BORDER AFLAME

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20920, 27 September 1939, Page 8

BORDER AFLAME

GERMAN INTENTIONS SWITZERLAND MENACED MAY JOIN ALLIES (United Tress Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright] LONDON, Sept. 26

The Rhine Valley from Lauterbourg to Basle, on the Swiss frontier, sprang into flame yesterday, says the Paris correspondent of the New York Times. The veil seems to be lifting on the German intentions. The following reports are outstanding:—

First, along an 80-mile front where not a single shot had yet been fired, the guns of the Maginot Line and the West Wall have been pounding the lines for 24 hours. Many points on this front, which forms a rightangle with the Moselle-Rhine front advance works are actually on the line of the river banks.

Secondly, it is semi-officially confirmed that “important German forces are concentrated on the Swiss frontier in the vicinity of Basle.” Thirdly, German aeroplanes have been observing the Swiss border from Basle to Schaffhausen. Switzerland Not Mentioned Fourthly, Dr. Goebbeles, repeating his denial that Germany intended to invade neutral countries, specifically mentioned Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland, but omitted Switzerland. The Swiss conception of neutrality implies that in the event of an invasion Switzerland would without hesitation join the enemies of the violater.

The importance of the Swiss border between Basle and Schaffhausen lies in the fact that there are 19 bridges, in three groups, over the Rhine—ten in Basle, three at Warldshut and six at Schaffhausen. The Basle bridges lead into the Jura region, which is well fortified, althougn the actual “gateway,” the narrow strip between Huingue and Basle, is not included in the Maginot Line because of the scrupulous French observance of the Treaty of Paris. Other bridges lead into the Saar Valley, giving access to Neuchatel and Geneva. Warning by Italy The Italian radio, mentioning the possibility of the collapse of the Siegfried Line, says the Allies should bear in mind the probability that It would bring the Allied armies into contact with the fresh German troops. Official Nazi quarters, says a message from Berlm, state that Germany’s only concern on the Western Front is lest her enemies violate the neutrality of Belgium or Holland. It is hinted Germany may release French prisoners as a gesture of friendship to France.

SOVIET AND ESTONIA

RUSSIAN DEMANDS AMOUNT TO ULTIMATA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 27, 3.15 p.m.) PARIS, Sept. 26 The Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter discloses that two demands, having the character of ultimata, lie behind the Estonian Foreign Minister, M. Selter’s, return to Tallinn. Russia is claiming the right to establish a naval base and maintain control of Estonia’s foreign trade.

NAZI-SOVIET RELATIONS

RIBBENTROP VISITS MOSCOW TO DISCUSS POLISH PROBLEMS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 27, 3.15 p.m.) MOSCOW, Sept. 26 Herr von Ribbentrop will arrive here on Wednesday in order to discuss problems connected with developments in Poland.

NOT SATISFIED

PRECAUTIONS BY SOVIET SUBMARINE BASES FEARED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 27, 3.15 p.m.) MOSCOW, Sept. 26 The Tass Agency reports that destroyers were despatched to points near LAiga Bay, Finland, where Soviet patrol ships sighted two submarines.

The report stressed belief in the existence of secret submarine bases not far from Tallinn. The Soviet is not satisfied with Estonia’s explanation as to the disposition of refugee Polish submarines. and therefore finds it necessary to take immediate steps to safeguard Soviet waters.

SWISS FORTIFICATIONS

DEFENCES IN THE INTERIOR (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 27, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 26 The Geneva correspondent of the Times states it is officially announced that, Switzerland is building defences in the interior, supplementing the existing double-line fortification*