The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 5

5 VICTORY EN EUROPE PROCLAMATION TO-DAY THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN, TUESDAY. MAY 8, 1945 ANNOUNCEMENT BY PREMIER tt COMPLETE AND CRUSHING VICTORY" AT 3 p.m. U.S. STAFF OFFICER REACHES PRAGUE Germans Ignore Surrender News CZECH FIGHTER PILOTS ON THEIR WAY FROM BRITAIN King's Message to General Eisenhower The King last night sent the following telegram to General Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander in the est Eleven months ago you. led the Allied Expeditionary Force across the English Channel, carrying with you the hopes and prayers of millions of men and women of many nations.

To it was entrusted the task of annihilating the German armies in Western Europe, and of thus liberating the peoples whom they had enslaved. All the world now knows that, after fierce and continuous warfare, this force has accomplished its mission toith a finality achieved by no other such expedition in history. On behalf of all my peoples I ask that you, its Supreme Commander, will tell its members how deeply grateful we are to them, and how unbounded is our admiration for the courage and determination toJiicfc, under toise leadership, have brought them to their goal of complete and crushing I would ask you also to convey a special message of congratulation to my own forces now under your command. Throughout the campaign they have acquitted themselves in all services with a valour and distinction for which their fellow-countrymen will for ever hold them in honour. Spitfires had left Britain for their King to Speak at 9 GERMANS GIVE NEWS OF THEIR SURRENDER Synchronised Allied Statement An American staff officer is now in Prague, according to the Patriot radio there.

An announcement signed by the Military Commander of Greater Prague" and broadcast at midnight said that Captain Russell, of the staff of the United States First Infantry Division, had visited him. In accordance with a divisional order brought by Captain Russell, said the broadcast, the Allies were to take only defensive measures on May 8. All military operations will cease at midnight on that day," continued the announcement. The Czech station then issued an appeal to the German artillery to cease firing on the general hospital of Bulovka in the western suburbs of Prague. This appeal was broadcast six times ten minutes.

Earlier an S.O.S. from the patriots contained an appeal for assistance in the air, and last night it was announced that Czech fighter pilots in NATIONS REJOICE AT VICTORY Dublin Students Hoist Union Jack: Bells of Rome Ring students of Trinity College hoisting the Union Jack and the Red Flag over the HEAVY FIGHTING IN STREETS" The war in Europe has ended with Germany's unconditional surrender. Victory will be announced officially by the Prime Minister in a broadcast at three o'clock this afternoon and the King will broadcast at 9 p.m. To-day will be regarded as V.E.-Day, and both to-day and to-morrow will be public holidays. Explanation of the delay in making the official announcement lies in the importance attached to a simultaneous announcement in London, Washington, and Moscow.

The first news of the surrender came from German sources. At 2 p.m. yesterday the Danish radio announced that the German forces in Norway had capitulated, and at 2 30 the German Foreign Minister, Count von Krosigk, announced the unconditional surrender of all fighting German troops." At 3 45 p.m. it was reported from Rheims that the instrument of surrender was signed at 2 41 a.m. French time yesterday, but fourteen hours later S.H.A.E.F.

refused to authorise confirmation of this news. The delay led to some confusion and premature rejoicing until the timing of the announcement was fixed after, it is understood, telephone conversations between Mr. Churchill, President Truman, and Marshal Stalin. It is learned that General Eisenhower, Field Marshal Montgomery, and Field Marshal Alexander will broadcast this afternoon soon after the Premier's announcement. The drive for Prague is being made by two columns of General Patton's Fourth Armoured Division, says Reuter's correspondent with the Third Army.

No details are given for the moment, but Prague radio reported that United States tanks were seven miles south of the capital. Another S.O.S. message, sent from Prague after the Donitz surrender state ment had been published, reached Czechoslovak quarters in London at 4 p.m. It said Heavy fighting in the streets continues. The Germans are throwing hand grenades at houses showing Czechoslovak flags.

