Evening Star Newspaper, March 8, 1940, Page 1

Helsinki Cold t Weather Forecast Fair tonight and tomorrow; little change in temperature; lowest tonight about 30 degrees; moderate nurthwest winds. Temperatures today—Highest, 45, at 1 pm.; lowest, 33, at 7 4.m. TFrom the Uni e United States Weather ureau report. letails on Page A-2. Closing New York Markets, Page 18. 88th YEAR. No. 35,010. Plea to Mediate Russo-Finn WASHINGTON, Db. C, FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1940—FIFTY-FOUR PAGES. War Is Believed Carried to Hitler; Ribbentrop Sees Finland’s Ex-President and Swedish Envoy; U. S. May Get Bid BULLETIN. BERLIN, March 8 (®#).—Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop will leave for Rome to- morrow for conferences with Premier Mussolini, the foreign office disclosed tonight. The visit was described as in keeping with the Rome-Berlin agreement of the axis partners to keep each other advised concerning foreign policies. By the Associated Press. BERLIN, March 8 —Per Evind Svinhufvud, 79-year- old former President of Finland, arrived here by plane today and immediately entered the office of Foreign Min- ister Joachim von Ribbentrop, accompanied by the Swedish Minister to Berlin, Arvid Richert. Diplomatic circles believed the governments of Finland and Sweden would make an appeal to Adolf Hitler to intercede with Russia for terms on which a Russian-Finnish peace might be negotiated. These circles believed the emissaries would represent to Hitler that such mediation on his part.is the only means of averting intervention of the western powers in the struggle. U.S. May Be Asked to Mediate COPENHAGEN, March 8 (#).—Finland, still fighting desperate- ly, today weighed a choice between more one-sided war or peace on Russia’s grim terms as reports of the almost simultaneous arrival in Stockholm of Finnish and Russian field marshals led to excited talk through Scandinavia of a possible conference between the two. Marshal Baron Carl Gustaf Mannerheim and Marshal Vassily Bluecher, once Russia’s powerful Far Eastern army commander, were said to be in the Swedish capital, center of the new effort for peace. Finland was known to be pondering Swedish-transmitted Russian peace terms, described as more severe than those she rejected on the eve of the war’s outbreak. U. S. Mediation May Be Invited. British sources said that “possibly” the United States might be invited to further the peace-making efforts. The London sources said that “some sort” of negotiations were believed to be in progress under Swedish supervision, but that another party, “possibly the United States,” might be invited to furthet the peace-making efforts. . Quarters close to the British foreign office said that mediation by the United States not only would be acceptable to both Finland and Russia but also to the British-French allies and to Germany. (President Roosevelt said today he could not discuss the reports that the United States might be asked to mediate the Russian-Finnish war. There also was nothing to be said one way or the other, he told questioners at his press conference, in regard to whether Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles might be taking part in the efforts reported under way in Europe to end the fighting in-Finland. Mr. Welles i8 in Europe on a fact-finding mission. (It was said in other official quarters, however, that so far this country is completely out of the picture in connection with the reported peace negotiations, and there has been no request for this Government to act as mediator.) The British government, these informants went on, has not been formally notified of any attempts at mediation, but takes the view that both sides appear willing to try for a settlement. It was said that the presence$——————————— of Finnish representatives in Stockholm indicates that tenta- tive plans have been mide for some meeting of Finnish and Russian representatives with a third nation as a mediator. The London- Evening, Standard gaid editorially that an ofer by President Roosevelt to negotiate peace between Russia and Finland would change the whole complexion | of the affair. “It might save thousands of brave Finnish lives and the independence of the nation which has won the right to freedom by the sword. We know the difficulties, but we hope this call at least will be copsidered in Washington.” A Reuters dispatch received in London said that Eljas Erkko, for- mer Finnish foreign minister, and Frederick A. Sterling, United States Minister to Sweden, conferred at the American Legation in Stockholm this morning. The same dispatch said it was learned that direct discussions be- tween Finnish and Russian repre- sentatives were taking place today, not in Stockholm, but “elsewhere.’” 