Evening star., 1939-08-31
5000, 900 Will Be
Evacuated; Stock
Market Closed
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, Aug. 31.-The British
government today ordered complete
mobilization of the navy and called
up the remainder of the regular
army reserve and supplementary
reserve.
This move was announced in
statement from the Prime Minis
ter's residence after a special meet
ing of defense ministers and key
cabinet members had discussed pre-
paredness steps to meet the Euro
pean crisis.
1t also was announced that an
undetermined number of Royal Air
Force volunteer reserves were be-
ing called up. 1t was understood
this would bring the air force vir-
tually to war strength, since other
reserves previously had been called
up.
Earlier, the government had or
dered precautionary" removal of
approximately 5000 900 women, chill
dren, invalids and aged from London
and other danger zones.
Stock Exchange Closed.
The London Stock Exchange an
nounced that it would be closed
tomorrow. No date was fixed for
the re-opening Of the exchange al
though it was assumed it would re-
sune operations as soon as transpor-
tation facilities again became nor
NAL after the evacuation crush.
In proof of Britain's readiness
"for any eventuality," Prime Min
lister Chamberlain had told the
House of Commons Tuesday that
the whole fleet was now ready at
moments notice to take up the dis
positions tbattle stations which
would be necessary in war"
The text OF the communique an
no,incing the new CALL significantly
issued from the ofIlcial residence OF
Prime Minister Chamberlain, No. 10
Downing Street. follows:
In continuation of measures al
ready adopted it has been decided
to complete naval mobilization and
to call up the remainder of the
regular army reserve and supple
mentary reserve.
"A further number of the Royal
Air Force volunteer reserve will
also be called up.
"Oficers and men should await
further instructions which will be
made public Immediately by each of
the three service departments"
Evacuation Starts Tomorrow.
The evacuation will begin tomor-
row and was expected to require
several days. In announcing the
move, the ministry of health said
this did not mean that war was re-
garded as inevitable. There were
few signs of optimism in London,
however.
Children will rally first at their
schools. Subway, bus and railroad
services will be restricted for ordi-
nary use to speed the evacuation.
Gas masks, food for two days and
essential clothing will be carried by
the children.
The evacuation of pre-school age
children and expectant mothers
probably will start Saturday.
Thousands of volunteers will aid
the authorities, escorting children
and cripples to the country and
helping to care for them when they
get there.
The British government, under
emergency powers, now can order
any one to house and feed refugees
at fixed weekly rate.
Diplomatic Activity Slackens.
The intense diplomatic activity
which had revolved around the ex-
change of secret notes with Adolf
Hitler earlier in the week was
noticeably slackened today.
No reply had been received from
Hitler to the latest British COM
munication delivered last night to
German Foreign Minister Joachim
Won Ribbentrop, but official circles
expected the Fuehrer to send some
sort OF message during the day.
The government also was said to
expect a communication from War
saw in a day or two, giving the
Polish governments reaction to
Hitler's suggestions.
The French Ambassador, Charles
Corbin, called on Prime Minister
Chamberlain shortly after noon to
consult with him on the latest de-
velopments.
Several cabinet ministers, includ-
ing Home Secretary Sir Samuel
Hoare and Sir John Anderson, lord
prlvy seal, also talked with the
Prime Minister before attending the