Evening star., 1939-08-07
Britain Is WATCHING
Closely Reich and
Italian Maneuvers
Six Southeastern Europe
Nations Advancing
Preparedness
by the Associated Press.

LONDON, Aug. 7.-Great Britain
kept an alert eye on German and
italian military operations today al
she sent her own land, sea and ail
forces into two months of unprece-
dented peace-time war maneuvers
London circles displayed particu-
lar interest in German Army move
ments In Pomersnia. Silesia and
Moravia, which border on the
frontiers of Poland. Although they
drew no parallel. they recalled that
the Germans held extensive maneu-
vers near the border of Czecho-
Slovakia last August and September
| just before that nation was dis
solved
There was considerable interest
also in Italian Army exercises in
Piedmont and Lombardy, along the
French and Swiss frontiers.
6 Nations Advance Preparedness.
At the same time, six nations of
Southeastern Europe advanced their
preparedness with plans for vast
military maneuvers which, foreign
military attaches in Belgrade said
may put more than 100000 men
under arms by the beginning of
next month.
Reservists in Yugoslavia, Bulgaria
Rumsnia, Hungary, Greece ana
Turkey converged on army and alr
corps centers. In some OF those
countries frontier fertilization were
being built at top speed ana arma-
ment factories were running on "a
hour schedules.
Before leaving for vacation in
Scotland, Prime Minister Chamber
lain made arrangements to keep IN
daily touch with London War Min
lister Leslie Hore-Belisha made a
purely personal flight to Paris
which, nevertheless, gave HIM an
opportunity to confer with French
military authorities.
Smigly- Rydz Speech Hailed.
The London press, meanwhile,
hailed as commercially restrained,
but firm" the speech yesterday by
Marshal Edward Smigly-Rydz, COM
mander Of Poland's armed forces, in
which he told a tumultuous crowd
at Krakow, Poland, that violence
inflicted by force must be resisted
by force"
The Times. which often reflects
government opinions. reviewed the
whole Danzig situation in a 1900.
word editorial which quoted liber-
ally from the Polish narshal's
speech, and declared that legal pro-
visions have been infringed by the
Free City with the help of the
Reich"
Such was the situation, 1t added.
that 1t Is "of high Importance that
Poland is exhibiting discipline,
calmness and resolution"
Determination to Aid Stressed.
The editorial again emphasized
Britain's determination ITO 20 to the
help Of Poland if she feels that her
independence is threatened and If
she takes UP arms in defense Of her
independence
In Paris, well-informed French OBJ
servers said Smigly-Rydz's speech
was firm, but not provocative toward
Germany and the press character
ization OF 1t generally WAS similar to
that in England. carefully measured
but nevertheless rock-like.'
The only morning newspaper In
Berlin was Fuehrer Hitler's Voel-
kischer Beobachter, which dismissed
the speech curtly and scornfully.
1t said the marshals assertion that
Poland has no aggressive intentions
must "be intended exclusively for
the democratic world press"
1900 Planes in Mock War.
More than 1900 Royal Air Force
planes will engage in Britain's mock
air war from Tuesday night through
Friday night over Southeastern
England.
On Wednesday King George vi
will review 1873 reserve ships in
Weymouth Bay, after which the
reserve feet and the home fleet will
combine for exercises to last almost
through September
Britain's Army, for which more
than 1000. 900 men are being trained,
will hold maneuvers next week.
There was a diplomatic lull as
the British and French military mis-
sions were en- route by boat to
Moscow for staff talks with Soviet
Russia's high command.
The return to London of William
Strang, Britains special envoy to
the Moscow negotiations with Russia
and France for a mutual assistance
agreement, was taken in some in
formed quarters to mean the dis
cussions had narrowed down to such
differences that success was within