BELGIAN BORDER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 15, 18 January 1940, Page 5

BELGIAN BORDER

IF GERMANY ATTACKS BRITISH TROOPS READY EXTENDING FORTIFCATIONS LONDON. Jan. 16. British forces «n Erance are being concentrated in the newlystrengthene I sections of the Maginot Line fronting the Belgian border in complete readme'** for any German drive against the Allie* through Hetland or Belgium. The work of extending the fortifications in this sector is still being proceeded with, although they are already believe.! strong enough to withstand any attack so long as sufficici(*nt troops are provided to man them, and British batteries of heavy artillery have taken up their positions in specially-prepared emplacements commanding the probable line of advance. SUSPECTED NAZI AIM TERRORISING OF SMALL NATIONS SIMILAR TO VOVEMRKR SCARF. f R -.,h -v W t r | Received Jan. 17. 6.5 p.m RUGBY. Jan. 16. Th*» sinking of the Arendskerk is related by some commentators to the tension which. although somewhat relaxed. still persists in the Low Countries owing to the threatening situation on the Dutch and Belgian frontiers. There is a strong belief that the underlying purpose of the German action at sea. no less than her bullying tactics on her land frontiers, is to terrorise the small nations, if for no other reason than to keep them in a false stat* 1 of alarm and possibly attempt to force them to suspend commercial relations v ith the Allies. Tn the view of military experts here, no single incident is wholly accountable for the frontier tension, hut evidence from various quarters accumulated during the week-end has undoubtedly aroused anxiety, particularly in Holland. Certain features of the activities on th-- German side o the Dutch frontier, it is noted, bore a close resemblance to the elaborate scare manufactured by Germany las’ November. An increase in the number of divisions facing the Dutch frontier south of the Rhine, and a remarkable activity in road-making were observed. Both were factors in the November cri.-is. and in Belgium warnings that a new crisis was impending led. as in Holland, to increased precautions. The sinking of the AreiuKkei k t .< regarded in some quarters as a a event which may throw additional light on the Germans intentions. The Yorkshire Post, after stating that the Arendskerk w as on her way from Antwerp to South Africa, says: ’’This looks rather like a new move in Germany’s long-standing campaign of terrorisation against her neutral neighbours. Our military correspondent suggests that this campaign is aimed at building up a system of Continental exchange under German orders. Neutrals are to forego their sea-borne trade and consent to serve as suppliers of Germany’s economic needs by land. Herr Hitler hopes, perhaps. by this means to reach a position which would enable him to laugh at the British blockade and so once more to suggest a means of continuing the war. He may well be reluctant still to engage in a blitzkrieg against the Allies together or even separately.” If Herr Hitler does start a campaign now against Holland or Belgium he will encounter resistance resolute and prepared. The task of Britain and France during this period of renewed tension is to take all necessary precautions and then to stand quietly on guard, neither ignoring Herr Hitler’s threats nor playing into his hands by nervously taking them at their face value.

SCANDINAVIAN POWERS NO BRITISH GUARANTEES ! MADE Received Jan. 17, 6.5 p.m. j LONDON, Jan. 16. . It is officially denied in Stockholm [ and Oslo that Britain offered to guarantee the integrity of Sweden and I