1t quoted Ekkro as saying that pub- lic opinion should await events be- fore jumping to conclusions. “The war in Finland still is going on and there has been no armistice,” he was quoted as saying. Berlin Keenly Interested. That Berlin also was keenly inter- ested in the peace move and might be a center for negotiations was in- dicated by the arrival in Copen- hagen and immediate departure for Berlin of Per Ervind Svinhufvud, 79-year-old ex-President of Finland. It was believed the Finns, through him, might ask Germany to use her influence, at Moscow for ending the ‘war, From Helsinki came evidences of Finnish determination to fight rather than bow to a victorious Russia. But the Finnish govern- ment was said to have placed the choice of peace or war in the hands of Marshal Mannerheim, and & Stockholm newspaper quoted Finn- ish Foreign Minister Vaino Tanner as saying his government was “in contact with a go-between for the Soviet government, and this contact has not been broken.” Authorized Berlin sources declined to confirm or deny reports of possi- ble German mediation, but it was a matter of common gossip in Berlin diplomatic circles that Germany has been interested in Swedish efforts to end the Russian-Finnish war, ‘Trustworthy sources said that the famous Swedish explorer Sven Hedin visited Adolf Hitler several days ago | ’, &) with a private message from King Gustaf of Sweden asking the Fuehrer to intervene. Stockholm Phones Censored. Tanner, who talked by telephone with the Stockholm newspaper Af- tonbladet, did not indicate whether Finland's “contact” with Russia was that established yesterday be- tween Erkko and Mme. Alexandra Kolontay, the Soviet Minister to Sweden. Talks between the two were expected to continue today Telephone and other communica- tions between Stockholm and other Scandinavian capitals continued to be severely censored in an appar- ent effort to permit the peace talks to continue with as little publicity as possible. Diplomatic circles here said that Svinhufvud’s mission to Berlin might be taken as an indication that Finland had abandoned all hope of obtaining formal military aid, either from Sweden or the western powers. Soviet Peace Desire. Despite reports that the Soviet proposal was an ultimatum to Fin- land, there was a strong belief among competent observers in Copenhagen that the Russians themselves were anxious to termi- nate the conflict that began No- vember 30. Finland’s position was held to be self-evident, since she is getting near the last reserves of her own manpower. Late Bulletins A man identified by police as John Waugh Brown, about 45, of 1954 Calvert street N.W., plunged headlong from the Calvert Street Bridge about 1 o'clock this after- noon. He was dead on arrival at Emergency Hospital. A witness, E. L. Fike, employed on a construction project in the parkway beneath the bridge, said Brown fell some 100 feet head- first onto a pile of thin steel tub- ing. Three of the tubes were crushed almost flat by the im- pact. Eyeglasses and false teeth were shattered. Another con- struction worker, A. Moeller of Cheverly, Md,, also witnessed the fall. ¥ LONDON, Marth 8 (#).—The air ministry announced tonight that British war planes had bombed three German patrol vessels near the naval base of Borkum and s German naval auxiliary near the Island of Sylt. The communique did not say whether the planes scored hits. (Earlier story on page A-4) PER EVIND SVINHUFVUD, Finnish Ex-President. VASSILY BLUECHER, Russian Army Chief. CARL GUSTAF MANNERHEIM, Fi Commander. JOACHIM VON RIBBENTROP, German Foreign Ministe) Killed by Streetcar SEATTLE, Wash., March 8 (#). Stooping to pick up a dollar bill, Mrs. May Woods, 65, was killed by & streetcar. ~ Summary of Page. Finance -.._A-117| Sports * Lost, Found -D-4| Woman’s Pg. C-4 Foreign British develop protection against magnetic 3 Page A-1 Russo-Finnish peace plea believed made to Hitler. Page A-1 Finns indicate rejection of Russian Ppeace terms. Page A-1 Britons demand retaliation for Nazi raids. . Page A4 Buenos Aires province quiet under emergency rule. Page A-§ Mexico reported in settlement with Sinclair oil. Page A-16 National - Senate Pinance Committee approves trade pacts bill. Page ‘' A-] More Senate amendments. confront new Hatch bill Page A-1 Anti-mine devices on Queen Eliza- beth mystity experts. Page A-2 Senate probe of “political wire-tap- ping” forecast. Page A-3 Army expects first deliveries of war- planes soon. Page A-5 ‘Wagner Act amendment supportera to seek House vote. Page A nap” plot. Page 4 » o Soviet Terms Viipuri Defenses Holding Firm, Say Army Chiefs By the Associated Press. HELSINKI, March 8.