NAZI LEADERS PUZZLED

Evening Star, Issue 23372, 15 September 1939, Page 5

NAZI LEADERS PUZZLED

Russian Mobilisation Riddle Occupation of East Poland Suggested Still Hopeful That Soviet Will Be On Germany’s Side _________ Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 13. The Rotterdam correspondent of 4 The Times ’ states that official circles in Berlin are disconcerted by the extent of Russian mobilisation. Those who profess to believe in the sincerity of Russian and German friendship expected mobilisation of 1,000,000 men to guard the Russian-Polish frontier and possibly occupy certain districts in East Poland. The Wilhelmstrasse is at a loss to explain the calling up of 2,000,000 men for the whole of the frontier from Rumania to Finland, but the Nazi leaders still hope that Russia will be dragged in on Germany’s side.

BOMBING OF OPEN TOWNS STERN WARNING TO GERMANY RETALIATORY ACTION BY BRITAIN LONDON, September 14. In the House of Lords Lord Halifax deliyered a stern warning to Germany that' if the High Command carries out its threat of a campaign of frightfulness by bombing Polish villages and hamlets Britain “ would hold herself free to meet it with appropriate retaliatory action.” “SAME THIN EXCUSE" LONDON, September 14. Referring to the German threat to bomb open towns, the ‘ Daily Mail ’ says that “ if Germany continues these unlawful practices Britain will have to do likewise for her own protection.” ‘ The Times ’ and the ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ give a lead in editorial condemnation of the German proclamation to bomb open towns and villages in Poland on the ground that civilians are adopting the role of franc-tireurs. They point out that some of the worst German crimes in Belgium in 1914 were perpetrated with the same thinlyveiled excuse, and they commend Lord Halifax’s reference to reprisals. IN THE DANGER ZONE PRESS CORRESPONDENT'S EXPERIENCES NEW YORK, September 14. The correspondent of the Associated Press of America at Lwow says:— 11 The table on which 1 am writing quivers and collapses and the earth trembles as bombs explode, the noise mingling with the din of sirens and anti-aircraft guns. I am told that the Nazis are dropping both shrapnel and concussion bombs which kill civilians some distance from the point of impact. An average of 12 persons die every day as the result of incessant raiding. ‘‘ I came from Hungary in a train which was halted 20 miles from the city. The conductor pointed to flames in the sky leaping from a burning railway station. I walked five miles, boarded an unlighted tram, and found the city'of half a million people drawing water from hand pumps as the aqueduct had been destroyed and the sewerage system damaged. Disease epidemics are imminent and,fires are everywhere. Roads are clogged with refugees. The city’s 100,000 Jews are panicky with the approach of the invader. I learned that the British and French military missions are constantly moving since the enemy intelligence keeps airmen informed of the location of headquarters.” RESIGNATION ANNOUNCED SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSIONER IN LONDON JOHANNESBURG, September 14. (Received September 15, at 8 a.m.) It is officially announced that Mr C. T. te Water, South African High Commissioner in London, has resigned. MINISTER IN BERLIN LONDON, September 14. (Received September 15, at 8 a.m.) It has been learned that the South African Minister in Berlin, Dr Gie, Will remain until the German Minister at Pretoria has departed. AUSTRALIAN WOOL CLIP TO BE SOLD TO BRITAIN AVERAGE PRICE OF BETWEEN 13D AND 14D CANBERRA, September 14. (Received September 15. at 8 a.m.) Australia’s wool clip, according to the ‘ Sun’s ’ Canberra correspondent, will probably be sold to Britain at an average price of between 13d and 14d per lb.

