Evening star., 1939-10-07
France, SET 10 Win
War, Unshaken by
Hitler Peace Offer
Conflict Believed Near
New Phose; Country
Ready, Soy Leaders
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
PARIS, Oct. France settled
herself today for a long war, her
announced determination to carry
on to victory" apparently unshaken
by Adolf Hitler's last" offer to call
of hostilities.
There were indications of a grow
ing conviction that the war was
about to enter a new phase, marked
by large-scale operations and the
new threat of German air offen-
sive. Military leaders indicated
France was prepared for any sur
prises the Nazis might spring.
Latest information from the front
said German troops were continuing
to harry French outposts in the Saar
and Palatinate sectors, apparently in
an effort to test the French strength.
Reich Reinforcements Reported.
German reinforcements were re-
ported moving up steadily behind
the Seigfried Line. These reinforce
ments include large numbers of
heavy tanks and airplanes, it was
said.
A communique issued this morn
ing by the French general staff re-
ported reconnoitering patrols were
active in the region southwest Of
Saarbruecken during the night.
Military sources said German ac-
tivity had been more noticeable"
in the last "a hours. Small forces
Of Nazi troops were reported op-
Grating in the Wissembourg and
Saarbruecken sectors.
A young German pilot, who lost
his way and landed behind French
lines, was taken prisoner and his
plane seized.
Fighting at the front was ham,
pered yesterday and last night by
bad weather, which limited op-
erations Of observation planes and
cut down on artillery activity.
Military Chiefs Meet.
French and British military COM
manders met yesterday in a long
conference, and it was believed they
discussed Germany's probable STRAIT
egy in the light of Hitler's Reich
stag speech.
Attending the conference were
Gen. Maurice Gustave Gamelin,
commander in chief of the allied
forces; Maj. Gen. Sir Edmund Iron
side, chief of the British imperial
defense staff; Maj. Gen. Alphonse
Joseph Georges. in charge Of French
operations on the northern flank,
and the French and British air COM
manders.
1t was announced that President
Lebrun, accompanied by Gen.
Gamelin. visited Gen. Georges and
Gen. Joseph Vuillemin, chief of the
French air force, at their respec-
tive headquarters"
Hitler Address Attacked.
Hitler's address was the object
OF sharp attacks in the French press,
which declared the speech had not
altered the situation. Some COM
mentators said Hitler had found it
necessary to try to justify his po-
litical and military position in the
eyes Of the German people.
LEpoque declared. In short, Hit
Ter wants to tell us ne is a sweet
lamb that the Polish wolf wished
to eat"
LIE Figaro said Hitler's war guilt
Is crushing him and asserted he is
trying to shift the blame to French
and British shoulders.
Pertinax, writing in L'Ordre, said,
"The whole speech lacked convic-
ton and Hitler doesn't know where
he is going"
Meanwhile. former President
Eduard Benes of Czecho- Slovakia
arrived in Paris from London and
was reported to be negotiating for
establishment of q Czech govern
ment in exile similar to that of
Poland.