BOMBING OF A BRITISH LINER. A moment of silence for at least eighty-eight Indian seamen who died Sunday in the English Channel after their vessel, the British India steamship Domala, was struck by three hits from a German Heinkel bomber. Raymond Daniell tells in Monday’s New York Times of the terrible circumstances which led these men to their doom --
“[The Indians] had been serving aboard German ships and were interned at the outbreak of the war. Through the cooperation of the United States Embassy in Berlin these men had been released and had boarded the Domala at Antwerp and were on their way home for repatriation when their ship was attacked.”
About fifty of the Indian passengers survived, though many were badly wounded by bomb splinters. Twenty of forty-eight British officers and sailors have been reported missing, presumably lost. According to the Times, the sinking took place just a few hours after Germany’s Grand Admiral Raeder announced that all British shipping will be from now on subject to Nazi attack because no British ships are engaged in “peaceful” commerce.
Perhaps another moment of silence would be appropriate -- silent contempt, for the German high command’s pointless and shockingly heartless approach to what it considers “warfare.”
NO SPRING OFFENSIVE AFTER ALL? Commemorating the six-month mark in Europe’s “Big War,” Hanson W. Baldwin writes in Sunday’s New York Times that all the talk among journalists about a German spring offensive might be nothing but talk --
“Far-flung aerial action and a land offensive in the West might be undertaken in the hope of striking a tremendous blow and ending the war. The possibility of such a gigantic military success exists, but the scales seem weighed against it, and we must not forget that every one of the major German offensives in the World War was undertaken in the hope and expectation of a decisive success. The same will-o’-the-wisp may lure hundreds of thousands to death this Spring and it is possible, if the Germans are willing to pay the cost, that they could achieve a local penetration of the Maginot Line. But nothing less than the capture of Paris and the Channel ports, and paralysis of the life of England and France by air, sea, and land attacks could achieve a decision. Such a definitive success, even if backed by the full smashing force of the mighty German military machine, seems unlikely; hence, many observers here, who a few months ago thought German attack most likely, now feel the scales are fairly evenly weighed between attack and continuation of the present character of warfare.”
I wonder, too, if the reports of 100,000 Russian dead in the last month in the slow-moving assault on Finland’s Mannerheim Line aren’t giving Hitler pause. An attack on the Maginot Line, or even on the fortified areas of northern France, is likely to be at least as bloody, with little to show for it. But that fact argues as much for a German aerial attack on Britain as it does for no German attack, period. Then again, Hitler could stick to aggression against smaller countries, whose small armies appeal to his bullying instincts. Occupation of Europe’s neutrals might well give the Germans a better prospect of success, through having improved access to natural resources and a larger number of strategic bases on the continent. Most likely targets in the coming weeks, in my opinion -- the Low Countries and Rumania.
FINLAND FIGHTS ON, ALONE. Donald Day, the Chicago Tribune’s man in Finland, writes stories that show himself to be passionately supportive of the Finns. His dispatch in Monday’s paper is no exception -- “Despite the soviet advance into the Finnish lines toward Viipuri, the Red Army is still far from breaking the Mannerheim defense zone, the prepared positions of which, before and behind Viipuri, still are in the hands of the Finns. Altho the fourth month of the war finds Finland still fighting alone against Russia, I have not seen the slightest evidence of discouragement among the Finns...The Finns are confident of their ability to defeat communism’s plans to overrun Finland.”
Perhaps Mr. Day ought to cable his editors back home, and see if he can talk them out of their hysterical opposition to U.S. military sales to Finland -- as well as any other kind of U.S. government aid to the Finns.
ROOSEVELT NOT RUNNING? Monday’s Washington Post is claiming to be the first with the big news, as reported by Roosevelt biographer Ernest K. Lindley. As the Post’s headline puts it, “Roosevelt Won’t Run, Hull His Candidate.” Mr. Lindley reports the President recently had a talk with one of the “elderly stalwarts” of the Democratic Party, and crafts a mythical conversation relating the “substance” of what ensued.
