FRENCH ALARMED

Evening Star, Issue 22457, 30 September 1936, Page 16

FRENCH ALARMED

OVER GERMAN POWER ROUTES OF ATTACK The ever-growing danger of German armaments and the need for complete solidarity between the two great democracies of Western Europe are the two main impressions which 1 have formed after renewing friendship with a number of high French military authorities during a visit to Paris, writes Major-general A. O. Teraperley, in the ‘ Daily Telegraph.’ The French army inis complete confidence in itself and is well prepared for all eventualities. The French are extremely satisfied with the new eastern fortifications, which are now practically complete. They expect them to be able to hold out for months if necessary, and think it extremely unlikely that any enemy would be so unwise as to break heads against them. The very strength of these lines makes it more than ever probable that if Germany meditated attack she would seek a decision by turning the northern flank through Holland and Belgium. It is unlikely that Holland would again be spared invasion. 'lt is essentia] that Allied assistance should enable the river Meuse about Liege and Namur to be firmly held. Belgian fortifications are being prepared, but not on the same massive scale as in eastern France. THE NEW MENACE. Moreover, the Belgian army would be insufficient to defend both its eastern and northern frontiers should a German turning movement through south-eastern Holland, which the small Dutch army would he powerless to prevent, take place. If the safety of the Low Countries is essential to France, it is, if anything, more vital to Great Britain. How can we ever allow the establishment of hostile air and submarine bases in Belgium? Hostile aerodromes on the Belgian coast would place England at the mercy of a strong air force. The French view undoubtedly is that Belgium and to a lesser extent Holland are the key to successful resistance to aggression, and that wc should spare no effort to bring every possible material support to them. The French arc well aware of the small size of our army and the slow rate of onr recruiting, but they hope that onr rearmament proposals will remedy this situation. They regard the rapid increase of our Air Force as a most hopeful sign of our intention to be strong. The problem of defence has been materially changed by the German reoccupation of the demilitarised zone. Both the French and Belgians had previously had the advantage of a broad demilitarised area in which, in the event of war, their mobile troops would be able to operate. The situation now is .that the German army is right up against the frontier. The old possibility of “ Tattaquo brusque ” has been revived. This is thought to he specially dangerous to Belgium, as her army is small, and Allied help to be effective would have to be’despatched with extreme rapidity. The Germans already have three armoured divisions and are preparing a fourth, which might bo employed against Belgium. ' NUMBERS ARE LARGER. As for the strength of the German army in the Rhineland, though the German Government declared that the number of troops did not exceed 36,500, it is suggested that there had been camouflaged organisations on the Stnrraahtoilung troops of picked young men, known as the S.A., the frontier guards, and the Labour Corps in existence for a considerable time before the reoccupation. The German army is increasing very vapidly, and it is thought in French military circles that the 36 divisions fixed by Herr Hitler will be in existence by the end of this year. It has been openly said in Germany that in a few years they will be able to mobilise 300 divisions, with 3,000 tanks and 6,000 aeroplanes. This is not a fantastic figure. They mobilised 248 divisions in 1917. '

The provision of this immense army, the French think, becomes merely a matter of the manufacture of material. German industry has_ practically been put on a war footing and is turning out guns of all calibres at the rate of 200 a month. The manufacture of medium and heavy tanks is also in full swing. I inquired about defensive works in the reoccupied zone, and was told that concrete fortifications had undoubtedly been constructed and that heavy guns had been brought into the zone. We discussed the military agreement between France and Italy. It was pointed out to me how greatly France had benefited by the release of its divisions from the Alpine frontier and North Africa, which enabled her to be stronger in the north-east. Italy’s military aid could be immediate, and powerful. THE FRENCH IMPRESSED. The French have been much impressed by the fine staff work of the Italians in Abyssinia, as well as the generalship of Marshal Badoglio and the ability of the troops to withstand the hardships of climate and terrain. They believe there has been a great improvement in the quality of the Italian army since the European war I asked about the new difficulties of co-ordination of defence, and was told that there was not really any great change, though it definitely placed the final responsibility upon M. Daladier, National Defence Minister and Deputy-Premier. I found a feeling that British public opinion did not fully realise the dangerous possibilities of the future. The French nation may be excused if its attention is concentrated upon the reconstruction of this immense German military machine, out of all proportion to Germany’s defensive needs. Germany is quite openly_ making a bid for the military domination of Europe. The French army does not fear the future, but cannot exclude the possibility of war, if she is to stand alone. One factor whicli the French think will definitely prevent war is the consciousness that Great Britain will play iTs part with France in keeping the peace.