A DAMNING DOCUMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20951, 2 November 1939, Page 7

A DAMNING DOCUMENT

SOVIET AND AMERICA

A SENSATION

PEOPLE STARVING

VESSEL MISSING

The barristers state that the investigations brought to light so much corroboration of the evidence of gross ill-treatment that they “think it right to make public some of the facts proved to our satisfaction.”

“We have only accepted the allegations which have been corroborated and in our opinion proved.

“The witnesses told their stories with obvious reluctance, being afraid, in the event of identification, of reprisals against their relatives still in Germany. Before leaving the concentration camp each man was warned against ever saying what he had suffered or seen or was told, and that the Nazis have their spies everywhere.

"We feel that the most lasting injuries of these unfortunate people are Intangible, and will be measured for the rest of their lives in shattered nerves and broken physique.

“One professional man. when advised to try to forget what he had • suffered, replied: 'I can never do that. I dream so often about the concentration camp.’ A distressing feature of a number of the cases is the inevitable breaking up and parting of families.” Deaths in Camps Further extracts from the letter follow: “We have heard of cases where the arrest of a father was followed in a few days by the notification that he was ill in prison or in a concentration camp, the locality of which was not sacrificed. The report followed later that he had died. In due * course a box purporting to contain his remains was brought to the house, with a demand for 500 marks —the expense of cremation. “Accounts of journeys by rail to a prison or concentration camp are almost unbelievable. On one specific journey, of which there is abundant evidence, three men in one waggon were shot and their bodies thrown out of the window because they complained of the heat. On this journey we are satisfied that at least seven men were murdered. “On arrival at the concentration camp young and old had to run between ranks of Black Guards, who beat them on the shoulders with sticks or prodded them with bayonets. Meanwhile they were blinded and bewildered by a searchlight in their faces. Old Men Kicked “We were told of old men falling down and being kicked on the ground. Striking was common and uncontrolled. One man was told by a guard to strike with a spade a friend of his, formerly a judge. “In his judicial capacity the latter had sentenced two Nazis to death for a criminal offence. The witness | ’ refused to do it, and he was immediately bayoneted in the arm. Soon after the judge died in camp. “A doctor who worked for six months in a concentration camp put; the mortality rate during this period 1 at 10 per cent. Of those 15 per cent died from injuries, and the remain- | der mostly from pneumonia or diphtheria. It was impossible to provide proper treatment for the latter.” Varieties of Punishments The letter describes the varieties of punishments inflicted for trivial offences. One was to make the prisoner stand with his chin well forward and to play a jet of water continuously on his face. Every time the victim, from discomfort or exhaustion, lowered his chin a sentry struck him violently. Others were made to crawl naked over broken granite. Sometimes the inmates of a hut would be left without a light or fire for weeks at a time. On another occasion they were compelled to stand out of doors in their night dresses through a January night. The letter states that

“the men from whom we heard these accounts represent every class—doctors, lawyers, Rabbis merchants, skilled mechanics, clerks, etc. There were a few of the labouring class. The majority were well educated, and obviously of considerable ability—many speak and understand English.”

Britain has asked Italy to permit ‘4he appointment of a British Con-Sil-General at Tirana, where the administrative difficulties, which have -been considerable since Italy took /’over Albania, have increased owing J to the war.

NAZI FIENDISHNESS EXPOSED BRITISH BARRISTERS’ STATEMENT CORROBORATION OF ALLEGATIONS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 2, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 1 Six eminent barristers, including Sir George Bonner, late senior master of the Supreme Court and King’s Remembrancer, Mr Tristram Beresford, K.C., Mr Trevor H. Hunter, K.C., chancellor of the diocese of Swansea and Brecon, Mr Walter B. Odgers, K.C., and Mr John H. Thorpe, K.C., Recorder of Blackburn, all of whom are members of Home Office tribunals which determined the status of 3600 Jewish refugees from Germany, have written to the Times corroborating the statements in the White Paper on Nazi brutality.

CRITICISM OF M. MOLOTOFF “A FRAGRANT VIOLATION” DEMAND FOR RECALL (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlfjtit) (Received November 2, 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON Nov. 1 Congressman McCormack (Massachusetts) demanded the recall of the Ambassador to Russia, alleging that M. Molotoff’s opposition to the embargo repeal is a “flagrant violation of international law.” A White House secretary said it was more than a coincidence that M. Molotoff criticised Mr Roosevelt simultaneously with the important neutrality vote scheduled in the House.

OPINION IN FINLAND DELAY IN NEGOTIATIONS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlgdtj LONDON, Nov. 1 M. MolotofT’s speech has created a sensation, as it is held that he violated an agreement that neither side should reveal the nature of the matters negotiated, says the Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press. The Finnish Government is considering what steps shall be taken in view of the Soviet’s demands being made public.

The Finnish Cabinet, which met immediately after M. MolotofT’s speech, had a long session and issued a comment at 4.30 this morning, says another report. The reference to the delay in the continuation of the negotiations is not clear. It is reported that the first reaction of the Finnish Government was to recall the delegation. This decision, however, was not made and the delegation was allowed to proceed.

The Finnish delegation now en route to Moscow comprises Dr. Paasikivi and M. Tanner, together with a member of Parliament, M. Nieukamen, and Colonel Pasonen, aide-de-camp to the President, M. Kallio. Mr Roosevelt, at a press conference to-day, declined to comment on M. MolotofT’s charges, says a message from Washington.

CONDITIONS IN WARSAW DESTRUCTION BY NAZIS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 1. Another instance of Nazi brutality is given by a Pole who escaped from Warsaw only last week. The refugee states that one-fifth of Warsaw’s 25,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. The Germans have also destroyed all factories and works, and the employees are almost starving. Sabotage has been made punishable by death. Large numbers of young men, mostly Jews, are being taken away to build fortifications on the new frontier with Russia.

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE CUTTER RUSHES TO HELP (United Press A^sn.—Elnr. tpl. Coovrlfrht) LONDON, Nov. 1 The British freighter Coulmore, of 3670 tons, sent a wireless message asking for help, as she had sighted a submarine, and then was silent, says a message from New York. The United States coastguard cutter Campbell is hurrying to the position given, approximately 450 miles east of Massachusetts.

The Vatican City radio reports that the German censors have been ordered to ban all articles against Communism and militant atheism, even if intended for publication in religious journals.

In order to finance purchases by the United Kingdom of war supplies a fund of 91,00u,000 dollars has been established through the repatriation of Canadian securities held in London. It is estimated that British holdings of Canadian investments exceed 2,000,000,000 dollars.