Evening star., 1940-04-14
Low Countries Alert
In Most Critical
Period Of War
Dutch Armed Forces Are
Ready; BeIgiuns Guard
Public Properties
GERMAN RADIO distorts column
in Star specializing on troop
movements. Page Az.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
THE HAGUE, The Netherlands,
April l3.-The Netherlands faced
tonight its most critical period
since the outbreak of the European
WARMTH its armed forces fully
alert to strike back at any invasion,
new strategic areas under martial
law and the government reiterating
its vow to maintain policy of
complete independence despite pres
sure from the warning powers.
Belgium, too, invoked new defen-
stve measures, posting military
guards at all public properties
radio stations, ministries, airdromes.
The Netherlands merchant marine
suffered another loss in the sinking
Of the steamer Velocitas, 1877 tons,
which struck a mine off the English
coast last night with the loss OF
three lives. The Velocitas was
bound from England to Antwerp
with coal.
Martial Law Extended.
Strengthening the hands of
elderly Premier Derek jan de
Geer's government and the army
high command. Queen Wilhelmina
of The Netherlands tonight issued
a royal decree extending the nations
manifold martial law areas.
The military was given control
over additional zones in the south
eastern province of Noord Brabant,
where the main first defense lines
are located, and in northern and
eastern provinces.
Since last November's first lin
vasion scare" The Netherlands
literally has been dotted with these
martial law zones, covering points
which are component parts of the
elaborate Dutch scheme OF land,
sea and water-line defense.
Heretofore, however, the north
eastern provinces of Groningen,
Drenthe and Overijssel, fanking
the broad reaches of the Ijsselmeer
(zulder zee), had no such zones,
and other provinces were not COM
pletely encased in the state of seige.
Concern Felt in Low Countries.
Since the war spread to Scandi-
navia, within easy striking distance
Of the coasts of Groningen and its
of shore islands, much concern has
been manifest in both The Neither
lands and Belgium.
There have been charges both
from Germany and from the allies
that "the other side" Is threatening
a surprise attack on the low coun-
tries.
Netherlands radio programs were
interrupted tonight for a special
broadcast of British denial of ru-
mors that English troop transports
are on the way to Holland.
The communique said the report
apparently had been carried by the
German radio and published in the
Berlin newspaper Nachtausgabe.
The average Hollander seems
heartened by the strong defense
measures which his government has
taken (their exact nature is a mill
tary secreD and by the knowledge
that well-eQuipped army and naval
forces are fully prepared to resist
any surprise attack, either on the
eastern frontier or along the North
Sea coast
Foreigners Are Uneasy.
However, there are signs of un-
easiness among some foreigners.
British nationals, for instance,
have been advised to report to their
consulates at Amsterdam and Rot
terdam the moment any emergency
arises.
The government press service en-
phasized the governments deter
mination to stick to its policy of
independent neutrality (Holland has
no defense or non-aggression pacts
with any country, not even Bel
gium). It said the government
would make no advance arrange
ments with any belligerent for aid
in case of attack
The army guards in Belgium were
described ofiicially as precautionary,
because Of the general tension"
Additional army leaves were banned.