HOLLAND ON GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 January 1940, Page 6

HOLLAND ON GUARD

ALL ARMY LEAVE STOPPED SPECIAL MEETING OF CABINET. SINISTER GERMAN CHARGE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day. 10.14 a.m.) THE HAGUE. January 14. A special Cabinet meeting is in progress, at which readiness for all eventualities was announced; In connection with some less favourable symptoms of the international situation, the Government has decided, in order to be prepared for all eventualities, not to grant any periodical leave in the army for the time being. , It was announced in a Daventry broadcast early this morning that the Netherlands radio had just announced that because of the less favourable international situation, all army leave had been cancelled. This news was repeated by the German news agency almost immediately following the announcement, and was accompanied by a communique from the German High Command, which stated that a Dutch aeroplane had flown over a German town about three miles inside German territory, thus violating Holland’s neutrality. FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE NOW ICE INSTEAD OF WATER. ASSURANCE OF WITHSTANDING ' ENEMY. (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, January 14. Holland’s first line of defence is now ice instead of water. The Press publishese an officially inspired article quoting an expert opinion that the freeze does not mean that the country’s water defences are impaired. It is stated that an enemy would be unable to cross the ice in face of a withering fire from the entrenched army. The ice would not afford protection to attackers, especially as the Dutch have devised means of drawing the water'from under the ice, which would then be unsupported. GERMAN REPORT CHARGE AGAINST DUTCH PLANE. (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) BERLIN, January 14. A war communique states that a Dutch aeroplane violated German territory near Nordhorn: The enemy artillery has been active on the Western Front. The Air Force reconnoitred France and the North Sea. A German aeroplane is missing. A British plane attempted to attack a North Frisian island. Bombs fell in the sea. ACTION IN BELGIUM ARMY REINFORCEMENTS CALLED UP. POLICY OF PRECAUTION. (Received This Day, 10.14 a.m.) ■ BRUSSELS, January 14.

A radio message announced that the military authorities had decided on additional measures to reinforce the Army. A certain number of reservists of the 1920-21 classes have been called up, also technicians. Only one phase of mobilisation-remains to be imposed, and this phase can be expected only if the country is invaded. Informed circles states that the Defence chiefs met last night but the situation is considered better today. The-“lndependence Beige” says the military authorities feel that they should at present utilise all effectives and surround themselves with maximum guarantees.

BELGIAN DENIALS SITUATION OF COUNTRY UNCHANGED. ENEMY PLANES VIOLATING NEUTRALITY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, January 14. The situation in Belgium at present is obscure. An announcement cabled earlier about soldiers on leave has not yet been elucidated. ' The Belgian Foreign Ministry issued a statement describing rumours spread abroad as unfounded and added that the interpretation given to certain measures was erroneous and that the situation of the country was unchanged.

News agencies state that important troop movements, in which all units will participate, are being carried out today. Earlier defence measures are believed to have been due to almost daily flights by German planes over Belgian territory. German planes twice,violated Belgian territory on January 13 and the anti-aircraft defences were in action. ~