LATE NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23941, 17 October 1939, Page 8

LATE NEWS

THE WESTERN FRONT LULL FRENCH TAKE PRISONERS (By Radio) DAVENTRY, Oct. 16. This morning'r French communique stated that there was great activity behind the enemy front line, especially between the Moselle and the Saar. In the front line itself the lull in German activity continues. The French, however, have taken prisoners. Speculation continues as to the significance of the lull. In semiofficial military circles in Paris the view is held that it may be a prelude to a big German offensive along the river Saar. If all the troops in the Rhineland are involved this would mean that about 750,000 men would be engaged. There is also a belief that Germany will only launch an attack in the event of the failure of all the resources of her peace offensive. On the other hand, the lull may be due to natural causes, as heavy rain has fallen on parts of the front and severa 1 of the rivers are in flood. In Berlin, bewilderment is said to exist as to the cause of the inactivity on the Western Front. OFFENSIVE IMMINENT A later message stated that the Germans were making great preparations on the whole of the Western Front, and an offensive appears to be very imminent. Troops have been brought up to the front line and the noise of engines was heard throughout the night, but the artillery was silent to avoid disclosing positions. The French artillery reacted violently. NAZI PROPAGANDA AN EFFECTIVE REPLY The Nazis are still making use of propaganda on the Western Front. Cars with loud-speakers have been racing along the Rhine broadcasting portions of Hitler's speech and banners have been unfurled across the river bearing the words: " Bad luck for those who refuse to accept Hitler's speech." The French artillery replied with a few well-aimed shots at the banners. FINLAND AND RUSSIA HELSINGFORS OPTIMISTIC There is a belief in Helsingfors that grounds exist for a hopeful outcome of the negotiations between Finland and Russia. The Finnish mission is expected to return to Moscow on Thursday, but this will depend on the result of the Scandinavian conference on Wednesday. TURKISH NEGOTIATIONS NO NEWS OF RUSSIAN PACT A Bucharest report says that the Turkish Foreign Minister (M. Saracoglu) is exDected to meet the Rumanian Foreign Minister (M. Gafencu) some time to-day. M. Saracoglu was expected to leave Moscow to-day, but there is no news so far of his departure. It is expected that he will meet M. Gafencu either at Constanza or on board a vessel in the Black Sea. There is still no definite news of the provisions of the Turco-Russian pact, though Ankara newspapers, continue to express the belief that it does not conflict with FrancoBritish interests.