German aircraft have been dropping bombs on Broadcasting House and on. other public buildings in the centre of the city. German troop movements have been observed in the area of Melnik, 25 miles north of Prague, and in the Benesov dis-tict, 40 miles due south of Prague, towards the capital. The Czech -National Council calls urgentlv upon the Allies for speedy help, and particularly for aircraft Refusing to recognise the Flensburg announcement, the commander of the German troops in Czechoslovakia has issued a "Fight on" order. The German-controlled radio said later, according to Reuter The Soviets are attacking our positions in Bohemia from the area of Saxony between Dresden and Chemnitz.

They attacked without pausing for regrouping with very strong forces, which were Supported by fairly large tank columns. The attackers were able to gain ground along the Dresden-Chemnitz motor road." The German station went off the air PARLIAMENT AND THE VICTORY A Great Day for the Prime Minister From our Political Correspondent THE VICTORY HOLIDAYS To-day To-morrow The Ministry of Information announced last night: It is understood that in accordance with arrangements between the three Great Powers an official announcement will be broadcast by the Prune Minister at three o'clock to-morrow afternoon, May 8. In view of this fact to-morrow, -Tues day, will be treated as Victory in Europe Day and will be regarded as a holiday, The day following, Wednesday, May 9, will also be a holiday. HJM. the King will broadcast to the peoples of the British Empire and Commonwealth tomorrow, Tuesday, at 9 p.m.

Parliament win meet at the usual time to-morrow. BANKS, TRAINS, AND POSTAL SERVICES It was stated last night that main-line railway train services will be normal to-day. with special late relief trains. Sunday services wilL operate to-morrow. Banks will remain open to-day and until midday to-morrow.

Post offices will be closed to-day, and main post offices only will open tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 midday. There will be no collections or deliveries on either day. Telephone and telegraph services will be available on both days with reduced staffs. Cheap night calls will be suspended on both nights.

The Ministry of Food hopes that grocers and bakers will open for at least one hour to-day and if possible two hours. Milk and bread will be delivered as usual. THE NIGHT SCENE IN LONDON "Blitz" Memories From our London Staff Fleet Street, Monday (Midnight). From this roof it looks much ihe same as it did on a medium bad blitz night. The difference is that the dial on the Big Ben tower is shining bright and a great illuminated Union Jack sways over the Cable and Wireless office on the London Embankment.

The tugs and barges on the river are rejoicing in lugubrious moanings. But it is the red glows that bring it all back, and the searchlights and rockets. Some of the glows are on the old places, near Elephant and Castle and out Kennington wav. And the bonfire on the north might be on the burnt-out site of the rocket landing that killed so many in Farringdon Market. There are bonfires on the Surrey hills one must be near where the Crystal Palace once raised its glass and towers.

Shouts and cries come up from the streets. The celebrations are gathering way. Someone arrives with stories of Piccadilly doings. Norwegian sailors climbing lamp-posts. American soldiers singing "Over there," Poles dancing.

British commenting on the distance they are from Tipperary. It is the red glares that ring London, however, that hold the roof watchers. But they look up no more, only out and down. The long, long fight is over and won, and it is time to rest. HOUR BY HOUR The Muddle of the News The first official announcement from anv source that the Germans had surrendered unconditionally to all the Allies came from Admiral Donitz, but the world was last night still awaiting official Allied confirmation, although a message announcing the surrender was carried from Rheims to New York, whence it was relayed to London by Reuter and other news agencies.

Here is an hour-by-hour log of developments 2 p.m. Danish radio, now in Allied-controlled territory, announced that the German forces in Norway, estimated at 300,000, had capitulated 2 30 pjn. Schwerin von Krosigk. German Foreign Minister, announced on Flensburg radio that Donitz had ordered the unconditional surrender of all fighting German trcops. 3 45 p.m.

Reported from Rheims that the instrument of surrender was signed at General Eisenhower's advanced H.Q. at 2 41 ajn. (French time). 4 11 p.m. The German Command in Bohemia and Moravia, rejecting the Flensburg statement, announced that the German forces in Czechoslovakia refused to accept surrender to Russia and would fight on until the Germans in the aast were saved and until their way back into the homeland is secured.

