“NO ACUTE DANGER”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21554, 17 January 1940, Page 7

“NO ACUTE DANGER”

Necessary Precautions

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

LOb 'ON, January 15.

The military measures taken by Holland and Belgium over the weekend, and the War office announcement that leave for the British Expeditionary voice has been temporarily suspended, continues to be the subject of much comment In Britain and in other countries. In London it is said that the situation created over the week-end seems to have been similar to that of last November, it Is pointed out that in the past Hitler never allowed his intentions to leak out, and if he had Intended to move he would have done so without warning. German troop movements near Holland and Belgium may be part of the Nazi “war of nerves,” and just another attempt to stampede the Low Countries and Europe into a state of panic. Diplomatic circles in London feel that there is no additional reason to expect the invasion of either country at present, but they comment thgt quick changes are always possible, for which Belgium and Holland must be prepared. Allied Influence Alleged

The German news agency makes the absurd charge (hat Britain and France have deliberately passed on Information to induce the Belgian and Dutch Governments to carry out the precautionary measures they have taken. The governments and people of Holland and Belgium have faced the situation in an admirable manner, and with remarkable calm. In both countries, it is emphasised that no acute danger threatens, but the precautions show that the two count: :s are or. the alert. The tr -ures have been followed by a great deal of comment in the United States, on the possibility of a German invasion. The New York "Herald Tribune” sums up American feeing when it says that such an invasion woi Id be a monstrous crime in the eyes of every nation in the world. The paper issues a reminder that the Germans went far to lose one world war in Belgium. Mr John Cudahy, former American Minister to Eire, who recently was appointed to Belgium, suddenly departed to take up his new position three weeks ahead of time, because of the European situation.