PUBLIC EXECUTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 24002, 29 September 1941, Page 3

PUBLIC EXECUTIONS

NAZI BRUTALITY IN OCCUPIED COUNTRIES UNREST AND SABOTAGE CONTINUES LONDON, Sept. 27. . The Germans are indulging in. public executions in occupied iOuroipe in retaliation of sabotage. They publicly shot a total of JO Serbians in the three towns of Malenci, Kumani, and Mokriu for the destruction of crops. The Germans bung up the corpses and compelled the townsfolk to file past. A special court in Paris sentenced to death three alleged Communists, including a former deputy, for an explosion in a land-mined area which was under military guard. They cut the Simplon railway and wrecked a goods train near Castle Cbillon just after a passenger train had passed, and seven people wore killed. The Swiss are holding an inquiry. The Czech correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says that the military authorities in Berlin are inquiring into the cause of repeated train accidents in Czoeho-Slovnkia, most of which are occurring between the industrial areas in Austria ami the war zones in Russia. Troop trains and goods trains keep colliding, and the goods arrive damaged. Distances of 300 miles normally covered’ in three days are taking over a month. ATTEMPT ON PREMIER’S LIFE. The production at the Skoda works dropped ‘lO per cent, in August, and lires have broken out there. An unsuccessful attempt has been made on the life of the puppet Premier of Slovakia, according to an independent report from Jerusalem. Nothing else is known in London, except that the assailant was an officer of the Slovak army, and lie has been arrested.

It is announced in Berlin that Baron von Neurath at his own request has been temporarily relieved of tho position of protector of Bohemia and Moravia because of illness. He will be succeeded by Reinhard Hcydrich, the German security chief. A state of siege has been introduced following disturbances in Bohemia and Moravia. Herr Hcydrich, who is second to Herr Himmler at the head of the Gestapo; has been given power to use any method he chooses to stamp out Czech resistance.

Within Germany itself two persons have been sentenced to death for listening to foreign broadcasts and passing on information. A Budapest message says that the town of Uzico is reported to have been destroyed by Stukas and artillery in action against the guerrillas who have been responsible for destroying railways. Three hundred guerrillas and 20 Croat mpmhers of the army were killed in a tliree-day battle at Doboj. DISCONTENT IN LOWLANDS. The 1 Vrijnederwand ’ says that news has reached London that the soldier son of General Christiansen, German Military Governor in Holland, has disappeared in Holland. It is believed that he is one of the “ Dutch canal victims.” Frantic efforts by the Germans to trace Christiansen have failed. Twenty Communists in Belgium held as hostages were, executed as a reprisal for attempts to bomb German transport trains and French trains in northern France. Unrest is also growing in Luxembourg since the arrest of the Archbishop of Luxembourg for failure to preach the doctrine of collaboration with Germany.

IN AMERICAN PORTS THREE MORE ALLIED WARSHIPS NAMED WASHINGTON, Sept. 26. The navy announced to-day the names of three additional British and French warships in United States ports which are undergoing repairs—namely, the submarine Parthian, the destroyer Burnham, and the Free French submarine Surcouf. The last-named is the heaviest submarine afloat, displacing 2,880 tons, and is equipped to carry a small seaplane. FREE AUSTRIAN COUNCIL MOVEMENT IN UNITED STATES WASHINGTON, Sept. 27. Hr Willibald Prochl has announced the formation of a Free Austrian National Council, with M. Hans Rott as leader and himself as Chancellor. In view of the special circumstances of the present Austrian situation, M. Rott has assumed the position of Acting President of Austria. AMERICAN LEGION PRESIDENT’S POLICY SUPPORTED WASHINGTON, September 26. Mr Lynn Stambaugh, the newlyelected commander of the American Legion, called at the White House today and formally presented the resolutions adopted by the National Convention. Mr Roosevelt said ho was very much heartened and encouraged by the support of the American Legion, and he expressed! bis thanks to Mr Stambaugh. [The National Convention of the American Legion, which formerly favoured non-intervention, recently gave unanimous approval of a resolution favouring the releasing of the army and the navy from geographical limitations so that armed forces could be carried to the enemy front lines. The resolution called for national unity in the national objective of defeating Hitler and all he stands for. The convention also favoured the repeal of the Neutrality Act.] ANTI-AIRCRAFT WORK MISS MARY CHURCHILL PASSES TEST LONDON, Sept. 27. Miss Mary Churchill, the youngest daughter of the Prime Minister, recently joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Having now passed the preliminary selection test for anti-aircraft work, she will shortly be posted to a mixed battery for technical training in the operation of anti-aircraft fire control instruments.