Evening Star Newspaper, May 10, 1940, Page 2

"Atlies Beaten Again In Swiffness” Only lialian Comment i Diplomatic Circles Feel Duce Not Yet Ready | To Get Into War BY thé Associated Press. ROME, May 10—Italy accepted the German invasion of Belgium, the Netherlands and .Lux today as another defeat in speed for the allies without involving Italy in the war. > Newspapers announced the inva- sion with streamer headlines, with “Allies Beaten Once Again in Swift- ness,” their only comment. Rome was criss-crossed by a net- ‘work of feverish diplomatic activity as Ambassadors exchanged views, some of them calling at the Foreign Ministry. The Belgian Ambassador, Count Andre de Kerchove, saw Foreign Minister Count Ciano, presumably to inform him of Belgium’s reaction to the invasion. Italy Expected to Wait. It was assumed the British and French Ambassadors also would seek interviews for a similar pur- pose. ‘The almost unanimous impression in diplomatic circles was that Premier Mussolini would keep Italy out of the war until the meaning of its new stroke and its repercussions became apparent. _United States Ambassador Wil- liam Phillips was summoned to the Chigi Palace today to see Count Ciano. Confidence that Italy is remain- ing out of the war for the present was indicated by the United States Embassy in refraining from advis- ing Americans in Rome to leave the country. Considered Significant. ‘The absence of any-such recom- mendation even in the wake of the German invasion of Belgium, Hol- land and Luxembourg was consid- ered significant. ‘While diplomats awaited a defini- tion of Italian policy, many specu- lated on the possible influence King Victor Emmanuel might exert, since Ttaly’s Princess Marie Jose is a sis- ter of King Leopold III of Belgium. Marie Jose is the wife of Crown Prince Umberto of Italy, who com- mands Italy’s northern armies. The first Italian news of Hitler’s move came in a brief dispatch by Stefani, official news agency. Even then some officials of the Italian press ministry said they were un- sware of the news. Roosevelt ot (Continued From First Page.) in a radio address last September, when the wheels of.war were begin- ning to roll in Europe. “I hope the United States will keep out of this wg:' he said at that time. “T believe it will. And I give you assurances that every effort of your Gove! nEwill be directed toward that end. “As long as it remains within my power to prevent, there will be no blackout of peace In thé United Btates.” Just before meeting the press, the President conferred for more than an hour with three cabinet officers and Army-Navy chieftains. Sum- moned to the White House were Secretary of State Hull, Undersecre- tary Sumner Welles, Attorney Gen- eral Jackson, Secretary of Treasury Morgenthau, Gen. George C. Mar- shall, Army chief of staff, and Ad- miral Harold R. Stark, chief of naval operations, Questioned at the press conference as to whether any broad decisions had been made dur- ing this meeting with his advisers, the President replied they had not, but said many things are uhnder study, He said he did not believe these matters should be given the status of news at the present time. Mr. Roosevelt said specifically that o change in the combat zone for rerlup shipping- is contemplated present. He had been -asked if the zone might be.drawn around colonial possesisons of the Dutch ahd Belgian governments. ; The President said the reported bombing of Brussels, an open city shich as the Germans had pledged would not be attacked from the air, one of the problems under study. i Aveids East Indies Question. ¥ Mr. Roosevelt said he had given to thought to the possibility of ask- ing Congress to remain in session in Wew of the increasingly acute Euro- Rean situation. « By remarking that there were too thany “ifs” in the question, he turned aside an inquiry as to whether it would make any differ- énce if Japan or Germany should attempt to take over Dutch East Ihdies. 