French Exerting Pressure

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20057, 2 October 1939, Page 7

French Exerting Pressure

NERVOUSNESS OF NAZI DEFENCE Complete Evacuation of Mining Region CAPTURE OF SAARBRUCKEN EXPECTED Conference of Daladier and Chiefs of Services

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. October 2, 11.19 a.m.) LONDON, October 1. A Paris communique states that there has been an improvement in the French positions in the region south-west of Saarlouis. An official French communique issued last night stated: “There was enemy artillery action directly east of the Moselle and there were shooting reprisals on our part. There was great aerial activity oil both sides. The enemy took artillery action east from the Moselle as a reprisal for French bombing. Both air forces were most active. The general tendency of the operations is becoming seige-like. Semi-official sources in Paris declare that the fall of Saarbrucken can be expected shortly. It is claimed that 11n •ce-fourths of the city have already been surrounded and if the Germans do not abandon it soon, they will run the risk of being cut oIT from, the main Siegfried Line, several miles behind the city. The French troops are exercising pressure in the form of a pincers movement against the central fortifications. Three results have already been achieved. First, the Germans have been obliged to bring up reinforcements, revealing their nervousness. Secondly, the complete evacuation of: the mining region lias begun. Thirdly,, mining operations for the remainder of the war have been rendered most difficult. The military expert of Le Petit Parisien declares that it is a plain fact that the Germans arc unable to halt the French advance, revealing the weakness of counter-offensives despite the participation of the largest part of tiro divisions charged with .the defence of the Siegfried Line. Positive Results Expected. Yesterday’s conference between the Premier of France, M. Daladier, and the war chiefs, including General Georges, who is in command of the Rhine-Moselle front, is regarded as of military importance. It is believed that military, plans for the coming week were laid down and something positive is expected to result shortly. The question as to why Marshal Gamelin did not take advantage of Germany’s preoccupation in Poland to launch a great attack in the west is answered by the fact that Marshal Gamelin took full advantage in the past weeks to bring the army to a perfect offensive and defensive position. It is stated that with everything necessary for immediate disposal now completed offensive manoeuvres are now most likely. A communique issued by the German High Command stated that artillery fire was more intense on several sectors of the Western Front. The Luxemburg correspondent of the Paris newspaper Le Soil- says that Belgian troops stationed on the French frontier have been removed as a precautionary measure .to the north of Belgium near Holland. New defence works are being prepared on the Albert Canal and the River Domcr. The Paris correspondent of the New York Times says that despite inspired Berlin statements that Germany intends to leave to the Allies the initiation of major operations, it is still believed that the Germans arc preparing a strategic move on the Luxemburg frontier. Responsible Belgians still declare that Belgium may be involved in the war.