The Union Times

Foreign Workers Follow Orders Of Gen. Eisenhower

Workers who have been taken from their homelands to slave labor in Germany are following the instructions of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Swiss newspapers report.

A recent directive from General Eisenhower was, "As the battle approaches, go into hiding, if you have not been able to do so before. Evade at all costs the Nazi efforts to drag you deeper into Germany with retreating armies."

"Get away if possible, from the town or village where you live, but in doing so be sure to keep off the roads. On the roads you will be in deadly danger."

Two days after these instructions were given, "Tribune De Geneve" reported "incidents occurred near Stuttgart where foreign workers mutinied and fled to the countryside after seizing food from freight cars. Sabotage is reported in factories, particularly during air raids."

A report to the "Tribune De Geneve" from Basle, Switzerland, "Many foreign workers who were employed in factories or on farms have escaped. Berlin officials estimate their number at 50,000, however, this estimate is probably too low as many farmers have not yet reported the disappearance of their agricultural workers. These 'desertions' occurred especially in western Germany."

"It is reported that the Gestapo has uncovered an organization which helps workers escape from Germany."

"Der Bund" Swiss paper, reports, "Escaped foreign workers are roaming southern Germany. Most of them escaped during air raids in the Stuttgart area. Despite all efforts of the police and country guard, very few escaped persons were caught."

Eisenhower has also issued messages to workers in areas from which the German armies have been driven. He asked them to work for Allied armies while waiting to be sent home, assured them that such volunteer work would not prevent them from returning home, and requested that they do not try to make their own way home in unorganized masses along Allied communications lines.