FRANCE’S DEFENCES

Evening Star, Issue 21743, 11 June 1934, Page 9

FRANCE’S DEFENCES

£25,000,000 TO BE SPEHT COMPLETION OF “ MAGIHOT LINE ” Pres* Association—Bj Telegraph—Copyright. PARIS, June 10. (Received June 11, at 11.45 a.m.) The Finance Commission of the Chamber of Deputies passed a Bill involving £25,000,000 for national defence, of which £10,000,000 is intended for the completion of the frontier defences planned in 1928, and known as the “ Maginot line,” which have already cost £27,536,000. These defences consist of three lines of bombproof establishments connected by hidden strategic tunnels protected by longrange guns. It would be necessary for ten big shells to fall on the same spot to demolish even a small turret containing machine guns, PROTECTION AGAINST AIR ATTACKS DRASTIC LEGISLATION. PARIS, June 10. ; (Received June 11, at 12.25 p.m.) A Government Bill tabled contains the most drastic and far-reaching legislation any country has yet proposed for organising defences against aerial attacks. The Bill makes compulsory the construction of any works the authorities decree, aud Jays down the principle that the cost must be met by those who will benefit from the protection. Tho State will only participate in exceptional cases where “ passive defence ” alone cannot be adequately assured by the contribution of public money and industrial and commercial undertakings. Contributions will be collected by taxation. . The State is empowered to advance money where necessary and recover it through the income tax officials. Obstruction and disobedience will be punished by imprisonment and a fine.— London ‘ Times ’ Cable.