Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - May 29, 1940, Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg free press pages Sun rises 4.27 Sun sets. 20.25. Moon rises Moon sets. 12.si. Winnipeg wednesday May 29, 1940 warm. Marks British treat drive by Grant Dexter Ottawa. Ont. May special prime minister King s announce ment yesterday thai he intended to discuss the War situation with it. Hon. Arthur Meighen. Conservative Leader in the Senate gave Rise Al once to rumours about a Cabinet shake up. There appears to be no foundation for the Rumi i tar the conversation Between or. King and or. S concerned. It is Learned that no word passed Between them which would indicate an invitation to or. Meighen to join the Cabinet. And it is Learned also that nothing said in the interview allayed or. Meighen s anxiety regarding can Ida s contribution to the War. The feeling that a reorganization of the Cabinet is impending is grow in apace and innumerable rumours Are in circulation. The expectation that Cabinet changes Are coming a fears to be Well grounded but there is no reason to expect an immedi ate decision and As. Yet. There is no indication As to who will be invited join the ministry. I denunciations grow r has greatly a has greatly increased political tension not Only by Ottawa but throughout Ontario and in Montreal. The government is being viciously attacked for in of aptitude. Inefficiency and for Lack enthusiasm for he War. There a widespread demand for a re of organization of the Cabinet which Stind voice in the commons yester Day in a proposal that prime min Ster King should at once make Way or col. J. L. Ralston. All the members arc in receipt if telegrams and letters demanding something Akin to a National government. The situation is difficult to appraise for the reason that the opposition to the present govern ment is More in the country at Large than in parliament. Therefore the depth and scope of the agitation cannot be accurately measured. It is evident however that the government has not convinced the country of its fitness to continue that if the War crisis deepens Nyrhe crisis in the a e crisis in the War reorganization of the i ill be inescapable. Government free press crop report on thursday with War devastating Large areas of Europe and the Allied i governments largely dependent i 0" Canada for wheat reserves Western Canada s crop this year As assumed greater importance than Ever. Special interest is therefore attached to the first free press Survey of the present sea Sok which will be issued thurs Day. This report will discuss lie moisture situation and Gen eral conditions As seen by approximately 400 competent observers at key Points on the Prairies. A special feature of the Survey w la Deal with acreage in wheat my coarse grains and should provide information in of the lateness of seeding St Many Points. London May 29. Joint admiralty War office com Munique announced today that Narvik far Northern norwegian Ore port had been captured from the germans. Information has been received this morning that Narvik was captured last night by Allied forces and Fagernes and for Neset also Are in our the communique said Narvik Long the goal of Allied pressure by land and sea had been in German hands virtually since the april 9 opening of the German invasion of Norway. Its capture gives the allies a sea and air base in Norway. The Garrison at one time was said to have numbered but in recent Days the German High com Mand claimed to have reinforced it with Mountain Chasseur and other troops dropped by Parachute. The strength of the Allied norwegians. British and has not been stated. Only Allied foothold the Region around Narvik remained As the Only Allied foothold Norway following the withdrawal from Nam sos and a Dalsnes about the first of May. The capture of Narvik gives the allies a base on the norwegian coast above the Arctic Circle which compares in proximity to Norway s important German held cities with the latter s nearness to the British Isles. For example Narvik is about 400 Miles from trondheim which in turn is approximately the same Dis Tance from the nearest Point in the British Isles. German troop ships sunk British warships Sank seven Small German troop ships trying to land men near Harstad in the Romsoe Region it was authoritatively Dis closed. The nazi Landing project undertaken in an Effort to the front and relieve Allied pressure on Narvik was completely smashed. The germans made a similar unsuccessful attempt on the shores of Lingef Jorl. Allied officers reported that their air Force in this sector has been substantially bolstered by reinforce ments of Pursuit and bombing planes. In the last three Days they said at least 11 German planes including three bombers have been downed. A slap scribe rouses Aberhart ire Premier William Aberhart of Al Berta pushed a reporter out of his room at the Royal Alexandra hotel wednesday when asked for an interview. On being told that the reporter was from the free press or. Aberhart said in that Case 1 Haven t when the reporter persisted or. Aberhart advanced and pushed him out remarking get out of met in the corridor later and being again asked