RAPID PUSH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20045, 18 September 1939, Page 8

RAPID PUSH

ENTIRE BORDER TOWNS OCCUPIED FORMER RUSSIAN AREA RUMANIA CONCERNED NEUTR A LTTY ASSUO ANC'ES POSITION OE LITHUANIA (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 18, 2 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 17. First reports from Moscow indicate the Russian occupation of almost the entire length of the frontier of Poland, approximately 500 miles, from Polosk to Mancnez and Podolsk. As German motorised units readied within 100 miles of the Soviet border, the Soviet mobilised further classes, making the strength nearly 4,500,000. The Soviet High Command headquarters on Polish soil radios that the armies are advancing against very weak resistance and have penetrated places 50 miles from the frontier and occupied several former Russian cities in Hie north, including Glubokoo, Volozhin, and Molodeczno. The centres occupied include Baranowicze in the south and also Stavropol, Rovno and Dubno.

The Cernauti correspondent of the American Associated Press states that infantry, with monster tanks which formed the spearhead, advanced in southern Poland without resistance and had penetrated 37 miles at some points by noon and had reached kilemea.* Tile Polish troops behind Zaleszcyki were virtually without oflieers. Many oflicers din not wait to change into mufti before crossing into Rumania, where they were interned. Some swam the Dneisier River. Among the mass of vehicles pouring in were two fire engines and a ladder truck from Cracow loaded with refugees. Refugees from Warsaw said Hie bombardment played havoc, particularly in the Jewish quarter. A large bomb and the subsequent fire Killed 100 people who were sheltering in one house The Bucharest correspondent ol the British United Press says that consternation followed the news of Uussia’s march into Poland. The two main movements were from Kaimietz and Pololski in order to prevent retreating Poles entering Rumania, whose Government had stated it would intern them, and irony Vitebsk, to cut off the Poles withdrawing from the Vilna province into Latvia. An unconfirmed report states that Russia has given an assurance that she will respect'Rumania’s neutrality and territory. A message from Kovno states that no Lithuanian move is expected against Vilna. The Polish town is claimed as Lithuanian, being so recognised by the Russo-Lithuanan Peace Treaty of 1930. Lithuania is not taking advantage of Poland's desperate si.uation. She is willing to settle the question by negotiation. Meanwhile she is strengthening her forces on the Polish frontier.