Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - January 12, 1940, Winnipeg, Manitoba Neutral states fearful As conflict threatens to engulf them in War Winnipeg free this War is main Field the Bird of four special despatches by the foreign news editor he press to actg the March of Mars across Europe since september by Joe Alex Morriss United press foreign news editor Nightmare of threats against new fronts in Europe f on the Western front is deadlocked. That either Side can tempt the enemy into a suicidal offensive is doubtful until there is a drastic change in other Fields. War at sea promises n Long slow struggle that might never be decisive. War in the air is a tremendous threat but still untried on a Racior scale and therefore risky. War on the economic front brings slowly must be supported constantly by armed might in order a be successful. After four months of conflict Between Germany and the Allied Powers the foregoing considerations help explain today s warfare on one new they provide the basis for examination of threats that the conflict will spread to still other fronts from Scandinavia to the Balkans. There Are three fundamental factors underlying these threats 1. German charges that the allies Are manoeuvring to draw More european countries into the War in order to perfect their blockade of the Reich and to establish new bases for attack on less strongly fortified Borders of Germany. 2. Allied charges that. Germany threatens to invade Small neighbor in order to attempt a flanking attack on the Maginot line to Jet better air base for bombing the British Isles and to assure a steady flow of supplies into the Reich. 3" the resurgence of soviet Russia As a powerful Factor in Europe a the red invasion of Finland which is perhaps the most formidable threat that the War zones will be extended. Basis of danger to neutrals All those factors including the position of Russia Are closely linked to Progress or Lack of Progress of the War in Western Europe. All provide powerful ammunition for propaganda by both sides. But respite persistent distortion of the facts they provide the basis of real Dansero the Small neutrals and that danger will become acute when be belligerent or the other becomes desperate. Let s look it the facts and the potential dangers nazis have charged that the allies sought to bring Rumania Greece. Turkey and Sweden into the War materials Thi establishing military War orbit by pledges of assistance or by shipping rough Scandinavia to Finland As a preliminary to against the Reich. Bases in Sweden for use the British Are attempting by every Means to extend and their blockade which can succeed Only when Complete enough Toto cause economic collapse of the Reich. By pressure and Purchase Kiev Are trying to divert from Germany the materials they cannot intercept by Legal Force of . They have not yet been particularly _ successful in the Balkans. I just As obvious is the fact that these efforts would be Complete if a Egen Nany s Small neighbors including Belgium and Holland entered Flthe War on the Allied Side. That too would give Britain and France i for attack without spending perhaps a million lives in the death straps of the Siegfried line although it would also create new defensive problems which cannot be positively estimated. I moral Factor important to allies i but there is a still More important Factor involved from the Allied viewpoint. Britain and France have based their War against Germany Ion opposition to aggression. They believe that they have the sympathy of most of the present governments of the neutrals both because of the a Superior Allied resources and because the Small states have witnessed ?1he Fate of Czecho Slovakia and Poland. The allies count heavily on that sympathy As Well As the Friendly of the United states. Dupless pushed to desperation it would be suicidal for them to violate mine integrity of any Small state. To there will be terrific pressure on the Little states which must pick Lithe Winner in order to survive. But the loudly voiced German charges it present Are More a warning to the neutrals to continue Trade with the Reich than the result of real fear of an Allied military move. Charges that Germany plans to invade Holland and Belgium have come with clock like regularity from Allied sources. The basis is that the nazi High command wants to flank the Maginot line by repeating the world War dash through Northern France. The same argument is sometimes advanced in regard to Switzerland Holland. Belgium and Switzerland have taken vast precautions. So far All of the facts have indicated that the allies charges were ased More on their own preparations to offset such a nazi move than m real fear that an invasion would be attempted. In the first Germany