ON ALL FRONTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 276, 4 September 1939, Page 7

ON ALL FRONTS

POLES RESISTING FIERCELY. several AIR RAIDS' ON WARSAW CONFLICTING REPORTS OF SUCCESSES. Uuited Press Association— Copyright.) LONDON. September 2. The Berlin correspondent of the “New York Times” says that the Germans are reported to be 50 miles from Warsaw. A major battle is developing along the Narew River. it is reported from New York that tin; Warsaw correspondent of the United Press of America says it is semi-officially announced that the Polish troops entered East Prussia neai Neutsehcylau, apparently endeavouring to get behind the German army which is attempting to cut off the Corridor from the rest of Poland: This section is attempting to contact the German army advancing from the other side. A* Warsaw report says that a General staff communique claims that Poles captured two German armoured tiains. The Poles are still defending Westerplatte, guarding the Hel peninsula. A Paris message says that the British United Press reports that the German army was unable to develop its offensive. According to wireless reports from Warsaw, the German troops are in no position to follow up their surprise offensive, and have suffered heavy casualties. The correspondent of the Associated Press of America at Warsaw reports that the Poles are spiritedly fighting back on three fronts. tV report from Zurich says that tli ere was heavy fighting between the Germans and Poles in the Carpathians, most intense in the mountainous parts of Jargov and Zakopane. The Germans crossed the Carpathian ridge, beating back the Polish defences, but the Poles counter-attacked and regained part of the ground lost. Detachments of Poles are engaged in guerilla warfare at the rear of the German line. German broadcasting stations claim that troops from East Prussia in the Graudenz area contacted troops from the other side of the Corridor, thus cutting off the Poles at the northern end of tlie Corridor. A Zurich message states that there is a heav,v offensive on the Silesian front, most severe at Katowice. The 3rd Army is striking from East Prussia, and the 4th Army, with its base at Sehneidenmuehle, on the opposite side of the Corridor, lias as its objective Nakel, on the railway’ line to Thord. There is heavy fighting on tiro River Netze. The Polish army has bases at Graudenz, Culm, and Bromberg. It is authoritatively stated that the Germans have taken Czestochowa. An army communique issued in Berlin claims that Teschen has been occupied. Later, a High Comnfand communique says: “We continued the advance this morning from all points, and also quickly forced Jablunka Pass with the help of aircraft and annihilated numerous aeroplanes at Polish aerodrome,s which were attacked and destroyed.” The first German war communique states that military operations are proceeding in Silesia, Pomerania, and East Prussia. They have brought the expected preliminary successes. German troops are approaching the river Gratz, half-way across the Polish Corridor, and are advancing steadily from the west. In East Prussia, the Germans are fighting on Polish soil. German naval vessels have taken up positions in the Bay of (Danzig. Gdynia was bombed. A Polish communique claims that German troops were repulsed by iPolevS in East Prussia. It is claimed that a German armoured train has been captured, and that seven German aeroplanes have been shot down —throe'at Cracow and four at Gdynia. The Polish Embassy in London reports that many lives, including those of women and children, were lost in the air raid on Warsaw, and that communication lias been suspended except by radio. The Warsaw correspondent of the British United Press says it is authoritatively learned that the first German raids began at 4.30 a.m. at five unspecified points. The attacking squadrons were apparently not large and the extent of the damage, is unknown. Residents of Gleiwitz, in Silesia, reported artillary fire in the distance at 5.30 a.m. Warsaw- reports that the air raids started simultaneously at 5 a.m. at Westerplatte, Puck, Dzialdowo, and Hotnice. The casualties at Cracow and Katowice are stated to be small, but the number is unknown. The Warsaw correspondent of the British United Press reports a fourth sik raid warning at 12.40 p.m., when the citizens calmly and speedily sought shelter. Ten minutes later the heavy thuds of anti-aircraft guns were heard to the west. Apparently the nil defences are sufficient because' the raider or raiders were driven off before the citizens heard their engines. “All clear” ivas sounded at 12.57 p.m. In Warsaw, a Polish Foreign Office

spokesman stated: “The Germans started military action shortly after 7 a.m. in different -points of the frontier. This is undoubtedly German aggression against Poland. Military action is now developing.” The Warsaw correspondent of tho United Press of America states that it is officially announced that the Germans bombed the railroad stations in three Polish towns. It is very difficult to obtain reliable accounts of the fighting. The reports are often contradictory and confusing. Few are coining direct from Poland, the first for some hours being from Mr Edward Beattie, the British United Pi ■ess correspondent in Warsaw, who states that the raids on Warsaw appear to have been of a light character and intended to produce reaction among the population, which, however, is taking it very calmly. Germany is carrying out a direct offensive "in the direction of Upper Silesia, which will be very effective in cutting off South Poland and stopping war materials from Rumania. It is stated that the offensive is proceeding to Czestochowa and also to Dzialdown. The Poles do not believe that a. big offensive is likely from East Prussia, where the garrison is believed to be weak. Further raids were made on Gdynia, Vilna, and Silesian mining districts.

THIRD APPEAL LIKELY. ROOSEVELT’S EFFORTS FORPEACE. NEW YORK, September 1. Although Herr Hitler has ignored two previous messages, it is believed in Washington, according to the United Press of America, that Mr Roosevelt will make a new and broader peace appeal if he is convinced that negotiations have broken down. It is expected to include' Britain and France, as well as Germany and [Poland, this time. There is also considerable talk that he may reconvene Congress to discuss the repeal of the arms embargo. Mr Roosevelt has stated that this step is likely when war appears certain. TURKEY SHOCKED. THE RUSSO’GERMAN PACT. ATTITUDE TO THE ALLIES. LONDON, August 25. Political circles in Turkey are shocked at what is regarded as the Soviet’s' sensational clijmge of policy, which, involves a new Peace Front alignment. Britain, France, Poland, Rumania and Greece stand unitedly as members of the Peace Front, but- Turkey presents a problem. Britain’s guarantee to Turkey remains as a solid section of the peace structure. These undertakings have not yet been committed to writing Similarly the guarantees to Rumania and Greece are not yet backed by written documents, which are being prepared. It is expected that they will be signed soon. Poland and Turkey, at either end of the “Peace Axis,” are strategic keypoints. Turkey’s importance in the event of war in tho Mediterranean can hardly be overestimated, seeing that she controls' the Dardanelles, and can facilitate or prevent assistance reaching Rumania. There is a certain anxiety in some British and French Government circles, which are contemplating the position in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea if Turkey ceased to be. an ally. There is no room at present to suppose that Turkey will secede from her fervent anti-axis attitude. It is recognised that Turkey, conceivably will decide to follow Russia into the neutrality canip. If Turkey maintained a benevolent neutrality toward Britain and France, her services in the- cause against aggression—while greatly diminished compared with her services- as an active participant in a war —would bei considerable. It is deemed possible that Tui’lcey will choose strict neutrality, which would seriously hamper British and French war moves, but it is not at all likely that Turkey will adopt an attitude hostile to her present allies. Best-informed observers, while awaiting Turkey’s decision, are hopeful, even confident, that she will remain an enthusiastic ally of the Peace Front Powers.