GERMANS RETREATING

Evening Star, Issue 23373, 16 September 1939, Page 13

GERMANS RETREATING

French Armies Pressing On

LONDON, September 15. (Received September 16, at 11.35 a.m.)

: The British United Preps military correspondent reports that the fighting near the Luxemburg frontier has been extraordinarily fierce. To-day’s French communique indicates that the region mentioned, northeast of Sierck, has been stubbornly fought over since the German counteroffensive on September 9. It is now possible to reveal that the attack aimed at dislodging the French from their advanced positions across the frontier actually resulted in Germans penetrating'French soil. The ‘ Petit Parisian reveals, however, that the French coun-ter-attacked, and drove out the German advance posts, since when the Germans have not trodden over an inch of France. On the contrary, the French army'is well entrenched from the region north.-east of Sierck to the north of Lauterburg, all within German territory.

A Luxemburg report says the Germans blew up the bridge connecting Perl and Schengen. Observers in Southern Limburg said the Germans were evacuating areas in proximity to the Belgian border,

The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press of America states that unofficial reports announce that the Germans are retreating slowly from their advance positions in the Moselle Valley and all along the northern flank of the western front.

The French High Command announced that a German air fleet was defeated in a battle low over the front lines on the western front.

A communique states: “Our operations in the past few days enabled us to assure possession of ground in the region north-east of Sierek, which has been contested since the German offensive was announced on September 10. We, moreover, advanced beyond this ground. During the night we effected a local improvement to our front line, despite strong enemy reaction, especially by artillery.”

A Gorman army communique admits that German territory east of Saarbrucken to Pirmasens was shelled, but claimed that the enemy were driven back. The German short wave station broadcast: “On the western front a strong French force reached the outposts of the Siegfried Line.”-

A SERIOUS THRUST GUNS AND PLANES TRANSFERRED FROM POLAND LONDON, September 15. (Received September 16, at 1 p.m.) The Paris correspondent of 1 The Times ’ states it is evident from the continuous and violent activity of the heavy guns that the Germans are taking the movement most seriously and doing their utmost to hamper it by shelling lines of communication and likely assembly points. Many German planes from the Polish front are re--ported to be appearing in the west. ALL GAINS HELD GERMAN COUNTERS FOILED PARIS, September 15. (Received September 16, at 1 p.m.) An official communique states: “We have strengthened the positions taken the previous days and have repelled counter-attacks, inflicting losses on the enemy. There has been a strong reaction by enemy aircraft and artillery on part of our front. Our pursuit planes repulsed enemy machines which attacked our front lines at low; altitude.” SPECIAL ALLOWANCES INJURIES TO CIVILIANS LONDON, September 15. (Received September 16, at 1.30 p.m.) A Ministry of Information communique states that the Minister of Pensions has introduced a scheme of grants in respect of physical injury to civilians as a result of warlike operations. The rates sjre broadly the same as those applicable to a private soldier. The maximum is 32s 6d for a single man and 22s 6d for women. Married persons will receive additional allowances for wife and children. WOMEN S ORGANISATIONS QUEEN AT THE HEAD LONDON, September 15. (Received September 16, at 12.30 p.m.) A Ministry of Information communique states that the Queen now heads the women’s defence services and the King has appointed her commandant-in-chief of the Women’s Royal Naval Service Auxiliary and the Territorial Service Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. PRINCE STARHEMBERG WANTS TO FIGHT FOR FRANCE NICE, September 15. (Received September 16, at 1 p.m.) The former Heimwehr (Austrian Fascist Party) leader. Prince Stahhemberg, has asked permission to raise an Austrian brigade to fight for France. GAMES TO CONTINUE NOME OFFICE DECISION LONDON, September 15. (Received September 16, at 1.15 p.m.) The Home Office decision allowing the reopening of cinemas and theatres also applies to football and organised games, enabling the Football Association to proceed with competitive matches. There will be no professional club matches to-morrow, owing to-the lack of time for assembling players, but the majority of the leading League clubs are playing prearranged friendly games in safe areas. RUMANIANS IN BRITAIN RESERVISTS BEING GALLED UP LONDON, % September 15. (Received September 16, at 1.30 p.m.) In the House of Commons Mr W. S. Morrison stated that there was an ample supply of sugar in Britain at present. Sir John Anderson stated that British subjects employed as announcers in anti-British radio propaganda may have to meet charges of the gravestcharacter hereafter. A Ministry of Information communique says the Rumanian Legation is calling up reservists resident in Britain. MUSSOLINI AND ROYAL FAMILY 1 IMPROVED RELATIONS INDICATED NEW YORK, September 15. (Received September 16, at 10 a.m.) The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press states that the newspapers refer to Crown Prince Umberto’s “ name day,” their congratulations reflecting the close relations between the Royal Family and Signor Mussolini, which Fascist circles allege are increasing, due to the feelling, that II Duce is keeping Italy out of the war,.

