POUNDING THE WEST WALL

Evening Star, Issue 23383, 28 September 1939, Page 8

POUNDING THE WEST WALL

FRENCH ARTILLERY ACTIVE NO RASH OFFENSIVE LIKELY NEW YORK, September 26. The Paris correspondent of the ‘ Now York Times ’ says;— “ Gunners and aviators are most active on the western front. French heavy artillery in the Saarbrucken and Zwei bracken sectors continued to pound the first zone of the West Wall. Nazi artillery persisted in replying southeast of Zweibruckeii, where they have been concentrating their fire for several days. French reconnaissance planes correct the range of the guns and photograph the damage. German fighters strive to drive them back, whereupon French pursuit planes go into action, “ The pounding of the West Wall is likely to continue for a Jong time. Most of the Maginot Line is sunken, hut the West Wall consists mostly of superstructures. The West Wall is therefore a better target. French guns are engaged in razing these superstructures, but it does not mean it will follow that when they have been levelled there will be a mass advance. It was learned in the Great War that intensity of artillery fire warned the enemy of intention to advance, permitting them to bring up reserves behind the threatened sector. Both France and Britain have declared against rash offensives, and it is generally agreed that the storming of the West Wall has now come within that definition. Continuation of the present cautious tactics is therefore likely So far artillery action has been to conquer ground for the infantry to advance and occupy. After a lull for digging in, the process will be repeated: It is slow but sure, and above all economical of troops. The Nazis, striving to break that rhythm of progression by activity elsewhere, are to-day extending their heavy artillery fire to the region of the east banks of the river Lauter.” HIDDEN MINES SUCCESSFUL FRENCH RUSE NEW YORK, September 27. The Swiss correspondent of tqe ‘ New York Times ’ reports that in the past four days the French have herded hundreds of pigs to a depth of two miles over mined sections of German territory near the Luxemburg border, exploding mines without endangering human lives, after which infantry occupied the ground. ATTACK ON DUTCH AIR LINER ADMITTED BY BERLIN LONDON, September 27. The Berlin radio admits that German aviators fired on the Dutch air liner. Germany regrets the incident, which, it explains, occurred because the machine closely resembled the enemy type and did not have distinguishing marks visible for a long distance. Th«? Germans ceased, firing immediately they recognised the air liner’s nationality. ITALY’S PEACE CAMPAIGN REPRESENTATIONS TO ALLIES NEW YORK, September 27. The Rome correspondent' of the ‘ New York Times ’ says that Italy is going ahead with her peace campaign, regardless of what England and 1 ranee say. There is a genuine conviction in high official circles that it is a chance for England and France to make the best bargain. Italian statesmen have a high opinion of Germany’s strength. They feel that, even without the Soviet, she is stronger militarily than England and France, and will be able to carry on indefinitely. Thus they are appealing over the heads of the French and British Governments to the people. All the Italian correspondents m London and Paris have enviously been instructed to write that the campaign is succeeding. Barring an unprovoked attack, Italy is not going to war against the Allies. CANADIAN METALS CONTROL OF EXPORTS OTTAWA, September 26. The Government has assumed complete control of the export of all .metals. THE PDPE AND NEUTRALITY POLICY SIMILAR TO AMERICA'S NEW YORK, September 27. The Vatican City correspondent of the ‘ New York Times ’ says that the Vatican’s friendliness toward President Roosevelt and his neutrality policies is very clearly shown in a leader in the ‘ Osservatore Romano,’ comparing the American policies with the Pope’s. It comments: “It is impossible not to perceive the almost literal identity of essential points.” This enthusiasm is not shared by the Italian Press. Some of the more extreme journals attack the ‘ Osservatore Romano’s ’ views. Vatican circles insist that the ‘ Osservatore Romano ’ is taking the line all newspapers will follow ere long, not only regarding friendliness towards the United States, but also antagonism towards Russia and sympathy with Poland.