ALLIED UNITY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20987, 14 December 1939, Page 9

ALLIED UNITY

THE NEW AGREEMENT WELCOMED BY PRESS MORE THAN ALLIANCE (OJllcial Wireless) (Received Dec. 14, 11.30) a.m. RUGBY, Dec. 13 The statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon, in the House of Commons yesterday, is universally welcomed in the morning’s press. The Times says: “The intimate cooperation now established between the British and French Governments is essential to the victorious conduct of the war and will be no less essential for the successful handling of the economic difficulties which will have to be faced when the war has been won. Taken with the previous agreements for the joint purchase of the goods and materials required from foreign countries it creates a solidarity between them which is more than an alliance. “It is perhaps not a visionary hope that the economic and financial co-operation whi'h it has established between the two countries may long outlast the war and may in time be extended to embrace other countries with the same interests in peace and prosperity.” “One thing was missing from the comprehensive agreement between Britain and France, which the Supreme War Council announced on November 17, says the Manchester Guardian. “There was no reference to finance. The gap has now been filled by the highly important agreement announced yesterday by Sir John Simon and M. Reynaud.” Great Step Forward The News-Chronicle considers the agreement is a comprehensive one and represents a great step forward towards common administrative action by the two countries. There could hardly be stronger proof of the community of purpose between the British and French people.”

IN “NO MAN’S LAND” BRITISH NIGHT PATROL BAD DAY FOR ENEMY INTENSE FIGHTING RAGES (Un'.tecl Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 12 A communique issued by the British Expeditionary Force headquarters in France says British front line troops made a second night patrol in rain and mist in No Man’s Land and obtained valuable information. The French military writer M. Maurice says the British troops were successful in a skirmish with the enemy, in which they met three sections of German troops. “It was a bad day for the enemy,” he states. “Our Allies suffered no loss.” The French communique said there were short encounters all night between the Saar River and the Warndt Forest. Another engagement and artillery actions occurred in the daytime in the same region. The Allied outpost lines everywhere remain intact. Commentators state that intense fighting has been raging for 24 hours along the line of advance outposts in territory which is about six miles wide, forming a salient into the general enemy line. Allied Friendship The French press hails the news that British troops are occupying a Maginot section. Reciprocal friendship is even more apparent in 1939 than in 1914. it is claimed.

PATROL ACTIVITY CENTRAL PART OF FRONT : United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. CoDyrlidit) (Received Dec. 14, 11 a.m.) PxARIS, Dec. 13 A French official communique this morning states: “ There has been patrol activity on the central part of the front.” The official wireless commentator, amplifying the communique, says the night was marked by increased activity of German patrols on the whole front, particularly east of the Moselle and north of the Bitche, also between the Warndt Forest and the Saar. Three raids were supported by artillery fire. Our artillery replied violently. Two French outposts maintained their positions and repulsed the enemy after violent hand grenade duels, lasting for several hours. The enemy left many casualties. Our third outpost fell back according to plan, opened fire, and finally reoccupied the positions. In each instance the Germans outnumbered the French by 3 to 1. There is no change in the disposition of the German troops on the Dutch and Luxembourg frontiers. SHIPMENTS OF OIL SUPPLIES FOR GERMANY INCREASED BY RUMANIA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 14, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13 The Bucharest correspondent of the American press says that Rumania has agreed to increase her oil shipments to Germany and revalue reichcaarko 11 per cent higher.