4 18 pa. Mr. Daniels. Presidential secretary at the White House, stated We do not know "when there will be an announcement." 4 45 pjn. Supreme Headquarters in Paris authorised war correspondent to state that it had not made anywhere any omciai statement tor publication up to mat hour concerning the complete surrender of .11 all the German armed forces in Europe nor had any story to that effect been authorised.

Reuter. THE LIBERATION OF THE CAPITALS Occmtloa. Liberation. Mar. 13.1938.

April 15,1945 Vienna Prague Warsaw Copenhagen iAixemburg Amsterdam Brussels Paris Belgrade Athens Mar. 15.1939. May, iso 17,1945 5.1945 7.1945 10.1944 5,1945 3. 1944 25.1944 Oct. 1.1939.

Jan. April 9.1940. May April 9.194a May May 10.1940. Sept May 14. 1940.

May May 17.1940. Sept. June Aug. April 18,1941. Oct.

April 27.1941. Oct 20.1944 14.1944 THE RUSSIAN REPUBLICS" OcESUn Kaunas June 24. 194L Aug. 1,1944 Riga July 1.1941. Oct 13.1944 Minsk July 8, 1941.

July 3. 1944 Tallinn Aug. 28.1941. Sept 22. 1944 Kiev Sept.

20. 1941. Nov. 6,1943 THE AXIS CAPITALS Allied oeeo93oaoT CQSXISC BOH. Rome June 4.

1944 Bucharest Aug. 31. 1944 Sofia Sept 9,1944 Helsinki Sept.15, 1944 Eudapesf Feb. IS. 1945 Berlin May 2, 1945 own country.

Another Prague broadcast from "General Vlasov's Army Headquarters" called on all the German armed forces in Greater Prague to surrender unconditionally. It added that Prague had been encircled by Vlasov's forces. General Vlasov himself, according to Reuter, commanded a guerrilla force which opposed the French patriots. He was last reported to have escaped to the principality of Liechtenstein. Some of his men are said to have joined the Czech patriots.

A Soviet attack across the northern frontier of Bohemia was reported by the Germans, who admitted the loss of ground along the Dresden-Chemnitz road in Saxony. Earlier the German-controlled Prague radio station had refused to recognise the Flensburg announcement and issued a "fight on" order to the German forces in Czechoslovakia. at 8 p.m., and had not been heard again early thiS morning. A Prague broadcast, which gave no indication whether it was German or partisan controlled, said General Vlasov's Army Heaquarters appeals to all the German armed forces in Greater Prague to capitulate unconditionally. Should these orders be disobeyed all means will be used until complete extermination is achieved.

Prague has been encircled by us. General Vlasov. who commanded a guerrilla force in France which opposed the French patriots, was recently reported to have escaped to -the principality ot Liechtenstein, savs Reuter. RUSSIANS CAPTURE BRESLAU Garrison Surrenders Marshal Stalin in an Order of the Day last night announced: "Forces of the First Ukrainian Command, after a prolonged siege, to-day completely captured the town and fortress of Breslau." "The garrison of the town, headed by the commandant of the fortress. Infantry General von Nikols.

and his staff, ceased resistance, laid down their arms, and surrendered. Up to seven o'clock Russian time our troops had taken prisoner over 40,000 Germans in Breslau." The Germans had earlier announced the surrender of the garrison through lack of supplies after a siege of 82 days. German ideas of prestige and have only one concern to get the Germans put out of the country as quickly as possible. If this can De done Dy allowing tne Germans to march out armed until they reach the British lines where the weapons can be collected they are willing to agree. NAZIS ARRESTED Meanwhile the round-up of the Nazi elements in Copenhagen continues.

