Evening star., 1939-04-14
London
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IOIIOOu
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that Germany might think Britain
was bluffing and might try to test
=" the declaration by attacking Poland
AN action they asserted could only
mean war.
British officials particularly were
eager that Germany should note
that Britain did not even give to
France before the World War
guarantee so specific as the pledges
now given to Rumania, Greece and
Poland.
Developments i'm Situation.
While inspired German comment
described Prime Minister Cham
berlain's speech yesterday as bluff"
and Premier Mussolini declared
) Italy would march straight ahead"
these developments highlighted the
sensitive European situation:
l. The German government an
nounced 25 war fleet units will leave
Tuesday for maneuvers in Spanish
waters lasting about a month In
British naval quarters the belief
was expressed that submarines TAX
ing part in the games did not in
tend to return to Germany soon.
Official German quarters. however,
said the fact the fleet was being
sent to far-off Spanish waters was
sign the German government did
not regard the present European
situation as critical.
Barricades at Gibraltar.
2. British authorities at Gibraltar,
the fortress at the tip Of the Span
ish peninsula, set engineers to build
ing barricades on the road to the
"rock" and refused to permit motor
vehicles to so in or out.
g. This action followed reports
Of concentrations Of troops and arms
on the Spanish side of the Gibraltar
boundary.
4. Shore leave for British sailors
at Malta, fortified naval base near
Sicily. were Cancelled.
5. Poland called additional men to
the colors, swelling the army of L.
100000 regulars and reservists al
ready under arms, as large forces
of German troops were reported in
Warsaw to have been concentrated
at three points along the Polish
frontier.
Families of members of the Brit
ish, French and other Embassies in
Warsaw prepared to leave for their
homes.
6. The French war ministry an
nounced it would resume immedi-
ately the distribution in Paris of
sand for protection against incendi-
ary bombs, measure which was
discontinued after the signing of the
Munich agreement last September.
7. Reports in London said many
Netherlands businessmen were try
Ing to arrange to transfer their busi-
ness affairs from the Netherlands
to London because of the "crisis
feeling
May Include Turkey.
In Informed quarters it was ex-
pected Britain would reinforce ner
pledges to stop Hitler and Musso-
llnl on a line running along the
Polish, Rumanian and Greek bor-
.ders from the Baltic to the Black
Sea and the Aegian, with moves to
include Turkey in her string of al
liances. But no official announce
ment was expected before Mr..
Chamberlain addresses Parliament
again on April 18.
Some informed sources also be-
lieved that by that date Yugoslavia
might be sufficiently impressed to
agree to accept protection.
Many observers in Britain felt
che government might change Its
policy of mo conscription."
British newspaper reaction was
divided, with opposition papers say
ing Mr.. Chamberlain's policy lacked
strength without the support of So
Wet Russia.
Although German official quarters
said their fleet movement long had
been planned and that the British
and French governments had been
Informed, it was quickly noted here
that the German fleet somewhere
off Spain" would be in a position to
menace Anglo-French communica-
tions lines through the Straits of
N1lUl dltdl dIlu Ill IllC EOOutIl
Naval experts have pointed out
that if German vessels were able to
use Spanish ports in the Canary Is
lands they would be in position to
attack British shipping around
Africa and to South America.
But since Britain holds superior
ity of three-to-one over the German
Navy, informed quarters were not
unduly disturbed.
One unofficial Interpretation was
Germany merely was emphasizing
her alliance with Nationalist Spain
IN the pact against Communism.
The preparations at Gibraltar re-
suited after large quantities of war
material and thousands of troops
were reported being massed at La
Linea. just over the Gibraltar
boundary.
\ Scores of tanks, field guns and
mortars were said at Gibraltar to be
arriving at La Linea daily from
Cadiz and Algeciras, while at Alge-
ciras troop transports were entering
and leaving the port steadily.
e, Spanish authorities at La Linea
ccmmanceered all automobiles and
buses. included those of foreigners
= At Burgos, the capital of National. i.
1st Spain, reports of additional Ital-
IAN troops sent to Spain were char