Evening star., 1939-09-01
Gdynia, Poland's port on the Baltic

Sea.
German warships started clearing
neutral shipping off the Baltic.
The German air defense ordered
the grounding of all but military
planes and threatened to shoot
down the others-German and for
eign.
Germany tensed herself to repel
air attacks. Schools were dismissed.
War conditions prevailed all along
the Eastern frontier.
Guards on Hitler's Chancellery.
Guards were stationed on top of
Hitler's palational chancellery.
They scanned the skies with field
glasses.
Several hundred persons gathered
in front of the building. singing for
the first time since the birth of the
crisis and chanting, I'VE want to see
our Fuehrer."
Numerous overnight skirmishes
usAered in the heavy fighting along
the Polish German border.
But Hitler withheld his order to
strike in force until after dawn.
Then in an order of the day to his
massed forces he declared German
patience had been exhausted by
Polish "provocations.
Danzig meanwhile was cut off
from telephone communication and
1t was assumed that Poles had cut
communication lines in Pomorze, the
Polish Corridor, which Hitler has
demanded as Germany's own.
There were no reports of Polish
resistance in Danzig and it remained
uncertain whether the Poles would
fight for the Free City.
Swastika Flags Unfurled.
The proclamation by which Albert
Forster. chief of state for the Nazi-
fed Free City, handed Danzig back
to the Reich took immediate effect
IN Danzig, according to report that
preceded disruption of communica-
tions.
SWastika flags were unfurIed on
public buildings. 1t was regarded
certain that German troops would
march into the Free City from East
Prussia, Danzig's neighbor on the
east.
Forster sent a telegram to Hitler
which read:
MY Fuehrer I have lust signed
and then put into effect the follow
ing basic law, concerning the reunion
OF Danzlg with the German Reich.
The basic state law of the Free
State of Danzig and the reunion
OF Danzig with the German Reich
is effective September l, 1899.
TO lift the immediate distress of
the people and state of the Free
City of Danzig, I decree the follow
ing basic state law:
Article one: The constitution Of
the Free City of Danzig has been
suspended effective Immediately.
Article two: All legal and admin
istrative power will be executed ex-
clusively by the head of state For-
ster).
Article three: The Free City of
Danzlg with its territory and its
peoples forms part of the German
Reich, effective Immediately.
Article four: Until a final de-
cision regarding the introduction of
German Reich's laws by the Fueh-
rer the entire laws of the constitu-
ton remain in force as they apply
at the moment.
Signed at Danzig, September |,
1899, Albert Forster, gauletier dis
trict leader)."
Loyalty Pledged.
Il beg you, my Fuehrer, in the
name OF Danzig and its population
to consent to this basic state law
and to carry out the reunion with
the German Reich through federal
law.
"Obediently, my Fuehrer, Danzig
pledges to you imperishable thank
fulness and eternal loyalty. Hail,
my Fuehrer.
Signed, Albert Forster, gauleiter."
Forster followed the act with
proclamation to Danzigers that "the
hour for which you have longed for
20 years to come"
Poland was declared dangerous
territory for foreigners.
Despite the tension Berlin was
outwardly calm. Stores were open.
Housewives stood in line before the
meat shops.
Many persons remained close to
radios to hear the frequent news
bulletins and ohicial statements.
But the citizenry was completely
in the dark as to developments