3 The President said he has not yet written his speech for tonight before the Pan American Scientific Con- :eu and that he could not say hether the address will deal with the international situation, ¢ Receives Danish Minister. | Immediately after his press con- rence, the Chief Executive received e Danish Minister, Henrik de Rauffmann. Mr. de Kauffmann esented to Mr. Roosevelt & resolu- ion adopted by the United Green- 1jnd Councils at Godhavn, Green- land, on May 3, thanking this Gov- nment and the American people &thm’ sympathies and help for enland. % “It is our hope” the resolution &d. “that * * * the United States vernment will continue to hold mind the exposed position of the ish flag in Greenland, of the Aative Greenland and Danish popu- Jption and of established public aorder. We hope that the United &tates Government, taking into ac- oount our isolated geographical po- Stion, will facilitate the import of ecessities and the export of our ucts.” 1 Shortly after noon the President Peceived Dr. A, Loudon, Netherlands Minister here. Later he was to see unt von der Straten-Ponthoz, bassador from Belgtum. Following the White House con- ence Admiral Stark indicated t the United States Fleet would in Hawali ‘waters for me time despite the dompletion of maneuvers fn thc*:t‘ 1 { He said there; was¥"nd' change Whatever” in status of the feet. { 3 + Asked whether $there was any- thing to reports {that the Navy's &u‘:flm vessels wete moving toward Philippines, Admiral Stark said that so far as he knew they were pothing but air.” ‘Possibly, he said, some ships may e HURRIES FOR CRISIS TALK—Dr. Alexander Loudon (left), the Netherlands Minister, hurried back to Washington today by plane from New York, and a few minutes later was in conference at the State Department on the invasion of his country by Germany. —A. P. Photo. Nazi Demands Follow Army Note Handed Holland at Least ' Three Hours After Invasion Begins By the Associated Press. THE HAGUE, May 10—A diplo- matic duel was fought behind the scenes in this Netherlands’ capital at dawn today—at least three hours after Germany had started her in- vasion. At 6 am. the German Minister, Dr. Julius Count von Zech Sonst von Burkersroda, called upon Neth- erlands Foreign Minister Eelco N. Vankleffens and presented the fol- lowing note: “We announce the coming of an enormous Germany Army. Every resistance is absolutely useless. “Germany guarantees the present status of possession (of the Nether- lands) in Europe as well as over- seas, as well as the dynasty, if every resistance is dropped. If not, then there is danger of complete an- nihilation of the country and of the state’s government. “Therefore, we recommend you urgently to address & summons to have headed in the general direction of the Philippines as part of routine activities, but that did not indicate they were proceeding to those is- lands. Speculation has arisen over what the United States might do with reference to the Dutch East Indies as a result of the invasion of the Netherlands. Asked if it were possible to base the fleet in the Philippines, Admiral Stark said: “Anything is possible, but I had not even given any thought to it.” “How about Guam?” asked. “There 1s no change in that sit- uation, absolutely none,” the ad- miral replied. “Pirst formal recognition by this Government of actual involvement of the three lowland nations came in the early morning hours as Presi- dent Roosevelt ordered Sec- retary Morgenthau to initiate proper action before American financial markets opened for the “freezing” of credits and other assets of these countries in the United States. Shortly before 8 o'clock an Executive order effecting this decision was signed by the President. Similar action was first taken after. German invasion of Denmark and Norway early last month, with explicit statutory authorization sub- sequently being enacted by Con- gress. The order gives to the Secretary of Treasury veto autharity over any movement or transfer of assets of the nations involved which actually are within the United States, barring any effort to send such assets to the countries affected or any effort by Nazi officials to take possession of them here. S Regulations making the order op- erative were transmitted at once by Secretary Morgenthau to all Fed- eral Reserve Banks, According to the Associated Press, latest estimates of Dutch and Bel- gian cash deposits in this country were about $200,000,000 and. $166,- 000,000, respectively. Additional se- curities and some gold also are held here by the governments and some of their citizens. It is expected, of course, thaé Treasury permission will be given to accredited representatives of the invadeg governments to make use of the funds. Dr. Loudon a few days ago was appointed paymaster for the entire foreign service of his government in évent it became em- broiled in the war. To the mi conference at the White House, the President’s ad- visers brought all information:gath- ered in a night of cable and tele- representatives abroad. . Frequent contact was being maintained today between the White House, the State Department and the principal Euro- pean listening posts. Dutch and Belgian diplomatic of- fices here likewise established con- tact with their governments and were expected to present whatever information they could gather to the