Evening Star Newspaper, April 10, 1940, Page 1

Weather Forecast Fair, continued cool tonight; minimum about 40; tomorrow increasing cloudi- ness and warmer, followed by showers at night. est, 60, at 2 pm.; Closing New York Markets, Page 20. 88th YEAR. No. Temperatures today—High= lowest, 40, at 6:10 a.m. From the United States Weather Bureau report. Full details on Page A-2 35,043. @h WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ¢ Foening Staf WASHINGTON, D. C, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1940—FORTY-TWO PAGES. #%# ‘From Press to Home Within the Hour’ Most people in Washington have The Star delivered to their homes every evening and Sunday morning. (P) Means Associated Press, THREE CENTS. NAZ| TRANSPORTS SUNK IN SKAGERRAK British Marines Reported Landed at Narvik After Big Naval Battle . 2 English Destroyers Sent Down;T Germans Admit Loss of 2 Cruisers English Sea Flotilla Returns To Northern Port After Severe Dawn Engagement BULLETIN. LONDON, April 10 ®.—The British Navy was reported tonight to have pene- trated into the strategic Skagerrak, the entrance to the Baltic Sea, and to have sunk two German troop transports and a German destroyer in a battle just outside Swedish territorial waters. NEW YORK, April 10 (AP).—A Lon- don broadcast, picked up by N. B. C,, quoted an Admiralty announcement that the British Navy has sunk five of the eight cruisers which Germany had at the start of the war. By the Associated Press. . LONDON, April 10.—British and German navies, strug- gling for mastery of Scandinavia, fought the biggest naval | battle of the war off Norway’s northwestern coast today, with the British naval flotilla reported landing marines at the port of Narvik after an unsuccessful dawn raid. The British vessels returned to Narvik after fighting an early- morning battle in which both sides suffered losses. There was no British or other confirmation of the report that marines were being landed. Five British destroyers engaged six German destroyers off Narvik, occupied by the Germans yesterday, and before the gw were silenced Britain had lost two destroyers and suffered dnmafi! to two, and she claimed to have sunk one of the German craft and left three “heavily hit and burning.” Prime Minister Chamberlain presented a story of the battle to cheering House of Commons. He presented it as a British victory, stating that six merchant ships believed to be carrying supplies for thé¢ Germans were sunk and that the German ammunition ship Ravensfeldt was blown up. Pursuit by Germans Not Possible. The German force, which Mr. Chamberlain said was composed of six of the “latest and largest type,” was left “in no position to attempt pursuit,” he said. The British destroyers steamed into Narvik Fjord to engage the German craft. They ran into firéfrom shore batteries and German guns newly-mounted ashore, Mr. Chamberlain related. The British destroyer Hunter was sunk and the Hardy was damaged so severely that she “had to be run ashore and bécame a wreck,” the prime minister continued; the Hotspur received serious damage and the Hostile slight damage, while the Havoc was “un- touched.” The German destroyer “torpedoed and believed sunk” was a 1,600-ton vessel, Mr, Chamberlain said, suggesting the others left burning were of the same type, Fighting Up and Down Coast. Although details necessarily were guarded under a military secrecy, allied and German warships and planes were believed to be | fighting up and down the Norwegian coast. Mr. Chamberlain said he hoped that First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill would make “a general statement on the naval aspect of the war” tomorrow “when perhaps more information than we now possess will have come to hand.” A British announcement said that units of the Royal Air Force were busy all this afternoon along the Norwegian coast and “several aircraft were engaged by enemy machines.” Most of the British air activity was reconnaissance, the an- nouncement said. “One British flyer reported that he skimmed over Stavanger Airdrome just after dayn at a height of only 50 feet, also over the town,” it went on. “It is asserted that the pilot| hour. *» bors and sea routes of the invaded country. “One British crew, having finished their reconnaissance, gave their whole attention to an enemy Heinkel and pursued it for half an They put two good bursts eounted every one of a number of | of machine gun fire into the center German craft at the field. The town appeared asleep and only as he returned was the alarm given. Anti-aircraft guns fired and a Heinkel gave chase.” Engaged By Enemy. of the Heinkel and when they next