Mr. Lindley claims President Roosevelt said, in so many words, “I’m not going to run again. I’m getting tired. It’s time for someone else to take over this job. Of course, if the Germans overrun England and head in our direction I won’t desert the ship. But unless something like that happens, I won’t run again.” When the visitor asked F.D.R. who he would endorse to be the Democratic nominee, the President replied something like, “I think [Secretary of State] Hull would be a good man, don’t you? He’s safe. He can be elected. He would keep us out of war.”
There’s no public reaction yet from the President to what the Post says he “said.”
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Sunday, March 3, 1940
THE NAZIS WANT VICTORY, NOT TALKS. The C.B.S. Berlin correspondent, William Shirer, broadcast a good wrap-up last night of Under Secretary of State Welles’ trip to Berlin. The most important news Mr. Shirer says, is that Secretary Welles leaves the Reich not with a peace proposal from Hitler, but with “formal assurances” from Hitler’s men that Germany intends to fight to the finish. The Secretary got this message in spades over the last two days -- in a four-hour conference at Field Marshal Goering’s country home, in talks with Rudolph Hess, Hitler’s deputy, in a meeting with Foreign Minister von Ribbentrop, and finally at a chat with Hitler himself. Mr. Shirer concluded his talk with a gloomy observation -- “Things have gone much too far now in Europe for there to be any possibility of a negotiated peace.”
Earlier reports echoed that belief. Otto D. Tolischus wrote in Saturday’s New York Times that “all hopes for peace that may have been attached to the visit...turned into dust” after the Friday meeting with von Ribbentrop. The Foreign Minister, according to the Times, bragged that the Reich was poised to strike “a decisive blow that will put in the shade all previous ideas of military penetration power.” In Saturday’s Chicago Tribune, Walter Trohan cites a semiofficial German news agency as promising the German Army would soon strike “the greatest blow in its history.” The Germans were friendly enough to Secretary Welles, and tell American newsmen they hope the Roosevelt administration soon will send an ambassador to Berlin. Not too likely, if they plunge the continent into a devastating war.
Of course, if there is truly no chance for peace, that brings everybody back to the twin questions of (1) Will Germany strike this spring? and (2) If so, where? My own guess -- “fear” would be a better word -- is that Hitler will send his troops swarming across Belgium and Holland and launch a full-scale air assault across the English Channel at Britain. The French will be left alone for now, in the belief that once Britain is destroyed, France will fall quickly thereafter. It might all happen before this month is out -- one current report mentions March 15 as a possible starting date for the offensive.
RUSSIAN TROOPS ENTER VIIPURI. More sad news from the Finnish battlefront -- the Finns’ second city, Viipuri (Viborg), is being set afire this week-end by her fleeing defenders. According to a Saturday Associated Press dispatch, Red Army troops are advancing into the southern outskirts of the ancient port city. They’ve seized five more towns in the Karelian Isthmus. The Reds also claim to have shot down twenty-one more Finnish warplanes. A United Press story, same day, emphasizes the “heavy casualties” inflicted on the invaders by the Finns. But the U.P. also notes that “Russian mass assaults [were] so extended over a thirty-mile front that the Finns had difficulty in concentrating their meager defensive man power to best advantage.”
But Walter B. Kerr writes in Friday’s New York Herald Tribune that the Finnish population behind the lines has shown no sign of panicking yet -- “The end of the third month of the war has brought with it no signs of weakening Finnish morale. The people on the home front still take bombings as their share of the burden. And in Helsinki and elsewhere they are working to strengthen their shelters...The film theaters are open, the trains run and the stores stay open longer than they used to.”