for an interview or. Aberhart said do you want me to Slop your lace Don t want to explain to you Why i won t give an morale Dunshak vicious Batty London May and French troops in Belgium and Northern by the germans to be trapped and facing fighting stiff rearguard actions to cover orderly withdrawals British sources said today. The . Has succeeded in establishing a definite line and is putting up Strong opposition it was added. Rivers to get new air school establishment of an air observers school at Rivers Man., was announced wednesday at Ottawa As further details of schools to be opened under the Commonwealth air plan were released by the new air ministry. Tenders for construction work in connection with the Landing Field that will be required at Rivers were advertised recently. Seven More air schools were announced wednesday. In addition to the Rivers air observers establishment there will be elementary flying schools at Regina Penhold Alta., and Edmonton service Fly ing schools at Dunnville ont., and Medicine hat Alta. And an air observers school at St. Hubert Airport Montreal. The latest announcements of air training establishments brought the number now announced to 81. Still to be announced Are 30 units of the Commonwealth plan which provides for a total of 111 units in All. Passes Ottawa May 29. House of commons today gave third read ing to the Bill to appropriate 000.000 for War purposes in the ensuing fiscal year after defeating an opposition amendment without a recorded vote. Hard to get . Supplies tanks Liun til Canada Able Ottawa May 29 up great Britain agreed to Supply Ink corps and equipment until problems of Canadian product could be worked out Hon. A Rorman Mcl. Rogers a mister National defence told parliament last night in a Brief review Canada s plans for such mechanized were in surrounding or tank troops were sent with the division of the san Active service Force he tanks were not pro tie military establish a division but supplied As combat units at in ratio to an army corps themselves being consider As corps tops. 10 Rrogers attention of the re to made pub 1 frn a Toronto afternoon newspaper col e. J. Carter of the tanks corps a retired British no expert. Nov. A said the minister Naa received a Telegram from maj. Everett Toronto stat ing that a group of Canadian offi cers were willing to. Assist mob Taining services of to return to Britain within a few Days for the Canadian tajik corps. Visited Camp Borden col Carter the Telegram pointed can guards her roads the press association a British news Agency said that in the face of terrific Odds the morale of the . Remained unshaken despite he capitulation of belgian troops on orders from King Leopold. The withdrawal was described As being conducted with skill and courage. Although officials Here said it was. Impossible to say exactly where the troops Are. They declared that the British Aimy despite a Day s bombing had not lost its cohesion. Furthermore it was said to be admirably supported and helped by the French. It was considered certain that equipment and material which May have to be abandoned in the withdrawal from Flanders will be destroyed. It is stated Here that a majority of the . Equipment is not in the Northern pocket but Safe behind lines South of the somewhere in Britain stand these soldiers on guard at a barricade on a Highway where motorists must Stop and present their credentials under the plan devised to frustrate any fifth column activities. Flanders heroism dogged British courage revealed by Francis Stevens London May 29 special Cable e. A. Montague writing wednesday in the Manchester guardian states that the latest news of the British expeditionary Force in France is extremely grave. It had always been obvious even before the defection of the belgian King that the British Force was running the risk of encirclement in their heroic efforts to keep the Somme Arras Gap As narrow As possible. Now it seems Likely we shall pay heavily in British lives for King Leo Pold s prudence. We have to face the fact that the possibility of the withdrawal of the . From its present position is Small. They Are now virtually sur rounded and abandonment by the belgians of their position on the Eastern flank has left Dunkirk its port of evacuation in grave danger of fall ing to the germans. The situation is so Clear to the military that there is no longer need to impose silence. Nothing we can say today will be of slightest value to the enemy and one is now free to outline the Story of 13 heroic Days. Some of us have been nauseated by rumours that our soldiers had in some Way failed. They did not fail in any Way either in leadership or gallantry or endurance. No troops in the world Ever fought better. When the French and British armies moved for Ward into Belgium in answer to an Appeal from the dutch and belgian governments they took up positions previously planned which were intended to provide a bul Wark if the belgian defences along the Albert canal and the Meuse River failed to Stem the German Advance Long enough for the allies to reach them in spite of the fact that heroism continued on Page 5, column 1 decks cleared new source for air Force