More history for the day

The New York Times had a prescient piece back on 2 September 1939:

As a result of yesterday’s events, surprising in their swiftness to many who still had hopes that a conflict in Europe might be at the last moment avoided, a state of war now exists between Germany and Poland. Danzig has declared itself, and been accepted by Hitler, as part of the German Reich, and the German Army has attacked Poland and bombarded some of its cities.
General mobilization has been declared in France. The curtain seems to have lifted on what may be the worst drama in the history of our modern civilization.
At this writing, it cannot be said that the conflict has yet become a general one, but there seems to be virtually no hope of avoiding this, if Great Britain and France make good their pledge to Poland, so often reiterated. The madman has unsheathed his sword, with Poland as his first victim.
Let all those who believe in democracy, and in justice, try to keep cool and courageous and do their duty in face of this calamitous decision.

Rico says we all know how well that turned out...