now has Access to supplies from the of countries Scandinavia and the Balkans. Her main purpose is to protect these Supply lines. Extension of the War fronts would certainly break the Reich s Supply lines for a Long period if not permanently. For instance the allies have detailed plans for moving into the powerful belgian defence lines at a Speed designed to beat any German Trust to the Albert canal. Germany could bleed to death in Flanders Las easily As on the Western front. Tomorrow in the final article. Or. Morriss examines the threat to neutrals contained in the Russo finnish War. Mediator Hitler against Aid for russian War London Jan. Amsterdam correspondent of the daily express today reported Adolf Hitler has offered to act As mediator in efforts to bring about peace Between Russia and Finland. Hitler s reported offer it was pointed out however Fol lows closely on reports current in european capitals that Josef Stalin has demanded Hitler come to his Aid in the finnish that apparently could mean nothing but troops and guns to subdue the so far victorious finns. Russia it is believed is willing to talk peace and might be willing 1o give up plans of Complete con quest if she were assured of naval and air bases in the Baltic the right to use Petsako Northern ice free port and adjustment of her Frontier with Finland in the East the Cor respondent added. Far from recognizing Josef Stalin s puppet finnish government at to Riyoki. The German government 5s still accepting consuls appointed by the finnish government at Hel Kingfors. It was Learned at Amster dam today. The appointment of Heinrich Waldmann As new finnish Consul at Essen has been agreed to by the German government. Gnu in action finnish mid Finland head quarters. Romanic i. Jan. 12. Troops of the russian vol. Pages. Winnipeg Friday january 12, 1940 final edition and cold. London hears Roar guns Trump card eng s Tail London Jan. General overhauling of great Britain s air defences was predicted today in the belief that Germany s Ong threatened Aerial Blitzkrieg lightning War might come soon. Systematic raids on the British coast today and yesterday following several Days of furious bombing and machine gun attacks on British and Neutral ships indicated that the Ger mans might be sounding out British defences and gathering data on their planes fuel consumption in preparation for a mass attack by continuous Waves of warplanes. Britain s defence measures it was said probably would include 1 greater co operation Between anti aircraft gunners and interceptor squadrons 2 Extension and redistribution of the balloon barrages 3 strengthening of coastal look outs in some sections 4 redistribution of fighting planes and personnel. There also was considerable talk of a Trump up the British air ministry s Ney Type of plane faster than anything known. The air ministry disclosed that new super fighting planes a Long Range Type of very High Speed were in production. It said the time had not yet come to use them but when it does there May be some sur in the numbers which Are Likely to be anti aircraft gun fire broke out at numerous Points on the East coast Trump card continued on Page 4, column 1 a Balkan threat speeds wheels of diplomacy London. Jan. 12. Russia s at tack on Finland and her alleged ambitions in the Balkans european diplomatic activity sent Kigh gear today with German italian relations suffering further aggravations and growing signs of a strengthened Balkan entente against russian aggression. The italian German breach according to diplomatic information Here has come from disagreement regarding italian shipment of to Finland. Elsewhere in Europe the Fin Nish War had the following reverberations Carol of Rumania and Regent Prince Paul of Yugoslavia were reported to have conferred at the Frontier yesterday in connection with the forthcoming meeting of the Balkan entente which is expected to consider Means of strengthening Balkan neutrality and defences against the spread of bolshevism. Was reported with out confirmation to have agreed to passage of italian troops through its territory to Aid Hungary if necessary against a possible soviet attack. From Istanbul indicated that the italian action with Balkans continued on Page 4, column 2 flame fury Selkirk garage Blaze does damage Selkirk Man., Jan 12. Damage unofficially estimated at More than fire swept through he Bell garage Early Friday morning destroying one Winnipeg Selkirk and Lake Winnipeg electric bus and three private trucks. A Quantity of gasoline Oil tires and other equipment secret police the dreaded Gnu have been in action on the Suo Viiu Salmi front in a vain attempt to retrieve the disaster to three rus Sian divisions. Finnish sources said today. Finns believed that Gnu men or thet