recruiting word was received from Ottawa wednesday by the air Force recruiting depot in Winnipeg to pre pare for intensive recruiting on Short notice. The order had the effect of Clearing the decks for Quick action in raising air Force recruits. Squadron Leader j. C. Huggard. Commanding officer of the depot announced that recruiting would commence at Brandon Friday afternoon and that Complete facilities for medical and Trade tests of prospective recruits would be provided at that City. Applicants who already have application forms and other papers on file at the recruiting Centre in Winnipeg who plan to appear in per son at the Brandon office it was suggested should wire to the Winnipeg depot so that the required documents already on file could be forwarded to Brandon. Ottawa to build own War machine Ottawa May 29. Plants began work this week on manufacture of special equipment for mechanical transport the munitions and Supply department announced today. The order involves an expenditure of More than wounded drowned London May 29. Circles confirmed today Man planes bombed and Sank two Hospital ships crossing the English Channel with serious loss of life several Days ago. Out had already visited the temperate headings House that he had informed major Bristol that there were no plans to appoint further senior officers to tanks Corr tiny de on Page 5, column Low during night 6.30 . May 29 12.00 noon May 29 2.00 p.m., May 29 High May s9avl939 4-56 4-91 by Grant Dexter. Ottawa ont.5 May 29. 24 hours of the announcement of vital changes in Canada s War establishment it became known that equally vital changes have occurred with respect to munitions supplies and the mechanical equip ment without which Canada cannot train men adequately either for Home defence or service overseas. Indeed the past two Days have witnessed at Ottawa on the economic War front something comparable in scope and importance to what has happened in France. The Well Laid plans of nine months unremitting study have been blown to the winds by Hitler s break through. Directly menaced the air training plan As already announced has been directly men aced by the now known fact that owing to the situation in France Btij Haig cannot carry through her Nart of the agreement. This was engines and a Large part of tried flying equipment. Hon. C. D. Commons last night have been advised that great Britain temporarily at least will not be Able to Supply certain but the breakdown apparently has occurred All along the War Supply front and or. Howe these past 48 hours has been making desperate efforts to reorganize it. Supply source continued on 5, column 3 tank toll is huge tary today i Germany has lost at least of its estimated tanks Aid at least nearly half the first line aviation believed held by the nazis at War. Not acceptable Moscow May 29. A the soviet radio announced tonight the government has informed great Britain that the sending Here of sir Stafford Cripps or any other special Trade envoy is not accept Able to Russia. Speed up in munitions favored for construction War equipment is the general feeling of Canadian Industry was that its potential capacity for production of War sup plies should be used to a far greater extent and that Idle plants should be put to work As soon As possible w. D. Black Hamilton ont., chair Man of the National defence com Mittee of the Canadian manufacturers association said in Winni Peg when he arrived to attend the association s convention wednes Day. Munition orders placed with Canadian plants to Date were Piti ably Small compared with those placed during the first great War he added. Commencement of a Large scale programme mechanized eluding tanks planes and anti air Craft guns in Canada without delay was urged by Captain f. C. Brown Vancouver past president of the association. Canadian Industry had had no leadership from the Dominion government in the War Effort he charged. He said that plans for submarine chasers and mine sweepers were ready Canadian shipyards in september but. That it took the Dominion govern rent nearly six months to Lei the con tracts for their construction. He urged that All Relief should be suspended and that physically fit unemployed men should be immediately put in military training. Memorial Day new York. May 28. Finan Cial and commodity markets throughout the United states with two exceptions will close to observe memorial Day tomorrow the French Somme. An authoritative source charged the feeling of the . Officers and men is one of furious rage against the germans not caused by the pounding they Are taking from the air tanks and artillery As by the revolting deeds of German airmen and and Chil Dren along the roads deliberately machine gunned and slaughtered no Oil stocks left an authoritative source said that Germany gained Little economically by capitulation of the belgian army because the country had practically no Oil stocks left and her Iron and steel industries had been wrecked. While rejoicing Over the capture of Narvik and relieved by news of the ., britons heard that Brit ish shipping May be diverted to Southwest coast ports in View of the imminence of a Blitzkrieg. The Early possibility