—The Finnish high command reported today its hard-pressed forces de- fending the approaches by ice and land to strategic Viipuri were holding firm despite con- (tinued Soviet Russian attacks. The Nation’s dwindling man- power kept up the stubborn resist- ance to the ever-replenished forces of the invader in the midst of peace talk in which Russia was reported to have made far-reaching, ultimatum- like demands as the price of peace. Finland was silent officially on the demands, but the unofficial reaction was that she would reject them. Success for the Finns all along the Karelian Isthmus front from the ice-bound coast south and south- west of Viipuri to Lake Ladoga on the eastern front was reported by the high command. = Tanks Reported Destroyed. In the island-dotted vicinity of Viipuri the army said its forces destroyed several tanks “and at least eight guns of batteries brought by the enemy onto the ice.” East of the seaport the bodies of 400 Russians killed in Wednesday’s fighting were left in front of the Finnish lines and the Finns said Russians lost seven tanks and two armored cars yesterday. The army estimated 2,000 Rus- sian dead were left on the field after an attack at Kollaanjoki, northeast of Lake Ladoga, on the éastern front. while elsewhere there: was minor activity and local attacks “which were repelled.” Naval and coastal defensé forces joined in warding off the attempts of the Russians to cross the ice in the Viipuri region and gain foot- holds for heavier attacks. Red Concentrations Blasted. With gunners defending _the headlands of Viipuri Bay blasting at their foe on flelds of ice in per- haps the bloodiest fighting of the war, the Pinnish air force con- tinued its bombing and machine- gunning of Russian concentrations. “Close-packed enemy units, trans- Russian planes also were active, but no Finnish losses were given by the Army. It said at least six and possibly eight Russian warplanes were shot down. Ultimatum Reported. There was no éfficial confirmation that full details of 4 Russian peace offer had been received by the Gov- ernment, but there weré reports one had been made which had the char- acter of an ultimatum—accept or undergo even heavier attacks. (Copenhagen reports said the Russians set midnight tonight as the deadline.) The government, nevertheless, was known to be in possession of at least the main points of an offer contain- ing terms more far-reaching than the original Russian demands which resulted in the outbreak of war, No- vember 30. At the same time the PFinnish government was reported concerned over Sweden’s sup] part in transmitting Soviet demands con- (See HELSINKI, Page A-3) Nazi Vessel Uruguay Scuttled, Say British By the Associated Press. LONDON, March 8—The ad- miralty announced todsy the scut- tling of the 4,846-ton German mer- chant ship Uruguay by her crew when intercepted by a British war- ship in the North Atlantic. All of the crew were saved. The Uruguay, operated by the Hamburg-South America Navigation Co., was reported February 11 to have left Pernambuco, Brazil, for an undisclosed destination. Today's Star Mrs. Betsey Roosevelt is awarded divoree. Page A-12 Washington and Vicinity - Committee completes hearings on re- organization propesal. Page A-1 Two suspects held in murder of Allies Promise Aid If Finns Decide To Confinue Fight Sources in Paris List Large Quantities of Arms Already Sent By the Associated Press. PARIS, March 8—Britain and France, who already Have sent con- siderable aid to Finland, are ready to continue their assistance if the Helsinki government decides to fight “to the bitter end,” sources close to the Prench foreign office said today. Commenting on Swedish efforts to negotiate peace between Finland and Russia, these sources declared: “Finland has the possibility of taking the road which Sweden has invited her to explore or of appeal- ing to the allied powers to increase their action. France and Britain, who have earried out their Geneva decisions in faver of Finland, are ready to continue their effort to n!