OPEN TOWNS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20044, 16 September 1939, Page 6

OPEN TOWNS

GERMAN BOMBING HITLER ORDERS “DESTROY EVERYTHING” SLAUGHTER OF CIVILIANS MACHINE-GUN HAIL APPEAL BY DIPLOMATS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Rc-cd. Sent. Hi, 1.30 pan.) LONDON, Sept. 15. “The Germans are bombing all towns and villages in southern and central Poland which presents a terrible picture,” declared a dramatic broadcast by the Lwow radio. “Hitler has given the order to destroy ‘everything you meet in your way.’ It is being executed to the letter. “Siedlce, which had a population of 37,000 people, is almost completely destroyed. Lublin is afire. “German airmen fire on Polish airmen escaping in. parachutes from damaged machines. "These methods have not succeeded in conquering Poland’s spirit of resistance. The German air raids have killed 20,000 civilians, which exceeds the number of military casualties. The towns destroyed include Czestochowa."

The diplomatic corps, including the Papal Nuncio, after inspecting the effects of the bombing of the open town of Krzemieniec, Poland’s third provisional capital, decided to ask their Governments to protest to Bcr-

The English, Hungarian, Belgian, Estonian, Swedish, Dutch and Swiss Ministers contributed to the relief of victims of the bombardment of Krzemieniec where the Germans machine-gunned the crowded market place, killing 30 persons »and wounding 100. Germany had previously ben informed bv the Polish Foreign Office that the diplomatic corns had removed to Krzmicniec.

A Brussels message quotes the Warsaw correspondent oi' the newspaper Independence Beige, who describes the citv as a ruin of desolation. “Many six-storey buildings have collapsed like a nack of cards,” states the correspondent. “Funeral processions traverse the streets unceasingly. The courage of the soldiers js incredible. Many of the wounded are fighting desperately while awaiting medical aid, which is disorganised."