ADMIRAL YARNELL -- NO WAR WITH JAPAN. A Saturday Associated Press story says the former commander of the U.S. Asiatic fleet, Admiral Harry Yarnell, has spoken out on the question of whether an American embargo on trade with Japan would lead to a U.S.-Japanese war. His answer, given in a letter to Senator Schwellenbach, Democrat of Georgia, is a firm “no,” coupled with a warning against what might happen if we continue to sell war materials to Japan’s armies --
“It would be suicidal for Japan to engage in another major war with a powerful enemy. As for our interests in the Far East, the question arises whether our nation can afford to see the domination of that great area by a power inspired by the ideals of fire and sword that have had full sway in China during the present war. Success in this adventure will entrench the Japanese Army in control of the government for many years, and, as time goes on, will lead inevitably to the acquisition of more territory by force of arms....We will face an uncertain and dangerous future if the democratic nations of Europe, and China, are defeated in the present war.”
Amen to that. Expect, however, that Japan will make a lot of frightening noises over the next few months about the impact of an embargo. According to a Saturday United Press dispatch, the Tokyo magazine Chuo Koron proclaims that once the President announces an embargo, “we must be prepared to wage war against the United States.”
“OSCAR” NIGHT BIG FOR “GONE WITH THE WIND.” Clark Gable must be some sort of lucky charm. A few years ago he starred in “It Happened One Night,” which swept the Movie Academy Awards for best production, best actor, best actress, and best director. Then, Mr. Gable takes the lead male role in the color extravaganza “Gone With the Wind” -- and that picture swept the Academy honors Thursday night in eight categories -- best production, best actress (for Vivian Leigh), best director, best screen play, best actress in a supporting role (for Hattie McDaniel, first Negro to win an award from the Academy), best art direction, best editing, and best color. Best actor went to Robert Donat for “Goodbye Mr. Chips” and best supporting actor was given to Thomas Mitchell in “Stagecoach.” The “Oscar” award for best song went to “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz,” which also won for best score. Other awards went to “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” and “Wuthering Heights.” It’s been a pretty fair year for movies, overall.
Earlier reports echoed that belief. Otto D. Tolischus wrote in Saturday’s New York Times that “all hopes for peace that may have been attached to the visit...turned into dust” after the Friday meeting with von Ribbentrop. The Foreign Minister, according to the Times, bragged that the Reich was poised to strike “a decisive blow that will put in the shade all previous ideas of military penetration power.” In Saturday’s Chicago Tribune, Walter Trohan cites a semiofficial German news agency as promising the German Army would soon strike “the greatest blow in its history.” The Germans were friendly enough to Secretary Welles, and tell American newsmen they hope the Roosevelt administration soon will send an ambassador to Berlin. Not too likely, if they plunge the continent into a devastating war.
Of course, if there is truly no chance for peace, that brings everybody back to the twin questions of (1) Will Germany strike this spring? and (2) If so, where? My own guess -- “fear” would be a better word -- is that Hitler will send his troops swarming across Belgium and Holland and launch a full-scale air assault across the English Channel at Britain. The French will be left alone for now, in the belief that once Britain is destroyed, France will fall quickly thereafter. It might all happen before this month is out -- one current report mentions March 15 as a possible starting date for the offensive.
RUSSIAN TROOPS ENTER VIIPURI. More sad news from the Finnish battlefront -- the Finns’ second city, Viipuri (Viborg), is being set afire this week-end by her fleeing defenders. According to a Saturday Associated Press dispatch, Red Army troops are advancing into the southern outskirts of the ancient port city. They’ve seized five more towns in the Karelian Isthmus. The Reds also claim to have shot down twenty-one more Finnish warplanes. A United Press story, same day, emphasizes the “heavy casualties” inflicted on the invaders by the Finns. But the U.P. also notes that “Russian mass assaults [were] so extended over a thirty-mile front that the Finns had difficulty in concentrating their meager defensive man power to best advantage.”
