Evening star. [volume], May 21, 1940, Page A-4, Image 4

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

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Italy Orders Air Raid Drills/Blackouts as Her War Fever Rises
■ . ^
Nation Awaits Only
'Order of the Day,'
Ciano Declares
Welcome to Japanese
Launches New Outbursts
Against French, British
By the Associated Press.
ROME, May 21.—Italy, Germany’s
non-belligerent ally, appeared today
to be preparing to enter the war
as she ordered blackouts and air
raid drills in her chief industrial
areas for a three-day test beginning
tonight.
Speeches of Foreign Minister
Count Galeazzo Ciano in Milan and
Cremona, in which he said that
Italy awaits only "the order of the
day,” from Premier Mussolini "when
he will have decided upon it,” in
creased the feeling among Italians
that they might be called shortly to
fight on one of their frontiers.
Diplomatic circles, attached sig
nificance to an article by Giovanni
Ansaldo, editor of Count Ciano’s
newspaper II Telegjrafo, asserting
"the hour is near when our influence
on the course of events must be
more active.”
When Italy does move, he added,
one of its objectives will be “terri
torial increases.”
He declared that, although Britain
and France undoubtedly would re
act differently now to Italian claims
than they did 18 months ago, it
would be “too late.”
Telephone connections between
Rome and London, meanwhile, re
mained suspended.
First Drills Since September.
The possibility of Italy’s entrance
Into the conflict in the immediate
future was indicated further by the
air-raid drills, which were the first
ordered since the opening days of
the war last September.
The drills were ordered for Rome
Province, Terni, 45 miles northeast,
where great arms and munitions
factories are operating at top speed;
Milan, Turin and Genoa.
The drills were to test anti-air
craft guns and to give Italians an
other taste of what to expect when
the nation goes after its so-called
“aspirations.”
Fascists were ready to patrol the
streets and to see that pedestrians
take shelter when sirens screech
warnings of pretended raids.
Anti-aircraft batteries were un
covered on the roofs to “fire” at sky
invaders who might be expected to
swoop in mock raids at any time
during the next three days.
Along with these preparations'for
war there continued demonstrations
against Britain and France which
brought out troops and carabinieri.
A shouting group of young Italians
marched toward the British Con
sulate, but was held back by hel
meted soldiers who appeared sud
denly on the scene.
For a time early today solid ranks
of troops and carabinieri still*were
massed on the streets around the
French and British Embassies and
the British Consulate:*
Were Welcoming Japanese.
The demonstration began as 4’
friendly welcome to a Japanese dele
gation which arrived on a combined
good will and trade agreement mis
sion. A group of about 1,000 youths,
waving Japanese and Italian flags,
suddenly changed the character of
their demonstration by shouting
“Down with France!” The crowd
then headed for the embassies and
the consulate.
With Italians feeling that they
were about to be called into war,
the questions of when and how re
mained. Many wondered simply
whether the call would come within
a week, a fortnight or later.
Premier Mussolini had reports
from Marshal Pietro Badoglio on
troops posted along the frontier.
Earlier II Duce received a report on
the LIttorio Line of fortifications in
the north, which he had ordered
strengthened further.
Whether an Italian move might
come on the French frontier or on
the eastern borders facing the
Balkans, should Italy join Germany,
Was a secret.
Nothing developed to indicate
whether general mobilization was
imminent, but military experts said
that the closing of schools on May
SI, two weeks earlier than usual,
would make buildings available for
temporary barracks if needed.
Navy Yard
(Continued From First Page.)
caliber and certain armaments for
aircraft carriers.
In addition the plant spends con
siderable time putting new rifling in
guns which have been used to a
point where .their accuracy has be
come impaired. The guns are
shipped in from various naval sta
tions in the country for overhauling.
The Washington yard also has ex
tensive machine shops for tooling
various mechanical parts for ship
and shore establishments. For many
years the yard has been turning out
armor plating for the small guns
and turrets for the larger, heavy
pieces.
9,500 Workers Employed.
