LULL ENDS ON FRONT

Southland Times, Issue 24011, 29 December 1939, Page 5

LULL ENDS ON FRONT

Another 60 Days Of Winter POSSIBLE ATTACK IN FEBRUARY . (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) ■ (Received December 28, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, December 27. The Christmas lull on the Western Front has ended. The fog lifted and both sides sent out numerous reconnaissance parties, particularly between the Luxembourg frontier and the Saar river, with the object of discovering whether the lull had been employed to make important changes or reinforce outposts. Contact with the enemy involving sustained fighting is reduced to a minimum.

It is pointed out that another 60 days at the most remain before winter conditions in the military sense cease to exist. The Allies must be prepared for an enemy offensive at the end of February at the latest. The German Official News Agency complains that the Allies’ military operations frequently disturbed the Christmas peace', “upsetting the Christmas mood of the German troops who made every effort to keep the peace and avoided activity conducive to fighting. Enemy patrols, however, repeatedly forced the adoption of the offensive.”

The Berlin morning communique says that, except for feeble enemy artillery fire, the front is quiet.

ILL-TREATMENT OF POLES LARGE ARMED FORCES IN REPUBLIC JEALOUSY BETWEEN ARMY AND GESTAPO (British Official Wireless) (Received December 28, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, December 27. Reports of conditions in the Polish territory in German occupation—other than, the official Nazi version of events —are not easy to come by, but the most recent intelligence received in London through reliable channels affords striking evidence >f the growing jealousy between the army and the Gestapo. The army resents the increasing authority given to the Gestapo and there is obviously a lack of co-ordination between them. Undoubtedly Polish patriots derive much encouragement from this state, of affairs, which strengthens their determination to resist ana fortifies their confidence in the ultimate victory of the Allies. Germany is obliged to maintain large armed forces in the occupied territory to prevent major risings as much as to deal with the guerrilla operations oi Polish bands still hiding in the forests. According to information, in which considerable confidence may be placed, the Gestapo, wherever its authority is supreme, confiscates all real estate, as well as commercial and industrial undertakings belonging to Poles. The proprietors are put into concentration camps or deported to Germany. It is believed that in four provinces alone 15,000 persons have been shot, including many priests and women. Something resembling a systematic and ruthless extermination of natural or potential leaders among the Poles would appear to be in progress. The arrest early in November and the deportation to Germany of all but three professors of the Jagellonian University of Cracow is sufficient in this connection.