BRAVE PROTEST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 251, 20 September 1940, Page 7

BRAVE PROTEST.

BY LITTLE LUXEMBURG.

AGAINST NAZI HEEL,

(British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 11.45 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 19. On September 9 a declaration was made by the Government of Luxemburg concerning the violation by Germany of the neutrality and integrity of the Grand Duchy. The full text has now arrived in London, and states:—

“In violation of the assurance given at the outbreak of the war to respect the integrity and neutrality of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, the Reich invaded and occupied the Grand Duchy with her troops during the night of May 9 and 10. The Grand Duchess and her Government left the country as a protest against this act of violence, and for the purpose of freezing their actions from the pressure of the invader and so as to be able to defend the interests of their own country in freedom among other, free nations. “Before leaving, the Government gave instructions to the administrative authorities of Luxemburg who were re maining in the country with a view to ensuring the continuity of the civil administration during the military oceupaton. These measures were in aecorance with international law, but the measures decreed since May 10 for the administration of the Grand Duchy soon showed the real intentions of the Reich towards this country. “A few days after the invasion, the country was declared enemy territory and after the short transitional period the military administration was replaced by a gauleiter. This gauleiter entered the town of Luxemburg at the head of a foj'ce of German police.

NAZI OPPRESSION

“In a speech made on this occasion the gauleiter proclaimed that Luxemburg s population was, in fact, or German character. Little by* little, the gauleiter suppressed the use of the French language, which for a generation had been the official language of the country. He ordered the exclusive use of the German tongue; he declared the Constitution abolished, and released officials from the oath of loyalty to the Grand Duchess; he forbade the use of the terms Grand Duchy and country of Luxemburg.

“The Grand Duchess and her Government protest solemnly against these actions, which violate tional law and the treaties and promises given by Germany. They will never recognise their validity. Never in any way, past or present, has the attitude of the Grand Duchess or the Grand Ducal Government, or the attitude of the people, given the slightest justification for this gross injustice committed by the Reich against a little country wishing to live in peace among its neighbours.

“The authorities of the Reich have done all they could since May 10 to prevent the Grand Duchess and the Government from making contact with the people of Luxemburg. Nevertheless, the Grand Duchess and her Government know that in making this protest they are acting with the full agreement of the people of Luxemburg who, if they were free to demonstrate their feelings, would not fail to demonstrate their wish to remain free and independent, as they were proud to do a year ago when, with universal enthusiasm, they celebrated the independence of the Grand Duchy.”