FRENCH ARMY TO BE INCREASED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 152, 23 March 1939, Page 9

FRENCH ARMY TO BE INCREASED

2,000,000 Trained Men And 4,000,000 Reserves

PREMIER ACTS UNDER PLENARY POWERS New Body Of African Troops To Be Formed (Independent Cable Service.) PARIS, March 21. It is announced that the permanent establishment of the French regular annv will be increased from 700,000 to 1,000,000. Specialists and technicians will be called up to man the frontier defences and war material factories. A thousand new warplane pilots and 750 machine-gunners will be enlisted at special rates of pay. When the plans for large-scale recruitment of native troops have been completed, France will have 2,000,000 trained men ready for instant action and 4,000,000 in reserve.

The commanders in the Lyons, Metz, and Strasbourg regions have become military governors, thereby controlling industries and the civil authorities.

A Government decree orders all registered unemployed to accept work offered by the labour exchanges with firms working for national defence. They will be paid the normal wages, and those who refuse will forfeit their allowances for the year. M. Daladier Acts. The provisions of M. Daladier's first exercise of plenary powers include the transfer of 442 officers and 2500 noncommissioned officers to strengthen the anti-aircraft defences; the creation of a new body of North African colonial troops; power to retain with the colours classes of troops who have nominally completed their service; a 60-lwur week with overtime pay in factories engaged in national defence, which will have a special directorate and will accelerate their output; authority for temporary loans to aid armaments contractors; and power to recall former armament workers. No time is being lost in implementing the decrees, and a large number of specialists in Lille were called up this morning. It is also decreed that information concerning the army, the navy, the air force, and subsidiary services, including air-raid precautions, may not be published without the Government's approval. The penalties for breach are similar to those for espionage.

ANGLO-GERMAN NAVAL TREATY

No Move Made By Reich For Denunciation I British Official Wireless.) (Received March 22, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, March 21. Reports have appeared in some quarters that Germany is considering a denunciation of the Anglo-German Naval Treaty of 1935. It is pointed out in London that the treaty contains uo provision for denunciation. The position is Hint it can only legally be terminated by the mutual consent of the two parties. It is stated that, no approach in this sense lias been made by Germany.

SLOVAKIA’S FUTURE “German Protection Merely A Guarantee” BERLIN, March 21. Tlie Slovak Foreign Minister. M. Durcansky, before visiting the Foreign Office, today, stated that he has full powers from tlie Prime Minister. Dr. Tiso. to sign an agreement. “Germany’s protection of Slovakia,’’ be said, "will amount to little beyond a guarantee. We shall create a diplomatic corps, have a small armed force, and our own currency and flag.”