Evening star. [volume], September 01, 1939, Image 1

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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Weather Forecast — . . v, . — . .
From the On,,* State. Weather Bureau M. 10(10/S NOWS in Todo/S Star
Full details on Pate A-2
Fair tonight and tomorrow; little , Today's nesrs is tomorrow’s history—
change in temperature. Temperatures ^ Star keeps you up to the
today—Highest, 84, at 2 p.m.; lowest, J U y w c
66, at 5 a.m. with the last-minute news.
Closing New York Mo rkcts—Soles, Page 18_ _ w Meant Associated Pre,,.__
87th YEAR. No. 34,820._WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1939-FORTY-FOUR PAGES. *** THREE CENTS.
1
: i
Britain and France
Ready to Carry Out
Pledges to Poland
Envoy in Berlin Instructed
To Leave if Answer Is
Not Favorable
LONDON, Sept. 1 (JP) (Passed by the British Cen
sorship.—The House of Commons today approved a bill
providing $2,110,000,000 to prosecute war, for defense
and for maintenance of public order.
PARIS, Sept. 1 (/P).—The French government to
night announced that an ultimatum demanding that
Germany “immediately stop all aggressive actions and
withdraw troops from Poland’’ would be handed the
German government at once.
By the Associated Press.
LONDON, Sept. 1.—Great Britain and France have sent
their last warning to Germany, Prime Minister Neville
Chamberlain told the British Parliament tonight.
“If the reply to this last warning is unfavorable, and I
do not suggest that it is likely to be otherwise,” Mr. Cham
berlain said, “his majesty’s ambassador is instructed to ask
for his passport.”
Both governments, Mr. Chamberlain said, had informed
Adolf Hitler that they regard Germany’s actions as menac
ing to Poland and that this called for the “implementation”
of the British-French agreement to come to the assistance
of Poland.
Unless Germany was prepared immediately to withdraw
Its troops from Poland, Great Britain would be ready to go
at once to the smaller country’s support.
Hitler, he said, “has not hesitated to plunge the world
into misery in order to serve his own senseless ambitions.”
Special Parliament Session.
Mr. Chamberlain made the statement at an extraordinary ses
sion of Parliament.
The Prime Minister said a bill would be introduced making ages
for military service between 18 and 41 years.
“Mussolini has been doing his best,” Mr. Chamberlain declared.
He began addressing the Commons at 6:04 p.m. (12:04 p.m.
E. S. T.) and finished at 6:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. E. S. T.).
Mr. Chamberlain declared:
“We shall stand at the bar of
history knowing that the respon
sibility for this terrible catas
trophe rests on the shoulders of
one man—the German Chancel
lor ! ”
The Prime Minister's statement
came a few hours after Poland had
called on Great Britain for help
against Germany and after King
George had signed an order for com
plete mobilization of the British
army, navy and air force.
Reviews Exchange of Notes.
Mr. Chamberlain reviewed the
Crisis and the notes exchanged by
Great Britain and Germany and as
serted :
“One passage from the recent
communications, dated August 30,
showed easily that the final clash
might have been avoided had there
been at least a desire on the part of
the German government to arrive
at a peaceful settlement.”
Mr. Chamberlain continued: “The
Communication said, ‘The British
government most strongly urge that
both parties should undertake dur
ing the negotiations that no aggres
sive military movement should take
place.’ The Polish government re
plied instantly, on August 31, saying
that they would prepare on a recipro
cal basis to give the formal guaranty.
“We never had any reply from the
German government to that sug
gestion, one which, if it had been
followed, might have saved the
catastrophe which took place this
morning.”
Earlier in his speech, Mr. Cham
berlain asserted:
"The time has come when action
rather than speech is required.
"Eighteen months ago I prayed
that the responsibility might not
fall on me to accept the awful ar
bitrament of war. I fear that I am
rot able to avoid that responsi
bility.”
