OCCUPIED COUNTRIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 April 1943, Page 6

OCCUPIED COUNTRIES

PENALTY FOR ATROCITIES LONDON, April 4. Two methods of forcing the Germans to respect human life in occupied countries, were suggested at a meeting of representatives of all the Polish organisations in Britain. Firstly, it was urged that Germany be warned that after a certain date, the execution of hostages in any occupied country, would be followed immediately by destruction from the air of a specified place in Germany, and that special Allied squadrons be held in constant readiness. Secondly, that all German civil and military administrations be warned they will be held responsible for the safety of civilian populations in all countries under military occupation, and that these officials must treat the populations in strict accordance with the articles of of The Hague Convention, 1907, failing which the severest punishment will be applied. RESCUE OF JEWS

RUGBY, April 4. A 12-point plan for the speedy and effective rescue of the Jews now threatened with masacre at the hands of the Nazis was discussed at a conference of Anglo-Jewish religious congregations and lay institutions in London. The conference was convened by the Joint Foreign Committee of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Some oi the suggested measures were the possibility of an approach to German and other Axis and satellite governments with a proposal to allow Jews and, particularly Jewish children, to leave enemy-controlled areas; the utmost use of specially favourable opportunities for refuge in Palestine; and the provision of visas for use at the discretion of Consuls of the Governments of neutral countries, particularly Spain, Portugal and Turkey. .

POLES RELEASE PRISONERS

RUGBY, April 5

A band of armed Poles in Warsaw attacked a lorry in which Germans were transporting 24 political prisoners from Gestapo headquarters to the notorious Dawiak Prison, states the Polish Information Bureau. The attack took place in the centre of the city and all the prisoners were liberated, except one who was killed during the shooting. Five of the Gestapo guards were killed and three seriously injured. Before S.S. detachments arrived all traces of the liberated prisoners and the Poles who made the attack had disappeared.