NAZI “HOME FRONT” READY TO FORCE OBEDIENCE CRUSHING SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES NEW YORK, September 15. (Received September 16, at 1 p.m.) The * New York Herald-Tribune’s ’ Berlin, correspondent says the defence against the British blockade and the threat of mutiny by the German people under the strain of war are competing in German attention against the Gnrman army's triumphal progress through Poland. The Germans have been assured that no blockade can again be effective against Germany, but they have also learned for the , first time that machinery has been ready inside the Nazi Party for two years to take over the home front against treachery and defeatism, • aimed at saving the Third Reich from the collapse of 1918, Dr Ley significantly announced to-day that , “ obedience to the Home Front can be enforced.” HEAVY TELEGRAPHIC TRAFFIC NEW RECORDS ESTABLISHED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 15. (Received September 16, at 11 a.m.) The effect of the crisis preceding the outbreak of war on the telegraph services is shown in the figures now available for the inland traffic for. the week ending September 2. From the normal weekly traffic of about 1,200,000 transactions the figures rose to about 2,000,000. A new record for the figures in a single day of 451,273 —an increase of 125 per cent, over the normal days of traffic —was reached on August 25, and the record set up in the last September crisis, 403,000, was also passed on August 26 and September 1 and 2. The total for the week of 1,966,425 transactions is the highest ever reached. The telegraph traffic is stated to be still heavy, but the delay is now not much more than normal. VALUE OF WIRELESS SARAWAK INSTALLS STATE SERVICE (British Official Wireless.) . September. 15. (Received September 16, at 11 a.m.) The value of wireless, in wartime is illustrated by. the , decision of the Sarawak Government to open a local broadcasting service in order to keep the population constantly informed of defence measures affecting their daily lives and security. The State station came into operation on September 9, thus there should be the fullest cooperation in all communities in any steps which Britain may desire Sarawak to take. AMERICA'S NEUTRALITY PRESIDENT HOPEI FOR REVISION OF ACT Washington, September is. (Received September 16, at 10 a.m.) President Roosevelt, at a Press conference, when subjected to numerous questions in an effort to elicit the exact degree of neutrality he contemplates for America, said no plans had even been considered that could be remotely connected with the possibility of the United States getting into, the European war. The President insisted that he hoped that Congress at the special session would be confined to a revision of the Neutrality Act. AMERICAN TAXPAYERS SUFFER WASHINGTON, September 15. (Received September 16, at 11 a.m.) The European .war will cost neutral United States taxpayers 112,000,000 dollars in the current fiscal year. The Budget Bureau is framing its estimates accordingly, owing to the outlay on the expansion of peace-time forces. MESSAGES OF LOYALTY TO BRITAIN (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 15. (Received September 16, at 11 a.m.) His Majesty expressed appreciation of the loyal messages from Ceylon, Nigeria, Gold Coast. Sierra Leone, Tanganyika territory, Northern Rhodesia, British Honduras, and the Leeward Islands. An expression of the King's gratitude has also been conveyed to the chief rabbis in Palestine for their message of “ heartfelt blessings and fervent prayers of Palestine Jewry for Britain’s victory in her heroic stand for right against might and ultimate peace.” Another fervent message of loyalty arrived from the Bahamas. DUKE OF WINDSOR VISIT TO PRIME MINISTER LONDON, September 15. (Received September I£, at II a.in.) The Duke of Windsor saw Mr Char.', berlain at No. 10 Downing Street.