picked russian troops had mediator continued on Page 4, column 3 air Force asks skilled workers Ottawa Jan. 12. Up skilled Desmen Between 18 and 40 Are at present by the Royal an air Force the National department announced West night. Irom Man ii Lually skilled handling air planes Aero engines parts Man Are required with Fri once in such trades As Acety 5? wild cars electricians wireless electrical mechanics tailors photographers Motorboat Telephone crewmen machinists watch is instrument repairers fab t workers. Equipment assistants Cooks clerks Cabi armament artificers ers. Metal workers motor and tinsmith. Hope abandoned for 68 miners Hartley w. Va., Jan. 12 recovery of from the blast torn Bartley no. 1 mine shattered Hope today Lor the safety of 68 other miners trapped behind twisted timbers and other debris by wednesday s explosion. The last-19--bodies All badly mangled found Crews stumbled through the wrecked tunnels 600 feet underground to the Viry Centre of explosion area. Rescue workers reported the men probably had been killed in stantly and saw Little Chance that miners in other entryways had escaped a similar Fate. Mine com Pany officials and mine inspectors shared that belief. I am afraid that finding of the bodies Means the other men in the . Willbe found said g. J. Stollings general manager of Pond Creek Coal corporation which operates the Workings. It 33 hours to Tunnel through tons of slate Rock and Coal to where the 91 men were caught 600 feet underground by a blast mine inspectors said might have resulted when the min ers Cut into some abandoned Gas filled entry. The bodies recovered Friday were approximately feet from the Shaft and some feet away from another group workers that might be alive Iron nerves heart of Empire unshaken by raid by Francis Stevens. London Jan 12 special Cable the increasing activity of German planes As they attempt to break through Britain s coastal defences is causing no Surprise Here. The Roar of anti aircraft fire was clearly heard in the very heart of. London Friday As enemy planes attempted to break through to the London area. Yet there was no excite ment. The Public fully anticipated that the air raids would become More frequent after the warning sounded by prime minister Neville Chamberlain in his recent speech at the mansion House. The reason Lor these Daylight visits of the raiders is not yet apparent but they May be considered Good training for the German pilots who Are learning How. To find their Way across the North sea and How to recognize coastal land Marks. It works both ways How Ever for the visits of the enemy provide valuable defence training for the British fighter units and the anti aircraft defences. These Daylight visits also help the Public to become accustomed to the inevitable ordeal which will follow after the enemy increases its efforts. It is believed Here that the ques Tion of gasoline supplies will have a profound influence on the future course of the War. In the mean time great satisfaction is being expressed Over the splendid performance of the British fighting planes. Britain scores smashing wins in sea and air heart rending stirring courage went hand in hand in aftermath of the flaming explosion wednesday that caught 91 mme is behind a mass of Debus m a mine at Bailey West Rescue workers brought.23-.bodies from the blast join pit shattering Hopes Loi the safety of 68 other men trapped a the wreckage. At the left in the above layout Rescue workers Are shown after they emerged from the pit after toiling for hours to reach the right one of the miners who escaped the explosion receives Coffee and congratulations from red Cross Woik ers and from the mine official on the right. Lower right shows part gathered at. The mine Entrance awaiting word of the plight of the victims. Lion War loan was also lost. First noticed by j. Dixon or. A Selkirk taxi Driver. The flames stubbornly resisted efforts of local fire fighters for several hours be fore being finally brought under control at 4 . Despite a South wind and Zero temperatures firemen managed to prevent the Blaze spreading to a neighbouring Block and removed furniture and office papers from the garage office and the adjoining office of e. T. Howe agricultural representative of the Selkirk Dis two buses one already in flames a truck and three private autos were also saved by. Firemen before the garage roof collapsed prevent ing further Salvage efforts. From time to time explosions rocked the building. _ Winnipeg electric officials Esli ates their loss at All Cov ered by insurance. No insurance was carried on the private trucks owned by w. Epstein f. Beresford and c. Fiukelman. The garage the property of the British amen can Oil company and managed by t j Bell o s. Odland company s