CZECH ARMY FORMATION IN FRANCE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT SET UP PARIS, September 14. The Czecho-Slovak army which is being formed in Franco will be composed of Czech nationals living in France and elsewhere. It will not be either a foreign legion or a voluntary corps, as in the last war, but will rank as an allied army because the democracies have not recognised juridically Germany’s occupation of Czecho-Slovakia. The new army will have its own command and general headquarters under the supreme command in France, exercised) through a French military mission headed by General Faucher, who for many years held a similar position in Prague. The political representative of this army will be the Provisional Czecho-Slovak Government, the recognition of which Britain and France arc at present considering. Czech nationals living abroad have been chosen its members, including Dr Bones as Prime Minister and Dr Osusky, former Czech Minister to France, as Foreign Minister OVERRUN WITH REFUGEES PROBLEM IN BELGIUM POSITION CONSIDERED BY OSLO POWERS Press Association—Bv Telegraph—Copyright BRUSSELS, September 14. (Received September 15, at 8 a.m.) The problem of feeding large numbers of refugees, together with increased unemployment owing to the closing of factories and lack of Taw materials, was considered by the Oslo Group of Nations. Belgium is already overrun with. refugees. Some are Germans in transit from 'France, but 60,000 Belgian residents in France have now returned to Brussels. A bread shortage is threatened. SOVIET CHARGE POLISH PLANES OVER FRONTIER MOSCOW, September 14. The Tass News Agency made a charge that Polish planes have frequently violated the Soviet frontier endeavouring to penetrate far into Soviet territory. It states that the Soviet forces yesterday forced four Polish planes to land and detained 15 members of their crews. RUSH OF RECRUITS WOMENS AUXILIARY AIR FORGE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 13. Such is the eagerness of recruits to join the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force that the opening hours of the recruiting office have been altered so that queues can be dispersed before a blackout starts. DUTCH VESSEL DETAINED SUSPECTED OF CARRYING CONTRABAND LONDON, September 14. A communioue issued by the Ministry of Information states that the Dutch steamer Groenlo was taken into custody at a United Kingdom port. It says she was detained because she was carrying cargo suspected of being contraband and consigned to Dusseldorf. The communique adds that the cargo is being unloaded, after which the ship will be released. STRIKES IN GERMANY TROUBLE AT OPEL WORKS LONDON. September 13. The Ministry of Information reports that two strikes occurred Inst week at the Opel works in Germany. A number of arrests were made.

AUCKLAND'S LEAD

POLISH SUCCESS LODZ RETAKEN IN FIERCE ATTACK GERMAN DIVISION ROUTED ASSAULTS ON WARSAW BEATEN OFF WARSAW, September 14.

The Official News Agency, reviewing yesterday’s fighting, said:—“Polish troops, after a fierce attack, recaptured Lpdz, whence the Germans retreated hastily, leaving behind arms, ammunition, and other implements of war. Our Pozanian and Pomeranian armies, after delivering ferocious assaults, joined each other in the region of Kutno.”

A communique broadcast from Warsaw stated that during the night 13 Polish detachments continued to thrust back the enemy in the immediate vicinity of Warsaw. German aeroplanes continued to bomb the suburbs north and north-west of Warsaw. Military objectives were not damaged, and antiaircraft batteries brought down three machines. During the night the Nazis bombarded Warsaw with incendiary shells, and the Pilsudski Institute of Medical Research was set on fire. A Polish communique issued from Warsaw claims that the Poles routed a German division at Kutuo. One thousand prisoners had been taken. According to a Paris message, the Warsaw radio station stated that the Poles have thrown the Gormans “ far back from Warsaw ” and were driving the enemy in retreat with a series of swift couuter-hlows west and south-west of the capital. An official announcement from Berlin states that the fortified town of Modlin in Poland had been completely surrounded by German forces. HEAVY GERMAN CASUALTIES LONDON, September 13. Polish sources state that the campaign is costing Germany many casualties. Hospitals and schools in Berlin and Vienna are packed with wounded GDYNIA FALLS BERLIN, September 14. It has been officially stated that the Nazis entered Gdynia, the garrison surrendering. CONTRABAND GOODS THE GERMAN LIST LONDON, September 14. The German radio announced a contraband list embracing all war materials, foodstuffs, fodder, g'old, silver, and textiles which can be used for military purposes. RED GROSS WORKERS MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 13. The Queen sent the following message to workers of the joint Red Cross and St. John: —“I have heard from many quarters of the splendid work being done by those who are voluntarily giving their services to the British Red Cross and the Order of St. John, both at home and abroad. The example they are setting is real inspiration and encouragement to all of us in these days, which are dark and sad, though they are brightened by abundant evidence of the willing response our countrywomen are making to every call upon their services. As yet our task has only just begun. Sacrifices and hardships must inevitably lie ahead of us, and much exacting work. Yet the spirit with which our troubles are being faced is such that we need feel no anxiety for the future.”