State Department. Initial notice here of the German he was the nation and the military forces and furthermore to enter into com- munication with German military commanders. “The motives are: We have ui- deniable proofs of an immediately threatening invasion by France and England of Belgium, the Nether- lands and Luxembourg, whict: in- vasion had been prepared long ago with the privity (knowledge) ot Holland and Belgium, with the aim to attack the Ruhrgebiet (Ruhr district).” To this Vankleffens answered: “Her majesty’s government denies the supposition that any hostile agreement has been 'broughi abouyt with any foreign power against Ger- man y. “On account of this unexampled dssault, undertaken withéut warn- ing on Germany’s part agains: the Netherlands, the Dutch government donsiders itself to be at war with the German Reich.” Summary of Today’s Star Amusements, Comics . C-: i Editorials . 0 Finance .___A-19 Lost, Found .C-5 Serial Story B-8 Society B-3 Sports ____C-1-4 Woman's Page _____B-14 National Roosevelt confers with diplomatic and defense advisers, Page A-1 The Netherlands denies any pacts against Germans. Page A-12 Congressional survey of Navy’s ship, plane program planned.Page A-12 House vote for more farm funds threatens debt limit. Page A-14 F. Wayland Ayer Cup awarded New ‘York Times, Page B-5 Washington and Vicinity Jobless Act amendment seems doom- ed at this session, Page B-1 Senate expected to pass $49,697,340 D. C. bill Monday. Page B-1 Forty per cent of symphony fund re- ported pledged. Page B-1 Editorial and Comment This and That. Answers to Questions. Letters to The Star. David Lawrence. Alsop and Kintner, Frederic William Wile, Constantine Brown, Charles G. Ross. Miscellany Nature’s Children, Vital Statistics, Bedtime Story. Letter-Out. Winning Contract. Uncle Ray’s Corner, Page C-11 Cross-Word Puzzle. PageC-11 S e N e e e Roosevelt early last evening, the Ambassador informed the Chiet Executive that the Belgian cabinet was then in session and that a German attack was believed immi- nent. Shortly before midnight, approxi- mately daybreak there, the Ambas- sador called Hull to in- form him that invasion of both Bel- glum and Luxembourg had begun. At about the same time, George A. Gordon, United States Minister to The Netherlands, called to say Holland also had been attacked and that the Dutch government for- mally had declared itself in a state of war with Germany and had asked aid of Britain and Prance. Calls also were réceivéd during the night from Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy at London and William C. Bullitt at Paris. Immediately upon receipt of the first of these messages, Secretary Hull hastened to the State Depart- ment and called the following into Page A-10 Page A-10 Page A-10 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page C-3 Page B-21 Page C-10 Page C-10 Page C-10 Rubber Plane Tank Survives Bullefs; May Go to Allies Tests Show New: Fuel Containers for Aircraft Resist Leakage By ROBERT BRUSKIN, Star Staff Correspondent. American warplanes equipped with a self-sealing, fire-retarding fuel tank which Maj. Gen. H. H, Amold listed as a “must” for future United States planes. At the conclusion of tests con- ducted at the Glenn L. Martin Co. proving ground y during which bursts of machine gun bullets failed to cause leakage to the new tank was superior to those developed by belligerents. Reports reaching him “from extra good sources” in Europe, Mr. Ebel said, indicated “that about 75 per cent” of warplane combat casualties in the first few months of the Eu- nror:."n war “were caused by fuel Tank of Synthetic Rubber. ‘The new tank, made of synthetic rubber about & quarter-inch thick, was developed in the Martin labora- tories under the direction of R. B, Gray. Its composition is strictly confidential, officials declared in warning newsmen not to ask “too many questions on how it works.” The gasoline is believed to set up a chemical reaction which aids in clos- The tests showed conclusively that the tank is self-sealing under the impact of 30 caliber bullets. A tracer bullet included in the machine gun burst passed through the tank without causing damaged. A minute leakage followed the impact of the bullet, but the punctures seemed to close almost immediately. Eight bullets were fired at a range of 50 yards and when the tank was in- spected the punctures a only as slits and tiny holes that had been effectively closed. Resists Heavy Slug. No test was made yesterday with the 50-caliber machine gun which fires a heavy slug. But in the laboratory newsmen were shown tanks which had withstood such fire without ill effect. Some of