STRONG PROTEST

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21223, 20 September 1940, Page 6

STRONG PROTEST

FATE OF LUXEMBURG DESIRE FOR FREEDOM MESSAGE TO PEOPLE (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 20, 3.15 p.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 an 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. “The Grand Duchess and her Government left the country as a protest against this act of violence and for the purpose of freeing 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 the other free nations. Before leaving the Government gave instructions to the adminstrative authorities of Luxemburg who were remaining in the country with a view to ensuring a continuity of the civil administration during the military occupation. The measures were in accordance with international law. “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 a short transitional period the military administration was replaced by a Gauliter. This Gauliter entered the town of Luxemburg at the head’ of a force of German police. In a speech madq on this occasion the Gauliter proclaimed that Luxemburg’s population was, in fact, of German character. “Little by little the Gauliter 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 that the Constitution had been abolished and released officials from their oath of loyalty to the Grand Duchess. He forbade the use of the .terms “Grand Duchy” and “Country of Luxemburg.” Treaties and Promises Violated “The Grand Duchess and her Government protest solemnly against these actions, which violate international law and the treaties and promises give-n 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 nor 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.

GREAT EXPLOSIONS

DAMAGE ON THF. CONTINENT ROYAL AIR FORCE SUCCESS INVASION BASES BOMBED (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 20, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 19 While the main attack on Le Havre was in progress other sections of Wednesday’s night’s large raiding force were ranging the French, Dutch and Belgian coast lines, bombarding invasion bases at Boulogne, Calais, Dieppe, Dunkirk, Zeebrugge, Ostend, Flushing and Antwerp. At Boulogne low cloud hampered the attackers, and several raiders cruised for over an hour in the vicinity of the targets, awaiting a break in the clouds and a favourable opportunity to attack.

Sticks of bombs were then dropped across the dock from Loubet Basin to the tidal harbour.

An electric power-house is believed to have struck at Dieppe, where a violent explosion and a bluish-green was followed the bursting of a salvo of bombs. During the raid on Ostend one of the attacking aircraft, flying at 1500 feet, was turned over on its back by the blast of a great explosion which followed the burst of a bomb.

The docks at Flushing were subjected to twenty minutes’ intense bombardment. Many bursts were seen in the target area and on the dockside buildings, and explosions broke out on the quaysides. Among several extensive fires started by the raiders one could be seen for a quarter of an hour after leaving the docks. Among other objectives attacked was a big railway yard at Brussels, where fires broke out and caused explosions, which continued for twenty minutes. The long-range gun emplacements at Cap Gris Nez were again bombed, and after a low-level attack by one bomber the crew observed quantities of material flung into the air. A few minutes later, several miles out to sea, the same crew saw the flash of a great explosion.