CRITICAL WEEK-END

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 116, 15 April 1940, Page 8

CRITICAL WEEK-END

BERLIN THREATS. SWEDISH DEFENCE STErS. LONDON, April 12. The intensification of the German warnings to Sweden and the Balkans against breaches of neutrality coincides with intense diplomatic activity in London and Paris and the expectation in Holland of the most critical week-end since the outbreak of the war. The Germans complain that the Swedish radio and Press are acting in an intolerable manner and say it is “high time Sweden understood that the rapS, unhampered occupation of Norway is in the interests of Sweden.’ A German spokesman said: “So long as Sweden’s neutrality is not endangered, Germany will pel occupy bases in Sweden, hut if King Haakon and his Cabinet escaped to Sweden and ruled from there Sweden would have to take the consequences.” The British and French Consulates at Gothenburg and Malmo are preparing for the evacuation of nationals. The Swedes are vigorously building air raid shelters, and all towns are being blacked out. TENSION""" MO UNTS. LOW COUNTRIES’ FEARS. LONDON, April 12. Swedish circles in London have no knowledge of a German demand for the passage of troops. The tension continues in Belgium and Holland The Dutch defences have now been placed at the third stage of alarm preparedness, meaning that every man is at his post, and the engineers are waiting beside the sluice gates to release the waters. The troops’ movements continue nightly. The unexplained absence of all lour Nationalist vSocialist members from the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament has created a political stir. M. Spaak (Belgian Premier). in a speech, said: Belgium is doing her utmost to avoid war, hut 6ho must he strong and united. TURKEY’S INTEREST. The Turkish defence measures include the Government’s request lor extraordinary credit of two million sterling. The Turks are following the Scandinavian events with passionate interest. They fully appreciate that Britain and France are fighting for the small nations. The Italian Press represents the outcome of the week’s operations as a striking German success. Even commentators pointing out the German difficulties show a pro-German bias. The anti-Allied campaign is so pronounced that all kinds of rumours of Italian military activities are current. The newspapers are silent regarding the German losses and publish the Berlin claims of the Allied losses. HEROISM REWARDED. MEN OF THE COSSACK. LONDON, April 12. H.M.S. Cossack’s famous rescue of the Altmarck prisoners is recalled by a London Gazette announcement that Captain Vian and Lieutenant-Com-mander Talbot Turner have been awarded the D.S.O. Ten other officers and ratings were decorated and four mentioned in despatches. “Captain Vian displayed daring leadership and masterly handling of the Cossack,” says the Gazette. Three stewards are mentioned in despatches for their cheerful and ready work in caring for the released prisoners.