attacked there was no return fire from the German air gunner. He appeared to have fallen over his gun, either wounded or killed. “After further persistent attack “Several aircraft were engaged by | 2 stream of vapor trailed from the . enemy machines as they carried out | 'ear of the Heinkel and its pilot t&\eh‘ tasks over towns, fjords, har- (See LONDON, Page A-4) Bluecher and Karlsruhe Lost in Action Against Norway, German Chiefs Say (Text of German Communique on Page A-4.) By the Associated Press. BERLIN, . April 10—The Ger- man cruisers Bluecher and Karls- rhue have been sunk in operations against Norway, the German high command announced today. The 10,000-ton .Bluecher was said to have been damaged by Norwegian coastal batteries and then to have run into a mine barrier. The Karls- rhue, 6,000 tons, sank at Kristian- sand, Southern Norway, after dis- embarking troops. Most of the crews of both ships were said to have bene rescued. An army communique reporting successful air raids yesterday on al- lied naval vessels said hits had been scored on four battleships, two bat- tle cruisers, three heavy cruisers and two transports. A Extent of Battle Not Clear. The extent of warfare in the north remained unclear, however, for the high command communi- que said ‘“operations at sea still are under way.” “Only after completion of these b actions will we be able to give a full account of the losses and dam- age inflicted by the German Navy upon the English and French naval forces.” “Several explosions” shook the Bluecher before she sank after run- ning into the Norwegian mine bar- rier. The Germans said they had silenced the heaviest Norwegian coastal batteries but not until the Bluecher “suffered severe dam- age.” The mines finished her. The Bluecher, a heavy cruiser, was completed only last August. She had eight 8-inch guns, 24 anti-air- craft cannon, 12 torpedo tubes and three airplanes. The number of her crew was a naval secret. The Karlsruhe, built in 1927, had a normal complement of 571 men. Armed with nine 59-inch guns, 14 anti-aircraft guns and 12 torpedo tubes, she carried two planes. British Losses Termed Heavy. The Berlin ralio declared, in a special announcement today, that British ‘losses in yesterday's air (8ee BATTLE, Page A-5.) % War Bulletins STOCKHOLM, April 10 (#)— Distress signals from the Ger- man steamer Curityba far up in Oslofjord today indicated that Germany might not be in com- plete control of the deep fjord leading to Norway’s captured Capital, The steamer's messages said she had been fired on by coastal batteries at Nyviken, deep within the fjord, (German announcements have said that planes and warships had wrested complete control of Oslo after forcing their way up Oslofjord.) BERLIN, April 10 (#.—Ger- man naval units defending the Northern Norwegian Port of Nar- vik against a Pritish attack de- stroyed three British destroyers and badly damaged a fourth early today, the German high com- mand stated tonight. NEW YORK, April 10 (#).—A British Broadcasting Co. broad- cast at 1:10 p.m, (E. S. T.) today said the Swedish government had moved army reservists to north- ern and southern provinces and ordered all reserves mobilized. U. S. to Delay Credits| For Scandinavia Pending Study Further Data on Nations’ Status to Be Accumulated Before Taking Action ‘( e BULLETIN, i President Roosévelt this ai noon signed a proclamation defining the combat zone in European waters. Text of the proclamation was to be made public by the State Department. It was understood the revision of the combat zone, into which American shipping would be for- bidden, extends it along the Norwegian coast where hostilitiss have been reported during the past two days. By JOHN C. HENRY. Extension of American credits to the Scandinavian countries will be guided by a “stop, look and listen policy” for the next few days, it was decided at a White House conference today. Meeting with President Roosevelt to discuss our loan policies toward the North European nations now swept more closely into the Euro- pean war orbit, wete Undersecretary of State Welles and Federal Loan Administrator Jones. - With the State Department mak- ing continued effort to establish con- tact with our diplomatic represent- atives in the Scandinavian area, promulgation of proclamations and executive orders defining our neu- trality position in the face of late developments was being delayed. As he left the White House, how- ever, Mr. Welles told reporters that the President might have some word in this direction later in the day. It was believed that a proclamation extending limits of the war zones might be issued in advance of a