Some 1,600 arrests have been made yesterday. As we were dining in the hotel in rather gloomy surroundings due to the need to economise in electricity and listening to the band playing a selection from "Rose Marie," Resistance troops entered the room and, moving in semi-darkness from table to table, made a series of arrests. Another sweep was carried out yesterday afternoon at a circus, when resistance troops entered the arena during the performance and. covering the crowd with their rifles, searched for From outside Copenhagen, save for the shortage of motor-vehicles and fresh paint, looks quite normal. Yesterday in the sunshine the crowds were walking; in the park, the bells were ringing out from the English church for the first time in five years, and for someone who had just flown up from the battlefields of Germany it was really possible to believe that peace was returning to Europe.

Talking with people you speedily find out that they do not consider that materially they have much cause for complaint against the Germans. Newly liberated people do not feel inclined to minimise their sufferings under the occupation when relating them to the sympathetic listener, but the Danes are unanimous in saying that the food situation was always good though, of course, luxuries were lacking. On the other hand, what they did lose was freedom, and Denmark was a country where before the war freedom was completely appreciated and enjoyed by the whole people more than almost anywhere else- in the world, so that its absence has been very deeply felt, even by those to whom ordinarily politics meant nothing at alL SPAIN AND SWEDEN BREAK WITH GERMANY Spain and Sweden yesterday broke off diplomatic relations with Germany. Reuter. FINE AND WARMER After a beautiful day, with much sunshine, the night sky in the Straits of Dover was flecked with -cloud, but it was still fine and the barometer was steady and unchanged.

The French coast could clearly seen earlier In the evening. The temperature readied 70deg. in the afternoon, and it'was 59deg. at 10 pjn. TWO GERMAN CRUISERS AWAIT SURRENDER Complicated Situation in Copenhagen From David Woodward, "Manchester Guardian" War Correspondent Scenes of rejoicing at the United' Nations' victory over Germany were last night reported from many countries.

In Times Sauare. the Piccadilly of New York, thousands of people, yelling ceaselessly, packed the streets, stopping all traffic as far as the eye could see. Milling crowds blocked all thoroughfares. Press photographers clambered on to window-ledges to snap the fantastic scene of men and women going wild in the mid-morning 'sunshine. Reports from other centres are ROME Bells Rang The great bells of St.

Peter's and those of a hundred other Rome churches rang out in jubilation soon after the news that the European war had ended reached the city. Sirens, which last were heard as a warning of the approach of Allied 'planes, also sounded for ten minutes. At the Vatican it was reported that the Pope received the news with deep emotion, but there was no indication that he would broadcast to-day. BERNE Two Alerts In Switzerland Allied flags were unfurled and crowds jammed the streets of Geneva to celebrate V.E.-Day, but at Berne, where two air alerts sounded yesterday, demonstrations were withheld until the omciai announcement is made. BRUSSELS High Spirit.

At first people were quietly jubliant, but along the sunlit boulevards, where hundreds of British and American soldiers mixed joyously with the crowd spirits soon rose to a high Ditch. SWEDEN King's Hope King Gustav of Sweden, in a broad cast on the bwedish radio. expressed "warmest congratulations to, Denmark and Norway now that our ivordic neigh bours have once again become free and lndenendent nations. A second-floor restaurant in Stockholm last night hung six magnums of champagne out of the windows on ropes lor passers-by to help themselves. SOUTH AFRICA Bunting Up The whole cf outh Africa began ceieDrating immediately, nags and Bunt ing went up.

and soldiers were nosted by guns ready to nre a salute. Mews paper-sellers were mobbed by excited crowds. DUBLIN Battle of Flags Exciting scenes marked the announcement of the German surrender in Dublin. About 3 pjn. passers-by in the centre of the city were surprised to see HOPES OF POLISH SETTLEMENT Mr.

Molotov Confident San Francisco, May 7 Mr. Molotov said to-night that the Polish issue should be settled in accordance with the wish of the Polish people. He stated The Allies nave successfully settled the Yugoslav question although they were not able to do so at once. I have no doubt that the Polish question will also be settled successfully. The principal thing is that it should be settled In accordance with the wishes of the Polish people.