provincial manager visited Selkirk today attending to the business of the fire was Madrid. January 12. A the government prepared today to re store Liberty to thousands of per sons held in prison since the Civ War ended last March. A new decree by general fran Cisco Franco restores judicial proce Dure virtually to a pre War basis sets limits to the periods prisoners May be held without trial and pro Vides for disposition of All pending cases within 30 Days. Freedom decree subscriptions open monday Ottawa Jan. 12. Will. Be asked to lend their government at ,3% per cent interest when the first Dominion War loan is offered to the Public next monday morning details of this initial War financing operation were trained in an announcement made Here last night on behalf of Hon. J. L. Ralston finance minister. The Bonds will be offered at Par and will not be tax free As were most of the War and Victory Bonds sold in the first great War. The loan proceeds will be used to finance expenditures for War Pur poses. It is estimated that for the first full year of Canada s Effort will Cost a Day. In addition to the in new Money the finance minister will have discretion to accept applications for conversion of do minion of Canada three per cent Bonds maturing March 1, 1940, into an equal Par value erf the new Issue. Dated feb. 1, 1940, the Bonds will mature feb. 1, .1952, but by a system of annual drawings by lot they Are callable in five equal sections be Inri ing feb. 1, 1948. What amount will be added to the new Money by conver Sion is not estimated. The Issue of three per cent Bonds maturing March 1, 1940, was for when these Bonds Are turned in for conversion they will be valued All May go in two Days by f. H. A very financial editor. A substantial amount of the first War loan Issue of Cana Dian Bonds has already been1 applied for according to Winnipeg representatives of the larger Bond and investment houses. However there will be no difficulty in Manitoba residents obtaining their full share As All branches of chartered Banks and a number of Independent agents will be qualified to accept applications. The general idea is to allow at 100.17 per cent and accrued inter est to Date at delivery. A Cash adjustment will be made to the applicant at time of delivery. Open at 9 . Monday subscription books will open at nine o clock monday morning at the Bank of Canada in Ottawa. The loan will be handled by a widespread Selling organization comprised of investment dealers Stock brokers open monday continued on Page 5, column 3 Ottawa hopeful l investors enthusiastic says finance minister i Ottawa Jan. 12 Early reports from widely Separ ated Points in Canada indicate an extremely enthusiastic reception to terms of the first Dominion War loan of Hon. J. A Ralston finance minister said today. From information we have re 1 Cei Ved so far the impression seems to be that m fixing the terms of the loan the government has dealt fairly with the minister said. The general is that the n will go col. Ralston said. Already we have reports of subscriptions promised which Are far greater than we anticipated at this stage. No formal breakdown has been Given by the minister of the Esti mated a Day Canada s War Effort will Cost. For. The first year ending sept 1 next col. Ralston said however that it costs a month based on enlistment of men Cov War loan continued on Page 5 column s warm hearts in Winter Mohammedan troops Greet reporter by Bernard Lacoste with the British forces somewhere in France Jan. 12. Up havas French Agency Salaam Alei an unfamiliar salutation on. The Western front greeted this correspondent today As he approached the Camp of Mohammedan troops from British India who arrived in France recently. The melancholy eyed sub Ahdar with a Long Black moustache who pronounced this greeting led us from the Roadside toward the Encampment. The Hood of his Cape was drawn Over his turban for Protection from the cold. We come from the Heights of from Peshawar and he said. We have been. Here an hour. Only a week. we. Did not think it was so cold in around fires the Indian soldiers sat waiting for orders spoken by then and they Aie moslem of the warlike tribes of Northwest pathans and a Ulris. The officers who welcomed us recalled that the i Litfiy Effort of India is not limited to the units which have last arrived in France Many units have already been sent to other theatres of possible operations to assure the defence of Egypt Iraq Palestine the malay the Bay of Bengal to Singa pore from Basra to Rawalpindi from Mosul to Arden the Indian troops Are helping to safeguard the interests of the Emsue they said. M w h. Donald those who know what goes on behind the scene in mysterious China will Tell you that no Small part of the credit for the