de- cision is to the exact legal position of Norway and Denmark. No Hasty Action. Making clear that this- Govern- ment is not taking any hasty or final action to discontinue economic as- sistance to the North European na- tions, Mr. Jones told newsmen that it was believed that several days could be used to good advantage in accumulating further information before any need was manifest for actual disbursement of additional funds. At the present time, he said, the status of the Export-Import Bank credits to the Scandinavian states is as follows: ‘To Denmark an allocation of $10,~ 000,000, none of which has been ex- pended or obligated. To Norway, an/allocation of $10,- 000,000, of which $226,000 has been spent and the merchandise actually shipped. An additional $180,000 has been committed-for Norwegian pur- chases, but the goods not shipped. In this later category, the money will be advanced, if shipment of the merchandise is arranged. To Sweden, an allocation of $15, (See NEUTRALITY, Page A-5.) Heart Muscle Sewn To Save Shot Victim By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, April 10.—The New York World-Telegram today de- scribed an operation by which Mrs. Eloise Edralin, 19, survived a gun- shot wound after three thin strands of silk thread were sewn into the | of Oslo. muscle of her heart. ‘The surgeon, Dr. William A. Fraser, was required to puncture the heart with a needle three times before the wound was closed. Mrs. Edralin was wounded in the accidental discharge of a small re- Norse Putting Up Fierce Battle to Defend Rulers By the Associated Press. STOCKHOLM, April 10.—Nor- | wegian troops, defending their gov- ernment and its new capital, fought a fierce battle with invading Ger- man forces today at the town of Elverum, 75 miles north of Oslo, on the Swedish frontier, according to advices reaching here. About 200 Norwegians were re- ported killed and wounded, while German losses were not immedi- ately known. The Germans were reported send- ing reinforcements to Elverum specdily, but the town still had not been occupied by 4:30 p.m. Volunteers joined the regular Nor- wegian troops to defend the new capital from the invaders. The royal family and the government of Premier Johan Nygaardsvold had fled to Elverum from Hamar, whither it had gone yesterday just ahead of the German occupation Supported by Planes. German troops were supported in thelr action against Elverum by | warplanes, travelers reaching here | related. Reports from Moscow to the Stockholm newspaper Aftonbladet | said Russia was remaining neutral | regarding current events in Scan- dinavia, but that she regarded Eng- land as “responsible for the fate of Denmark and Norway.” Political circles in Moscow were | said to regard Russia and Finland both as being out of the field of action of the great powers, but nev- ertheless Russia was said to have concentrated troops in the north | and to have her Arctic navy ready Tor" any eventuality. Ferry traffic between Denmark and Bweden, which was cut off yes- terday with the German occupation of Denmark, was expected to be opened by tomorrow. No telephone calls or telegraph | transmission still were permitted be- tween the two countries, however. Danish fishermen reported that 12 German warships were in Copen- hagen today, and that 10,000 Ger- man soldiers had been landed there. | Largest Warships Lost. Norway lost her two largest war- ships, the antiquated 4,166-ton | coast defense ships Norge and Eids- vold, and 500 men in the short- lived resistance which preceded the German capture of Narvik yester- day morning, according to Nor- wegian refugees reaching Sweden. The Northern Nqrwegian ore port itself, they said, was occupied with- out a fight by German troops who had previously been brought se- cretly into the harbor on whaling vessels. The refugees gave this ac- count of the capture: A Norwegian customs officer boarded a German whale oil boiler ship for the usual inspection, but was prevented by the Germans from returning to the shore to give the alarm that the vessel was actu- ally a troop transport. Populace Awakened, ‘The Narvik populace was awak- ened at dawn by a warning shot fired from the 40-year-old Norge when two German destroyers loomed out of the dense snow and fog in the outer harbor. The Germans replied by torpe- doing the Norge. Her sister ship, the Eidsvold, then opened fire, but was sunk before her two semi-ob- iolite 82-inch guns could take ef- ect. Ten minutes after the Eidsvold went down with her colors flying, German troops landed and ran up the swastika on all official build- (See STOCKHOLM, Page A-6.) Nazis Build River Docks BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 10 (#). —Germans were reported yesterday WE CANT BEAT THOSE NEW YO Ty suczr}s'!