the laboratory, - tanks had been patched with the same material used in closing' punctures on inner tubes of automobiles. Mr. Gray ex- plained, however, that this was used merely in reinfarcing the fabric for further tests and that the punctures had healed effectively without the use of patching. Mr. Gray admitted that punctures created by high explosive, which might be catsed by anti-aircraft guns and small cannon now bei: installed in warplanes, might dam- age the tank irreparably. Moreover, “a lucky shot” across the edge might tedf away % corner and thusy create damage beyond healing, he said. 3 : By cantrasf," Martin ‘officials fired & machine gun burst, which included several tracer bullets, into the older type of metal tank. It burst into flame almost instantly, as the highly volatile gasoline spilled into & dug- out. The machine gun was also fired into two metal tanks filled with seawater and both were emptied in a few seconds, Where the bullets left the tank, holes large enough to admit a football were punched through the aluminum alloy. Difference in Weight. Several Army and Navy officers viewed the tests, but declined to comment. One pointed out, how- ever, that in contrast to fuel tanks now in use which are made an in- tegral part of the structure, the synthetic rubber tank would in- crease slightly the weight of a plane. Martin officials claimed, however, it would decrease the weight carried and permit easier Tepairs. The tank can be stuffed into small openings, and as it is filled with {uel it expands into any shape per- mitted by the space. The Army is reported to be experimenting with 2 similar type of tank. Germany has been using a self-sealing tank made of fiber, rubber compounds and rawhide. The airfieets of Great Britain and France are reported to have a leak-retarding tank similar in many aspects to the Mareng Cell perfected by the Martin company in 1935, Belgium (Continued From First Page.) ing and had three air raid alarms in the early afternoon. 7 Killed, 80 Wounded. While the first wave of Nazi bomb- ers took a toll of at least 7 killed and 80 wounded throughout the country, the Foreign Ministry said the German land forces were halted by Belgian troops entrenched behind the “demolition line,” a first-defense area of destroyed bridges and roads and other barriers. King Leopold III ordered com- plete mobilization and took active command of all the armed forces. At the same time Foreign minister Paul Henri Spaak, in a note to Ger- man Ambassador Bulow-Schwante, announced, “Belgium will defend herself with all means * * * and can- not be vanquished.” Two children were killed and 50 persons wounded in the air raid on Bombs fell on numerous railway stations in the heart ot the country. Both Britain and France promised quick aid against the German blow, which came without warning in an attempt to clear a route into France and secure bases for attacking Eng- land. Foreign Minister Spaak, implor- ing assistant “without delay,” told the Prench and British Ambassadors the Belgian government “has decided to resist with all its powers.” King to Address Chamber. The King prepared to address special session of the Chamber of Deputies. A hospital for the insane at Mortsel was reported to have been set afire by bombs. (This report was denied immediately in Ger- many, where it was said Adolf 7 12,000 More Pla SELF-SEALING FUEL TANK FOR PLANES—The metal gasoline tank at left, used in American warplanes, burst into flame when struck by tracer bullets at the Glenn L. Martin Co. plant, Middle River, Md. The tank at right, made of a self-sealing synthetic rubber, was not affeeted by tracer bullets, and the holes were quickly sealed. The new tank was developed by the company for use in its bombers. J. C. Deweese (left), testing engineer, and R. B. Gray (i ght), laboratory head, at the Martin plant, inspect damage to the aluminum alloy fuel tank cover which was peppered by a .30-caliber machine gun. Despite the damage, the contents of the tank did not leak out. Mr. Gray points to the leakage caused by machine gun slugs in an ordinary metal tank, such as now installed in most combat planes, In actual combat the plane receiving the burst would possibly crash in flames or fail to return to its base for lack of fuel. ‘The present invasion is even worse than that of 1914. “No ultimatum was given. No official notification. No protests. “Instead, a direct attack, violating the neutrality of the country. “This attitude deprived Germany of any justification. This violation will hurt the conscience of the en- tire world abroed. “Belgium is resolved to defend herself by all means. She has the