But Walter B. Kerr writes in Friday’s New York Herald Tribune that the Finnish population behind the lines has shown no sign of panicking yet -- “The end of the third month of the war has brought with it no signs of weakening Finnish morale. The people on the home front still take bombings as their share of the burden. And in Helsinki and elsewhere they are working to strengthen their shelters...The film theaters are open, the trains run and the stores stay open longer than they used to.”
ADMIRAL YARNELL -- NO WAR WITH JAPAN. A Saturday Associated Press story says the former commander of the U.S. Asiatic fleet, Admiral Harry Yarnell, has spoken out on the question of whether an American embargo on trade with Japan would lead to a U.S.-Japanese war. His answer, given in a letter to Senator Schwellenbach, Democrat of Georgia, is a firm “no,” coupled with a warning against what might happen if we continue to sell war materials to Japan’s armies --
“It would be suicidal for Japan to engage in another major war with a powerful enemy. As for our interests in the Far East, the question arises whether our nation can afford to see the domination of that great area by a power inspired by the ideals of fire and sword that have had full sway in China during the present war. Success in this adventure will entrench the Japanese Army in control of the government for many years, and, as time goes on, will lead inevitably to the acquisition of more territory by force of arms....We will face an uncertain and dangerous future if the democratic nations of Europe, and China, are defeated in the present war.”
Amen to that. Expect, however, that Japan will make a lot of frightening noises over the next few months about the impact of an embargo. According to a Saturday United Press dispatch, the Tokyo magazine Chuo Koron proclaims that once the President announces an embargo, “we must be prepared to wage war against the United States.”
“OSCAR” NIGHT BIG FOR “GONE WITH THE WIND.” Clark Gable must be some sort of lucky charm. A few years ago he starred in “It Happened One Night,” which swept the Movie Academy Awards for best production, best actor, best actress, and best director. Then, Mr. Gable takes the lead male role in the color extravaganza “Gone With the Wind” -- and that picture swept the Academy honors Thursday night in eight categories -- best production, best actress (for Vivian Leigh), best director, best screen play, best actress in a supporting role (for Hattie McDaniel, first Negro to win an award from the Academy), best art direction, best editing, and best color. Best actor went to Robert Donat for “Goodbye Mr. Chips” and best supporting actor was given to Thomas Mitchell in “Stagecoach.” The “Oscar” award for best song went to “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz,” which also won for best score. Other awards went to “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” and “Wuthering Heights.” It’s been a pretty fair year for movies, overall.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Thursday, February 29, 1940
FINLAND’S ARMIES FALL BACK. The city of Viipuri (Viborg) used to be Finland’s second largest, but no more. According to a Wednesday Associated Press dispatch, it is now “an artillery-raked no man’s land cluttered with ruins where more than 80,000 persons once lived.” And Russian troops draw ever closer to those ruins. Walter B. Kerr writes in Tuesday’s New York Herald Tribune that the Red Army is attacking over the ice of Viipuri Bay with the aims of outflanking the Mannerheim Line and encircling the city. They’ve seized the three strategic Koivisto Islands, whose coastal batteries had been employed with deadly efficiency by the Finns since the start of the war.
The Wednesday A.P. story also says Finland has suffered a reversal in the Far North. According to the Finns themselves, their Arctic army has been forced by Soviet pressure to withdraw to Nautsi on the border with Norway, some 85 miles south of the Finnish port of Petsamo, which has long been in Russian hands. A major battle is underway in the area, and the Finns have been driven back from their original positions.
Sadly, it looks like the Finns are starting to crack.
WHAT DID WELLES DO IN ROME? Did Under Secretary of State Welles “cut short his stay in Rome and hurry to Berlin via Switzerland,” as David Darrah reports in Wednesday’s Chicago Tribune? Mr. Darrah says the Paris papers have played up the “mystery” of Secretary Welles’ “sudden departure.” There’s also speculation about a link between the Secretary’s departure and the conference of Scandinavian foreign ministers in Copenhagen. One report mentions a desire by Mr. Welles to sample neutral opinion among the Swiss, the Dutch, and the Belgians. The French don’t have a very elevated view of the mission -- a Paris writer says that “no peace is possible at the moment and Sumner Welles can make his report on the possibilities in one line.”
