GERMAN FORTIFICATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23382, 27 September 1939, Page 9

GERMAN FORTIFICATIONS

SPLINTERED BY HEAVY ARTILLERY FIRE PARIS, September 26. (Received September 27, at 12.30 p.m.) It is officially announced that heavy artillery fire splintered portions of the German fortifications on the Rhineland. Civilian evacuation east of Saarbrucken has been speeded up, and a new Nazi coun-ter-attack was repulsed. It is officially stated that two German attacks -in the Wissembourg and Pirmasens sectors were hurled back with “ the decimation of the retreating Germans.” ACTIVITY AT GERMAN CHANCELLORY SWISS STRENGTHENING THEIR DEFENCES LONDON, September 26. (Received September 27, at 1.0 p.m.) The British United Press Berlin correspondent states Herr Hitler and von Ribbentrop arrived by plane, and went to' the Chancellery, where activity was manifested. The Geneva correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ states that it is officially announced that Switzerland is building defences in the interior, supplementing the existing double line of fortifications. SECRET “SIEGFRIED LINE" ALONG GREEK-ALBANIAN FRONTIERS LONDON, September 26. (Received September 27, at 1 p.m.) The Athens correspondent of the Associated Press says the Greeks learned from a newsreel that a “ Siegfried line ” had been constructed secretly during the past two years long the Greek-Albanian frontiers. RAILWAY BRIDGE DESTROYED MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION IN LUXEMBOURG BRUSSELS, September 26. (Received September 27, at 10 a.m.) The railway bridge at Stockem, near Arlon, on the Drussels-Luxembourg main line, was blown up last night shortly after a train had passed. The cause is unknown. DUE TO BELGIAN MINES BRUSSELS, September 26. (Received September 27, at 11 a.m.) It. is now stated that the bridge explosion was due to the blowing up of Belgian military mines. ACCIDENTAL EXPLOSION BRUSSELS, September 26. (Received September 27, at 1 p.m!) Mines under the bridge accidentally exploded. Two soldiers were wounded. JAPAN AND GERMANY FORMER’S DISILLUSIONMENT DEEPENS LONDON September 26. (Received September 27, at. 1.15 p.m.) The Tokio correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ states that disillusionment with Germany deepens with the disclosures of the Blue Book revealing Hitler’s cynical disregard for Japan. 'The ‘ Japan Times ’ says Hitler is ready to use Japan as a pawn in dealings with Britain. PALESTINE ARABS GRAND MUFTI'S ASSURANCE BEIRUT, September 26. (Received September 27, at 12.30 p.m.) The Grand Mufti sent the following message to the Syrian High Commissioner:—” Palestine Arabs will abstain from all acts which impede France or reflect on her interests.” AMERICAN NAVY PART TO BE SENT TO HAWAIIAN WATERS NEW YORK, September 26. (Received September 27, at 10.15 a.m.) The Washington correspondent of the Associated Press says it is authoritatively learned that the Navy Department has decided to send a substantial detachment of the fleet to Hawaiian waters. Centralisation of the fleet at San Pedro has been criticised in some naval quarters. STRATEGIC MATERIALS AMERICA'S RESERVE SUPPLY WASHINGTON, September 26. (Received September 27, at 1.30 p.m.) President Roosevelt, at a Press conference, said the efforts of foreign purchasers to. buy war stocks from the United States have impeded the Government’s effort to acquire reserve supplies of strategic materials. President Roosevelt intimated that he advise Americans not to sell to foreigners crude rubber, manganese, ferromanganese, pig tin, metallurgical chrome, etc., all not produced in the .United States.