SABOTAGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 9 July 1941, Page 5

SABOTAGE

WORKERS' WAR ON HITLER FAILURE TO CONSOLIDATE EUROPE London, July 7, When Hitler launched his campaign against Russia he hoped to consolidate Europe. He hoped his battle-cry of “Culture versus Bolshevism’” would turn his enemies into friends over night. As usual he under-estimated the hatred which his regime has inspired. Men in occupied countries and in countries such as Rumania and gary, sold into slavery by their leaders, saw in the outbreak of this battle a heaven-sent opportunity to cause more effective damage to the German v. ar machine than they had yet been ; able to achieve. In just one week news | of sabotage has come in from the Balkans, the Baltic countries and the Netherlands. In each territory people are seizing their chance of crippling the colossus. From Rumania under German protection comes the damaging admission of internal disorder, secret agents and mass executions. “Terrorist agents I have already been arrested and attempts at acts of aggression have been ! suppressed. Five hundred Jewush Communists have been shot at Jassy for having fired on German soldiers. All further attempts at disturbing order will be mercilessly suppressed • Rumanian communique, 30th June.) Five hundred people were ready to be sacrificed. How many more were in sympathy with these men? In Hungary, a signatory to the Three-Powers Pact and a fully-fledg-ed member of the Axis, sabotage in war industries is reaching such serious proportions that the authorities can no longer conceal it. On 27th June Hungarian broadcasts are obliged to report explosions in military store houses and fires in an oil refinery, but the cause of these disasters is never explained. Greece, conquered by weight alone and then humiliated by being handed over to the Italians whom she had beaten, has made up her mind what to do. Every shell, every drop of fuel that does not reach the Germans brings the day of their final destiuction nearer. Reports from Cairo on 27th June stated that Greek saboteurs had blown up five munitions ships in Piraeus, the port of Athens, and had set lire to Shell oil installations in the harbour. By such deeds the Greeks show their determination that Hitler shall not win. In Norway, Terboven, the German Commissioner, has passed stringent laws to prevent an uprising. Bergen and its neighbourhood were proclaimed forbidden zones. During the hour* ol curfew, from 9.0 p.m. to 5 a.m., no Norwegian may even part his curtains to look out of the window. Such extremes are a measure of Nazi fear. Holland has been a thorn in th* Nazi side for more than a year. Soldiers stationed in Dutch territory have long been uneasy guests. Submarine* commissioned and built in Dutch shipyards have met with mysterious accidents. Explosions at the Ammsfoort factory is Holland’s latest answer to Hitler. The “Vriji Nederland” of 27th June tells a story of the oestruction of many tons of bombs destined for the use of the Luftwaffe. Explosions that could be heard at a distance of six miles must have brought joy to (he hearts of many Dutchmen. Sabotage will go on. The countries which Germany dominates are many—the territory which she polices is very large. Not even German efficiency can hope to avoid gaps in supervision when, the whole of Europe is involved. Quislings, members of the Gestapo and paid agents are all fallible, open to bribes, apt to overlook essentfals. The people of conquered countries watch for those gaps and use them.