I express my confidence that the conference will be able to consider all the principal proposals within the next two or three weeks. Now that the heroes of the Red Army and the Allied armed forces have assured our victory in Europe the work of the conference should be speeded up and the foundations of post-war international security laid. On the treaty issue Mr. Mclotov said Suggestions have been made in the press about the desirabilitv of revising treaties that have been concluded during the war. It seems that the treaties implied are those which have been signed by the defeated aggressors, as wen as tnose conciuaea between some of the United Nations with a view to averting the renewal of aggression in the post-war period by the defeated Axis countries.

It is obvious that reference to the necessity for revising these treaties would play into the hands of the enemy countries which would certainly like to undermine and emasculate them. The Soviet Union has concluded treaties of mutual assistance with Britain, France, Czechoslovakia. Yugoslavia, and Poland. They have been signed for a term of 20 years to prevent a renewal of aggression on Germany's part Similar treaties are feasible between other countries, such as Britain and France. It was agreed that such treaties should remain in force until the Governments concerned felt that the international security organisation was really in a position to undertake the accomplishment of the task of preventing aggression laid down in these treaties.

It seems to me that the solution which has I been found is in full keeping with the interests of the security of the nations. On the question of the British and American trusteeship proposals, Mr. Molotov said We must first see to it that the dependent countries" are enabled as soon as possible to take the path of national independence. This should be promoted by a special organisation of the United nations. Reuter.

Dispatch from AEstaar Cook on page THE ARRESTED POLES The Polish problem was further com- puisieu yesieroay Dy a Lublin radio announcement that the Polish Provisional Government may demand that General Okulicki and the other Polish leaders who ere arrested ey the Russians be tried both in Warsaw and in Moscow iur nigu ireaaou. main entrance to the University. Others hung out Union Jacks and the French Tricolour from the windows. A large crowd gathered and the students assembled at the windows and sang "God Save the King" and "Rule, Britannia amidst an outburst of booing from the crowd. The crowd attempted to rush the college gates, inside which more students had gathered.

Eventually the flags were taken down, and seeing this the crowd dispersed. A large number of police had been drafted to the college. Some windows were broken during the demonstration. PACIFIC FRONT Satisfaction It was almost midnight when news was received, and Admiral Chester Nimitz had retired for the night. Fleet Headquarters personnel expressed the deepest satisfaction.

Everyone in the Pacific theatre now expects a huge amplification of strength to speed the final overthrow cf Japan. CANADA A Holiday The Canadian Government has pio-claimed to-day as a public holiday in Canada, and next Sunday as a day of thanksgiving. Reuter and Associated Press. PARIS BEWILDERED From our own Correspondent Paris, May 7. Shortly before six o'clock the newspapers began to come out announcing that Donitz had capitulated.

The siren's did not sound, however, and the crowd was puzzled, not knowing whether to believe the news. When a member of "L'Aube" staff began to read out the text of the Schwerin Krosigk broadcast to the crowd at the Place de L'Opera through a loud-speaker it carried more convic tion. As he read the text two buses carrying tired but happy liberated prisoners of war drove up and listened with quiet satisfaction to the text of the German speech, which reminded them of another voice that had made them prisoners nearly five years ago by announcing the premature capitulation of the French Army. The owner of that voice, now aged o9, is to-day sitting in Mont rouge Prison. After reading the German announcement the speaker described the scene in New York, where the "Marseillaise" had been played immediately after the American anthem.

This gave very lively pleasure. "UNDEFEATED" Nazi in Norway to His Men General Boehme. German Com mander-in-Chief in Norway, in an Order of the Day broadcast by Oslo radio last night stated that Von Krosigk's announcement of unconditional surrender was a hard blow to us." "We are standing here in Norway undefeated, strong as before," he declared. No enemy has dared to attack us. And yet we.

too. shall have to bow to the dictate of our enemy for the bene fit of the whole of the German caus We trust we shall from now on deal with men who respect a soldier's honour. We expect that the Norwegians will show the same discipline in their attitude towards the German soldier which he has shown towards them all the time. "As to you, my comrades. I expect that you will bear yourselves in an exemplary manner which even the grimmest enemy cannot but in all fairness appreciate.