As Mr. Chamberlain spoke in the
Bouse of Commons, Lord Halifax,
foreign secretary, spoke in the House*
of Lords, where many of the peers
already were wearing their service
uniforms.
Mr. Chamberlain, dealing with
Germany’s contention that Poland
had rejected her 16 proposals for
peace, asserted: “These proposals
have never been communicated by
Germany to Poland at all.”
Only One Course Open.
Mr. Chamberlain said "only one
course” was open now for Britain,
adding that the British and French
Ambassadors had handed a message
this morning to the German govern
ment in Berlin.
This message to the German gov
(See LONDON, Page A-2.)
Danes Call Parliament
For Session Tonight
By the Associated Press.
COPENHAGEN. Sept. 1.—The
Danish Parliament was called for a
meeting tonight and a declaration
of Danish neutrality in any Euro
pean conflict was expected during
the afternoon.
Officials indicated five army
classes, aggregating about 40,000
men, would be called to the colors.
It was officially announced that
Danish currency would continue to
be based on the pound sterling.
<
♦
Two Bandits Seize
$9,552 Payroll on
Sixteenth Street
Pair Escape in Auto,
Eluding Police in
Dash to Maryland
Two robbers seized a $9,552 pay
roll on the sidewalk in front of the
Charles H. Tompkins Construction
Co. at 907 Sixteenth street N.W.
about 10:30 a.m. today and fled in
a sedan ahead of police radio cars
and a motor cycle officer.
The bandits’ car swung west into
I street NW. and later into Rock
Creek Park. In answer to a general
radio alarm two additional police
cars joined the chase in Rock Creek
Park, along with a motorcycle
officer.
The hold-up car dodged out of
Rock Creek Park and onto Con
necticut avenue, according to re
ports at headquarters, and was seen
on Wisconsin avenue near the Dis
trict line as Maryland and District
police blocked exits from Washing
ton in the vicinity of the East-West
Highway.
A brief case containing the week’s
pay roll for the Tompkins office on
Sixteenth street and 13 construction
jobs was wrested at pistol point from
the hands of Ellhu D. Frick, 24, of
414 North Edgewood street, Arling
ton, Va„ an employe of the book
keeping department, just as he step
ped from an automobile.
Man Waits on Sidewalk.
Mr. Frick and Morgan B. Harvey,
20, of 210 Quackenbos street N.W.,
another employe of the bookkeeping
(See HOLDUP, PageA^lOJ
Europe to Get War News
In German From U. S.
By the Associated Press.
SCHENECTADY, N. Y„ Sept. 1.—
American news of the European
situation will be broadcast to Europe
in the German language, beginning
at 1 p.m. (E. S. T.) today, by the
General Electric Co.’s powerful
short-wave station WGEA, com
pany officials announced.
Heretofore, C. W. Bullock, the
company’s assistant manager of
broadcasting, said, all news broad
casts have been in the English lan
guage.
Earlier in the day the station
directed its beam on Europe in
broadcasting a summary of Presi
dent Roosevelt’s appeal to Britain,
France, Germany, Italy and Poland
for pledges they would not bombard
civilian populations.
Company officials claim the sta
tion is "the mightiest in the Western
Hemisphere.”
Danish Exchange Closed
COPENHAGEN, Sept. 1 OP).—The
stock exchange was closed today.
Crowds gathered outside the news
paper offices reading the war news
on the bulletin boards.
r
BERLIN.—^* * * OR DIE FIGHTING*'—Adolf Hitler, appearing for the first time in a field-gray
uniform, told a hastily summoned Reichstag today he would take It off “only in victory or in
death.” He is shown as he addressed the Deputies and told them of the push on Poland and of ad
dition of Danzig to the Reich. Photo sent from Berlin to New York by radio .—A. P. Wirephoto.
Roosevelt Pledges
Every Effort to Keep
U. S. Out of War
Declines to Discuss
Neutrality Act or
Call of Congress
President Roosevelt today pledged
every effort of his administration to
keeping the United States out of
war.