was foreseen that with germans in control of French Channel ports London might become but a salient of the Western front that extensive mining of the East coast and the thames Estuary might be necessary and that be to a trickle. Long trains of wounded arrived from Northern France and Belgium there there Are or men. The government appealed for additional red Cross nurses. An attempted German invasion was regarded now As almost inevitable. King Leopold s Capitu lation had opened the door to Zee Brugge Ostend and perhaps Dun Kirk last Channel ports in Belgium and Northern France still in Allied Possession the times close to the govern ment commented this is a dark hour Darker than any through which we passed in the last War. There is no doubt much More bad news to face and much More hardship. H is scarcely pos sible to overestimate the Gravity of the situation caused by this unforeseen defection from the Allied but Britain s mood was a fighting one. Protection of the English Channel and construction of ram parts behind it become the first duty of our the evening stand Ard said commenting if behind the ditch stands a fortress the ditch will still secure our safety and hit Ler will suffer the same disillusion ment As French moving North Paris May 20. A the Allied rear guard is fighting German troops in the streets of Lille the War ministry spokes Man said tonight while the main Northern forces withdraw toward the Channel coast. Paris May a great consolidated front along the Somme to Aisne Rivers the main French army carried on continuous operations to Day against the germans while the position of die Allied forces of the North was described As very critical. The operations of the South which the French authorities cautiously have culled important apparently Are aimed for the moment Al wiping out the last German pockets As part of a general push Forward in an Effort to relieve the Northern forces. Three villages South of the Somme have been recaptured and French troops likewise have succeeded in eliminating All but a few Bridge head positions previously occupied by the enemy. Most of Amiens is said now to be in French hands and a German raid on French positions in the ardennes sector near the town of chateau porcine was thrown Back said a communique by heavy French fire. The Maginot line area to the East remained quiet. But however important was this operation of the Southern Allied Wing it was overshadowed in the great drama of the North. The Battle in the Flanders pocket was described by a War ministry spokesman As murderous but he gave no indication of the turn it was taking. Along the Rhine the French opened a terrific artillery fire which shattered a railway line and an unidentified station the spokesman said. The Battle lines of the Allied army of the North were reported to be changing almost hourly As Superior German forces swept Over ground abandoned by 15 belgian divisions which capitulated yester Day on orders of their King. 500 Register for Home guard . H. J. Riley com Mander of Manitoba s Home Volun Teer Reserve Force announced wednesday o total of 500 applicants had registered at the main office. 231 Portage Avenue during the first Day of registration tuesday. In addition hundreds of other volunteers Are believed to have joined the unit through the various Veteran and service club organizations also handling registrations. Some registration cards have been sent them. Registration Progress was More than satisfactory col. Riley indicated As Large numbers of applicants appeared at the depot again wednesday. Fleets massed Paris May 29. And British naval units have massed along the Flanders coast in an Effort to cover the Retreat and evacuation of the Allied army of the North a High military source said tonight. War supplies mass production plea issued at convention declaring that Canada must accept the full responsibility of nationhood in face of what was probably the most critical situation in the history of. The Empire and that Canadian Indus y could produce Many times its present output of War sup ies d. R. Turnbull Halifax n.s., president the Canadian manufacturers association in a statement wednesday after noon urged that Canadian Industry be placed on a mass production basis immediately. To accomplish this increased out put organization and utilization of the Effort of the country in advisory and executive capacities was of vital importance he said the time for experimental operations on War orders was past. Or. Turnbull s statement was issued at the 69th convention of the association which opened in the Royal Alexandra hotel wednesday. Members of the association renewed to the Canadian and British governments their offers of All the Energy resources tic capacity of their factories and would do everything to the limit of their Power to help in every pos sible Way to win the struggle Jor Victory and free Dom or. Turnbull said. Will not fail the War situation in Europe has assumed a position of unparalleled Gravity probably the most critical in the history of the British Empire he observed. In partnership with other countries of the Empire Canada now is engaged in defend . Continued on Page 11, column 4 ;