Remain what you have been decent German soldiers who love their people and their country more than anything in the world." Reuter. FALKENHAUSEN" AND THYSSEN FOUND Prisoners of the Nazis Dobbiaca (Italy). May 7. Few if any of the large group of prisoners who were freed from the Germans on Friday by the Americans knew the charges against them. Many prisoners from twenty-two nations were seized simply because they happened to have the same name as someone connected with the attempt on Hitler's life in July.

Among the prisoners were General Falkenhausen, former German Military RAwmnr in Brussels, who was arrested because he refused -to let the Gestapo saboteurs wiiuout mais Captain Peter Churchill, who described' himself as a sixty-second cousin" of Mr. Winston Churchill; August Tbyssen, leader of the Ruhr industrial clique which financed Hitler's rise to power Stauffenberg, who was said to have placed the bomb last July intended to kill Hitler: and Prince Frederick Leopold of Prussia, who was arrested because he listened to the "black wireless" and was too kind to the French prisoners working on his estate. Associated Press. Commons as Prime Minister and soueht and received a vote of confi dence. It was then that he promised his colleagues in the Ministry nothing but blood, toil, sweat, and tears.

It was then, too, mat he declared in high and challenging tones that the policy of his Government was victory absolute victory. ABSOLUTE VICTORY Though he prescribed this as the end, he must, knowing all he knew of our defencelessness, have been more than hazy as to how the absolute victory was to be achieved, now it is here, and absolute beyond anything he could have conceived in May, 1940. What a moving reception he should get from the House of Commons to-morrow While the Commons will go to St. Margaret's for their thanksgiving service, the Lords will attend a service in Westminster Abbey. On Wednesday Parliament, which is dispensing with a V-Day, will deal with the business arranged for that day.

On Thursday an address of congratu lation to the King and thanks to the armed forces will be voted in both Houses. In the evening Mr. Churchill will deliver his broadcast to the nation. Mr. Churchill had the Chiefs of Staff to lunch to-day.

The part of the Chiefs of Staff in the victory awaits the historian of the war. The Chiefs of Staff have never worked more harmoniously among themselves or with the Prime Minister than the present ones a great contrast with the last war. GOEBBELS FOUND POISONED Authoritative quarters in London accept as true the reports that Goebbels, his wife, and children have have been found dead in Berlin. They had been poisoned. The fact, on the other hand, that no remains of Hitler have been traced is causing people more and more to wonder whether ne may not nave escaped alter an.

VICTORS' HANDS" carried out by Germany. "Yes," they answered. At the last moment the leader of the Wehrmacht pleaded for mercy not for himself, but for the German people and armed forces. Alter he nad. signed the document of surrender Jodl asked and was granted an opportunity to speak.

witn uns signature," ne said, "the German people and armed forces are for better or worse delivered into the vic tors hands. In this war. which has lasted more than five years, both have achieved and suffered more than per haps any other people in the world." At tins uoint Kennedys dispatch broke off presumably to be held ud by S.H-A.E.F. to await the formal procla mation by the Big Three. It was announced last night that a suspension of the Associated Press trivilege of filing dispatches from the uropean theatre of operations had been lifted, except in the case ot Edward Kennedy.

ON OTHER PAGES German Foreign Miniiter' Broad-cut 6 M.n-ilT Scam 2 London Looks Back 4 Tb. British Army, 1S3S-45 4 "The War in Picttncs 3 To-day's Ranted Wiivlen Pro. grammes 2 London, Monday. The war in Europe is at an end. The German Foreign Minister, Count Schwerin von Krosigk, proclaimed the fact over the German-controlled radio at Flensburg.