Responding to questioning at a
press conference as to whether we
could stay out if general hostilities
develop in Europe, Mr. Roosevelt
said:
“I not only sincerely hope so, but
I believe we can, and every effort
will be made by the administration
so to do.”
Although an authoritative White
House source had let it be known
earlier thi? morning that the Presi
dent does not contemplate any im
mediate invocation of the Neutrality
Act or any hurried call for a spe
cial session of Congress, Mr. Roose
velt declined to discuss these ques
tions in any detail at his conference.
He indicated, however, that the
period of watchful waiting of de
velopments abroad has not yet been
replaced by one of emergency action
by this Government.
»U (VWCIBi
As his latest effort to intervene
personally in behalf of peace, or
less horrible warfare, the President
early today addressed Identical ap
peals to five European powers to
refrain from aerial bombing of open
cities and civilians. Quck favorable
response was forthcoming from two
of the nations, Prance, and .Great
Britain and similar replies were
hoped for from Italy, Germany and
Poland.
Great Britain’s favorable reply
was handed to Secretary Hull by
,Lord Lothian, new British Ambas
sador, during a conference of nearly
a half hour.
The text of the message trans
mitted by Lord Lothian follows:
“His majesty’s government wel
comes the weighty and moving appeal
of the President of the United States
against the bombardment from the
air of civilian population or of un
fortified cities.
“Deeply impressed by the human
itarian consideration to which the
President’s message refers, it was
already the settled policy of his
majesty’s government, should they
become involved in hostilities, to re
frain from such action and to con
fine bombardment to strictly military.
objectives, upon the understanding
that these same rules will be scrup
(See ROOSEVELT, Page A?5.)
*
A
Hitler Sends Reply
To Roosevelt Peace Plea
By tbe AtiocUted Press.
Adolf Hitler sent President Roose
velt today his reply to the Presi
dent’s appeal for peace last week.
The German Embassy forwarded
it to the State Department this
morning and the department was
expected to make it public shortly.
A well-informed person described
the reply as being “very positive.”
France Mobilizing
8,000,000; State of
Siege Proclaimed
By tbe Associated Press.
PARIS, Sept. 1.—France today or
dered general mobilization, decreed
a state of siege and summoned Par
liament to meet tomorrow in quick
reaction to Germany's invasion of
Poland.
The mobilization means that ev
ery able-bodied Frenchman is called
for military service and experts esti
mated it would put a total of 8,000,
000 men under arms. Mobilization
date is tomorrow.
The state of siege was proclaimed
throughout France and Algeria bj^
an emergency cabinet meeting.
French official reaction was imme
diate to reports that Hitler’s troops
were on the march in Poland and
that his warplanes were bombing
Polish cities.
Premier Daladier, after the cab
inet meeting at Elysee Palace, went
into conference with Generalissimo
Gustave Maurice Gamelin at the
war ministry.
Naval Minister Cesar Camplnchi
was called in, as was Admiral Jean
(See PARIS, Page A-5.)
Italy Won't Start
Any Military Action,
Cabinet Announces
Session With Duce Lasts
Less Than Hour; Decides
'Not to Take Initiative'
By the Associated Press.
ROME, Sept. 1.—The Italian cab
inet announced today that Italy
would refrain from starting any
military operations.
The ministers had met with Pre
mier Mussolini at 3:50 pm. (9:50
am., E. S. T.) to decide Italy's
course of action as an ally of
Germany.
They met knowing of French mo
bilization and that Hitler had de
clared Italy's aid would not be
solicited in the German hosilities
with Poland for the time being.
Before the cabinet met at Vim
inale Palace, where II Duce has an
office as minister of interier, British
Ambassador Sir Percy Loraine had
sought an interview with Italian
Foreign Minister Count Galeazzo
Ciano to learn Italy’s intentions.
The cabinet session lasted less
than an hour. It was announced
-officially that the cabinet approved
the precautionary military measures
already taken together with “the
necessary economic and social meas
ures” which accompanied them.