“e::-rd the independence of that nation.” £ Technicians Asked. Thé same sources asld Finland had appealed to Prance for techni~ cians to supervise jhe use of equip- ment already dispatched by the PFrench-British allies, which was re- ported earlier in the day to include 405 airplanes, 916 cannon and large quantities of lesser arms. Two- thirds of the material already has arrived, it was said. Britain has sent 230 planes, of which 67 were bombers, and France has shipped 175 pursuit planes, the announcement said. Britain's artil- lery contribution was 240 pieces and France's 496. Other allied contribu- tions were listed as follows: One hundred twenty-four machine guns, 5,000 light machine guns, 150 anti-tank guns, 2,300,000 shells, 450,000 grenades, 1,050 sea mines, 10,000 anti-tank mines, 50,000,000 to 60,000,000 cartridges. Besides the armaments that Great Britain and France have contributed, Italy and Spain have been routing arms consignments through France for the Finnish armies. Nazi Pressure on Sweden Seen. The influential newspaper Le Temps, which often reflects au- thoritative opinion, declared in an editorial that German pressure had been put on Sweden to open peace talks with PFinland, g “It is up to the Finns to decide how they are going to reply to the Russian demands. In weighing this decision they must tell themselves that France and Britain, who al- ready have given them appreciable aid, are ready to furnish them con- siderably more, and more direct aid ¢ ¢ ¢ hencefortiy the German peril is inseparable from the Russian periL” 'Beady-Eyed' Bandit Suspect Gels 12 to 39 Years David H. Martin, colored, 25, de- scribed as the “beady-eyed” bandit who terrorized numerous women in raids on homes in the Northwest section, was sentenced to from 12 Peyton Court. ' It was one of the heaviest pen‘l:a;l of recent months. liquor store owner. Page A-2 | bery, President to address farm dinner rallies tonight. Page A-S Educational conference opens at Mayflower Hotel. Page B-1 Mrs. Roosevelt tells Town Hall wom- en should work. hurt in traffic. Editorial and Comment This and That. - P EFERETS Feeespppet Established in 1852 Most people in Washington have The Star delivered to their homes every evening and Sunday morning. AN W O /% C > Successful Blockade Runners Nation’s Longest-Serving Postmaster Renamed By the Associated Press. . Miss Mollie Stewart of Oxford, | Md., the Nation's longest-serving postmaster, was nominated for an- other term today. Miss Stewart’s name was included in a list of 10 Maryland postmaster nominations sent to the Senate by President Roosevelt. Appointed in 1877 by President -Hayes, Miss Stewart, now 82, has served conttnuously for 62 years, longer than any other postmaster | in the country. 'More Controversial Amendments Confront 'New Hatch Bill Passage This Week Forecast by Session Tomorrow if Necessary BULLETIN. ‘The Senate rejected today a new effort to kill off legisiation expanding the political prohibi- tions of the Hatch Act to cover State employes paid in whole or part with Federal funds. It turned down, 49 to 27, an amend- ment which Senator Maloney, Democrat, of Connecticut frank- ly told the chamber was designed to “destroy” the pending bill offered by Senator Hatch, Demo- crat, of New Mexico. By J. A. O'LEARY. The Senate today entered the| fourth day of battle over the Hatch | Act and its extension to State em- ployes paid from Federal funds, with half - & dozen controversial amendments still in the bill's path. While Senate Majority Leader Barkley hopes for final passage this evening, he plans a session tomor- row, if necessary, to try to dispose of it this week. Meanwhile, Senator Miller, demo- crat, of Arkansas, who led the fight that almost succeeded Wednesday in lifting the existing political ban from Federal employes, announced today that, since the Senate decided to keep the restriction on Federal workers, he will seek to broaden the scope of the bill's application to State personnel. Would Include Governor Appointees. Emphasizing that he is not against the bill, and believes it will pass, the Arkansas Senator will move to bring within its scope all State officials appointed by a Governor and confirmed by & State Senate. He will seek to apply it also to heads of departments, unless they are constitutionally elected officers. ‘The Arkansas Senator contended that, since the bill exempts a Gov- ernor’s appointees who are con- firmed by the State Senate, it would (See HATCH, Page A-6.) British Develop By the Associated Press. LONDON, March 8.