FIGHT FOR SAARBRUCKEN

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20910, 15 September 1939, Page 9

FIGHT FOR SAARBRUCKEN

HEAVY GERMAN ARTILLERY ATTACK FRENCH THREATEN IMPORTANT POSITIONS ADMISSION THAT ENEMY’S TERRITORY PENETRATED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 15, 11.0 a.m.) PARIS, Sept. 14 An official communique reports heavy action by the enemy’s heavy artillery on the heights south of Saarbrucken. The Paris correspondent of the American Press says German reinforcements are massing behind Saarbrucken to avert its capture. It is reported that French planes are busy bombing the heavy German artillery which has been rushed to the Saar Valley to stem the French advance. Authoritative quarters are of opinion that the Germans have brought up heavy guns, in the belief that the French operations are emerging from the stage of advance guard action and threatening important positions on the Siegfried Line. BERLIN, Sept. 14 A communique admits that “stronger French forces than hitherto” have penetrated German territory between Saarbrucken and Hombach. It added that the French advance was stopped by gunfire and mine-fields.

SEVERE BATTLE FRENCH ATTACK GERMANS MOSELLE RIVER CROSSED A TROOPS NEAR LUXEMBOURG (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel, Copyright) (Received Sept. 15, 11 a.m.) BRUSSELS, Sept. 14 It is reported that French troops and tanks crossed the Moselle river near Luxembourg, in an attack on German territory. The sound of machine-gun Are and artillery, indicating a severe battle, was clearly overheard in the nearby town of Schengen. The radio announced that the French have cut ofT Saarbrucken by the capture of the important strategic point of Politz. The artillery is in position, enabling ; the domination of communications be- i tween Saarbrucken and Germany. BRITISH TROOPS BIG FORCE IN FRANCE SUCCESS OF THE FRENCH ATTACK ON SAARBRUCKEN (United Press Assn.—Elec. 'fel. Coornpn: LONDON, Sept. 13 The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press of America says it is i officially stated that several hundred | thousand British troops have landed I in France. Their transport was not | hampered either by submarine or j aerial attack. The landing of the Erst British Expeditionary Force can thus be termed complete. A Paris communique states that the French are closing in on Saarbrucken, and the town is threatened on both sides. Strong French forces were held up by mine fields and gunfire on the Western Front. Nevertheless, there has been an advance of a mile in depth along a 12-mile front. According to the Paris correspondent of the Independent Cable service, Saarbrucken is “definitely threatened” as a result of the French advance. The French have occupied many German villages. A Berlin Army communique dismisses the fighting on the French front as unimportant. Reports from Luxembourg state that the Germans destroyed the railway bridge between Metz and Trier (Treves), crossing the Moselle Valley. This action is attributable to German fears of a French offensive in this region. Despatches from Amsterdam confirm the fact that the Germans are evacuating the Trier district, and also the neighbourhood of Aix-la-Chapeile. GERMAN HEAVY ACTION MENACE TO SAARBRUCKEN FORCED TO BRING UP GUNS (United Frees Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept, 15, 11 a.m.) PARIS, Sept. 14 A communique revealing heavy action of German artillery on the heights south of Saarbrucken is interpreted to mean that the enemy has been forced to bring up big guns to offset the French threat to important positions. Tonight’s war communique states: ‘‘Our troops have improved the whole of the positions taken during the last few days. The naval forces are taking vigorous action against submarines. Our air force activity has been reduced owing to bad weather,” - This confirms further substantial progress of the French pineer movement on the western front from the west and east of Saarbrucken.

CONTRABAND CONTROL NEUTRAL COUNTRIEB MISLED THREAT BY GERMANY BRITISH PURPOSE DISTORTED (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 15, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 14 German propaganda already is being directed to the threatening of neutral countries, who are told in plain terms what Germany regards as neutral and what is not neutral conduct. The German wireless distorted the purpose of the British contraband policy as setting out to strangle neutral trade and bringing starvation and death to old people, women and children in neutral countries. Britain does not seek to dictate to any neutral government. She already, has categorically declared that she will do all in her power to facilitate bona fide neutral trade. It is in no sense her policy to wish to damage the economy of neutral countries, with whom she is anxious to maintain the most friendly relations, and no attempt is being made in any way to prevent normal importation into neutral countries of foodstuffs or other goods and material destined for their own consumption. What Britain is endeavouring to do is to prevent the German Government from importing goods and materials which will enable them to prolong the war. For this purpose a proclamation was issued on September 3, indicating the classes of goods to be treated as contraband and following closely the notice issued by the United States Government during the last war. Object of British Policy It is the object of the British contraband control system to prevent j cargoes of contraband from being imported into Germany, whether directly i or through neutral countries. I Already large quantities of contraband have been stopped and prevented from reaching the enemy. Opinion in neutral countries will be able to judge for itself from what quarter there has been any threat to their neutrality—whether it be from the openly-pro-claimed contraband control policy of the Allies or from the submarine campaign and thinly-veiled menaces emanating from Germany. Hitler Threatens Neutrals The Berlin correspondent of the American press states that the British contraband declaration has angered Herr Hitler and his advisers, whose retaliatory list is designed to prevent food commodities from reaching England, France and Canada. The Wilhelmstrasse emphasises that it will not be restricted to submarine warfare like sinking at sight, but that neutrals will be stopped and searched and if carrying contraband will be sunk, after being warned. If they seek to evade search they will be sunk summarily. HITLER INDICTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR WAR CHURCH LEADERS’ MESSAGE I (Official Wireless) '’Received Sept. 15, t p.m.) | RUGBY, Sept. 14 j The Archbishop of Canterbury, the I Moderator of the Church of Scotland and the Moderator of the Federa Council of the Evangelical Free Churches, in messages from Lambetl Palace, said: ** I "We have nut sought this war. 1 has been thrust upon us by the actior of one man. and on him alone lies thf dreadful responsibility of having inflicted this crime upon humanity.”