Measures Taken for Prompt And Lasting Destruction Of Oil Wells Bandoeng, Aug. 15.
The manpower and military equipment of Netherland East Indies defene2s have been substantially strengthened in the oil producing areas, the United Press learned from official sources here today.
Previously, the principal defence measures in these areas provided for the prompt destruction of installations, wells, and oil stocks in the event of an invasion. Under the Government's new plans, it was learned, an invader would require a strong force for a successful attack. Army officials revealed -that the newest destruction technique makes destruction of the largest oil refineries, wells, and installations possible within a matter of minutes.
It was recalled that during. the Great War, the Germans were able to begin the exploitation of Rum-anion oil fields again a few months after their destruction. Army officials here, however, claim that it would require a long period before exploitation could be started again in the event destruction is carried out in Netherlands East Indies fields.
One army officer told the United Press that an "enemy" depending on the Netherlands East Indies for oil supplies would only cut off his own supplies for a long period by attacking the Netherlands East Indies.
"There is no chance of any surprise fifth column work here," he said. "The lessons learned from Holland have been taken to heart."
—United Press.
Age Limits for Service Lowered Temporarily Vichy, Aug. 14, A decree lowering the age limits of French foreign service officials has just been passed by the French Government.
The measure is a temporary one, and the decree expires on June 30, 1941.
It provides for the following age limits: 58 years for Plenipotentiary Ministers of the 1st and 2nd classes; 51 years for Embassy Counsellors of the Ist and 2nd classes; 50 years for Embassy Secretaries of the Ist and 2nd classes; 57 years for Consul-General; 55 years for Consuls of the Ist and 2nd classes.
The age limits for all these foreign service officials had hitherto been set at 60 years.
"According to the decree, the Foreign Ministry may prolong for a maximum of three years the period of active service of those foreign service officials'who have shown exceptional merit.
Commenting on the decree, the ening papers here announce that it but a prelude to a large-scale reshuffle in the diplomatic service which will affect over 60 foreign service officials—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.