SWITZERLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 January 1917, Page 5

SWITZERLAND.

GERMAN CONCENTRATION ON BORDER. A FLIMSY PRETEXT. ALSATIANS ORDERED TO LEAVE HOMES. Received Jan. 21, 5.5 1 p.m. ■Piuis, .Jr.n. *2P. Commenting on the '.icriuan -\\ai ex perl's insinuation that Franc-:' contempl.t tea an offensive on Belfort. the ICcho do. Paris suj-gests that Germany i- using tile alleged threat an an c:;cu'so for a*-, sembling men and material 0,1 the Upper Alsace-Swiss frontier, and adds , that the excuse fails to explain Ger- , many's new strategic railway to Rasle, ' 00.-tiny three-quarters of a million. ' lior.h. Jan. 20. The Giornale d'ltalia slates iliat the ' Geimans have ordered the inhabitants of Alsatian villages on the Hwiv-s frontier to evacuate tlieii home' and withdraw •behind the Rhine, carrying all foodstuffs. The Germans arc ?onecntrating heavily on the Alsatian horde:'- of I/akc Constance, and will presumably n? t the Trontino front. A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION. COLONEL MORAIIT'S WARNING. Ecccivcd Jan. 21, 5.5 p.m. Berne, Jan. 20. The German, concentration along the Rhine, between Basle and Lake Constance, may he connected with an atj tart: oa Belfort. or inny be. part of a j f eint to induce the French to strengthen, ) (their position in the Yosgcs. while the j Germans make .. sadden dash on the weakened front at Lorraine. Colonei Moraht, writing in the Berliner Tagebhtt. say.; that French possession of Soulheri. Alsace provides a tally-port- which <■:■ a grave menace, to the territory u .i the left ban!; of the Rhine. FRENCH 01-TSNHVE EXPECTED (United Service). London, Jan. 10 Major Moraht, in the Tageblatt, s.iys that a French offensive is expected from Belfort. but the German precautions will result in General Foeh butting his head against a brick wall. I Belfort is just opposite Basle, so tliis statement is intended to give an excuse for the German concentration on the Swiss border.] THE INVASION RUMORS. Received Jan 20, 5.30 p.m London, Jan. If). Speculation is rife in London as to whether the Swiss invasion rumors are associated with political or diplomatic measures of the Governments. FRONTIER GUARDS REINFORCED. Received Jan. 21, - r >.s p.m. London, Jan. 20. The Swiss press estimate that the Germans have concentrated 400,000 men on the frontier. The Swiss authorities have further reinforced the frontier guards. ANXTETY OVER GERMAN CONCENTRATIONS. London, Jan. 10. '.The Swiss press states that Gorman concentrations are rapidly continuing near Basle and the army staff fears that an invasion is intended.