SECRET GERMAN FORTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19737, 5 January 1927, Page 3

SECRET GERMAN FORTS

' NEW CONCEALED SHELTERS APPROACH BY HIDDEN ROADS. The Germans have secretly constructed a large number of enormous underground chambers at Konigsberg (in East Prussia) to increase the strength of the fortress. The existence of 54 of these chambers has already been ascertained. Subterranean chambers have also been constructed by the military authorities in the neighbourhood of the fortress of Kustrin, in Prussia. The num.ber of them is not known, but two of them, 124 miles apart, have already been discovered. The work was so new that when these two were found part of the material used in making them was still moist. It is stated that more than a million marks (£50,000) has already been spent on this work. These new additions to the fortresses | are contrary to Article ISO of the | Treaty of Versailles. When, however, i the German authorities found that ■ their secret had been divulged, they I attempted to argue that a construction ; could be placed on the clause of the I article different from that which the ' words imply to the plain man. j The purpose of these subterranean i chambers is to conceal infantry in time ,of war. The possibility, however, I exists that they may enter into a ; scheme of new methods of warfare I which remains the secret of the Gcr- ; man military authorities. i Each of the chambers at Kustrin is 1 largo enough to house 50 men. They i are constructed of reinforced concrete land are so cleverly concealed that noI body passing through the country in ■ the neighbourhod of the fortresses i would have the slightest idea that it is ' honeycombed with military catacombs. I The two chambers connected with ■ the fortress of Kustrin lie beneath : sand-dunes, and it is impossible for ■ anybody who has not been let into the : secret of the German military authon: i ties to detect their whereabouts. Hidden From Public. ■ Solid roads have been made in their neighbourhood and then carefully concealed by a layer of mud so that they 1 look like rude country paths for poughmcn, unsuitable for military purposes Nevertheess, they afford good going for motor vehicles and m,en and munitions J could bo rapidly conveyed over them • to the hidden shelters. From tho purely military point-of-view, the strengthening of the tw| i fortresses is not considered a very serious matter. It will have to be dealt with by the Military Council at Ver sailles and by the Council of Ambassadors, and it is possible that they will take a lenient view. On the other hand, the spirit of defiance displayed by this construction of secret fortifications will undoubtedly give cause to those who may be inI elined to advise the withdrawal of the ; Inter-Allied Commission of Military ! Control before its work is realy comI pietea.