PRECAUTIONARY STEP

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 191, 9 May 1940, Page 10

PRECAUTIONARY STEP

Possibility Of Landing On Coast Discussed (By To. I ©graph.—-Press Assn.—-Copyright.) LONDON, May 7. The cancellation of all leave in the Dutch army and navy, which has been announced from The Hague by the Government Press service, has surprised the public and afforded concrete evidence of the increasing tension in Germany s neighbours. An official statement described the measure as precautionary in view of the increased uncertainty ol the international situation.

This is the first time since the outbreak of the war that all Dutch leave has been cancelled and increases the number of mobilized troops by fit Ic<ls one-tenth. The order also applies to workers in the war industries. Supplementary orders have recalled to the colours two classes of marines who have been specially trained for coastguard duties. .It is also announced that the mouths of the Meuse and the Rhine will be closed to shipping between May 11 and May 13. Traffic will be prohibited on the waterways in south-eastern Holland during the same period. Reports from The Hague declare that observers are discussing the possibility of a landing being attempted on the Dutch coast because the Allied navies are mainly occupied elsewhere. The Brussels correspondent of “The Times” says that Holland’s action ts believed to be partly due to reports of increased concentrations of German troops opposite the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe and also to great military activity in Hamburg and other German North Sea ports. A Belgian highly-placed official declared: “We are always on the alert, but there is no reason to suppose that we shall follow the Dutch example, though it is impossible to predict what may be necessary tomorrow or the day after.” Belgians are convinced that the war will be won and lost in the West, and therefore are relieved that the Allies did not become too deeply involved in Norway. The German Press is hinting at the possibility of air raids against British shipyards.