The naval gun factory at the yard
employs most of the personnel. At
present there are more than 9,500
workers in the entire yard. This
GERMANS DRIVE TOWARD CHANNEL—In a thrust doubly designed to reach the Channel and to
close the bag on an allied army on a sector from Tournai to Charleroi (2), German legions
pushed west from Antwerp (1) and reported they had reached Abbeville and Amiens (3). Dot
ted arrow indicates how force can stem back toward Valenciennes to light at allied army’s rear.
The push followed bitter fighting on the fronts between Cambrai and Laon (4 and 5). Broken line
is the battle line claimed by Germans early today. Shaded bulges indicate the day’s advances.
An allied army at Montmedy (6) remained a threat to the German rear. —A. P. Wirephoto Map.
-■ - ■ • ■ ■■ A-- - --—
Text of Berlin Communique
Smashing Successes Claimed
On Sea and Land in All Sectors
By the Associated Press.
BERLIN, May 21.—The high com
mand today Issued the following
communique:
The biggest attacking operation
of all time in the West now, after
a number of great individual
tactical successes, is yielding the
first operative effects.
9th Army Declared Crushed.
The 9th French Army, which
was on the Meuse between Na
mur and Sedan to hold and
maintain connections between
strong enemy operation groups in
Belgium and the Maginot Line
south of Sedan, has been crushed
and is about to be dissolved.
The army staff and Gen. Giraud,
hitherto commander of the 7th
French Army, who assumed com
mand over the 9th Army, have
been captured.
German divisions flow into the >
breach forced by the German
thrust firman nrmnrcH ffrm
aMTSofSGSPtroo^R^S^35
head took Arras, AxnleQs and
Abbeville.
Thus the Germans began crowd
ing toward, tha channel nou
an the French and Belgian stades
still to be found north of the
Somme.
In Belgium our troops attacked
the enemy, which again accepted
the fight east of Ghent and far
ther south on the Scheldt River,
Enemy attempts to force a way
out southward from the Velen
ciennes region foundered.
On the southern wing of our
attack, German troops, as previ
ously reported in a special an
nouncement, took Laon and
stormed over the Chemin des
Dames as far as the Alsne-Oise
Canal.
Here, during a defense against
Trench counterattacks, numer
ous armored cars were destroyed.
The city of Rethel, which was
still controlled by enemy units,
was taken.
The Air Force shares outstand
ingly in the victory of the army.
The Air Force, through com
plete control of the air, through
destruction of river crossings and
traffic connections, through at
tacks on marching and transport
columns, speeded up dissolution
of the 9th Trench Army.
All attempts at endangering
the flanks of our breakthrough
were nipped in the bud.
Successes at Sea Claimed.
During reconnaissance over the
•eabefore the French coast one
^5,482
the Trench freighter Tavon and
too additional freighters were
damaged.
course of Jtt& sight of:
21 in the Dover-Calais
Straits, six transports and one
tanker, with a total tonnage of
43,000 were sunk by bombs and
four additional ships of approxi
mately 13,000 tons were severely
damaged.
Total losses of the opponents
in the air yesterday amounted to
47 planes. Fifteen German planes
were missing.
includes, besides the gun factory,
the construction and repair section,
public works department and the
model ship basin. It was said the
staffs of these smaller units prob
ably would be increased.
A spokesman for the yard said to
day that Mr. Compton's letter was
being studied carefully and that no
immediate estimates could be made
on the effects of the order. He
pointed out there are many ramifi
cations to be surveyed before definite
action is taken. He gave no estimate
as to how soon expansion in per
sonnel could be made.
Other sections of the Navy Yard
which may feel effects of today’s
order are the Bellevue Naval Maga
zine, the experimental diving unit,
the optical and range finder division
and perhaps the deep-sea diving
school.
In nearby areas the order also
will affect the naval experimental
model basin at Carderock, Md.; the
naval proving ground at Dahlgren,
Va.; the Indian Head (Md.) powder
plant, and the torpedo plant at Al
exandria, Va.
Was Recently Recommissioned.
The torpedo plant, it was recalled,
was recently taken out of inactive
status and recommissioned.v Pro
duction was not to have begun until
September, but, under the Compton
order, it is expected commencement
of actual torpedo making will be
rushed. No immediate estimate of
its peak capacity was available,
naval officials saying that torpedo
manufacture is a precise and tedious
business.
The other torpedo plant is at New
port, R. I.
