FRENCH DESTROY BRIDGE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22504, 12 September 1938, Page 9

FRENCH DESTROY BRIDGE

Safeguard Against

Surprise Attack

FRONTIER PRECAUTIONS AT MAGINOT LINE (UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION —COPTTUOHT-) (Received September 11, 10 p.m.) LONDON, September 10. The Basle correspondent of the “News Chronicle” says French workmen destroyed a railway bridge across the Rhine north of the Swiss frontier. A pontoon bridge remains, but the centre has been moved from its alignment and vehicles traversing it are forced to turn sharply. Every effort is being made to safeguard against a German thrust at France across Switzerland.

Large numbers of tanks and artillery units, including guns mounted on rails, were moved into position at night to the rear of. the Maginot Line under cover of darkness. The military authorities are taking precautions to assure emergency petrol supplies and the control of international bridges. The Mediterranean Fleet is at Toulon with steam up and standing by. Officials refuse to discuss projected fleet movements. The military preparations are equally complete. They are believed to be on a larger scale than is officially admitted. Observation balloons command the whole area for miles round the frontier. A Berlin message states that except for specified commercial routes, Germany will close her western frontier, from Aix-la-Chap-elle to Switzerland, to air traffic on September 20. CHIEFTAINS LOYAL TO FRANCE MESSAGE SENT FROM NORTH AFRICA (Received September 11, 9 p.m.) PARIS, September 10. The Arab leader of the North African chieftains has . telegraphed the Governor-General of Algiers, stating: “We are loyal to France and ready to answer the call and fulfil our duty as we did in 1914.”