“Won’t Take Initiative.”
However, it was asserted that
Italy would “not take any initiative
of military operations” as a result
of the war between Germany and
Poland.
The official announcement said
the cabinet had examined the sit
uation which had arisen in Po
(See ROME, Page A-6.)
U. S. Held Far Better Prepared
For Emergency Than in 1914
By CONSTANTINE BROWN.
The beginning of the European
war finds this country, in the
opinion of the administration of
ficials, by far better prepared for
any emergency than in 1914.
The backbone of America’s na
tional defense, the Navy, is in a
better shape than ever. The United
States Fleet is ready for any emer
gency. Hie ships are modern, the
personnel is well trained and the
spirit after last summer's war game
is described in authoritative quar
ters as “admirable.’’
President Roosevelt and bis State
Department advisers wbo bad been
I
warned yesterday from London that
war was due immediately are watch
ing the situation abroad eagerly in
the hope that an opening might be
given them to launch a new peace
effort at the right moment.
Congress will be summoned shortly
to deal not only with the neutrality
law which the President insists must
be changed at once, but with new
legislation dealing with espionage,
sabotage, propaganda and other such
matters which have played havoc
with the country during the last war
because of lack of stringent legisla
tion.
While it is, of course, premature to
(See BROWN, Page A-4.)
A
Reich Claims
Control of All
'Polish Air'
Victories All Along
Line Reported in
Communique
By LOUIS P. LOCHNER,
Aasoclsted Pres» Portlin Correspondent.
BERLIN, Sept. 1.—Germany, at
the end of the first day of her un
declared was on Poland, claimed
victories all along the line, but espe
cially insisted on having complete
control of “Polish air.”
Authorized sources insisted there
was no war—but merely that a
counterblow had been struck in re
taliation for last night's alleged
Polish attack on Gleiwitz and for
border incidents which have been
occuring for weeks.
The German attack on all Polish
fronts had begun at 5:45 a m. (11:45
pm. Thursday E. S. T.) or almost a
quarter of a day before Chancellor
Hitler in an impassioned 36-minute
speech before the Reichstag once
more pleaded his case before the
nation and the world.
In that memorable session, the
Reichstag members not only unani
mously pledged allegiance to their
Fuehrer, who now is also their war
lord, but formally annexed Danzig
to the Reich.
Soviet Mission Expected.
Hitler further declared at that
session that Germany would fight
against Poland alone.
• Hitler’s warm indorsement, how
ever, of Germany’s non-aggression
pact with Soviet Russia, and official
admission that a Soviet military
mission is expected soon in Berlin,
probably today, left the interpreta
tion open that Soviet Russia may
yet join Germany in a "counter
bloc” against Poland.
Germany was sneeriilv irotttnn
down to a war basis. Throughout
the day the radio instructed the
populace what to do under com
pletely altered conditions.
One of the first of many far
reaching orders was a complete
blackout of the capital ordered by
the police president. The orders,
effective at dusk, stand for an in
definite period.
Fast-Moving Events.
The day was crowded with fast
moving events. Orders of the day
to the army, navy and air force
admonished the nation's fighters to
do all for the fatherland. An appeal
by the Reich's women's leader, Ger
trude Scholz Klink, vied with simi
lar appeals for support by leaders
of civil servants and other organiza
tions.
The army high command issued
a communique at 5:45 pm. (11:45
a.m., E. 8. T.) which said the Ger
man Army which advanced on
Poland from East Prussia is “deep
in Polish territory” and that the air
force is "controlling Polish air.”
The communique said advances of
German troops and air force which
started from Pomerania, Silesia and
East Prussia this morning were well
under way toward their objectives.
German troops were reported ad
vancing toward Neumark and Sucha
from Maerisch-Ostrau. They crossed
the Osla River near Teschen, the
communique said, heading for Ka
towicz and Czenstochowa, in Upper
Silesia.
The communique said the troops
reached the Netze River near Nakel,
in the Polish Corridor, and that a
battle was raging near Grudziacz.
