AT WAR STRENGTH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 April 1939, Page 7

AT WAR STRENGTH

ENTIRE FRENCH NAVAL FORCES MAGINOT LINE FULLY MANNED. NEARLY A MILLION MEN UNDER ARMS. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, April 12. Following upon the sailing of the French Mediterranean fleet for an unknown destination, it is learned that the French naval forces concentrated at Toulon and Brest are fully mobilised and have kept up full steam since Monday. Thus the entire,/Mediterranean and Atlantic fleets are at war strength, and are able to go to sea at six hours’ notice. At present there are 975,000 troops under arms in France. The million mark will be passed at the weekend. The Maginot Line is fully manned and there are concentrations of forces near the eastern frontier. t RUSSIAN WARSHIPS. FOUR LEAVE BLACK SEA FOR VLADIVOSTOK. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) ! ISTANBUL, April 12. Four Soviet warships are reported to have sailed for Vladivostok. DARDANELLES OPENED. PROVISION FOR ASSISTANCE TO RUMANIA. (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON, April 12. The “Daily Express” says that the Rumanian Foreign Minister, M. Gafencu, signed an agreement at Ankara whereby Turkey agrees’ to open the Dardanelles for the passage of foreign warships going to the assistance of Rumania. GREECE CONTENT ACCEPTANCE OF ITALIAN ASSURANCES. (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) ROME, April 12. Count Ciano (Foreign Minister) has arrived at Tirana to attend the Constitutional Assembly. General Metaxas (Premier of Greece) has sent a message to the Italian Foreign Office thanking Signor Mussolini for his categorical assurances in respect to Greece's territorial and maritime frontiers. Greece is completely satisfied with Signor Mussolini’s assurances, is convinced that no developments to disturb the traditional Italian and Greek friendship can possibly arise and sees the beginning of a new period of cordiality resulting from the continuation of this collaboration. MEASURES IN FRANCE APPROVED BY COUNCIL OF MINISTERS. DECREES FIXING STATUS OF FOREIGNERS. (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) PARIS, April 12. The Council of Ministers unanimously approved a declaration M. Daladier' is making tomorrow, clearly setting out France’s attitude regarding the European situation. M. Daladier informed the Ministers of the military measures taken in consequence of the present situation and M. Bonnet recounted diplomatic activities, after which the Council approved of the additional measures and also of three decrees, fixing the status of foreigners resident in France, their right to form associations and their liability to serve in national defence. M. Bonnet has cancelled an engagement to unveil a memorial to the late Queen Victoria at Biarritz. I PERSONAL COMMUNICATION i BRITISH PRIME MINISTER & MUSSOLINI. (Received This Dav, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, April 12. Downing Street reports personal communication between Mr Chamberlain and Signor Mussolini.