He declared that the German armed forces had unconditionally surrendered on the orders of the High Command, acting on instructions from Donitz. That unconditional surrender is now an accomplished fact is nowhere disputed in official London. What is difficult to understand is the delay in announcing the fact The British Government had certainly hoped that Mr. Churchill might have gone on the air to-day and made the fact known. However, the announcement of the termination of the war in Europe has to be made simultaneously in London, Washington, and Moscow.

and apparently" some difficulty has been found in arranging the hour. To-night the difficulty has been overcome and Mr. Churchill will broadcast the declaration at 3 p.m. to-morrow. Parliament will meet to-morrow as arranged.

Mr. Churchill will not attempt anything in the nature of a speech; he will simply report to the House the fact of the termination of the war in Europe and DroDOse-that the members shall proceed to St. Margaret's to join in a service of thanksgiving. PARLIAMENT'S MEMORABLE DAY However short the proceedings may be they must be for ever memorable in the history of Parliament. As for the Prime Minister, it is impossible to imagine the complex of emotions that will be his when he steps to the Treasury box to-morrow.

Never has it been civen to a British Prime Minister to see his designs, and rfpsicns on so vast a scale, realised with this completeness a complete ness that nearly attains pertection It is almost five years ago to the day that he first met xne nouse or GERMANY IN THE "With this signature the German people and the German armed forces are, for better or worse, delivered into the victors hands," said General Jodl, German Army Chief of Staff, after signing his country's unconditional surrender. The ceremony took place- at 2 41 a on. (French time) yesterday at the little red school house at Rheims which is General Eisenhower's Headquarters. General Bedell Smith. General Eisenhower's Chief of Staff, signed for the Supreme Allied Command, according to an account of the ceremony broadcast by New York radio.

General Suslapatov signed for Russia and General Sevez for France. GEN. EISENHOWER NOT PRESENT Describing the scene, the Associated Press, correspondent, Edward Kennedy, said: General Eisenhower was not present at the formalities, but immediately after Jodl and his fellow-delegate. General had sighed away Germany's ririits they led before the Supreme Commander. They were asked If they understood the surrender terms imposed Gzimany ana ix wuuio uc i Copenhagen, May 7.

Germany's last two seaworthy big warships, the cruisers the Prinz Eugen and the Nuremberg, are lying in the north port here with their German crews aboard, having apparently made no attempt to flee when Denmark was liberated. With them are various anti-submarine craft and 54 German merchant ships aggregating some 150,000 tons. The entrance to the docks where the ships lie is still guarded by German soldiers armed with tommy guns and rifles, and in streets around the dock area German soldiers come and go pretty much as they please, brushing shoulders with British paratroops the Germans ostentatiously ignore their ex-enemy's presence, but the British and Danes are in a position to find the Whole situation ridiculous. Meanwhile discipline in some of the German warshics has suffered in a fashion reminiscent in a small way of what happened in October, 1918. On the deck of a minesweeper I saw a crowd of German sailors gathered drinking, singing, and playing an accordion.

When they caught sight of me they started cheerine and yelling "Hullo. Good old Tommy, come and have a drink." I walked over to their shin and started to talk to them from the auavside when a petty officer appeared on deck with a tommy-gun in his hand which he pointed at me whilst nrHrinff thA mpn below. A small pale, harassed-looking Ger man naval commander naa anven up tn ih Hntol Aneleterre in a Volkswagen and announced to the hall porter and to me that he had come to discuss the surrender of the German warsnips witn the competent British officer. NO INTEREST IN SHIP This officer was not in the hotel at the time, so that for a while there was to be observed the ridiculous spectacle of a German officer roaming through the corridors of the hotel from room to room trying to find someone competent to receive him. For five years the British Navy and RJVJ.

had been hunting the Prinz Eugen, and under and above the seas hundreds of lives had been lost Now suddenly there was just no interest in the ship at all. Aal tnis business or vne uerman crews remaining in the ships and the German troops in Denmark retaining their arms is part of a very complicated situation risins? out of the fact that there are 300,000 German troops in the country and very few British to whom tney can surrender. Considerations of prestige, they say, forbid them to surrender to -the Danes thnueb when thev leave the country they have agreed to leave behind their heavy weapons, nenaer tne sanes nor the -British are much interested.