PRECAUTIONS IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22518, 28 September 1938, Page 12

PRECAUTIONS IN BRITAIN

Air Force Personnel

Recalled

PLANS FOR SAFETY OF CIVILIANS (DOTTED PHESS ASSOCIATION —COPTRIOiT.) (Received September 27, 9.45 am.) LONDON, September 26. Officers and men of the Anti-Air-craft Units and Coast Defence Units of the Territorial Army have been called up. It is emphasised that the calling-up of these units is precautionary, and distinct from general mobilisation, which would embody the Territorial Army. Royal Air Force personnel has been recalled from leave, and the Observer Corps called up. An air raid warning system has been instituted. It Is likewise explained that this precaution does not include general mobilisation, and applies to home defence only. With the sands of the crisis running out, the entire country is doing its utmost to complete precautions for the safety of civilians. Evacuation of Londoners Time-tables are being prepared for the evacuation of 3,500,000 Londoners within 72 hours. Every city and town is taking over vacant land on which trenches are being dug in the greatest haste. Similar work is also being carried out in London’s p&rk£ Gas-masks are being handed out everywhere. Intensive precautions are also being taken against fire. Municipal!- ; ties are calling up volunteers, who are undergoing swift courses of in- 1 struction. Plana have been completed for the evacuation of 500,000 London school children in a few hours. Headmasters have urged parents, wherever possible, to move their children to the country without dalay. . Parents have been given lists of two days’ food and clothing and other articles each child should carry, which, it is suggested, should now be packed. • The majority of the -members of Cabinet, including all the Defence Ministers, and the Foreign Minister (Lord Halifax), met this afternoon at the headquarters of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Mr Chamberlain received the Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee) and the deputy-leader (Mr A. Greenwood). His Majesty received Mr Chamberlain, who returned to Downing Street after SO minutes. The King has cancelled his visit to Glasgow for the launching of the Queen Mr Herbert Morrison, chairman of the Air Raids Precaution Committee, addressing a public meeting, said: “In this critical hour when our country, with the rest of Europe is facing the .finely balanced altterriatives of peace or war, air raid precautions are a matter of the greatest urgency and importance to every London citizen. There are enormous advantages in early preparation and organisation. • “I therefore urge all those who have no other task to discharge for public service immediately to enrol and see to it that London maintains its reputation for civic order.” It is announced that at the request of' the Food Defence Plans Department the provision exchanges of the country have decided that the prices of bacon, hams, butter, cheese, lard, cooking fat, and margarine are to remain at their present level for a fortnight. A statement was issued after a meeting of the National Federation of Meat Traders assuring the public that a practical scheme of control j and rationing is available to be put ; into immediate operation in case of j need.

PROMISES OF HELP FOR CZECHS RUSSIA AND FRANCE WILL SEND AIR FLEETS LONDON, September 27. The Geneva Correspondent of the “Daily Mail” stated that Britain has been informed that in the event of unprovoked aggression of Czechoslovakia, Russia l would immediately make air force units available at Prague, as the most effective aid until the territorial is clarified.

France has notified Prague that it will dispatch a strong air force in the event of hostilities.