Any speedup at the Dahlgren prov
ing ground probably will be depend
ent on increased production rates at
various naval gun factories along the
Central East Coast. Operations at
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that naval station obviously are
limited in extent.
The order also will cover the naval
research laboratory at the Anacostia
station. This includes an Interior
communication laboratory.
In the light of today’s order, talk
developed in the Navy Department
of the probability that the old Navy
steel plant at Giesboro Point in
Congress Heights on the river bank
opposite Alexandria would be re
commissioned.
This would provide a considerable
additional production of armor, steel
plate and gun shields. However, it
was estimated the old war-time
plant could not be reconditioned and
put into production short of a year
and a half and at considerable ex
pense. Built as an emergency war
plant, for many years it has re
mained idle and out of commission.
Citizens to Meet
Officers will be elected tonight by
the Chevy Chase View (Md.) Citi
zens’ Association at a meeting at
the Kensington Junior High School.
A picnic supper and athletic con
test for children will precede the
meeting.
—<
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IBM G Street
Politics
(Continued From First Page.)
tions • • • We would all rather beat
the champ than Tony Galento.
“There Is absolutely no telling at
the present writing whether Mr.
Roosevelt will run for office a third
time, or not. But so far every politi
cal move that he has made in the
current campaign has been a move
in that direction, a move to keep
the way open should he decide to
try it.”
Hughes Sure Roosevelt Will Run.
In Delaware, unanimous indorse
ment of Mr. Roosevelt for a third
term was given by the State Demo
cratic Committee after hearing Sen
ator Hughes declare “There is no
longer a shadow of doubt but that
the President will run.”
The Delaware Senator spoke on
the eve of the party’s convention
to elect a new State committee, na
tional committeeman and commit
tee woman and delegates to the na
tional convention.
He declared:
“Some time ago we in the Senate
were doubtful that the President
there is not a shadow of doubt but
that he will, run and be re-elected.
The entire ‘country is demanding
that,ha continue in cham of out
foreign relations for the duration at
the war, and even Republicans are
joining in this move.
“You can rest assured that your
President will be your nominee.”
Connecticut Democrats chose State
convention delegates, many of whom
were pledged to a third term for
President Roosevelt and renomina
tion of Senator Maloney at caucuses
and conventions yesterday in most
of the State’s 169 municipalities.
The thir term movement received
its biggest Impetus at the New
Haven city convention where Na
tional Committeeman David E. Fitz
gerald, sr., introduced a resolution,
unanimously adopted, pledging "the
support of the Democratic party of
this city and of this State” to Presi
dent Roosevelt.
The Fitzgerald resolution also in
dorsed Senator Maloney.
Among the other large cities,
Hartford and Meriden indorsed both
the President and Senator Maloney,
Waterbury adopted a Maloney in
dorsement only and Bridgeport left
its delegation uninstructed.
Turkey to Have Stadium
Night football games and other
contests can be held in the new
stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, which
is to be completed in June, 1941.
U. S. Attache in Berlin
Asks Hull for Aid in
Caring for Prisoners
Unable to Supervise
Thousands of Allies
Pouring Into Germany
By the Associated Fieu.
With thousands of British, French
and Belgian prisoners of war being
transported into Germany, Alexan
der C. Kirk, Charge d’Affaires of
the American Embassy in Berlin,
has appealed to the State Depart
ment for help in supervising their
treatment.
Mr. Kirk, a career diplomat, has
formed a special organization in the
Embassy to handle such supervision
at the request of the allies. It con
sists of an American Army officer,
who went recently to Berlin; an
American public health officer at
tached to the Embassy and two for
eign service officers.
Aid Declared Insufficient.
This organization is proving in
sufficient, so Mr. Kirk has asked for
additional officials. Berlin dis
patches claimed the capture of
100,000 allied soldiers during the
week end, but no official word has
arrived from the Berlin Embassy.
In supervising the treatment of
prisoners as a "protecting power,”
the United States is acting under a
1929 pact signed at Geneva by all
the leading nations, including Ger
many and the allies. The pact guar
antees prlsonera-of-war equitable
treatment such as they never were
guaranteed in any previous war,
and gives to the protecting power
the task of seeing that the treat
muit corresponds with the provi
sions of the pact.
