MEASURES OF SECURITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1939, Page 5

MEASURES OF SECURITY

REPORT DENIED NO PERSONAL COMMUNICATION. BETWEEN MR CHAMBERLAIN & SIGNOR MUSSOLINI. Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, April 13. Downing Street denies that any personal communication between Signor Mussolini and Mr Chamberlain has taken place. AGGRESSORS WARNED ARTICLE IN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER. COMMENDED BY PRESIDENT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 13. The acute international tension continues to be the subject of newspaper editorial comment. “The Times” says that .the whole situation will become clearer when the Government has declared its policy and submitted it for the support of Parliament and the country. In the meantime it notes as significant that the community of opinion among like-minded nations m Europe is fully shared beyond the Atlantic. Commenting on President Roosevelt’s commendation of a leading article in the “Washington Post, The Times” says that it gave perhaps the most direct warning yet heard that the destinies of the United States must be involved from the outset by a deliberate threat to the foundations of Western civilisation. are reminded that a nation stronger than they supports with its whole conviction the new efforts now being made to secure the liberties of Europe. “There is plenty of evidence that the view of the White House and the State Department is held by a great majority of. American people who have been convinced that successive violations of international law are coming to amount to an attempt to dominate the world by military force.” STRONG STATEMENT EXPECTED FROM BRITISH PRIME MINISTER. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON. April 13. Newspapers in editorials today are unanimous in expecting a strong statement from Mr Chamberlain. Several tress the importance of President Roosevelt’s announcement in connection with the article in the “Washington Post." WAR ESTABLISHMENT BRITISH TERRITORIAL UNITS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. April 12. The e'-nansicn of the Territorial army, which slowed down during the Easter holidays, resumed yesterday with renewed vigour. More units yesterday reported them-: -elves up to war establishment and -eady to begin duplication bringing ‘he number of such units up to 22 so far. ARMS FROM U.S.A. HEAVY BRITISH & FRENCH PURCHASES. q v Teleeranh —Press Association— Copyright WASHINGTON. April 13. Britain and France have so far this vear obtained export licences in connection with their rearmament nvo-omn-imes totalling noarlv 25 000.000 Hollars. of which nearly 23.000.000 dollars is for military planes, motors and accessories. Br>tn ; n’s share is mo’-e than 13 000.000 dollars, of which 12 000 000 dollars is for planes. Tn the 'aw period export ]: P r. n( .ps t n Jtnlv and Germany totalled only 15 000 dollars.

GREAT SECRECY MAINTAINED IN FRANCE Western Mediterranean Receiving Special Attention. PRECAUTIONS ON SPANISH FRONTIER 1 By Telegraph,—Press Association.— Copyright. LONDON, April 13. The Pqris correspondent of “The Times” says that great secrecy is being maintained regarding the security measures being taken by France, but it is known that the Western Mediterranean is receiving special attention. British Consular officers in France have begun to take a census of British residents in France with a view to their evacuation in the event of war. Tne correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” in Bayonne (near the Spanish frontier) says that precautionary measures are being taken on the Spanish frontier. Mountain batteries near Hendaye commanding the approaches from Spain are manned by reservists. Those called up include technicians, artillerymen, electricians and members of the tank corps. It is reliably stated that large numbers of Italian tanks have arrived at Navarre and Guipuzcoa. Spanish troops in fairly large numbers have landed in Spanish Morocco. It is rumoured that war materials are arriving at Ceuta and Melilla, also that Italian airmen are establishing themselves in the Spanish zone. It is officially slated that only Moroccan troops are returning, but observers report that the garrisons greatly exceed normal strength. Reports from Brussels state that the Belgian Government has decided as a military precaution to call up certain units of specialists and members of the air force. Rumours that four classes of conscripts are being called up are officially described in. Brussels as premature. A message from The Hague says it is- estimated that 60.0Q0 additional troops are under arms in Holland.

WAR RISKS ANNOUNCEMENT IN NEW YORK. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. NEW YORK, April 13. Underwriters today announced the withdrawal of war risk insurance quotations on shipments to or from Italy and Germany, also shipments to any destination carried on Italian or German ships. They said they could quote rates for Italian and German coverage only upon application, the rates in each instance depending upon their ■judgment of the likelihood of war beginning during the period that an individual cargo was afloat. It is furthermore announced that in-, creases will take place in rates to other ports ranging from 100 to 200 per cent. It was added that this was due to the increasing tension in Europe. The new rates will probably be issued daily. MOORS SENT HOME LONDON. April 13. The Hendaye correspondent of “The Times” says it is reported from Madrid that all the Moors, totalling 50.000, are going to Morocco next week and the militia is being disbanded. MOCK AIR RAIDS ' TEST OF ROME DEFENCES. ROME, April 13. A series of mock air raids over Rome will begin at 7 a.m. tomorrow to test the civilian air raid precautions. ALARM IN GIBRALTAR SPANISH CONCENTRATION ON FRONTIER. CONTINUAL ARRIVAL OF TROOPS & GUNS. (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) GIBRALTAR, April 13. The continual arrival of Spanish troops, with field guns and machineguns. at the frontier of Gibraltar is causing alarm. VISIT POSTPONED MUSSOLINI NOT GOING TO TIRANA. (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) TIRANA, April 13. Signor Mussolini’s visit has been postponed indefinitely. SENTIMENTJN FRANCE DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST GERMANY. (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) PARIS, April 13. Anti-German demonstrations are reported at St. Malo, in North-Wesi. France, and at Biarritz, near the western Spanish frontier. INVASION TOMORROW PREDICTED BY MADAME TABOUIS. ATTACK ON POLAND & HOLLAND. PARIS, April 13. Madame Tabouis, writing in the newspaper “I’Oeuvre,” predicts that Germany will invade Poland and Holland on Saturday. Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini have been in continual telephone touch in the past few days, she says. Herr Hitler advised Signor Mussolini to make all the promises necessary to keep Britain quiet while he was preparing for a move against Greece. “Berlin is convinced,” continues Madame Tabouis, “that Britain and France will not defend Poland and the Reichswehr has been ordered to march on Saturday if Colonel Beck, the Pollish Foreign Minister, cannot be brought to reason. At the same time Holland will be invaded in order to menace Britain. ■■One-third of the German Fleet will leave for the Mediterranean on Friday from Kiel and Wilhelmshaven.