right with her and cannot be van- quished.” Nazi Note Delivered. After the first bombing of Brus- sels, German Ambassador Von Bulow-Schwante delivered to For- eign Minister Spaak a note saying a “tremendous” German army was marching into Belgium and neigh- boring Holland and Luxembourg to forestall an allied attack. ‘The note asked the Belgians not to resist and promised to preserve their country. Even before the Ambassador spoke, Spaak reported “the answer is negative” and handed him a note saying Belgium would defend her- self against an invasion worse than that of 1914. i;“m-mslels has been ‘tuc}:d de air despite being an open city de- prived of military,” said the Foreign Minister, “and no troops will march across it.’ Since the first wave, Brussels ftself has not been bombed. However, the three air raid alarms were sounded. Twenty-nine German planes were reported over the Province of Bra- bant and others over Limbourg, both adjoining the Netherlands bor- der. Anti-aircraft fire could be heard. Belgians cheered the arrival of the first cars flying allied flags. German diplomats were confined to their Embassy, near which a bomb fell this morning, and all other Germans in ‘the capital—several thousand—were arrested. Warned of Saboteurs. ’ ‘The government warned that Ger- man parachute troops already had been landed in Northern Belgium and told the people to watch out for them and for saboteurs. Soldiers on leave hastened to re- join units which have been in the fleld since September. German sirmen raided Antwerp and Jemelle, an im t railyay center in the Sou on the main line betweén Brussels and Luxem- relaxed about 7 am. today, but all communications were ordered cut again at 9:30 am. The government office area was surrounded by guards. As people in Brussels recovered from the first shock, flags blos- somed in the streets, people strolled in the center of the town, and trol- leys and automobiles ran as usual, Martial Law Preclaimed. Martial law was proclaimed and the King drafted notes for all neu- tral countries. Whether Belgium con- sidered herself in & legal state of war with Germany was not made clear. The Belgian government appealed to Prance and Great Britain “to safeguard our independence.” Ambulances clanged continuously through the streets of Brussels, ap- parently bearing wounded. Firing of anti-aircraft guns was | by ri halted shortly before 7 am. and no bombing had been heard an hour later. Trolleys ran uninterrupted and military dispatch riders dashed through the streets on motorcycles. It was reported heré that the Germans had dropped leaflets on the Netherlands capital, Thre Hague, say- ing Germany was attacking Great Britain and that the population must abstain from attacking the Germans. The Brussels radio announced German troops crossed the fron- tier of Belgium at four points. Ar- tillery fire was heard on the Ger- man-Belgian frontier. Parachute troops, said the Brus- sels radio, dropped from German planes at Nivelles, less than 20 miles directly south of Brussels and at St. Trond, 40 miles due east. Troops were also landed at Hasselt, in Eastern Belgium, Schools Ordered Closed. ‘Violent explosions of anti-aircraft fire were heard over the city where the cabinet had been sitting in extraordinary session since 1 am, closed and the nation blacked out at night. Every one was advised to take cover from air bombs. i The cabinet remained perma- nent session after Premier Plerlot conferred with the King. Antwerp and its airport was bombed early today. The rallway station at Jemelle, in the southeast —A. P, Photos. Weather Report ot Ordered by Alljes * From U. S. Plants War Department 20 Ask; Funds for 200 Bombers To Bolster Defenses BY the Associated Press. Aviation authorities said today that the British and Prench govern- ments have ordered 3,000 or miore additional American-made war- planes in the last few days. The new contracts, for the latest type fighting planes and bombers developed for the United States Army Air Corps, were said to have boosted the allies’ purchases within the last month to 4,000 or more mili- tary aircraft. At the same time, it was disclosed that the War Department intends to recommend to President Roosevelt that Congress be asked for funds immediately to build 200 long-range, four-motor bombers to reinforce Western Hemisphere defenses. The additional bombers would be a part of the 6,000-plane quots which Congress authorized for the Air Corps last year. Pifty-two of the big bombers, which cost about $400,000 each, are in service, and 200 others are on order. The latest allied plane purchases coincided with authoritative reports that the