After the outbreak of war last fall
Germany and the allies informed
the United States officially that
they would abide by the pact.
It guarantees that prisoners shall
not be mistreated or forced to give
information, must be permitted to
write letters home, cannot be made
to work on military objectives, and
must be paid like civilian employes
on civilian work.
Task Heretofore Easy.
The task of the United States up
to last week was reasonably easy,
since the only large body of pris
oners taken by the Germans hitherto
was composed of Polls, and the
United States is not the protecting
power for Poland.
The fact that German prison
camps are scattered throughout that
country will add to the burden of
the American Embassy.
Officials believe that allied pris
oners-of-war are receiving better
treatment in Germany than they got
in the World War. In that conflict,
it is said, Germany was prepared
down to the last iota, but had for
gotten that prisoners would be
taken. The first large group was
kept in the race track outside Berlin.
-gyyfc. • • «n. ...**■ - .
Gloucester in London i
to the British Field Forces, arrived
here today from France on “urgent
duty.” The Duke, a major general,
was expected to return shortly to
British general headquarters in
France.
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German Mail
Takes 45 Days to
Reach America,
Br th« AuoeUted Pre««.
BALTIMORE, May 21.—German
mall for the United States la get
ting past the British blockade, but
it’s almost a round-the-world
proposition that takes 45 days.
Neal Sibley, acting postmaster,
said letters from Germany were
coming in reguarly, but one letter,
as an example, was mailed In Ber
lin March 22, crossed Poland, Rus
sia and Siberia to Vladivostok and
thence to the United States.
He said mall was being delivered
to Germany, also, but declined to
reveal the route, saying such In
formation might Increase chances
of Interception by British war
vessels.
Middleton
(Continued From First Page.)
constant and changeable as quick
silver.
The allies tonight seemed faced
with no other choice than to strike
—and strike quickly—at the base of
the salient.
Such a counter-attack, delivered
simultaneously by the British to
the north and the French to the
south, might end for the moment
at least the danger which threatens
the allied cause.
If, however, the Germans have
been moving fresh troops and am
munition into the area during the
last 48 hours the allies will be forced
to dig in, in front of the German
steam roller, and continue to light
on the defensive.
Most Violent Conflict.
The conflict in the town exceeded
in violence any other action fought
by the allies thus far.
The allies and Germans sifted
through the narrow cobblestpned
streets, sniped from half-ruined
houses and swept streets and plazas
with showers of machine-gun fire.
As well as being important stra
tegically, this town, which until a
week ago had hundreds of inhab
itants, is of great historic impor
tance. '
Engagements of small bodies of
troops occurred in numerous other
locations in the Cambrai-St. Quen
tin area.
Mobile warfare of a type unseen
iif Europe since the first weeks of
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the World War la continuing on a
large scale.
Except for the substitution of
tanks and armored cars for horses,
it is cavalry fighting. Sudden
dashes, raids on isolated posts and
occasional full-dress attacks con
stitute the main German tactics,
but ever behind this steel screen
is the mass of the Germany Army.
British Reinforcing.
Meanwhile, the British are rein
forcing every minute, although
thousands of refugees continue to
pour toward the coast in columns
of homeless, helpless, hopeless hu
manity.
There is no indication by either
the British or French as to the ex
tent of casualties,'but one offlcer
who toured the front remarked to
me it was the first time he had ever
seen so few ambulances at the Brit
ish front.
The Royal Air Force again was
playing a bad hand well against a
force vastly superior in number of
! planes.
There were indications the Ger
mans had learned the lesson they
were taught by the French at the
World War battle of the Marne, and
this time they are taking no chances
of being hit while tired and breath
less.
Bill to Deport Bridges
To Be Pushed in House
By the Associated Press.
The House Immigration Commit
tee moved yesterday to obtain early
action on a bill to depart Harry
Bridges, West Coast C. I. O. leader.
Representative Allen, Democrat,
of Louisiana, author of the legisla
tion, said the Rules Committee
would give him and other members
of the Immigration Committee a
hearing today on their request for
permission to bring the legislation
to the floor.
Silver fox farms are being started
in vast arid tracts in Chile.
-■-- a
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