THE GERMAN LEADER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23811, 18 May 1939, Page 11

THE GERMAN LEADER

VISIT TO SAAR DISTRICT FORTIFICATIONS INSPECTED SAARBRUCKEN, May 16. Herr Hitler visited the Saar district and inspected the new fortifications on the Lorraine frontier. A message from Berlin states that, commenting on Herr Hitler’s tour, the Lokal Anzeiger disclosed that there are 1200 fortified positions, ranging from machine-gun nests to vast underground fortresses, in the zone from Wesel to the Black Forest; 435,000 men, including 85,000 troops, have been engaged in the zone, which has an average depth of 30 miles. COLONIAL PROBLEM “DEMANDS MUST BE MET” VIENNA, May 16. “ Herr Hitler is not unfriendly to Britain, but his colonial demands must be met,” said General von Epp, head of the Reich Colonial League, in a speech at the Colonial Congress. ITALIANS ANTAGONISTIC HERR HITLER UNPOPULAR DARWIN, May 16. A Catholic priest, the Rev. J. H. Hannan, who returned by flyingboat from a visit to London and Rome, declared that everywhere in Rome he found an antagonistic attitude toward Herr Hitler and strong objection to doing his bidding. If Signor Mussolini involved Italy in war, there would be a revolution. THE ITALIAN ARMY - CHIEF’S ENTHUSIASM READY FOR EVENTUALITIES ROME, May 16. General Pariana, Chief of Staff, speaking in the Chamber, said the army was ready for all eventualities. The classes recently called up had yielded 90 per cent, of their total man power. It had been possible to reinforce all units in Libya and the /Egcan. War industries would shortly be yielding four times their present output, and mechanisation was progressing. The army contractors were able to produce 7.000. tins of corned beef and ] 1.000. tins of soup a month.

Italy’s peace-time strength was 51 infantry divisions and 13 special divisions.