Evening Star Newspaper, May 10, 1940, Page 6

Swiss Government Orders General Mobi Crack Troops Rushed To Strengthen Lines Along Borders Sharp Air Battles Fought Over Nation as’Nazis Head for France By the Associated Press. BERN, 8witzerland, May 10— The Swiss government today ordered general mobilization beginning to- morrow at dawn and announced that a precautionary “state of war” begins at midnight tonight. The official communique, which followed a series of bombings and sharp air battles over Swiss soil, said the mobilization was ordered “in view of the profound changes which have taken place on the west~ ern front.” The Swiss army, it was said, was ready “for any eventuality * * ¢ to face any menace frrom whatever side it may come, in conformity with the absolute desire of the Federation for neutrality.” The guard over border traffic was heavily reinforced. 17 Bombs Hit Swiss Soil. ‘The Swiss general staff announced that 17 bombs fell on Swiss soil in the Courrendlin region. Large forces of crack Swiss fron- tier troops were rushed fram the rearguard to the Germad and French frontiers. It was estimated that 300,000 men are already in the Winkelried line facing Germany and in small forti- fications along the French frontier. A total of between 600,000 and 700,000 men may soon be under arms. The army command announced an unidentified bomber dropped several bombs on the Swiss railway line be- tween Delemont and Moutiers, but did little damage. Sharp air battles took place near Basel, Switzerland, at 12:30 a.m. to- day. * Target of Anti-Aircraft Fire. A German bomber crossed the {frontier at Grenzach and flew over Basel en route to France. The Ger- man craft was immediately the tar- get of anti-aircraft fire from guns at Altkirch and Belfort. The plane returned to Germany at 4:15 am. Soon afterward, 20° bombers crossed the frontier at Loerrach, some “of . them passing over Swiss territory on their way to France. A heavy fog prevented Swiss air defense from bringing any planes down. The Nazi aircraft weére be- lieved to be those which bombed Lyons this morning. A bomb dropped in Deleriont, a Bwiss town near the French frontier, destroyed the rail track, but train traffic can be continued. Following heavy Swiss and French anti-aircraft fire, the planes re- turned {0 Germany. ‘Amsterddm = (Continued From First Page.) gunners landed by parachute in the Netherlands interior. The Netherlands air force also took to the skies, joining patrols of British, French and Belgian planes, and it was reported that at least six German planes were shot down in the first hour of warfare. The Netherlands gave notice that she considers herself at war with ‘Germany. Dutch Fully Prepared. From The Hague flew the Nether- lands foreign affairs and colonial ministers, seeking liaison with allied leaders in London, lest the Nether- lands be swept by German con- querors before effective help could be given to stop them. The Dutch Army was said to have been fully prepared for the invasion. Queen Wilhelmina’s soldiery was said to be putting up strong resist- ance in the east despite one Ger- man thrust which was said to have carried the invasion 15 miles within the border. At various points German trans- ports dumped parachute shock troops, who came billowing down to earth for rear-guard assaults on the Dutch. Many of these men were reported wiped out. Bridges over the Maas and Waal Rivers had been blown up to block the.overland advance of the Ger- mans. There were indications that the Netherlands, too, had released the full force of her inundation de- fenses in threatened areas. Airdromes Blasted. Despite the stubborn resistance of the Dutch air force and anti- aircraft batteries German planes were said to have landed troops at some interior points while Hit- THE EVENING ~8TAR, WASHINGTON,: D:= C,~FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1040. NEWS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT—Newspapermen early today hovered around the desk of Michael J. McDermott (seated), chief of the Division of Current Information, State Department, who is releasing the latest telephonic report from Minister John Cudahy, telling of German military operations against Luxembourg and Belgium. ler’s power-diving bombers blasted at strategic airdromes. The Germans heavily bombed Amsterdam’s airport at Schiphol, but were blocked from landing there by a screening barrage of anti-aircraft fire. ‘The explosion of bombs could be heard clearly in Amsterdam, but the people there went about their business much as usual. The only other outward indications of a de- parture from normal were queues in front of Amsterdam’'s banks. The government immediately put into force plans for civil defense. A blackout was ordered starting tonight. Voluntary civil militia in Amsterdam was mobilized and ef- forts were made to frustrate any “fifth column” activities within the nation. The Dutch had before them the recent lesson of Germany’s invasion of Norway in which confusion of orders, sabotage and treachery with- in Norway aided the German ad- vance, Germans Ordered Into Homes. . All Germans in the Netherlands wexe ordered to remain in their houses. “Persons arousing suspicion that they infringe this order expose themselves to serious danger for their lives.” sajd.a Dutch brosdcast. The military iadvised ‘newspaper correspondents- that ‘telegrams for "| dispatch abroad would be handled as usual, but subject to severe censprship ‘of anything consjdered “alarmist or tendencibus.” No ‘tele- | phone calls to foreign countries ‘were permitted. At 5:50 am.: 24 German planes flew over Rotterdam, dropping down to an altitude of only about 1500 feet. It was announced parachute troops had been captured there and imprisoned. Deny Nazi Charges. A statement handed to the Ger- man