LATE NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24221, 13 February 1940, Page 10

LATE NEWS

DOMINION TROOPS MESSAGE FROM THE KING LONDON, Feb. 12. (Received Feb. 13, at 2 a.m.) Correspondents who witnessed the landing of the Australian and New Zealand troops in the Middle East in the early hours of to-day commented upon the splendid physical condition of the men. A message from the King was conveyed to the troops on the ships, in which he expressed his warmest wishes for the future. General Fryeberg’s comments upon the occasion were characteristic. “ I wager any military experience I possess,” he said, “ backing it by the men under my command that these troops vill uphold the standard set by the New Zealand troops in the last war.” THE FIGHTING IN FINLAND CONTRADICTORY REPORTS LONDON, Feb. , 12. (Received Feb. 13, at 2 a.m.) A Russian communique claims that advances have been made along the Mannerheim Line. This is, incidentally, the first time that they have admitted that any real fighting is going on. It is claimed that 16 Finnish positions, including eight concrete armoured posts, have been captured. The Finns claim that all attacks \ have been repulsed and that the Russians have nowhere gained a footing on the Mannerheim Line. The Soviet attacks are now being made on a wider front and fierce fighting is going on. It is thought that Russia’s present purpose : s to prevent the Finns strengthening their positions in this sector. The Finns regard the attacks as important aS the Russian forces are composed of men from the regular army and not conscripts. Last night the Finnish Foreign Minister flatly denied that any third Power had offered to mediate between Russia and Finland. He stated that the rumour was deliberately spread in the hope of slowing up the arrival of foreign help for Finland. “ Peace cannot be dictated to Finland,” he stated. THE WESTERN FRONT FRENCH USE LOUD SPEAKERS LONDON, Feb. 12. (Received Feb. 13, at 2 a.m.) Along stretches where the Maginot and the Siegfried Lines are separated only by the River Rhine, the French are broadcasting propaganda by loud speakers. ■ This method was first used by the Germans, but their news provoked only amusement. When the French authorities found how ill-informed the captured German prisoners were, however, they decided to make the same experiment. When the first attempt was made the Germans were seen crowding out to listen, but on the second occasion German officers were seen ordering the men back. Now, whenever the loud-speakers start, the Nazi machine-guns open fire, drowning the broadcasts. GERMAN OCCUPIED POLAND PEOPLE DRIVEN FROM HOMES LONDON, Feb. 12. (Received Feb. 13, at 2 a.m.) Still more people are to be driven from their homes in German-occu-pied Poland. The latest decree affects all Ukranians, White Hussions and Ruthenians in these areas, and they are to leave for Russian territory between next Sunday and March 1. A strict limit is being placed on the amount of goods which the refugees may take with them.