( Latest From lllinois and Nebraska! N\ \\ = W \ = N s German Forces Have Occupied Hamar, Nazis Say Occupation of Elverum, Where King Met Reich’s Envoy, Unconfirmed By the Associated Press BERLIN, April 10 —German forces have ipied Hamar, Norwegian | town north of Oslo to which the Norwegian government fled yester- day, authorized German sources said today. They said they had no informa- tion, however, regarding the reported occupation of Elverum, near the Swedish border, where King Haakon at noon received the German Min- | ister. The results of the conference be- | tween the Norwegian monarch and the German envoy had not reached | the Foreign Office by 6 p.m. it was said. So far as was known here, it was | said, contact between German com- | manding officers and Norwegian au- | thorities was being taken up every- | where locally pending clarification | of who was in charge of the nation. Question of Authority. It appeared in Berlin that there was & question whether the govern- ment of Premier Johan -Nygaards- vold, which fled to Hamar, or that proclaimed yesterday in Oslo by Maj. Vikdun Quisling, Norwegian Nazi leader, had the national au- thority. This question presumably was taken up at the Elverum con- ference. Asked what had become of French and English diplomats in Norway and Denmark, authorized sources gave the opinion that those in Copenhagen at present were under & sort of “house arrest” while those in Norway, who had gone to Hamar with the Nygaardsvold government, “presumably were moving on.” It was intimated they were trying to reach the Swedish border. It was stated authoritatively that a naval engagement still was in (See BERLIN, Page A-5) Danish Vessels Held In Port, Trains Halted By the Associated Press. BERLIN, April 10.—The Danish ‘Trade Ministry today announced that no.Danish vessels may leave port until further notice, the offi- cial German news agency reported to be building docks in the Moselle River opposite Luxembourg. from Copenhagen. State railway schedules were re- duced and all express trains halted. Summary of Today’s Star Page. Obituary _._A-12 Radio Serial Story.B-13 B-3 -.B-20 Comics _.B-18-19 Foreign ) Bril to resist even if Norway ne- gotiates. Page A-1 Norway to resist Nazi invasion, Le- gation believes. Page A-2 Italy credits Nazis with big tactical vietory. Page A-5 Iceland Parliament takes control of foreign affairs, Page A-5 National U. 8. to pold up Scandinavian credits pending study. Page A-1 Roosevelt and Dewey win primary | tests. Page A-1 Hull urges arbitration of U. 8. claims in Mexico. Page A-3 Washington and Vicinity Surprises in spartment fire inquest are indicated. Page B-1 Budget Bureau sanctions school re- placement. program. Page B-1 5% Sports Nationals home to give fans title race preview, Page A-16 Injuries, illness plaguing seven big league clubs. Page A-16 Andy K. has Derby backing despite defeats of Bimelech. Page A-17 Jannazzo 2-1 choice over Mamakos in Riverside opening. Page A-17 Astor Clarke, Jimmy Moore, to man- age new pin plants. Page A-18 Editorial and Comment This and That. Answers to Questions, Letters to The Star, David Lawrence. Alsop and Kintner. Frederic Willlam Wile. Charles G. Ross. Constantine Brown. Page A-10 Page A-10 Page A°10 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Miscellany Service Orders. Page B-7 Vital Statistics. Nature's Children. Bedtime Story. Letter-Out. Winning Contract. Uncle Ray’s Corner. Oross-Word Puzzle, ' B-11 Page B-13 Page l-:l Page B-18 Page B-18 Page B-19 PageB-19 L. M. Waters, Former Deputy Sheriff, Kills Self Z. McCubbin Waters, 69, former deputy sherif of Montgomery County, committed suicide this morning at his home in Goshen, Md. Mr. Waters fired a .32-caliber bullet into his right temple in a | downstairs room. His family was upstairs at the time. Mr. Waters had been employed | by the county for many years. He also was well known as a fancier of foxhounds. He had been working on the property reassessment force since his resignation as deputy sheriff. Members of his family told Mont- gomery County police Mr. Waters had been ill for some time. Police | said a certificate of suicide was is- sued by Dr. C. E. Hawks, county medical examiner. Surviving Mr. widow and two children. Britain Will Fight For Norway Even If She Negofiates Would Regard Talks With Nazis as ‘Under Duress,’ Says Halifax By the Associated Press. LONDON, April 10.