Minister here denied the Berlin allegation that the Netherlands had knowledge of any British-French plan to invade the Netherlands, Bel- gium and Luxembourg for an at- tack on Germany. That purported plan had been announced in Berlin as motivation for the German as- sault against the west. The invasion of Germany’s gray- green legions came during the night while most of the Netherlands slept. They stabbed at the border by land and the interior by air. The government indignantly re- jected a German demand for sur- render to the invading forces, and Queen Wilhelmina, now 59 years old, went on the air to proclaim her “flaming protest” against the Ger- man_blow. Queen Calls Upon Citizens. The Queen called upon all citizens to do their duty and accused Ger- many of breaking a “solemn prom- ise” to respect Dutch neutrality. Netherlands’ Army forces took stands behind the nation’s elaborate water defenses and fortifications to meet the frontier thrusts and, in the interior, fought fiercely with parachute-landed German machine gunners, For the parachute* landing of troops some of the invaders, accord- MISSING yes. you are missing . eomfort that you never be- fore believed possible in this unpredictable Washing- ton weather. You're missing the smart tailoring and shape-retaining features in light-weight elothing that only hand-tailoring can provide. You're missing these, unless you make up your mind to have us make up your Spring and Summer Suit. You'll be surprised to know that the difference is not in the price, but in the extra’ comfort and well-dressed feeling the ekilled hands of our tailors can make possible. Saloct from scores of fine Gabar- o dines, Tropicels, Tweeds and WASHINGTON “WBAVES in the desired nsw colors, and pas- terns designed exclusively fpr us. + Por g limited time s specially pticed collectich has been grouped . %o ba tsilored to your messure. “KASSAN L] S0 39 -STEIN CustomTailors b ing to the Dutch, wore Netherlands uniforms. (Germany denied this charge immediately—it would be a violation of the conventions of war.) The Germans said to have worn their enemy’s uniform were re- ported to have been surrounded and destroyed. At various places German planes dropped pamphlets which presented the German case for the invasion and urged the Dutch to lay down their arms. The high command broadcast a warning to the people to disbelieve any German announcements of armistice. A Dutch high command com- munique said: “German troops passed through AncHor FENCES BERRALL-JASPER COMPANY 615 Colorado Building Phone NAtional % 5" PERMANENT MAGNET DYNAMIC SPEAKER % MODERN WALNUT PLASTIC CABINET % LARGE EASY-TO-READ DIAL % GETS AMERICAN BROADCASTS AND SOME POLICE % WITH AEROSCOPE! NEEDED! NO WIRES % 5 RCA TUBES! AC-DC * SEE IT—HEAR IT TODAY! I / \ Al F STREET Yewelery liciany the Dutch border during the night and.our border troops fulfilled their tasks. : “They succeeded in carrying out their trust. Bridges over the Maas and Waal have been demolished by them. “East of Arnhem, 15 miles from the German-Dutch boaer, Germans have advanced to Ijsel. “In the interior enemy planes tried to land and in some places dropped parachutes and planes landed. “These landings were partly un- successful and parachutists who dressed - in Netherlands uniforms have been surrounded and de- stroyed. “Over various places Germans dropped pamphlets which are un- true and threats against the Dutch. “The high command urges the population not to believe such utter~ ances which are only intended to create disorders. “The Dutch are executing meas- ures imposed by the acts and words A TIME-HONO perfect D experience i centurvd-‘::u rchasers i Jewelers of the Queen for the defense of the Netherlands soil.” - Inundstions en Schedule. Another communique said thst “sir attacks have been tried on some airports. The army and the de- fenses are ready. Inundations are going on as stheduled.” Observers northeast of The Hague reported at 5:55 a.m. that 22 dive bombers were seen headed toward the seat of the government where Queen Wilhelmina and the re- mainder of the royal family live. A still later announcement by the general headquarters declared that the Netherlands government would never negotiate with the enemy and elaborated on the warning any “false” German reports. “Distrust all radio news and pamphiets telling you about stopping our resistance, about negotiations with the aggressor or about assist- ance from the German side against an attack by the allies,” this com- munique said. “No matter how reliable and RED l!PUTATlQN FOR iamonds n serving r as- sMVO:m'M' s, come diamonds, N INC. N, PRES. only come from the 3 “Never will the commander in chief and the government negotiate with the enemy.” Chamberlain Resumes Strolls Despite Crisis B3 the Associated Press. LONDQN, May 10—Getting back to normal despite the German in- vasion of Belgium and the Nether- lands, Prime Minister Chamberlain enemy. Al ‘THE SHOP POR THE GENTLEMAN “Right Dress!..” in SALTZ STRAWS $3.95 to $15 lization After Bombings today resumed his regular strolls through St. James Park. Mr, Chamberlain had omitted the customary walk yesterday in the midst of & cabinet crisis, Political observers said the new Nazi “blitzkrieg” had made it almost certain Mr, Chamberlain would re- tain office, at least for the present. — [ —————— FALSE TEETH REPAIRED WHILE YOU WAIT BOBT 8. SCOTT. DENTAL TECR n‘ulon;uo -t " '-’i'l. n- Coco Buri Broid. The Cream Puggree makes this right dress for evening, as well as daytime, sports. $5. NS SAUTZqMfi? ® The Original SALYZ Store GLORITONE 5 RCA TUBES! AC-DC! Genuine Dynamic Speaker 2 Full Bands on Dial American and Foreign New Super Aeroscope— No Wires—No Ground ; New Design—Large-Easy-to-Read Diall Gets Police—Amateur— Aviation Calls, Too! Large Black Plastic Cabinet!