED PEASANT LABOUR FURTHER ARRESTS IN PARIS (Reed. 6.40 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 19 The Times' correspondent on the French frontier says that the Germans are proud of their feat of reclaiming the Maginot Line for agriculture. Peasants have been forced to labour for several months, and have already collected wheat and potatoes from the fortifications area. A message from Vichy says that M. Caziot, Secretary for Agriculture, in a broadcast to the peasants, warned them against producing only enough for their own needs. "Perfidious voices," he said, "urge you to reduce production, which would result in organised famine."

According to the .Times' correspondent on the French frontier, the Germans in Paris arrested six prominent university professors, MM. Borel, Langecin, Lapique, Mauguiii, Cotton and Yielley. M. Vielley's son and daughter have also been arrested. They are all charged with disseminating De Gaullist propaganda. LOSSES AT SEA SCANDINAVIAN AREA SABOTAGE IN NORWAY (Rrod. 5.5 p.m.) L/OXDON, Oct. 19 The German news agency states that the Norwegian steamer Vesteraalen, of 682 tons, was torperiocd near Oksfiord when she was travelling between Hammerfest and Tromso. Sixty Norwegians are missing.

It is also reported from Stockholm that within 48 hours two German steamers wore sunk in the Baltic oft the Swedish const. The Baltenland, a vessel of 3700 tons, struck a drifting mine and was steered ashore in flames. The Paula Faulbeam, of 1500 tons, sank after hitting the bottom in a fog. The crows of both vessels were rescued. The Stockholm newspaper Svenska Dagbladet says that German fortifications at Aalesund have been extensively damaged. The German commander warned the population that severe punishment would be inflicted in the event of any recurrence. Aalesund is a town on a small island off the west coast of Norway. FOOD FOR EUROPE AMERICAN RESPONSIBILITY (Rpcd. 8.50 p.m.) NE~W YORK, Oct.. 1.0 Jn a broadcast address, Mr. Herbert Hoover said the State Department had dismissed with a curt letter his appeals to find a way to feed .10,000.000 children who would face starvation this winter in occupied Europe.

Mr. Hoover appealed for immediate action, saying it was the Government's moral responsibility to make an eiiort with every influence in its power to solve the problem.