CAPITULATION OF WARSAW

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 4, 29 September 1939, Page 9

CAPITULATION OF WARSAW

Germans Claim Unconditional

Surrender

FORMAL HANDING OVER OF CITY

EXPECTED TODAY

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

Received Sept. 28, 8.30 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 27. The Berlin correspondent of the United Press of America says it is officially announced that Warsaw has capitulated unconditionally. General Blackowitz has been commissioned to carry out negotiations. From Washington it is reported that the German Embassy announced that it had received official information that Warsawcapitulated at 10.30 a.m. Warsaw time. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press says that the German High Command communique claiming that Warsaw unconditionally capitulated says that the city will be handed, over to the Germans on Friday after a 24 hours’ armistice necessitated by the condition of the city and its inhabitants, 3000 of whom fell victims to the bombardment of Tuesday. Unofficial reports state that Warsaw was given over to German troops tonight. Warsaw Radio, before the conclusion of the armistice, disclosed that citizens stood in a daze while houses burned and dead and wounded were left lying in the streets. Modlin still holds out. Thirteen German planes were shot down, bringing the total to 106.

The radio in Berlin announces that Field-Marshal Goering . issued a proclamation on the occasion of the surrender of Warsaw. “The Polish army’s mission was to march to Berlin,” he said, “'but before it could move into action the German dagger struck with lightning strokes. I am proud of 'the German air force. From the first day it decisively dominated the enemy sky. No Polish aeroplane succeeded in flying over German soil.” The proclamation adds: “Now, after the fashion of German soldiers, we again tighten our armour more securely and await the Fuehrer’s next order. Forward for eternal Germany.” Twenty-Second Day of Siege. A Warsaw message headed, “Twentysecond Day of Siege,” said : — “Warsaw has endured an unspeakable inferno during the last 24 hours. Bombing was almost continuous and was coupled with heavy artillery fire. Incendiary bombs increased the number of fires, which are increasingly difficult to combat because of the lack of water. Crowds of refugees escaping from burning and destroyed buildings through the bombed streets were killed and wounded by the thousands. Scenes of indescribable misery have become the daily routine. The troops are fighting with marked heroism and are successfully repulsing the enemy. .Warsaw is being destroyed methodically, one district after another. “The spirit of the population is unshaken and their heroism wonderful. The city hopes against hope that there will be a reply to her SOS for assistance and that she will receive ulti-, mate deliverance, so that her sacrifice, unprecedented throughout history, will not be in vain. Citizens killed, since noon on Monday total 2000. Epidemics are feared. Shells destroyed the last standing hospital in the city, which is almost razed to the ground. Communications withiu the city have broken down owing to fires everywhere.” German Martial Law. Germany has ordered the establishment of martial law in territories in Poland occupied by German troops General von Runstedt takes charge or the military administration and Dr. Franck of the civil administration. In a Soviet broadcast it was stated that the Russian forces in the occupied territory are freeing prisoners indiscriminately in order to find room for arrested Polish officers., noblemen, capitalists, and other enemies of the Soviet regime. Those released paraded in Vilna carrying red banners. Some who w-ere imprisoned for Communist activities have been given responsible posts.’ It is reported from Brussels that the Rumanian Government has permitted President Moscicki, of Poland, to go to Paris, where the formation of a new Polish Ministry is mooted. BOMBING OF KREMIENIEC (British Official Wireless.)

rugby, September 27. Replying to the question in the House of Commons as to whether a statement could .be made regarding the bombing of the Polish town of Ixiemieniec by German aircraft on September 15 and the action of the diplomatic corps, led by the Papal Nuncio, in asking their Governments to protest to Berlin, the Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, said: “His Majesty’s Ambassador was at one period resident in the town in question and reports that it was deliberately bombed with many casualties on September 12. It then contained only the headquarters of tlie Polish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Corps Diplomatique, there 'being no military objectives. I assume this is the occasion to which the member is referring.” ■

VISIT TO TROOPS

Six-Mile Review By King

And Queen

RUGBY, September 27. The King, wearing the kh'aki service uniform of a Field Marshal, drove v. ith the Queen through six miles of cheering men when he visited the troops today. It was the first occasion since the outbreak of war Hint the Queen has accompanied the King on one of his visits to the troops, and Their Majesties were cheered on all sides. CAPTAIN COCHRANE AS AIR AIDE-DE-CAMP LONDON, September 27. The King has appointed Group Captain, the Hon. R. A. Cochrane, Air Aide-de-Camp. Captain Cochrane

served for a period in New Zealand.

COMMERCIAL FLYING MAY BE RESUMED

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 27. It was announced hi the House of Commons that Hie resumption of the regular commercial air service between Britain and France was at present under consideration.