chinese resistance to japanese might is due to this unassuming australian a former Newspaperman w. H Donald a Man who has lived in China for most of his life yet cannot speak chinese and cannot stomach chinese food. Or Donald is unofficial adviser to Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek. He denies that he has any influence with the Generalissimo but Chiang rarely makes a decision without having the australian at his Side. The Public Fulli participation in this for which reason Bonds Are obtainable in denominations As Low As Small Loans it is understood will be accepted first while officially the books May remain open for two weeks it is entirely Likely applications will take up the entire within two Days. This is the Opin Ion of Heads of investment houses who have been working on the new loan Ever since it was first announced. As a matter of fact while the loan is called a loan it is in effect a loan As there arc outstanding 000 in Bonds which its expected will be transferred into the new Issue this loan being held largely by Banks and insurance companies. One immediate effect has been the stiffening of the Price of do minion government Bonds. It had been anticipated there might have been different maturities with varying rates of interest. The 3vi per cent Bonds of the Dominion government duo in 1951 were currently quoted at 99. Today they moved up to indicating strength for the new Issue. No particular quota has been set for Manitoba or any other prov Ince but it. Is generally under stood All applications on the part of the Public will be accepted first the larger institutions next and the Banks and similar corporations talking All that is left. According to Banks and invest ment houses a great Deal of inter est has been shown by the invest ing Public. 25 years ago London Jan. 12. The British Navy vied with daring Royal air Force fliers today in. Smashing Back at German thrusts. Against shipping. The nazi hit at Allied sea Commerce in european coastal Waters British warships continued to wreck Hitler s attempts to have his vessels that Are tied up in Neutral ports get through the allies blockade. Despatches from Rio de Janeiro today said the German passenger liner Windiuk attempt ing to leave Santos had been chased Back by a British Cruiser. The Des patches said the vessel left port last night. Although there was no official confirmation it is possible the Ger Man liner has been bottled up by the British Cruiser Ajax heroic warship of the Artif Spee Battle. The Ajax has been at Rio de Janeiro for the past few Days and today was reported to Nave left for an undisclosed destination. Yesterday the German steamship Bahia Blanca Sank after ramming an iceberg off ice lard in an attempt to run through the British blockade. German bombers Sank the British steamship Keynes 1.705 tons in the North sea yesterday it was announced and mines in the last 24 hours have sunk the British Tanker Eloso the italian ship Traviata and the British steamship Granola. Survivors of the Keynes landed at a British port by a naval vessel today said the ship was attacked British win continued on Page 5, column 4 Jan. 12, captured several villages in East Prussia by Bayonet attack. Germans reported French soldiers taken in severe fighting near croup on the Western front. Temperature readings Low during night 6.30 ., Jan. 12 2 2 12 noon Jan. 8 2.00 pjn., Jan. 12 12 High Jan. 12, 1939. Sun rises. 8.24 Sun sets 16.49. Moon rises. 3.35 Moon sets 20.35. For full report of meteorological office see Page thirteen. Yule liquor greater Winnipeg spent More Money on liquor last Christmas and new years than a year ago but there was probably less liquor consumed. The reason was the higher prices resulting from the War. Cash receipts in Winnipeg District for december were in excess of the last year figure John Turnbull liquor control commissioner said Friday. But the vol ume of business was less. Tax in creases instituted by the Federal government last october made Price increases necessary in All brands of liquor. Wage Rumor Ottawa Jan. 12. J. L. Ralston finance minister raid today he. Could neither confirm nor deny reports current in of Awa that statutory wage increases n the civil service May be eliminated by the Federal government for the duration of the War. No final decision has been made 33 the government in this direction col. Ralston said. Stanley on Job London Jan. 12. Hon. Oliver Stanley new War Secretary arrived at the War office this morn ing to take Over his new Post. Ajax sails rip de Janeiro Jan. 12 a the British Cruiser Ajax. One of free warships which chased the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf spec to cover. Dec. 13. Sailed today for an undisclosed destination after a 24-hour stay Here ;