—After three months of intensive work, British scientists believe they have de- veloped the answer to 'S magnetic mines—an electric girdle for ships designed to destroy the effectiveness of the under-water terrors. The world received its first inkling of the device when the liner Queen works were closely guarded. The visible part of the apparatus consists of an wire D. C. Reorganization Hearings End, Plans Made for Report Kennedy Hopes to Give Views to Full Committee By Week From Monday BACKGROUND— Seal plan for reorganization of District government contem- plates granting of increased pow- ers to District Commissioners, es- tablishment of Citizens’ Advisory Council appointed by them. Al- ternate Griffenhagen plan calls for city manager as administra- tive head of city, retention of Commissioners as local legisla- tive body. Reorganization hear- ings before House subcommittee began last week. By DON 8. WARREN. Hearings on proposals for reor- ganization of the municipal govern- ment were completed shortly before noon today and Chairman Kennedy of the House Reorganization Sub- committee immediately announced tentative plans for drafting a re- port to uv full’ District Committee. Only five witnesses asked to be heard when the session was resumed at 10:30 am. and when they had finished Mr. Kennedy said he would confer with other members of the subcommittee Monday, adding he hoped it would be possible to make & report to the full committee by a week from Monday. Mr. Kennedy was the only mem- ber of his subcommittee who attend- ed today's session and only a few spectators were present. 5 Requests for granting suffrage and national representation to the Dis- trict were heard along with criticism of the Commissioners and criticism of officials of the Board of Trade and other business groups who yes- terday threw their support to the Commission form of government and praised the present Commissioners. Attacks Defense of City Heads. Mrs. Lester Buchanan, a member of the Voteless D. C. League of Women Voters, criticized members of the Board of Trade shortly after hexndflnu were resumed today. She said: “These representatives of the Board of Trade may know business, but I don't think they know any- thing about the city institutions or ‘Washington’s slums. “When they say the Commissioners (Continued on page A-14, column 1.) Letter 32 Years Late PITTSBURGH, March 8 (#.—A letter containing an advertisement and mailed 32 years ago in Brook- lyn, N. Y., finally has reached R. E. Graham. The merchant can't un- derstand why it took Uncle Sam sa long to find him. He’s moved only once—from one side of the street to the other—since the letter was mailed. Electric Girdle To Protect Ships From Mines could be installed on an ordinary vessel in about four days, though a fartnight is required in the case of & ship such as the Queen Elizabeth. New York physicists explained that the Queen Elizabeth probably is demagnetized on the same prin- ciple used to demagnetize a watch that has stopped because it was too close to & powerful magnet. In the case of the Queen Eliza- beth, the earth’s magnetic field con- verts the steel hull into a magnet with permanent north and south poles. By running an electric cur- ergized | rent around the hull through a girdle of cables, the ship’s magnet- ism can be increased, making it in effect an electro-magnet. Ship Is tizsed. If, however, the Surrent flowing through the girdle is alternating, the north and south poles of the ship’s magnetic field are revérsed by each change of direction in the current. This change always takes place with cur- THREE CENTS. Trade Pact Bill Voted by Senate Committee No Changes Made; Farm Issue Also Nears Crucial Test BACKGROUND— Administration’s authority to negotiate reciprocal trade agree- ments without congressional rati- flcation ezpires June 12. Oppo- sition,to low-tariff aspect of pacts grew last summer, chiefly in ag- ricultural West. In message to Congress, President Roosevelt emphasized need for program as Jundamental part of