23-Sep-39: Sigmund Freud Dies in London; Poles Fight on in Warsaw; Italy Reaffirms Neutrality; Germans, Soviets Plan Moscow Meeting
Today is 23-Sept-1939, the 23rd day of World War II; there are 2,170 days left in the conflict.
From London comes news that renowned Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud is dead at 83 years of age.
In Warsaw, Polish forces continue to fight on in the surrounded capital city even as food supplies begin to run low.
German authorities in the Reich ban all non-German citizens (mainly Jews) from owning wireless radio sets; non-Germans are ordered to turn in their existing sets to the nearest authorities.
The German Kriegsmarine reports that Unterseeboots have sunk two cargo ships from Finland in the North Atlantic. The cargo was reported to be cellulose.
Italian Fascist Prime Minister Benito Mussolini announces that he still intends to keep his country neutral in the European conflict unless it is attacked; he says he is following a policy to “strengthen our army in preparation for any eventualities and support every possible peace effort while working in silence.” Mussolini also says that the “liquidation” of Poland as an independent nation could be the starting point of a general European peace settlement.
At a meeting in Panama, nations from North and South America agree to a neutral zone around the two continents extending 300 miles (480 km) off the continental coasts.
From Tokyo comes an announcement that Admiral Kichisaburō Nomura is appointed foreign minister in General Nobuyuki Abe’s recently appointed government. The Abe government will, from this point until January 1940, make a few conciliatory moves toward the United States, but these will be rebuffed. The U.S. stance is said to strengthen both the convictions and reputation of the more militant Japanese politicians, contributing to a steady deterioration in relations.
German Reich Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop sends a secret diplomatic cable to German Ambassador to the Soviet Union Fritz-Dietlof von der Schulenberg. Ribbentrop states that he will be visiting Moscow in person for a second time in a little over a month, in order conclude negotiations over the exact new borders between Gerrmany and the Soviet Union in the former Poland. The telegram states:
“We, too, consider the time now ripe to establish by treaty jointly with the Soviet Government the definitive structure of the Polish area. The Russian idea of a border line along the well-known Four-Rivers Line coincides in general with the view of the Reich Government. It was my original intention to invite Herr Molotov to Germany in order to formulate this treaty.
“In view of your report that the leading personages there cannot leave the Soviet Union, we agree to negotiations in Moscow. Contrary to my original purpose of entrusting you with these negotiations, I have decided to fly to Moscow myself. This particularly because-in view of the full powers granted me by the Führer, thus making it possible to dispense with counter-inquiries, etc.-negotiations can be brought to a speedier conclusion.
“In view of the general situation, my sojourn in Moscow will have to be limited to one or two days at the most. Please call on Herren Stalin and Molotov and wire me earliest proposed date.”
The final partition and destruction of Poland is now imminent.