NAZI PLAN FOR EUROPE

Southland Times, Issue 24181, 18 July 1940, Page 7

NAZI PLAN FOR EUROPE

TALK OF ULTIMATUM TO BRITAIN ROME, July 16. It is reliably stated that the Foreign Minister, Count Galeazzo Ciano, is going to Berlin for important conferences with Herr Hitler and Herr Joachim von Ribbentrop, Nazi Foreign Minister, in which M. Viacheslav Molotov, Soviet Prime Minister, may participate. German sources suggest that Herr Hitler, in a speech to the Reichstag shortly, will make an ultimatum to Britain, as follows:— (1) For the settlement of Continental issues. (2) For the restoration of the German colonies. (3) For a new economic order. Diplomatic circles understand that the expected proposal for a European readjustment entails dividing the Continent into two zones. Germany will control all Europe, including France and Scandinavia from the North Sea to the Black Sea, except the Mediterranean basin. Italy will control all except France to the shores of the Mediterranean. It is doubtful which will try to bring Turkey under her control and also what Russia’s reaction would be to this proposal. Field-Marshal Goering’s National Zeitung says: “If Churchill does not prefer to free England of his presence the same inexorable fate will overtake England as struck down France. If Churchill maintains his position to the bitter end then the Britishers’ awakening will, be in circumstances more frightful even than the fates which England brought on other peoples. If Churchill wants London to suffer a fate similar to that of Warsaw and Rotterdam he assumes the role of hangman of the British Nation. The battle against Britain will be carried out to the end.” All the German newspapers declare that panic, strikes and sabotage are sweeping over Britain at the prospect of the onslaught. MILITARY STRENGTH OF AUSTRALIA 120,000 TROOPS ON DUTY IN COMMONWEALTH SYDNEY, July 17. The total number of troops in camp ox- on full-time duty in Australia at present is authoritatively estimated at 120,000. This is nearly twice the number in camp at any one time during the last war. The Director-General of Recruiting said it was obvious from the overwhelming success of the Australian Imperial Force recruiting campaign that at some early stage it must be necessary to hold enlistments in abeyance temporarily while attention is paid to the home defence effort. The strength of the Royal Australian Air Force, which before the wax- wSs 310 officers and 3179 men, has been increased to 1250 officers and 16,715 men. The Canberra correspondent of The Daily Telegraph says the formation in New Zealand of a Coalition War Cabinet gives fresh impetus to the movement in Australia for a National Government. Influential United Australian Party and Country Party members will renew their drive for a national Minis-tx-y when Parliament reassembles early next month. There has been no indication so far that Labour will reverse its opposition to an all-party Government. EVACUATION SCHEME POSTPONED (Received July 17, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 16. The deputy-leader of the House, Mr C. R. Attlee, in the House of Commons, announcing the postponement of the scheme for the evacuation of children overseas until naval escorts could be provided, said that the fate of the Andora Star showed that the safety of even a fast vessel could not be guaranteed without naval escort. If children were evacuated by other- means the Government would not assume responsibility. Those already evacuated had done so without escort. He added that a certain number of children was going in future aboard convoyed vessels, of whom between 3000 and 4000 would be from grantaided schools under various private schemes formulatec by the United States and Dominion authorities. CANADIAN DIVISIONAL COMMANDER (Received July 17, 6.30 p.m.) OTTAWA, July 16. Major-General G. R. Pearkes, V.C., is to assume command of the First Overseas Division, succeeding Lieuten-ant-General A. G. L. lyicNaughton.