Anglo-French purchasing mission contemplated relying more heavily on the United States for aerial reinforcements than originally planned, in view of the European war's new turn and official admis- sions by the British that the allies were inferior to Germany in air power. The latest orders included an un- disclosed number of Martin bombers and of a fast new pursuit plane developed for the Air Corps by the North American Aviation Corp, Inglewood, Calif. Cudahy (Continued Prom First Page.) cery of the American Legation, Mr. Gordon added. One of the planes crashed within & hundred yards of the chancery. Mr. Gordon was informed by Dutch officials that German ground forces had attacked along the entire eastern frontier while the Nazis air force bombed all airports. Mr. Cudahy “broke the news” about Germany's invasion of Bel- gium, Holland and Luxembourg several hours before it happened. Brig. Gen. Edwin M. Watson, sec- retary to President Roosevelt, told reporters today that Mr. Cudahy telephoned him at his home between 8:30 and 9 o'clock last night, after he had failed to get the President, who was still at dinner. “Cudahy hit it exactly,” Gen. Wat- son said. “The remarkable thing about it is that he said ‘its going to be Belgium, Holland and Luxem- bourg.” “The Ambassador said the Prime Minister, the Minister of National Defense and the Foreign Minister of Belgium were all up and their information was there would be an attack by dawn. “Lt. Col. (Robert D. Brown, Military Attache, then came on the wire and said, ‘The Ambassador is right.”” Gen. Watson said he called Presi- dent Roosevelt as soon as he had finished talking with Mr. Cudahy and the President told nim to get in touch immediately with Secre- tary of State Hull and Undersec- retary Welles. Gen. Watson said he also called the Belgian Ambassador here and “he didn’t know a thing about it. gl‘.,ld he could say was, ‘My God, my Generous Response Response to the placing of boxes in Havana, Cuba, for the collection of magazines and newspapers to be distributed to prisons, hospitals and welfare institutions was so great that additional receptacles had to be provided. . (Furnished by the United States Weather Bureau.) District of Columbia—Fair tonight; tomorrow cloudy, followed light showers; little change in temperature; lowest tonight about by 50 degrees; light variable winds, becoming moderate northerly late tomorrow. Maryland—Fair and continued cool tonight; tomorrow cloudy, fol- lowed by light showers in west and central portions. Virginia—Fair tonight; tomorrow mostly cloudy, followed by light showers in west portion; continued cool. West Virginia—Light showers beginning late tonight or early tomor- row; slightly warmer in northeast portion tonight; cooler in northwest portion tomorrow. A small disturbi near latitude 39° N. and longitude 55° W.. with lowest pressure about 1008 millibars 29.77 inches). attended by fresh to strong winds over a small area. Another is cen- 200 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, moving east-northeast A apparently with increasing intensity and lowest ure _about 1007 millibars (297 . Pressure is relatively low from the y. Concordia, Kans. ibars (30.04 inches), followed y rising pressure over the Northern Plains and the extreme Upper Mississippi Valley. Bismarck. N. Dak.. 1028.1 millibars (30.36 inches). During the last 24 hours there have been showers in the West Gulf States and portions of the Southeastern States, while light showers occurred in the Upper Mississippi Valley. Temperatures have falien {rom the Carolinas westward over ‘ennessee and Arkansas. River Repert. Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers clear at Harpers ;em: Potomac clear at Great Palls today. Report for Last 24 Hours. Temperature, Barometer. Y"lkl’dli— d inches. Record for Last 24 Hours. (Prom noon yesterday to noon today.) Highest, 66, 4 p.m. yesterday. Year ago. |3 Lowest, 48. 6 a.m. today. Year ago. 63. ol ‘d. Record Tomperatures This Yehr. Highest. 86. on May 7. Lowest, 7. on January 29. Humidity for Last 24 Hours. (Prom noon yesterday to uoon today.) Highest, 69 per cent, at 5:50 a.m. todsy. P i Tide Tables. a g United States it and Firn etlc Survey ) oo s -m. | Borta (Payal). Asores__ " | 8an Juan. Puerto Havans, Cubs ce is moving eastward p—m——— ‘Weather in Various Citles. Abilene __ Al Charleston Chicago Cincinnatt Cleveland Galveston__ Helena . Jacks'ville Kans. City’ Los Angeles Louisville Mia Mpls.-St. P. N. Orleans. A— ERRREL S aRzIzZI2E2=02 Forelen Stations. (Noon, Greenwich time, todsy.) ¢ B Wy (Current m&gu,) Colon, canal Zone.--> &2 ( Injured in Fall Thomas E. Watkins, 45, an em-