LIQUIDATION OF POLAND

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 2, 27 September 1939, Page 9

LIQUIDATION OF POLAND

Immediate Move Likely

RUSSIAN AND GERMAN CO-OPERATION

Further Acceleration

By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received Sept. 26, 11.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 26. The Berlin correspondent of the “New York Times” says neutral diplomatic circles assume that cooperation between Russia and Germany will be further accelerated this week. It is understood that _ the geographic and political liquidation of Poland is being undertaken immediately. Warsaw’s fate is not indicated, but it is inferred that it may be included in a quasi-protectorate or given to the Soviet. There is no doubt that Russia and Germany are completely agreed that the Polish problem can be solved entirely between them. The final settlement will constitute a notification to Britain that Europe is no longer “a playground for her diplomacy.” The Moscow correspondent of the “New York Times” says the distribution of a revolutionary leaflet in the Ukraine and White Russian areas of Poland has surprised circles which believed that the Soviet had abandoned the spreading of revolutionary principles and was pursuing a purely Napoleonic policy as the genuine allies of Germany. . Should the Red army pursue similar revolutionary tactics in the purely Polish areas toeing taken over from the Germans it would finally dispose o. the theory that Russia agreed to a buffer Polish State, which would demand that the purely Polish territory now occupied by Russia be added to that occupied by the Germans. It is difficult to imagine Germany allowing a revolutionary Soviet system to be established in German-occupied territory. A buffer state, therefore, seems excluded. It is more likely that the Soviet will carry propaganda to the agreed frontier from where it will inevitably percolate through the German areas. The Soviet apparently anticipated that the buffer state would have a,fascist character and refused to agree to it. HEROIC DEFENCE OF MODLIN Now Cut Off From Warsaw LONDON, September 25. A message from Warsaw states that J he heroic defence of the Modlin fortress, which the Germans have cut off from Warsaw, continues, despite attacks from every side. Polish nocturnal sorties on the left bank of the Vistula resulted in the capture of prisoners.

A message from Budapest says that radio announcers of “Warsaw One,” the city’s sole means of communication with the outer world for 18 days, continue to defy the Germans. They are maintaining hourly commentaries on the siege, disseminating official orders and casualties, and appealing to the Allies for help.

The Budapest correspondent of “The Times” says that the former Polish employees of the natural gas works in Galicia report that the Germans blew up pipe lines, pumping stations. and refineries supplying fuel to Lemberg, in order to prevent them from falling into Russian hands. Move to Demarcation Line.

A. communique issued by the German High Command says that the movement of German troops toward the line of demarcation continues without friction and in perfect unison. Hussion units and diving bombers repeatedly attacked military objectives. Warsaw ha.s been isolated. A message from Moscow says that the wireless reports the shooting of captured Polish officers and landed gentry who resisted the Russian occupation of Grodnp. They had taken refuge in a cathedral, which was desperately defended, for tjvo days. Russians, under cover of tanks, crept to the walls and hurled hand grenades through a window. Polish snipers killed a number of Russian officers, as a result of which the Russians retaliated and shot all captives of rank, but spared private soldiers. A number of Polish officers fought for two days on Count Lubomirski’s estate before they were captured and shot. POLISH REFUGEES High Officials Interned In Rumania LONDON, September 25. The Bucharest correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that the Rumanian Government has interned uniformed Polish officers and .soldiers and officials, including President Moscicki, Colonel Beck, and Marshal Smigly-Rydz. It is estimated that 12,000 officers and soldiers have been interned in military camps, apart from 10,000 civil servants, while uncounted thousands of civilians have crossed the Dniester and Pruth Rivers and are scattered throughout Rumania. Hungary ha.s 100,000 refugees and does not. want any more. The Yugoslavian authorities are refusing visas because the country is overcrowded with Albanians, Austrians and Czechoslovakians. POLISH SUBMARINE Surrender To Sweden STOCKHOLM. September 25. The Polisli submarine Zbik, with her emergency rations exhausted, has surrendered to the Swedish authorities. She was disarmed and interned. The Zbik was at sea for 24 days and her complement of five officers and 49 wen Was exhalisted. She bad been sever.il times in action against German warships but escaped despite depth charges.

By special arrangement Reuter’s world service, in nililltiou to other special sources of information, is used in the compilation of the overseas intelligence published in this issue, and all rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserve*-