But the New York Times’ story on Wednesday paints the Rome visit in a highly favorable light. The report claims Mr. Welles left Rome “in a cheerful frame of mind” after talks with Mussolini and Foreign Minister Ciano. He expects to call on the Italians again before his trip is concluded. The Times also says, interestingly enough, that the Italian view of the visit is now much more favorable than it was when it began -- “Italian circles, close to the government, display the same optimism as Welles...The press also shares in this warm atmosphere in its friendly headlines – the first in at least two years.”
According to the Times, Secretary Welles has spent a pretty fair amount of time so far denying all sorts of things. The latest -- “Welles disclaimed knowledge of reports the Germans had drawn up a peace plan, which they intended to submit to him when in Berlin and also categorically denied that it was part of his mission to try to end the Russo-Finnish war, as indicated by Rome newspapers this morning.”
HITLER THE WASP. In his Washington Post column on Wednesday, Barnet Nover compares Hitler to the eumenidae, a species of wasp “that paralyzes its intended victims before devouring them.” Mr. Nover says that Hitler’s politics of paralysis is working very well against the Scandinavian countries, to Finland’s detriment and Russia’s gain --
“Why are Finland’s supporters paralyzed, or, at least, partially paralyzed? It is not Russia which is feared, not after three months of Finnish resistance. The fear which has inhibited action is the fear of Germany. That fear has prevented the Scandinavian countries from acting as a unit although, as a unit, they possess not inconsiderable force. The same fear has also kept the Allies from rushing in to Finland’s assistance. For the Allies have been acting on the assumption that they mus husband all their strength to meet a German assault in the spring, an assault which may not occur....It is not Swedish aid to Finland which Hitler fears, but the creation of a Scandinavian alliance which, weak as it would be vis-a-vis the Reich, would be sufficiently strong in view of the certain assurance it would have of Allied backing, to defy him. He cannot, with the blockade bearing down on Germany, risk such defiance.”
More clearly than most, Mr. Nover also points out the stakes in the Finnish war for the European democracies -- “If Finland goes under it is more than a mere probability that Russia and Germany between them will spread their tentacles over the rest of Scandinavia. It is a certainty. And the loss of prestige it will mean for the Allies, regardless of whatever justifiable excuses they may be able to offer for the inadequacy of their assistance to Finland, will be of very serious moment to them.” Can Chamberlain or Daladier deny the truth of this? Will Finland’s increasing plight finally move them to decisive action on the Finns’ behalf?
NAZIS MOVE ON THE LUXEMBURG BORDER. An Associated Press story made the papers Tuesday saying that “great German transport activity” has been reported across the border from the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg. The A.P. says that “trains were numerous and long columns of trucks, infantry, and cavalry could be seen.” It’s said that Field Marshall Hermann Goering and four German generals visited the German fortifications in the area last week-end.
A THIRD TERM? WANNA BET? An item from Wednesday’s Chicago Tribune -- “Commissioners in lower Manhattan today reported that bets amounting to $6,000 have been placed at odds of two to one that Franklin D. Roosevelt will not be the next President. It was said also that $24,000 had been offered at the same odds without takers to date. Bets are being laid at 7 or 8 to 5 that Mr. Roosevelt will be renominated and at even money that, if nominated, he will not be elected.”
The Wednesday A.P. story also says Finland has suffered a reversal in the Far North. According to the Finns themselves, their Arctic army has been forced by Soviet pressure to withdraw to Nautsi on the border with Norway, some 85 miles south of the Finnish port of Petsamo, which has long been in Russian hands. A major battle is underway in the area, and the Finns have been driven back from their original positions.
Sadly, it looks like the Finns are starting to crack.
