SEIZURE OF DANZIG

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1939, Page 5

SEIZURE OF DANZIG

FOERSTER’S DECLARATION FREE CITY CONSTITUTION CANCELLED. LONDON, September 1. The Berlin radio announces that the Nazi leader in Danzig, Herr Foerster, has communicated the following proclamation to Herr Hitler: “My Fuehrer, I have just signed a constitutional law concerning the reunion of Danzig with the Reich from September 1 and have put it in force. I express the need of the people of the state of the Free City in the following constitutional law:— “Article One: The Constitution of the Free City of Danzig is cancelled with immediate effect. “Article Two: All legislative and executive power is in the hands of the head of the State. "Article Three: The Free City with its territory and population l shall immediately form part of the territory or the German Reich. “Article Four: Till the Fuehrer makes a definite decision-about the introduction of the German law all legal provisions of the Constitution remain in force as at present. “I ask you, my Fuehrer, in the name of Danzig and its population to agree to this constitutional law and carry out the incorporation. The eternal gratitude and everlasting faith of Danzig is devotedly pledged to you—(Signed) Foerster.” RETURN TO THE REICH. Herr Foerster later issued the following proclamation to the Danzigers: “Men and women of Danzig, the hour you have been longing for for 20 years has come. This day Danzig has returned to the Reich. Our Fuehrer has freed us. The swastika flag is flying lor the first time from the public buildings in Danzig. It also flies from the former Polish buildings, and everywhere in the harbour, from the towers of the ancient Town Hall, and from Saint Mary’s Church. Danzig’s bells ring the hour of liberation. “We thank God He gave the Fuehrer power and opportunity of freeing us from the evil of the Versailles dictate We Danzigers are happy to be able to become citizens of the Reich. We wish to stand together in this solemn hour and stretch out our hand to take a solemn oath to the Fuehrer to do everything in our power for the glorious Greater Germany. Long live German Danzig. Long live the German Fatherland.” Herr Hitler replied to Herr Foerster. “I acknowledge your proclamation of the return of the Free City to the Reich. I thank you, my Gauleiter (district leader) and all the Danzigers for the loyalty which you have displayed for so many years. Greater Germany welcomes you with joy in her heait. The law of the reunion will be exactec. forthwith. I appoint you, Herr Foerster, chief of the civil administration in the Danzig territory—Signed, Adolf Hitler.” REICHSTAG APPROVAL (Received This Day, 8.5 am.) BERLIN. September 1. The Reichstag unanimously accepted a law for the incorporation of Danzig in the Reich. Herr Hitler announced to the Reichstag that Danzig now belongs to Germany.