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Swastika Over Danzig Herr Forster's proclamation to the people of Danzig, as given over the German wireless, was as follows, accord- ing to Reuter:- Men and women of Danzig: The hour for which you have been longing for 20 years has come. This day Danzig has returned to the great German Reich. Our Fuihrer, Adolf Hitler, has freed us. the Swastika flag, the flag of the German Reich, is flying to-day for the first time from the public buildings of Danzig. It also flies from the former Polish buildings, and every- where in the harbour, the towers of the ancient town hall and St. Mlary's Church. The bells ring in Danzig's hour of liberation. We thank our God that He gave the Fiuhrer the power and the opportunity of free- ing us from the evil of the Versailles Diktat. We Danzigers are happy to be able to become now citizens of the Reich. Mcn and women of Danzig, we wish to stand together in this solemn hour and stretch out our hand and take a solemn oath to the Fuihrer to do every- thing that lies in our power for our glorious Greater Germany. Long live German Danzig, which has been liberated and returned again to the Reich. Long live our great German fatherland. Herr Forster also sent the following telegram to Herr Hitler:- My Filhrer, I have jus. signed the following constitutional law concerning the reunion of Danzig with the Reich, and I have put it into force:- The Constitutional law concerning the reunion of the free city of Danzig with the German Reich from September 1:- Article 1.-The constitution of the Free City of Danzig is cancelled with immediate effect. Article 2.-All legislative and executive power is in the hands of the head of the State. Article 3.-The Free City of Danzig with its territory and population shali immediately form part of the territory of the German Reich. Article 4.-Until the Fuihrer makes a defi- nite decision about the introduction of German Reich law, all legal provisions of the constitution remain in force as they are at the moment of the issue of thtis constitutional law. I ask you, my Ftulirer, in the name of Danzig and its population, to agree to this constitu- tional law and to carry out the re-incorpora- tion of Danzig by a law of the German Reich. The eternal gratitude and everlasting faith of Danzig is devotedly pledged to you, my Fuhrer. Herr Hitler sent the following telegram in reply: - I accept the proclamation of the Free State of Danzig concerning the return to the German Reich. I tlhank you, Gauleiter Forster, and all Danzig men and women for the resolute loyalty which you and they have preserved for so many years. Greater Germany greets you with over- flowing heart. The law for reunion is ratified forthwith. I appoint you herewith as head of the civil administration of Danzig. MESSAGES TO GERMAN SERVICES HERR HITLER ON "HARD DETERMINATION " It was stated by the official Berlin wire- less station early this morning, according to Reuter, that Herr Hitler had issued the following proclamation to the German Army:- The Polish State has refused the peaceful settlement of relations which I desired, and has appealed to arms. Germans in Poland are persecuted with bloody terror and driven from their houses. A series of violations of the frontier, intolerable to a great Power, prove that Poland is no longer willing to respect the frontier of the Reich. In order to put an end to this lunacy, I have no other choice than to meet force with force from now on. The German Army will fight the battle for the honour and the vital rights of reborn Germany with hard determination. I expect that every soldier, mindful of the great traditions of eternal German soldiery, will ever remain conscious that he is a representative of the National-Socialist Greater Germany. Long live our people and our Reich. The following order to the German Army from General von Brauchitsch, Commander-in-Chief, was read over the German wireless:- Soldiers of the German Army,-After all other means have failed. a'eanons.must decide. As successors of the proud traditions of the old army the young National-Socialist Army will now take over the defence of Germany. We will fight undcr the supreme command of the Leader. The order concludes with the words Forwards with God for Germany." The following order was given to the Air Force by Gcneral Goering: - We have suffered with clenched fists for weeks and months the provocations which have been directed against the greater German Reich. Our cup is full. No longer can the German nation look on inactive. Every further delay would be disastrous. The Ftihrer has called. The great hour has come. The air force has now to show that it is at its post in thf decisive hour. It is our pride that every one of us will justify his confidence. Thus we will be in the position to break down every resistance. The land forces will prepare every attack of the air force. Every shot of our artillery will help to fight for the freedom of our nation, of our women and of our children. At our head stands our beloved Leader. Behind stands the united German nation. The following order to the German Navy was given by Grand Admiral Raeder:- The decisive hour finds us prepared. Remembering our great and gloriotis traditions we will fight for the greatness and freedom of the German Reich. STATE OF EMERGENCY IN NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON (N.Z.), Sept. 1.-Mr. Fraser, acting Prime Minister of New Zealand, announced to-day that the Governor-General had proclaimed a state of emergency in the Dominion. He said that the proclamation amounted to nothing more than an obvious precau- tionarv measure. Regulations have been issued concern- ing censorship and publicity, naval mobi- lization, control of shipping, price stabilization, and the Army and Air Force. -Reuter. SWASTIKA OVER DANZIG FREE CITY "RETURNS TO REICH " MESSAGE TO FUHRER
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