FRENCH ADVANCE

Evening Star, Issue 23371, 14 September 1939, Page 6

FRENCH ADVANCE

SURBRUCKEN THREATENED GREAT ARTILLERY DUEL STEADY INFLUX OF BRITISH TROOPS NEW YORK, September 12. The 1 New York Times ’ • Paris correspondent states that, advancing during the day and consolidating their gains at night, while artillery on both sides was very active at all times, the French continued their progress along the, 12-mile line east of the Saar River. Saarbrucken is distinctly threatened. Its capture would have a moral effect, but would not change the situation very materially, since the main objective must remain the West Wall. Troops from England are arriving in a steady stream. There is perfect unity of between the British and French staffs. The Basle, correspondent of the American Associated Press says reports indicate that one of the greatest artillery duels in history was begun during the night in the Eastern Moselle Valley between the Maginot and Siegfried Lines. Swiss observers expressed the opinion that the British and French staffs are building up to an actual assault on the Siegfried Line in the near future, "LOCAL FIGHTING" GERMAN PEOPLE KEPT IN IGNORANCE LONDON, September 12. The German people have not yet been informed _of the extent of the French operations on the western front, which are merely described a# local fighting at advanced posts. It has been reported that Germany bought 400,000 tons of cereals from Rumania, and is transporting them in Yugoslavian vessels via Trieste, Venice, and Fiume. BRITISH OFFICIALS IN PRAGUE HELD PRISONERS IN HOTEL AMSTERDAM, September 13. ft has been learnt that the British Consul at Prague, also the staff and their families numbering 16, are held prisoners in the Ambassadors’ Hotel, in Prague. An hotel porter reported that they are all well. It is understood that the American Consul is negotiating for their evacuation to neutral wantry,, -

CZECH NATIONAL ARMY FORMATION OF INDEPENDENT FORCE LONDON, September 13. The Paris correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ states that Czech headquarters in Paris are forming l an independent national army under their own flag and officers. A general mobilisation order will be issued to all Czechs of military age, and disobedience will be tantamount to desertion. It is estimated that 5U,000 men can bo raised. General Ingre, who has been appointed Czech War Minister in the Provisional Czech Government under Dr Benes, with M. Osusky as Foreign Minister and M, Outrata as Finance Minister is a capable soldier who columanded the Czech legions in the last war. NEUTRAL TRADE GERMAN ATTITUDE DEFINED COPENHAGEN, September 12. The official German publication, ‘ Diplomatische Korrespondonz,’ referring to the British blockade, recalls that when Germany undertook to respect the -neutrality of Holland, Belgium, and others she declared herself ready to continue her normal export and import of goods to and from neutral countries, but expected and demanded that neutrals should act similarly to her. It adds: “ Germany has no objection if neutrals keep up their normal exchange of goods with countries at war with Germany, which Germany would not consider unneutral conduct, but it -would be unneutral conduct if neutrals submitted to outside control directed against the maintenance of normal exchange of trade with Germany.” JAPAN'S NEUTRALITY ANOTHER DECLARATION SYDNEY, September 13. The Japanese Consul-General in Sydney, Mr M. Akiyama, announced to-day that he had received a cablegram from Tokio declaring that Japan would remain neutral for the duration of the present war in Europe. FEAR OF ASSASSINATION HITLER IN FIELD GREY (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON, September 13. It has been reported from Copenhagen that fear of assassination made Hitler give up the brown Nazi uniform in favour of an officer’s funic of field

ARMS FOR BELLIGERENTS SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT NEW YORK, September 13. The Washington correspondent of the American Associated Press says President Roosevelt appears to be assured of support from a majority of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for some form of his proposal to sell arms to belligerents. It was revealed that Senator Van Nuys is ready to further “ the cash and carry idea ” if it is properly safeguarded. He said: “My sympathies are with Europe’s democracies.” Notably he is among 12 senators who delayed consideration of the repeal of the arms embargo last session. AID FOR CANADA UNITED STATES PLEDGE WASHINGTON, September 12. President Roosevelt served notice on the world that Canada’s declaration of war against the Nazis had not altered the pledge that the United States would be quick to prevent any attempt at domination of Canadian soil by any nonBritish or foreign Power. He said that the promise made at Kingston, Ontario, last year was as binding now as it was then, and denied that this represented any extension of the Monroe Doctrine, contending that the doctrine envisaged such action from the start. SUPREME WAR COUNCIL ANGLO-FRENCH COLLABORATION PARIS, September 12. The semi-official Havas Agency says yesterday’s 'meeting of the Supreme War Council indicates that Britain and France have decided to act not on parallel lines, following simple general directions, but in a unified way as if they were one and the same nation. It adds that economic and financial unity ax-e equally complete, and British and French experts are already working in London to ensure free supplies to the two countries and to disorganise the enemy’s.

FINANCIAL COLLABORATION PA lUS, September 13. (Received September 14, at 8 a.m.) Sir John Simon, in a message to M. Reynaud, French Minister of Finance, said : “ We share the resolution to preserve entirely intimate and efficacious collaboration between the two treasuries until the end of the war.” GERMAN REQUEST TO GENEVA INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED ATROCITIES BERLIN, September 13. (Received September 14, at 8 a.m.) The Gorman Government cabled to the Red Cross Society in Geneva asking that an international commission be sent to Poland to investigate _ alleged atrocities against German minorities during tho Polish retreat. CANADA'S WAR BUDGET APPROVED BY HOUSE OF COMMONS OTTAWA, September 12, The House of Commons, by an overwhelming vote, approved the war Budget and went into conference to consider the Budget in detail. ATTACKED BY SUBMARINE BRITISH STEAMER ESCAPES LONDON, September 12, The Mooltan was shelled by a submarine for an hour, but drew out of range and escaped,