—Foreign Sec- | retary Lord Halifax declared today that the allies would fight for “de- fenseless Norway” regardless of any Norwegian negotiations with Ger- many, which would be regarded as taken “under duress.” He said he did not know whether the report that Norway was ready to negotiate with Germany was well founded, but he added that in any event the allies would continue to fight for Norway. “You can take it from me,” he said, “that the British Navy is not idle.” He said Germany’s motive for driving into Scandinavia might “well be the result of some internal weak- ness in Germany,” and added that “it is not likely to be an ummixed advantage to Germany.” Sure of Allied Victory. ‘The mighty war machine of Brit- ain and France, said Lord Halifax, “in my hurable judgment, must in the end prove irresistible.” Lord Halifax turned to the ques- tion of Russia, saying: “The future of our relations with Russia must depend more than anything else upon the degree of effective help that she may for whatever reason wish to give to Germany.” The Foreign Secretary said the Scandinavian political and military situation still was so obscure that it was impossible to claim a com- plete knowledge of events. He was addressing a luncheon of the National Defense Public Inter- est Committee attended by nearly all foreign Ambassadors to Brit- ain and by Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, first sea lord; the Earl of Athlone, new Governor General of Canada, and Air Chief Marshal Sir Cyril Newall. “It we in no way whatever affect our determination to resist on behalf of a powerless Norway both the effect for Norway of this brutal exhibition of violence and for our- selves an extension of German stra- tegic power on the North Sea and the Atlantic, which it would be im- possible for this country to accept,” the foreign secretary declared. Cites Delays in Asking Help. Lord Halifax, declaring the allies would continue to fight for Norway, added: “The fact that the more defense- less of Germany’s has been chosen for this aggression is quite in keeping with the conven- tional behavior of a bully who pre- e by Vot Sy S e See HALIFAX, Page A-4) Waters are his | D. C. Subcommitiee Tenfatively Approves | Some Consolidafions Meeting Tomorrow Night Expected to Settle Main Reorganization Features By JAMES E. CHINN. The reshuffling and consolidation of a number of municipal depart- ments and agencies as embodied in the long dormant plans for reor- ganizing the District government were tentatively approved today by a subcommittee of the House Dis- trict Committee. Meeting behind closed doors with a group of District officials, the sub- committee for more than two hours studied in detail two proposals for revamping and modernizing the municipal machine. One was con- tained in a bill sponsored by Repre- sentative Kennedy, Democrat, of Maryland, the subcommittee chair- man. The other was recommended by the Commissioners. Mr. Kennedy announced at the close of the session -the subcom-| mittee had not yet reached the| fundamental features of either plan. He said another executive meeting | would be held tomorrow at 7:30| pm. in an effort to finish the re- view of reorganization program and agree on the final shape the re- organization legislation should take before it goes to the full District Committee. Kennedy Predicts Agreement. Chairman Kennedy predicted the subcommittee would agree on a re- organization plan and have it ready for consideration of the full com- mittee Monday. Departments and agencies that would be involved in the consolida- tions tentatively approved were not revealed by Mr. Kennedy. “We are going to get to the main features of the reorganization pyo- gram tomorrew night,” he declared, “and I believe when we finish we will hav- & definite plan with all of the existing differences ironed out.” The major differences in the two plans affect the top setup of the municipal go¥ernment: Representative Kennedy's pro- posal—based on the so-called Griff- enhagen plan—would retain the Board of Commissioners as the gov- erning body of the District but would create an office of city man- ager. The city manager would be the executive or administrative head of the government. Commissioners Oppose. The Commissioners, however, vig- orously opposed that arrangement, and recommended that they be au- thorized to create a paid council of nine citizens to advise them on legis- lative, budget and tax problems. Mr. Kennedy said the advisory council plan would not give the dis- franchised residents of the District proper representation, and he in- tended to make a fight in the sub- committee to have a provision writ- ten into the final reorganization leg- islation to allow the people of the city to elect the Commissioners. For several years