DANUBE CO-OPERATION

Southland Times, Issue 24106, 20 April 1940, Page 5

DANUBE CO-OPERATION

POLICING OE RIVER STATES REFUSE NAZI REQUEST BLACKOUT ORDERED IN SWITZERLAND RUMANIAN CONTROL OF FOREIGNERS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. April 20, 8.50 p.m.) BELGRADE, April 19. The International Danube Commission authorized Yugoslavia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Rumania to police the river and forbade the transport of arms, munitions, explosives and heavy goods without a permit. The decisions represent a triumph for Danubian co-operation, embodying an adamant refusal to accept German policing. A complete black-out has been ordered throughout Switzerland, except one area, which is being notified later, according to a message from Berne. The Swiss Federal Council has issued a decree calling up an additional 55,000 territorials this year. The Army Command and the Federal Council have jointly issued a communique stating that war mobilization would be ordered if Switzerland were attacked. The militia would be ordered to act immediately and firmly against air attack or attack by parachute troops and saboteurs. “We will attack energetically everywhere,” it says. The watch for suspected persons has been intensified. Any reports casting doubts on the resolution to resist the invader will be regarded as enemy propaganda. Swiss political circles are closely watching the Italian attitude. They foresee the danger that a belligerent Italy would no longer retain her interest in a peaceful Switzerland as a buffei- State.

A new Rumanian law, operating immediately, requires all foreigners to hand over firearms, ammunition, explosives and photographic apparatus to the Government. DEFENCE PREPARATIONS All nations from Holland to Turkey are hastening preparations to defend their integrity. Rumania has taken a big step towards political unity by the appointment to the Grand Council of the Leaders of the Dissident Liberal Peasant Party, who have withdrawn their opposition to the National Renaissance Party. King Carol has also acknowledged the allegiance of the Iron Guards.

Rumania has decided on vigorous control of all foreigners for the prevention of propaganda incompatible with neutrality. It is learned that further important fortifications are being constructed in frontier districts where many troops are stationed. Turkey is expanding her safety measures. M. Belioglu, former Minister of Economy, was arrested for distributing pamphlets criticizing the agreements with Britain and France. The Government has been empowered to .extend the service of reservists from six weeks to four months.

Yugoslavia’s anxiety is exemplified by the appeal of the President of the Council (M. Dragisha Tsvelkovitch) to Bulgaria for collaboration. “The South Slavs should learn a lesson from the events which have overtaken the Central European Slavs,” he said. “Yugoslavia and Bulgaria must stand together and help each other to safeguard their independence and to preserve Balkan peace.” Other European neutral States are similarly extending their precautions. A Swedish Bill is being introduced increasing the penalties for treason, espionage and “other offences which are harmful to the security of the country.” Foreigners are forbidden to visit ports or to travel by car from one town to another. Those working in harbours are compelled to abandon jobs.

Holland has decreed that foreigners must fill in a control card, giving details of themselves and of the purpose .of their visit. Police searched Fascist houses in Harlem and discovered stocks of arms.

The special correspondent of The Daily Telegraph in Paris says that the Soviet Prime Minister (M. Viacheslav Molotov) is reported to have handed the Rumanian Minister in Moscow a memorandum alleging 15 instances of Rumanian violation of the Dniester frontier. Rumanian inquiries revealed that 14 of the allegations were quite unfounded, while the fifteenth concerned a prisoner who tried to cross the river despite rifle fire from guards.

BRITISH SUCCESSES There is a growing recognition in most neutral countries of the magnitude and the significance of the British naval and air successes since the opening of the Norwegian campaign, the development of which is awaited with intense interest. Meanwhile attention is being closely directed to the detailed accounts of the plot by which the Germans effected the invasion of Norway. The Daily Telegraph says: “The signs multiply that the Norwegian plot has weakened German power. In the new front the prospect for them is dark and the neutral States are bent on stern precautions to ensure that treachery within shall not open their defences to the barbarian. All over Europe the dupes and hirelings who compose the vanguard of modern Germany’s warfare are being dealt with faithfully. What was done in Oslo with all its shameless lying and brutality is no more than Hitler and the other leaders whom Germany serves have proclaimed. To weaken friendly States for their destruction by planting the canker of treason, by giving false assurances by resort to the tricks of the underworld of crime—all this is in the Nazi text books of policy. Never before has it all been employed in one elaborate infamy and exposed immediately beyond denial. The countries within the reach of the German fangs would be blind if they could not learn from so glaring an example of what is intended against them.”