world peace foundation. House has passed bill extending Trade Agreements Act three years. By the Associated Press. The Senate Finance Committes voted, 12 to 8, today to approve, without amendment, the House-ap= proved legislation to continue the administration’s trade agreements program three years beyond next June 12, The committee’s approval cleared the way for Senate consideration next week of the controversial meas= ure to renew the State Department’s expiring authority to make trade pacts, in which tariff concessions would be extended not only to the nation signing the agreement, but to all others not discriminating against American exports. ‘This is one of two key issues im- mediately before Congress. The other is whether to add a quarter billion dollars to farm funds. ‘The Finance Committee rejected six amendments, many of which some Senators said would have “scuttled” the program. Chief of these was one by Senator Pittman, Democrat, of Nevada, to require Senate ratification of all future agreements. Chairman Harrison | said the vote was 11 to 9 against | this proposal. The Roll Call The vote to approve the legisla= tion and send it to the floor for de- bate follows: For the bill: Senators Harrison, George of Georgia, Walsh of Massa= chusetts, Barkley of Kentucky, Con= nally of Texas, Bailey of North Carolina, Clark of Missouri, Byrd of Virginia, Guffey of Pennsylvania, Brown of Michigan, Herring of Iowa and Radcliffe of Maryland, all Democrats. Against the bill: Senators Gerry of Rhode Island and Johnson of Colorado, Democrats; La Follette, Progressive, Wisconsin, and Capper of Kansas, Vandenberg of Michigan, Townsend of Delaware, Davis of Pennsylvania and Lodge of Massa- chusetts, Republicans. King, Demo- crat, Utah, was absent. Senator Connally voted “aye” on | the Pittman amendment, making the only change from the roll call on the final vote of approval. Talk of Billion Dollar Bill. Vying for congressional attention with action on this major recom- mendation of Mr. Roosevelt was a rising clamor for a big increase in the farm payments he proposed. The House trimmed the Presi dent’s budget estimates for the Agriculture Department from $788,- 829519 to $713,896,08¢. But farm State Senators talked of a billion dollar bill through additions of from The Appropriations Subcommittes in charge of the annual agricultural supply bill scheduled final action on | this economy vs. spending milestone today, with sentiment apparently in favor of the increase. Wants “Parity Item.” Chairman Russell of the subcome mittee, said he would insist that the committee include an item for “par- ity” payments to farmers. Some committee members said this might total from $200,000,000 to $225,000,=) 000, with an additional 370.000.000‘ to $85,000,000 for export subsidies| and disposal of surpluses, as well as} $25,000,000 for a farm tenancy pro- gram. (If these increases should be approved by the Senate and then by the House, substantially™all the savings thus far made by Con- gress in an effort to avoid both new taxes and an increase in the statutory debt limit, would be wiped out.) Administration leaders agreed that if the subcommittee and then the full Appropriations Committee whip the farm bill into shape over the week end, they would lay aside the trade agreements legislation in the Senate Monday to consider it. This understanding was reached on the assumption that the Senate would vote today on the Hatch kill extension proposal. In the Senate Finance Commite tee voting on the trade pact bill, an amendment by Senator O'Ma- honey, Democrat, of Wyoming, to require that the agreements be ap- proved by both houses, was defeated by 12 to 8. The committee rejected, 13t0 7, 8 (8ee CONGRESS, Page A-7) Burke Is Renominated As D. C. Postmaster Vincent C. Burke was renominated by President Roosevelt today as postmaster for the District of Co- lumbia. His name was submitted to the Senate for approval. Mr. Burke has held the post since 1936, when the President chose him from the ranks of Post Office De- partment -career men for the job. He was formerly Deputy First As- sistant Postmaster General. The rehppointment is made in accordance with a new statute which makes it possible for Mr. Burke to keep the job for life. ‘The postmaster entered the postal service in 1906 in Louisville, Ky., as & clerk. He lives with his wife and three children at 2900 Connecticut avenue N.W.