Paris, Mar. 8.
"Lightning attacks" against the Netherlands and possibly Switzerland are now contemplated by Reichsfuehrer Adolf Hitler as measures to bolster the further claims that he proposes to make upon the Western Powers.
Such is the sensational accusation printed today in the "Journal des Debats," which published an article by the widely-read M. Pierre Bernu: one of France's leading diplomatic commentators.
M. Bernus asserted that he was in a position to reveal Herr Hitler's projects for this year, which were previously set for achievement in March and which may possibly be delayed.
In its earlier preparations, the project provided for prelimiery operations to weaken the world position of the Western Democracies. Within the scope of these operations fell Japan's occupation of Hainan, Italy's anti-French campaign. the reinforcement of Italian garrisons in Libya and the exertion of Italian pressure along the borders of French Somaliland, agitation in Syria and Palestine, and, finally, Italian mobilization.
M. Bernus asserted that the decisive operations will be launched after the conclusion of Spanish hostilities, when Italy will forward her claims. At that juncture, Herr Hitler will strike. He will make a speech supporting Rome and will at the same time forward his own claims in the form of an ultimatum.
Next will come his "lightning attacks" upon the Netherlands and Switzerland, "which will ensure the immediate capitulation of the Western Powers," M. Bernus wrote.
Herr Hitler will argue that his occupation of these two small countries will be only provisional and he will deny any intentions of conquering them. Then, if the Western nations enter into negotiations with him, he will climax his operations with the presentation of new claims, M. Bernus concluded his exposition of "things to come."—Havas, Hsuchow, Mar. 9.
Fowning, south-east of Haichow, fell to the Japanese at 5 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, according delayed field dispatch reaching here today Advancing from Hwaian, two Japanese detachments captured the town, followed by a naval contingent, which navigated the Sheyang River and entered the town before dawn yesterday.—Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.