GERMANY’S NEXT MOVE AWAITED

Southland Times, Issue 23610, 10 September 1938, Page 7

GERMANY’S NEXT MOVE AWAITED

FRENCH PRECAUTIONS COMPLETED ITALIAN MORAL SUPPORT FOR NAZIS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 9, 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, September 9. The French Government, having completed pre-mobilization measures, awaits Germany’s next move. It will not order mobilization unless an overt

act of aggression is made by Germany by violation of the Czech frontier. In the meantime the'War Ministry is reviewing the existing measures to protect the population from air attack. The Foreign Minister (M. Georges Bonnet) has postponed his visit to Geneva. Sailors are flocking into Brest after being recalled from short leave. The entire French Atlantic Fleet of 62 warships is in harbour, fully stocked for a three-month cruise and able to leave at a "moment’s notice. The naval arsenals are taking on extra staffs. An authoritative statement of Italy’s attitude confirms the impression that she has given moral support to the German claims, but is holding aloof from the dispute, says the Rome correspondent of The Times. The Italian Government has not hesitated to release the 1917 class of conscripts, and the Italian armed forces are now down to their lowest peace time level.

It is assumed that Signor Mussolini rules out the possibility of war or of Italy’s participation in a war. The British Cabinet will meet on Monday.

It is officially stated that the Foreign Secretary (Viscount Halifax) has postponed his visit to Geneva. The Soviet Ambassador (M. Ivan Maisky) called twice at the Foreign Office and had a long talk with Lord Halifax, after which Lord Halifax visited the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain).

The Prime Minister of Eire (Mr Eamon de Valera) discussed the international situation with the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip), referring to the question of mutual defence. LABOUR ATTITUDE Mr George Hicks, a member of the House of Commons, introducing the manifesto on foreign policy at the Trades Union Congress, said that Britain, France, and Russia, with the moral support of the United States, should be able to make it clear that if Czechoslovakia were invaded they would take steps to defend the frontier. “I believe,” said Mr Hicks, “that we speak for the whole British people when I say that a definite stand should

be taken. The executive feels it is important, in view of the Nuremberg Congress, that this stand should be clearly stated now.” The congress by a large majority adopted the manifesto.

The Leader of the Labour Opposition in the House of Commons (Major C. R. Attlee) has written to Mr Chamberlain asking that Parliament should be summoned to discuss the grave international situation. This step was foreshadowed in a statement issued after yesterday’s meeting of the National Council of Labour at Blackpool. The Trades Union Congress rejected a suggestion for the use of direct industrial action on the question of the Government’s foreign policy.