The communique said the air
force is “controlling Polish air,”
adding that “strong (aviation)
forces are retained in Western
Germany.”
The army high command said
many successful air raids were re
ported on various Polish military
objectives in the Polish Corridor,
Polish Upper Silesia and the mlll
(See BERLIN, Page A-3.)
Hugh Wilson
Quits as Envoy
To Germany
Hugh R. Wilson has resigned as
American Ambassador to Germany
and has been assigned to special
duty in the State Department here,
President Roosevelt announced to
day.
Mr. Roosevelt and Secretary of
State Hull, who sat behind the
President at his press conference,
did not elaborate on Mr. Wilson’s
new duties.
Mr. Wilson, 54-year-old native of
Illinois and veteran of 27 years in
the diplomatic service, was appoint
ed Ambassador to Germany on Jan
uary 17, 1938, but stayed in Berlin
less than a year.
He returned to the United States
last November, recalled for consulta
tion with Secretary Hull and Mr.
Roosevelt after the Munich crisis.
He had not returned to Germany.
Almost Immediately on Mr. Wil
son’s return to the United States
the German government recalled
Ambassador Hans Dieckhoff to
Berlin and left its embassy here in
charge of Hans Thomsen, Charge
d'Affaires.
American diplomatic affairs in
Berlin now are in charge of Alex
ander C. Kirk, charge d’affaires ol
the embassy, who was keeping Mr.
Roosevelt and Secretary Hull fully
Informed.
t
Bridges Over Vistula
Apparent Targets of
Raiding Squadrons
Some Attackers Shot Down;
Poles Say Women, Children
Killed as Train Is Hit
BERLIN, Sept. 1 (fP).—A report by DNB, German
News Agency, said that Polish airplanes attempted to
raid the outskirts of Beuthen, in German Silesia, at 4
a.m. and dropped six bombs in the homestead settle
ment on Hohenlinde Strasse. The report said that
there were no casualties and little damage.
waksaw, sept, i (/P).—A communique at 12:30
p.m. E. S. T. today asserted the Poles brought down
four German planes near Gdynia, Polish port on the
Baltic and three others near Krakow.
By LLOYD LEHRBAS,
Associated Press Foreign Correspondent.
WARSAW, Sept. 1, 5:35 p.m. (11:35 a.m., E. S. T.).—
German warplanes swooped over Warsaw this afternoon in
an air attack in advance of three German armies invading
this country.
I am telephoning this dispatch to Budapest with the
telephone in one hand and a gas mask in the other.
From where I am I can hear the wail of power-diving
fighting ships and can see 14 German bombers slowly,
steadily following the course of the Vistula River, Poland’s
outlet to the sea.
Apparently mey are attempting to destroy all bridges.
The raid began at about 4:30 p.m. (10:30 a m., E. S. T.)
and is still continuing more than an hour later.
The German air raiders now—5:35 p.m. (11:35 am.,
E. S. T.) —are coming back after making a wide circle.
They apparently are heading toward government build
ings in the center of downtown Warsaw.
I can see puffs of anti-aircraft fire.
Although the raid is still on, there is no panic.
Across the street from me, hundreds of inhabitants are watch
ing, fascinated, on rooftops.
Explosions Shake City.
Tremendous explosions are shaking the city and rattling win
dows.
Anti-aircraft shells are bursting around the bombers, which
are coming over at an altitude of about 6,000 feet.
Warsaw naa nine warning. ]
Elmer W. Peterson, associated
Press chief of bureau here, and
I heard the anti-aircraft guns
before we heard the scream of
air-raid alarm sirens.
If the bombers have tied up
traffic over the steel railroad
bridge spanning the Vistula it is
a serious blow to Poland’s traf
fic from here to the coast and to
the west.
The Germans apparently tried for
definitely military objectives. There
was no sign of incendiary bombs.
Reports have started reaching
here of German air attacks else
where in Poland.