he has been a strong advocate of local suffrage. “We will reach the suffrage ques- tion at tomorrow night's meeting,” he said. ‘The subcommittee went into ex- ecutive session at 10:30 am. with Commissioners Allen and McCoach. In addition to the Commissioners, the District officials closeted with the subcommittee included Corpora- tion Counsel Elwood H. Seal, Capt. Herbert C. Whitehurst, director of highways; Richmond B. Keech, vice chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, and Jo V. Morgan, sole member of the Board of Tax Ap- peals. . Capt. Whitehurst, Mr. Seal and Mr. Keech were members of the so-called “kitchen cabinet” the issioners organized some time g0 fo prepare for them a program for revamping and modernizing the municipal setup. L4 Roosevelf Leads Garner 610 1 In lllinois Dewey Well Ahead Of Vandenberg in Nebraska Race By G. GOULD LINCOLN. As a result of the Illinois and Nebraska primary elections yester- day, President Roosevelt apd Thomas E. Dewey today stood out in bold relief as the prospective choices of the Democratic and Republican parties for President. Tne President trounced Vice Pres- ident Garner in the Illinois prefer- ential primary, 6 to 1. He was un- | opposed for the presidential prefer= ence vote in Nebraska. Mr. Dewey, New York's racket- busting district attorney, continued his victory, begun in the Wisconsin primaries a week ago, over Senator Vandenberg of Michigan, by running ahead in the Nebraska primary. In Illinois, Mr. Dewey rolled up a large vote—approximately 90 per cent of the total Republican cast in that State. He was unopposed in that State for the preference. Roosevelt Far Ahead. According to the Associated Press returns President Roosevelt's vote in the Illinois preferential primary was more than the combined vote for Mr. Dewey and Mr. Garner. The vote stood: Roosevelt, 813,064 in 5741 of the State’s total 8,336 voting precincts. Garner, 131,369, Dewey, 491,460, in 5.144 precincts. Mr. Dewey's margin over Senator Vandenberg in Nebraska was not as impressive as it was in Wisconsin. | It was, however, substantial in view | of the fact that 85 per cent of the Republican organization leaders of the State backed Senator Vanden- berg. With slightly more than half of the voting precincts reporting, Dewey had a 21,000-vote lead, lows: Dewey, 84,170 in 1,640 precincts out of a total of 2,033. Vandenberg, 61,298. The vote in the Nebraska primary for President Roosevelt in the same number of precincts was 93,569, Burke Trails Cochran. The combined Republican vote of Mr. Dewey and Senator Vandenberg was 145,468, a lead of 51.899 over the vote cast for President Roosevelt. Senator Burke, Democrat, seeking renomination conceded his defeat by Gov. Roy L. Cochran. The vote in 1543 precincts gave Cochran 65,545 and Senator Burke 46.452. Senator Burke opposed President as | Roosevelt’s court bill in 1937 and a number of other administration | measures, although he has supported the President in his foreign policy since the beginning of the European ‘war. Significant of the Republican tide running in Nebraska was the elec- tion of Hyde Sweet, Republican, to the House seat left vacant in the first congressional district by the death of the late Representative Heinke, Republican. Mr. Heinke wrested this district from the Demo= crats in 1938 by a narrow margin. Mr. Sweet’s victory yesterday over his Democratic opponent, Charles Dafoe, was by a larger margin. The bitter Democratic intra-party fight waged in Illinois between the Horner - Kelly - Nash organizations and an insurgent group headed by Lt. Gov. Steele was won by the or- ganization. Machine Rolls Up Vote. It was the Horner-Kelly-Nash or- ganizations which placed President Roosevelt’s name in the presidential preferential primary without the written assent of the President. And it was these organizations which turned out to roll up an impressive vote for the President. It is no secret in Illinois that the heads of the Chi- cago organization, Mayor Edward Kelly and Democratic National Committeeman Patrick Nash, feel Afternoon Coverage The Star’s net paid circulation in the afternoon is greater than that of the afternoon editions of the two other news- papers combined. Yesterday’s Advertising Local Display The Evening Star Lines. * Yesterday’s Circulation The Evening Star Tuesday, April 9, 1940_163,628* Tuesday, April 11, 1939_154,012* Increase ¢ Returns from newsstands not de- ducted and no sampies included, Teleghone NAtional 5000 and have the regular edition of The Evening Star and The Sunday Star delivered to your home at 75 cents per month or the Night Final and Sunday Star-at 85 cents. A