FRENCH DEFENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20783, 18 April 1939, Page 7

FRENCH DEFENCE

READY FOR ACTION 7,000,000 MEN AVAILABLE ARMY FULLY EQUIPPED

(United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, April 17 France is fully confident that she possesses an army capable of defending every one of her land frontiers. In the past two years the army has been completely re-equipped. No longer is it subject to the criticisms that still apply to the French Air Force. Mobilisation lias been overhauled. In addition to the 2.000,000 men in the standing army, 5,000,000 more would be under arms in 48 hours. These 7.000.000 would be completely equipped with arms and munitions, because the nation’s munition factories have recently been vastly increasing their output. The army has boon very speedily mechanised. Although the number of tanks is unknown. France has built a huge quantity, concentrating chiefly on the heaviest.

These are real land battleships and many easily he proof against the more mobile anti-tank guns. They have, in trials, overcome various kinds of antitank barricades and traps which are a feature of'the Maginot French) and the Siegfried (German) lines. Strategical Setbacks This thorough mechanisation, says the Yorkshire Post, is especially necessary because of strategical setbacks France has suffered. For Instance, it is now essential to retain many more men on the Pyrenees, where formerly a small force of highly-trained mountain troops sufficed. More men are needed, too, on the French-Italian border. In spite of its natural defences, this is a source of potential anxiety. The old confidence that Switzerland would be inviolable in a war is no longer tenable. Accordingly, a hostile march through that country must he guarded against. Finally, Belgium’s policy of isolation has necessitated strong precautions against attack in the north. Whether the famous Maginot Line, whose full secrets are carefully preserved. is impregnable, only experience will show, but it rules out any surprise against France. German Towns Could be Bombarded The great guns of the Maginot Line mounted on hidden emplacements, are within range of highly vulnerable industrial German towns, which could be bombarded far more effectively than by aerial bombs. The Siegfried Line’s retaliatory bombardment would be less effective, because the French border districts are less vulnerable. French colonial troops are an additional source of strength to France. Military observers claim that the Foreign Legion could out-match five times as many of the Italians who are training in Libya.

AN EVIL DICTATOR

CRITICISM OF MR ROOSEVELT ISOLATION FROM AMERICANS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received April 18, 1 p.m.) ROME, April 17 Signor Gayda declares that Italy prefers to isolate President Roosevelt from the rest of the Americans, as an evil dictator. PAINTING BANNED DEVIL AND THE DICTATORS THE SCALES OF JUSTICE “MIGHT BE MISUNDERSTOOD” (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright'. (Received April 18, 1 p.m.) LONDON, April 17 The Royal Society of British Artists has banned Otway McCannell’s canvas showing the devil weighing the heads of Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini on the scales of justice before a shocked audience, including the Pope, Mr Chamberlain and Mr Roosevelt. The Society requested the withdrawal of the painting because it might be misunderstood in the present state of European affairs.