FRENCH DEFENCE WORKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23568, 3 August 1938, Page 9

FRENCH DEFENCE WORKS

GOVERNMENT VIGILANT BUT NO SPECIAL MEASURES LONDON, Aug. 1. The Paris correspondent of The Times says: France is not taking special counter-measures against the German fortification campaign in the Rhineland, though she may accelerate her military works on the Belgian and Swiss frontiers. The Government is vigilant, especially as German officials have been warned to complete their holidays by August 16. France is not blind to the disagreeable implications of the warning, but recognises that it is possibly given with f he object of influencing the attitude of England and France in favour of the Sudeten Germans. THOUSANDS CONSCRIPTED LONDON, Aug. 2. (Received Aug. 3, at 1 a.m.) Reuter's Berlin correspondent reports that 12,000 workmen, mostly carpenters, excavators, and masons, employed on Berlin's public building programmes, have been sent to work on fortifications in Western Germany during the past few days. It is understood that General Goering gave the men no option. Between 50,000 and 60,000 are reported to have been conscripted from all parts of Germany for the same purpose. As an indication of approaching military activity, presumably exercises, farmers near Berlin have been ordered to complete the harvest before Auaust 15, in order that the military forces may use the horses.