ARMY V. GESTAPO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1939, Page 5

ARMY V. GESTAPO

EVIDENCE OF GROWING JEALOUSY SEEN IN OCCUPIED POLISH TERRITORY. PRIESTS AND WOMEN SHOT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 27. Reports of conditions in Polish territory in German occupation—other than the official Nazi version of events—are not easy to come by, but the most recent intelligence received in London through reliable channels affords striking evidence of growing jealousy between the army and the Gestapo. The army resents the increasing authority given to the Gestapo, and there is obviously lack of co-ordination between them. Undoubtedly Polish patriots derive much encouragement from this state of affairs, which strengthens their determination to resist and fortifies their confidence in the ultimate victory of the Allies. Thus Germany is obliged to maintain large armed forces in the occupied territory to prevent major risings as much as to deal with the guerrilla operations of Polish bands still hiding in the forests. According to information in which considerable confidence may be placed, the Gestapo, wherever their authority is supreme, confiscate all real estate, as well as commercial and industrial undertakings belonging to Poles. Proprietors are put into concentration camps or deported to Germany. It is believed that in four provinces alone 15.000 have been shot, including many priests and women. Something resembling systematic and ruthless extermination of natural or potential leaders among Poles appears to be in progress. The arrest early in November and the deportation to Germany of all but three professors of the Jagellonian University, of Cracow, is sufficient in this connection.