WHAT DID WELLES DO IN ROME? Did Under Secretary of State Welles “cut short his stay in Rome and hurry to Berlin via Switzerland,” as David Darrah reports in Wednesday’s Chicago Tribune? Mr. Darrah says the Paris papers have played up the “mystery” of Secretary Welles’ “sudden departure.” There’s also speculation about a link between the Secretary’s departure and the conference of Scandinavian foreign ministers in Copenhagen. One report mentions a desire by Mr. Welles to sample neutral opinion among the Swiss, the Dutch, and the Belgians. The French don’t have a very elevated view of the mission -- a Paris writer says that “no peace is possible at the moment and Sumner Welles can make his report on the possibilities in one line.”
But the New York Times’ story on Wednesday paints the Rome visit in a highly favorable light. The report claims Mr. Welles left Rome “in a cheerful frame of mind” after talks with Mussolini and Foreign Minister Ciano. He expects to call on the Italians again before his trip is concluded. The Times also says, interestingly enough, that the Italian view of the visit is now much more favorable than it was when it began -- “Italian circles, close to the government, display the same optimism as Welles...The press also shares in this warm atmosphere in its friendly headlines – the first in at least two years.”
According to the Times, Secretary Welles has spent a pretty fair amount of time so far denying all sorts of things. The latest -- “Welles disclaimed knowledge of reports the Germans had drawn up a peace plan, which they intended to submit to him when in Berlin and also categorically denied that it was part of his mission to try to end the Russo-Finnish war, as indicated by Rome newspapers this morning.”
HITLER THE WASP. In his Washington Post column on Wednesday, Barnet Nover compares Hitler to the eumenidae, a species of wasp “that paralyzes its intended victims before devouring them.” Mr. Nover says that Hitler’s politics of paralysis is working very well against the Scandinavian countries, to Finland’s detriment and Russia’s gain --
“Why are Finland’s supporters paralyzed, or, at least, partially paralyzed? It is not Russia which is feared, not after three months of Finnish resistance. The fear which has inhibited action is the fear of Germany. That fear has prevented the Scandinavian countries from acting as a unit although, as a unit, they possess not inconsiderable force. The same fear has also kept the Allies from rushing in to Finland’s assistance. For the Allies have been acting on the assumption that they mus husband all their strength to meet a German assault in the spring, an assault which may not occur....It is not Swedish aid to Finland which Hitler fears, but the creation of a Scandinavian alliance which, weak as it would be vis-a-vis the Reich, would be sufficiently strong in view of the certain assurance it would have of Allied backing, to defy him. He cannot, with the blockade bearing down on Germany, risk such defiance.”
More clearly than most, Mr. Nover also points out the stakes in the Finnish war for the European democracies -- “If Finland goes under it is more than a mere probability that Russia and Germany between them will spread their tentacles over the rest of Scandinavia. It is a certainty. And the loss of prestige it will mean for the Allies, regardless of whatever justifiable excuses they may be able to offer for the inadequacy of their assistance to Finland, will be of very serious moment to them.” Can Chamberlain or Daladier deny the truth of this? Will Finland’s increasing plight finally move them to decisive action on the Finns’ behalf?
NAZIS MOVE ON THE LUXEMBURG BORDER. An Associated Press story made the papers Tuesday saying that “great German transport activity” has been reported across the border from the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg. The A.P. says that “trains were numerous and long columns of trucks, infantry, and cavalry could be seen.” It’s said that Field Marshall Hermann Goering and four German generals visited the German fortifications in the area last week-end.
A THIRD TERM? WANNA BET? An item from Wednesday’s Chicago Tribune -- “Commissioners in lower Manhattan today reported that bets amounting to $6,000 have been placed at odds of two to one that Franklin D. Roosevelt will not be the next President. It was said also that $24,000 had been offered at the same odds without takers to date. Bets are being laid at 7 or 8 to 5 that Mr. Roosevelt will be renominated and at even money that, if nominated, he will not be elected.”
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)