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Day 38
Sunday 8 October 1939

Berlin waits for London and Paris to answer Hitler's peace offer

From the LIVE WW2 feed

The Second World War, in real time, 87 years on.

The day in dispatches

Filed through the day, as it happened
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WirePDThe Paris Dispatch

Polish Foreign Minister says Jews will have equal treatment in the forces

August Zaleski, the foreign minister of the Polish Government in Paris, has promised equal treatment for Jews who want to serve in the Polish armed forces, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports.

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WireSOThe Stockholm Observer

Berlin is waiting for London and Paris to answer Hitler's peace offer

German newspapers now admit that the first reaction in the Western democracies to Adolf Hitler's peace proposals has been discouraging, as official Berlin waits for Britain and France to answer, William Shirer of the Columbia Broadcasting System reported from Berlin this afternoon.

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WireSCThe Southern Cross

Chile is relaxing its 24-hour warship notice rule at Britain's request

Chile is relaxing its neutrality rule requiring warships of countries at war to give 24 hours' notice before entering Chilean ports, following a request from Britain, according to reports from Santiago.

10:00GMT
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WireSOThe Stockholm Observer

Belgium has taken every precaution, Prime Minister Pierlot says

Belgium has taken every precaution to protect itself, the Prime Minister, Hubert Pierlot, told a press conference in Brussels, according to reports from the Belgian capital.

09:45GMT
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WireSOThe Stockholm Observer

Finland will send a representative to Moscow, United Press reports

The Finnish Government has decided to send a representative to Moscow for talks with the Soviet Government, the Helsinki correspondent of the United Press of America reports.

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Where things stood at the start of the day

Peace
Britain called Hitler's proposals vague and obscure but will examine them with the Dominions and France. Rome says Mussolini is ready to help.
Washington
Washington sources say Roosevelt will mediate only if Britain and France ask. The Senate resumes its arms embargo debate on Monday.
Baltic
Finland says Moscow has invited a Finnish delegate for political and economic talks. Finland has called up some reserve divisions.
Forces
Britain says most of its Expeditionary Force has reached France without loss.
At sea
The Admiralty says German flying boats attacked two British minesweepers in the North Sea. The Navy suggests the Iroquois is crossing safely.
Western Front
French general staff reports patrols active overnight southwest of Saarbrücken.