COUNCIL STAFF AND WAR PAY TO BE SUBSIDISED TO CIVIL RATE RE-EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEED [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND. September 14. Members of the City Council’s permanent staff who go on active service are to have their military pay augmented by an amount sufficient to bring the payment up to that received in their norma! employment, and their positions are to be kept open for them until their return. This decision was made by the council to-night. Submitting a motion to this effect, the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davis) said it seemed to him desirable that the council should at once affirm this principle so that any members of the staff who were about to enlist for service would know that they were going to be looked after by the council. The Mayor said that the council should protect from loss those of its staff who took up arms for the country, and it was appropriate that the council, as the largest local authority in New Zealand, should give a lead. He therefore moved as a minimum (1) that an assurance he given to members of the council’s permanent staff who undertake war service that their positions will bo safeguarded during their absence and made available to them after their demobilisation; (2) that the council make itself responsible for the payment of any difference of pay between the military rate and the officer's remuneration in order te bring it up to his usual rate of salary. The motion was carried.

ITALY’S ATTITUDE MUSSOLINI TO STATE POLICY ANNOUNCEMENT WHEN POLISH WAR CONCLUDED NEW YORK, September 14. The ‘ New York Times’ states that, according to newspaper leaders, Signor Mussolini will make an announcement concerning the aim of Italian policy towards tho European conflict. The papers do not, however, specify when the announcement will bo made. Some Italian circles believe that new developments cannot bo expected until the war between the Nazis and Poland enters a decisive phase. Dr Gayda, writing in the 1 Giornale dTtalia,’ said: “Until Gernia’ny conquers Poland all speculations would be futile. The Italian position is gradually being defined. No one doubts that a German triumph will bo the actual outcome.” GERMAN AIR BASES ESTABLISHMENT IN SOUTH AMERICA UNITED STATES GRAVELY CONCERNED NEW YORK. September 13. The Washington correspondent of tho Associated Press of America says the State Department said that the British statement that Germany might attempt to establish air bases in South and Central America would receive consideration at the Pan-American conference in Panama City. It left no doubt that such activities would inevitably be considered matters of grave concern to the United States. V.’.V.W/A".W.VAW.

“ A Hindenhurg rather than a Ludendorff, a Roberts rather than a Kitchener. In other words, he is a fighting soldier first and an administrator second.” This was the description applied by a writer recently to John Standish Surtees Prendergast Vereker, Sixth Viscount Gort, Com-mander-in-Chief of the British Field Forces.

When he received the appointment 20 months ago.of Chief of the British Imperial General Staff, the highest peace-time rank in the British Army, Lord Gort was paid the following tributes :

General Sir lan Hamilton: “ Thank God we are now under the command of a proper soldier and we shall not be shot sitting.” Field-Marshal the Earl of Cavan, who was C.I.G.S. from 1922 to 1926: “ I have no hesitation in saying that Lord Gort is the Army’s best soldier. Although his appointment and promotion have made many older men sad and disappointed, the Army as a whole rejoices to have Gort as C.1.G.5.” On the outbreak of the present crisis Lord Gort was elevated to his present rank. General Sir Edmund Ironside became C.I.G.S.

A military scholar and noted for his tigerish energy, Lord Gort;. who is 52 years of age, is descended from a solSjpring family. As a subaltern in the Grenadier Guards he earned a certain reputation as a “ swot.” The same tigerish energy and drive won him the V.C., in the Great War, when he commanded the Ist Battalion of the Grenadier Guards.

His performance in getting his battalion across the Canal du Nord _in 1918 under murderous fire, his indomitable courage while severely wounded, and his tactical resource which enabled his men to take an Apparently hopeless key objective, was one of the outstanding achievements of the war. Lord Gort and General Gamelin, it is stated, have co-operated better than any other British and French combination of leaders in the last war. Their staff talks have been outstandingly successful, and the degree of cooperation between the various? services in the British and French armies is regarded as vastly, superior to 1914.