CLASHES IN DENMARK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 198, 21 August 1943, Page 5

CLASHES IN DENMARK

Germans Killed And Nazi Trains Bombed

GREAT WAVE OP SABOTAGE

Rec. 1.30 pjfc. LONDON, Aug. 20. Denmark's simmering unrest was manifested in clashes between Danes and Germans which were the culmination of a week of sabotage in Danish factories working for the Germans, says Reuters Stockholm correspondent. The Danes killed 16 Germans on Fyen Island, to which Danish police had been sent. Bombs have been thrown at German trains passing through Denmark.

A state of emergency was declared at Svendbork, Odense and several other towns. An eleventh hour attempt to achieve a compromise is being made under the threat of a general strike if the German demands are not withdrawn.

King Christian is expected to meet Dr. Werner Best, the German Minister, to-morrow to discuss the German demands resulting from the wave of sabotage. German extremists are demanding the withdrawal of Dr. Best and his replacement by General Hannecken, German Commander-in-Chief in Denmark, who is known for his advocacy of terrorism practised in Norway.

Authentic details of the sabotage and strikes leading to the present crisis show, firstly, that over 60 Danish factories were sabotaged in one week, and, secondly, that a general strike at Esbjerg lasted from August 7 to 12. All factories, municipal offices, shops, banks, schools and newspapers closed down. The police helped the strikers.

Earlier reports stated that on Wednesday night 60 factories were dynamited. It was stated that the saboteurs wrecked war factories more thoroughly and extensively than could Allied bombers.

The Danish Parliament met in an extraordinary session yesterday. It is believed that the Germans will be forced to take drastic measures to cope with the situation.