CRUDE GERMAN PROPAGANDA " DANGER OF BRITISH LANDING IN BELGIUM ” DESIGNED TO SOW SEEDS OF DISTRUST (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 15. (Received September 16, at 11 a.m.) Reports from German sources are being spread in Relgium to the effect that there is imminent danger of a British landing on the Belgian coast. The British ’ Government recently affirmed its obligations to Belgium and its intention respecting Belgian neutrality. German allegations that the British Government intends to violate these solemn engagements are obviously designed to sow distrust of Britain in Belgium, but, in view of the past history of German and British relations with Belgium, there fortunately is no reason to believe that such crude German propaganda will be successful. HITLER’S STAINED HANDS DEATH OF CANADIAN GIRL VICTIM OF ATHENIA TRAGEDY HAMILTON (Ontario), September 15. (Received September 16, at 10 a.m.) The Premier (Mr Hepburn), asserting that “ the world’s jury finds Hitler guilty of murder,” asked the Canadian Prime Minister (Mr Mackenzie King) to order that flags be flown at halfmast for Margaret Hayworthy, age*d 10, the Canadian girl who died °f injuries as a result of the torpedoing of the Athenia. GERMAN SOCCER TEAM INTERNATIONAL MATCHES TO BE PLAYED BERLIN, Setember 15. (Received September. 16, at 11.15 a.m.) Germany is carrying out international Soccer fixtures. The German team wall play Hungary on September 24, Yugoslavia on October 15. It will also play Sweden. CHILDREN S SANATORIUM BOMBED YILNA, September 15. (Received September 16, at 9 a.m.) A radio broadcast stated that 60 patients were killed when German planes bombed a children’s sanatorium near Warsaw. CZECH PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT DR DENES AS LEADER LONDON, September 15. (Received September 16, at 11 a.m.) Negotiations are proceeding in London and Paris for the establishment, possibly in 10 days, of a provisional Government of Czecho-Slovakia, headed by Dr Benes, to bo formally recognised by France and Britain. DOMINION PREPARATIONS HEARTENING TO HOME PEOPLE LONDON, September 15. (Received September 16, at 11 a.m.’ The Ministry of Information gives prominence to details of New Zealand’s and Australia’s war preparations. It states: “ The trend of feeling of the two great southern dominions is more and more heartening to the people at home.” The contribution by Canada both in men and material to the 1914-18 war is recalled in a Ministry of Information statement, according to which the men of Canada are again flocking to the same colours for the same cause. Already the Canadian Parliament has sanctioned millions of pounds for the prosecution of the new war. That she will bring to her great task all the vigour, resolution, and enterprise that contributed so notably to the victory of British arms in 1918, is already manifest. But it seems in the material sense that Canada will be able to play her part on a still more impressive scale than in her industrially immature days of 1914—although she was well able even thqn to pay from her own pocket every cent the cost of her participation. Canada, since the Great War, has increased her production of wheat from 64,000,000 to 450,000,000 bushels. Besides wheat Canada is a valuable source of supply of many foodstuffs and war materials. What Canada’s contribution in the matter of personnel may be in the present war is for her to determine. The last time from her comparatively small population she enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force no fewer than 620,000. KEBBAGE TO NEW ZEALAND [Pee United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 16. A cablegram has been received from Mr Jordan conveying, through Mr Anthony Eden. Britain’s warm appreciation and gratitude to the Government and the people of New Zealand for the prompt and effective action taken to meet the situation arising out of the present international crisis.

GERMAN SUBMARINES BRITAIN ACCOUNTS FOR SEVERAL LONDON, September 15. (Received September 16, at 10 a.m.) The Ministry of Information states; “ A number of German submarines have been destroyed by British destroyers and aeroplanes.” SURVIVORS RESCUED WHEN POSSIBLE RUGBY, September 15. (Received September 16, at 11 a.m.) The Ministry of Information states that British destroyers, patrol vessels, and aircraft have been carrying out constant patrols over wide areas in search of enemy U-boats. Many attacks have been made and a number of U-boats destroyed. The survivors have been rescued arid captured when possible. SEARCH FOR MOTHER SHIPS BRITISH AND FRENCH ACTIVITY PARIS, September 15. (Received September 16, at 11 a.m.) It is reported that British and French light cruiser and destroyer squadrons have started a widespread and systematic search for freighters and tankers “mothering”- enemy submarines. ‘ ” A PERFECT GENTLEMAN " COMMANDER OF GERMAN SUBMARINE LONDON, September 15. (Received September 16, at 10.15 a.m.) Patrick Walsh, a member of the crew of the tanker British Influence, has reached Cork. He said the submarine’s commander was a perfect gentleman. The submarine stood by for five hours. It called the attention of the Ida Baakc and remained until all the crew were picked up. “ When we were aboard,” he said, “we gave him three cheers, and the submarine’s crew reciprocated. Our ship was hit after we put off and sank in 20 minutes.” NEUTRAL SHIPPING REPLY TO GERMAN STATEMENT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 15. (Received September 16, at 11 a.m.) In a broadcast from the Essen German wireless station it was stated that all Netherlands vessels in future were to be more clearly marked as a safeguard against British attacks. The fact is that no Netherlands, or any other neutral vessels, have been attacked by the British naval forces. As Mr Chamberlain said in the Commons on Wednesday, the object of the British Navy must be, as in the last war, to ensure the freedom and safety of the seas, SEIZED BY BRITAIN ) ““ LARGE QUANTITIES OF CONTRABAND GOODS RUGBY, September 15. (Received September 16, at 11 a.m.) The Ministry of Information announces that during the week ended September 9 the British contraband control intercepted and detained large quantities of goods as to which there was evidence that they were contraband consigned to Germany, including 28,500 tons of petroleum, 26,350 tons of iron ore, 3,400 tons of other ore, 4,600 tons of manganese ore, 7,300 tons of wood pulp, 6,000 tons of pebble phosphate, and a number of mixed cargoes SINKING SHIP DISTRESS CALLS INTERCEPTED NEW YORK, September 15. (Received September 16, at 1 p.m.) A message from Chatham (Massachusetts) states that the Radio Marine intercepted distress calls from an unidentified ship which was sinking after submarine shelling in the South Atlantic, A Valparaiso message reports that the master of the Chilean steamer Fresia says an unidentified submarine halted his vessel on Wednesday off the Chilean coast, but the Fresia was not molested after the submarine had ascertained its identity. HOUSE OF COMMONS TWO OR THREE SITTINGS WEEKLY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 15. (Received September 16, at 10 a.m.) The House of Commons will meet on Wednesday and Thursday. The newspapers anticipate that for the present sittings will be held on* only two, or at the most three, days weekly.