MASS MURDER

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22133, 29 November 1941, Page 5

MASS MURDER

German Rule In Europe By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 27. In the House of Commons the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) gave a picture of what German rule means in Europe to-day. The picture was built up from figures officially admitted by the Germans. In Czechoslovakia from September 27, the day of the arrival of the motorious Heydrich, to October 29, there were 332 executions and 1308 persons were handed over to an even worse fete — the Gestapo. In Yugoslavia, since the occupation there have been 1132 executions.

In France, since August 13, there have been 250 executions. A German order of Jpune 23 reports that 100 Serbs were executed for the assassination of - two German soldiers and so on.

“These are German figures,” Mr Eden said, “not ours. I think that the House would probably be not far wrong if it were assumed that the killings in Yugoslavia alone since the German occupation numbered perhaps 35,000. This is German rule in Europe. Hitler Seeking Respite “Yesterday, in Berlin,” added Mr Eden, “there was a luncheon party of Axis Quislings presided over by the German Foreign Secretary. In his speech von Riddentrop made the statement that in 1940 we had received an assurance that Soviet Russia would come into the war on the side of Britain. We never received such assurance at all. Had there been r.ih an assurance, it would have been different. On the contrary, we were handicapped continuously by the fact that Russia held strenuously to her abligations under the German-Soviet Pact. Not until German troops had crossed the Russian frontier were there any conversations, military or political, between us and the Russian Government.

“I have spoken of this not merely to deny the trend of von Ribbentrop’s ot>servations, but because I want to refer to what I believe was probably the underlying purpose of this conference. It was to seek to prepare for a peace offensive. I do not mean by that an offer by Hitler. Mr Churchill at the Mansion House dealt so faithfully wi.n any manoeuvre of that kind that we need not expect an offer. Hitler’s . an is different. He finds himself < nfronted by a continuous, vigorous slan resistance. His plans, which were laid on the early defeat of Russia, are to that extent awry. Therefore, ne has need of a respite and he is trying to persuade the nations of Europe that the only way they can get peace is by coming into his new order. Warning To Neutrals “By joining him, he says, they will be successful in bringing Britain and Russia to terms. Well, he is wrong. Whatever other countries tnay do about the new order will not affect our policy one jot. We know only too zll what Hitler’s new order means.

“I would remind all remaining neutrals that this new order is based on the principle of the Herrenvolk. Plans are perfected, we know, for moving large populations from one part >f Europe to another. The whole industrial activity is going to be concentrated in eastern territories for the exclusive profit of the Reich. President Roosevelt has well said that Berlin is the great slave market of the world. “The great part of the German tad and energies has been devoted to the creation of a military machine w! ose for ■ would impose the German will on other nations. These are horrible doctrines which have led to five attacks on other nations in Europe. For 150 years they have been built up and they And final expression in Nazi tyranny. They are the glorification of the State. These are the monstrous claims of these men.” Strong Reprisals ?

It is revealed in Berlin in connection with the offensive against Serb guerrillas that the Germans, says the British United Press correspondent,

have issued a proclamation: “If one German soldier is killed, 100 Serbs will be shot. Families sheltering bandits will be shot and their homes burnt down. Fifty Serbs will be shot for every explosion planned or carried out.”

The Moscow radio announced that Yugoslav partisans captured a car containing five members of the Neditch Government. They were executed on the spot.