A large number of women and
children were killed, a government
communique said, when German
planes bombed a refugee train from
1% a am m a a
Poznan at the Kutno station, 70
miles west of Warsaw.
The first air raid on Polish terri
tory, it said, occurred at Puck—near
Danzig—at 5:40 a.m. (11:40 p.m.,
E. S. T„ last night.)
Anti-aircraft guns fired at the
raiders. Some German bombers ap
peared to have fallen into the Vis
tula.
They are dropping close by us
now, two blocks from the United
States Embassy.
Three Mainland Drives.
Bombardment of Polish cities ac
companied major drives by three
German land armies.
Until this raid, however, the clos
est the German air raiders had come
to Warsaw was 8 miles away. They
apparently were attempting to smash
Polish railway communications there.
The German warplanes had at
(See WARSAW, Page A-2.)
roiana invokes Mutual Aid l reaty;
Britain, France Mobilize All Force
By the Associated Press.
The German Army today Invaded
Poland In undeclared warfare.
Poland appealed to Great Britain
and France for aid.
British Prime Minister Chamber
lain told an extraordinary session of
Parliament Britain unhesitating^
would fulfill hed obligations to Po
land unless Germany ceased her
aggressive action and withdrew her
forces from Polish soil.
As he spoke, German air raiders
were bombing the heart of Warsaw
Three German armies were driving
across Poland, preceded by war
planes bombing Polish cities.
Britain already had started set
ting her war machine in gear.
King George VI signed an order in
council completing mobilization of
the British army, navy and airforce.
France had ordered general mobil
ization.
President Roosevelt said he be
lieved the United States could stay
out of the European conflict and
that the administraiton would make
every effort to keep this country
out.
An authorized statement in Lon
don Indicated Parliament’s purpose
would be to give force to Britain’s
decision to fulfill her pledge to help
Poland.
At 11:30 a.m. (5:30 arn.. E. S. T.),
official sources in Warsaw said
Polish cities had been bombed, Ger
man troops were moving in heavy
concentrations toward Poland’s
frontier froki East Prussia and the
border elsewhere had been violated.
So far war Is undeclared.
German planes raided the center
of Warsaw this afternoon.
Reuters, British news agency, said
a correspondent for Havas, French
agency, at Warsaw reported seven
German planes were shot down and
a German armored train captured
by the Poles.
Reuters also said that Poles were
reported barricaded in the Danzig
post office, holding out against Ger
mans, but that Nazis expected to
occupy the building late this after
m
noon. Reuters attributed its In
formation to a DNB official Ger
man news agency dispatch.
The German advance was de
scribed in Berlin as a counter-attack
in retaliation for Polish border vio
lations.
But a declaration in London,
which passed through British cen
sorship, said iT “as it would seem
* * * Germany has declared war
on Poland,” Britain and France will
be in it.
Roosevelt Appeals for Pledges.
President Roosevelt appealed to
Britain, France, Germany, Italy and
Poland for pledges they would not
bombard civilian populations.
White House sources said there
would be no immediate action for
invoking the neutrality act or calling
Congress into special session.
The Canadian Parliament was
called for an emergency meeting
September 7.
Official Polish sources, however,
were without information at that
time of the extent of damages or
casualties in air rads elsewhere in
the country.
Polish cities bombed, the foreign
office said, included Krakow, Kato
wice, Czestochowa, Tczew and Grud
ziaz.
It confirmed that fighting had
started in Danzig.
The reported point of heavy Ger
man troop massing in East Prussia
is opposite a Polish frontier only
80 miles from Warsaw.
German troops also crossed the
Polish border between the Vistula
River and Deutsch-Eylau. German
(See WAR, Page A-4.)
GUIDE FOR READERS
Page.
Amusements,
B-14-15
Comics B-22-22
Editorials A-8
Finance A-17
Lost-Found B-18
4
Page.
Obituary A-18
Radio A-19
Society B-3
Sports ..A-14-18
Woman’s
Page B-18
f