NAZI CLAIMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 May 1940, Page 5

NAZI CLAIMS

THE HAGUE OCCUPIED CAPTURE OF AERODROMES. MAESTRICHT FORTRESS TAKEN. (Received This Day, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 10. A German radio message claims that the Germans have occupied The Hague and also says the German Air Force has captured numerous Belgian and Dutch aerodromes. The German radio is also persistently appealing to the Belgians and Dutch not to obstruct the invaders. One broadcast specifically appealed to Belgians: “Lay down your arms; we only want to cross Belgium.” The Berlin News Agency says the Germans have captured Malmedy and Vitry in Belgium, also the Dutch fortress of Maestricht near the border, and bridges west from the town, taking 3000 prisoners. The Germans have crossed the Maas at several points and) have reached the Albert Canal at several places. AT ROTTERDAM DUTCH NOW CLOSING IN ON INVADERS. SECTION OF CITY SET ON FIRE (Received This Day, 8.45 a.m.) ROTTERDAM, May 10. The Dutch set fire to a sector of the city held by Germans and are now closing in on it. BRITISH TROOPS SEEN IN STREETS OF BRUSSELS. LEGATION TAKEN OVER. (Received This Day, 8.20 a.m.) LONDON, May 10. The Australian Associated Press learns that British troops have taken over the British Embassy in Brussels. British troops were seen in the streets.

Germany is reported to have sent a similar memorandum to Luxemburg. The German memorandum says;— “An attempt by Britain and France at invasion of Scandinavia was foiled, whereupon Britain and France again took up the policy of widening the theatre of war in other directions. "While the wild retreat of British troops from Norway was still taking place, the British Prime Minister announced that England, because of changed circumstances, was now able tc shift the main force of the Navy to the Mediterranean and British and French units were already going to Alexandria. “The Mediterranean is now made the centre of British and French propaganda. This is meant as a veil for the defeat in Scandinavia and loss of prestige; also to create the impression that the Balkans have been chosen as the next theatre of war against Germany. AN APPARENT SHIFTING.

“The apparent shifting of the British and French war policy to the Mediterranean, however, served quite a different purpose. It was nothing else but a manoeuvre of deflection on a big scale, in order to deceive Germany about the true direction of the next British and French attack. “The real British and French intention is to attack Germany in. the west through a long prepared and now imminent attack against the Ruhr district, through Holland and Belgium. “Germany recognised and respected Dutch and Belgian integrity, on condition that these countries were strictly neutral in case of conflict between Germany and the Allies.’ Belgium and Holland did not fulfil this condition. They favoured completely Germany’s opponents, while trying to keep up an appearance of neutrality.” The memorandum says Belgian and Dutch newspapers surpassed even the British and French in their antiGerman attitude. Despite German demarches the un-neutral attitude of the Belgians and Dutch was repeatedly demonstrated. They were on the Allied side: they greatly supported British intelligence men in attempts to cause internal disruption in Germany and to erect a powerless, defenceless federal German State. FEARS FOR THE RUHR.

“Belgian and Dutch military measures have been a direct contradiction of their repeated assurances not to allow Belgium and Holland to be used as bases for the belligerents’ operations,” continues the memorandum. “Herr Hitler decided to take Belgium and Holland under his protection because he was not prepared to expose the Ruhr to attacks by the Western Powers and their unneutral allies. It v. as also necessary to take Luxemburg under his protection because it was within the scope of Allied machinations. Belgium and Holland always promised to change their unneutral at titude, but did nothing to this effect. One hundred and twenty-seven cases of violation of Holland by Allied planes had been communicated to the Dutch Government, but the fact that it took no measures against these flights is proof that they were made with Holland’s full knowledge and approval. “German troops entered Belgium and Holland not as enemies but as friends. Germany did not want this development and did nothing to create it. The responsibility rests entirely with the Allies. Germany promises not to touch Belgian and Dutch overseas possessions.

“It is still possible for Belgium and Holland to save their countries by ordering no resistance. “Should Gorman troops be resisted, they will break the resistance with all the power at their disposal. The consequent useless bloodshed will then be the responsibility of the Belgian and Dutch Governments.”