Evening Star Newspaper, May 13, 1940, Page 1

Weather Forecast Mostly cloudy, light showers beginning late tonight or tomorrow; not much change in temperature; lowest tonight about 56. Temperatures today—Highest, 84,at2pm,; mac,u at 4:45 am. From the anmd States Full details on Page A-2. Late New York Markets, Pag. 18. ‘eather Bureau report, .88th YEAR. No. 35,076. Great ‘Battle of West' Started, Paris Asserts ITALY STRENGTHENS FRENCH border positions, calls more re- servists; students halted in march on Prench and British Embassies. Page A-2 BRITAIN AND HOLLAND reassure Japan on status quo in Dutch East Indies. ‘Page A-4 By the Associated Press. PARIS, May 13.—French mili- tary spokesmen declared tonight that the German - advance through Southern ‘Holland and Belgium appeared to be checked. The great “battle of the west” has started, the spokesmen said, but it still is in a preliminary stage. He explained this meant the advanced allied motorized forces and allied aviation were supporting the Belgian and Southern Dutch armies and had slowed up the Nazi “blitzkrieg” swoop. They were giving battle pending the early arrival of the main allied forces which were said to be nearing the line “ahead of schedule.” An official French compilation said the Germans lost 400 airplanes in the first three and one-half days of the drive against the Lowland countries. This figure, it was declared, in- cluded 34 shot down by French anti- aircraft guns and 88 by French and British airplanes in France and Bel- gium. Fifty German planes were de- stroyed on the ground in airdromes in the Netherlands while the others were shot down by the Belgians and by allied and Netherlands air forces in the Netherlands-and Germany, it was added. Deny Liege Captured. A French War Department spokes- man said at midafternoon that so far the only fort in the fortified zone around Liege that has fallen to the Germans is Eben Emael. The spokesman declared that in Holland “the interior situation is much improved.” He admitted, however, that some German forces had driven. through Luxembourg and, at some points, were fighting on French territory. But the fighting there, he said, was between advance motorized forces on both sides, and the main German and allied armiés nowhere have come into contact as yet. Summary of Situation. He summed up the situation at midafternoon as follows: Holland—No further reports since news that the Germans had suc- ceeded in piercing Dutch defenses on the Ijssel. The interior situation much improved, with most German parachutists mopped up. Belgium — The fortified zone around Liege holding out well. Only fort fallen to the Germans is Eben Emael, where the Albert Canal joins the Meuse. The progress of German columns | toward Tongres and Hasselt from Maastricht has been greatly ham- pered by allied aerial operations. The column heading toward Tongres was stopped by a mass assault by Prench armored cars last night. ‘This was the first time French and German armored cars came into contact in large numbers. South of Liege the Germans are striking hard through the Belgian Ardennes in a due west direction. ‘The Belgians are withdrawing slowly, periodically halting to offer & fight supported by allied aviatiom. Fighting on French Soil. Luxembourg — French advance cavalry detachments, having retired to the French-Luxembourg frontier, main forces are now in combat from the Moselle to Longwy, which the French hold. The line of battle is at some points in Luxembourg and some points on French territory. France—A full German division which was hurled against a French position immediately to the east of the Moselle yesterday has been stopped completely. raine front German attacks proved to be localized operations in the Forbach region and Orenthal salient. French advance posts fell back and Germans did not push the at- tacks further. . Nazis Double Attack. Germany pushed her aitack 8gainst the Netherlands and Bel- gium with redoubled violence as French reinforcements rushed to aid the besieged Lowlands, the French high command reported in a com- mumqug The enemy attack was reported to be particularly severe in the re- gion north of the Albert Canal, ap- parently in an effort to widen the breach already forced in the canal fortifications which make up a vital part of Belgium's defense system. The Germans also threw heavy ::n:er}";;ltrx;ms into the sector south- st of lemont, 25 miles east of B wau:h o Paris’ third air rail alarm in mm more than 14 hours ended without incident at 2:51 pm. The capital was on the alert for 21 minutes. No planes were heard and no anti- aircraft fire was unloosed. Prench planes zoomed over ad- vancing German columns qyrj the day and night, bombing and machine- gunnlng them time lnd T (See PARIS, Page | A3) Former G.A.R. Head Dies DES MOINES, Iowa, May 13 ().— Judge James W. Willett, 94, former national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, died today at the Iowa Soldier's Home at Mar- shalltown. British Coalition Dedicated To ‘Victory at All Costs’ ‘No Survival’ if Defeated, Premier Says; Warns Great Battle LONDON, May 13.—Britain He presented his streamlined from vacation, gave him unanimous votes in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons before adjourning to May 21. Two independent Labor mem- bers, James Maxton and Campbell Stephen, forced the Commons to ballot in a resolution offered by Mr. Churchill that his ministry repre- sented “the united and inflexible resolve of the nation to prosecute the war with Germany to a vic- torious conclusion.” They shouted “no” when the question of unanimous approval was raised—but the vote they forced ended up 381 to 0 because they had @h ‘WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION e Foening Sar WASHINGTON, D. C, MONDAY, MAY 13, 1940—THIRTY-SIX PAGES. *xx Nazi Drive Halted, French Claim; Liege Citadel Taken, Reich Says; Churchill Wins Unanimous Vote Impends 's new chief, Winston Churchill, gained a unanimous “win the war” mandate in Parliament today after he warned that “without victory there is no survival,” either for the British Empire or what it represents. war cabinet, with its two Laborite members, as a cabinet of unity, and dedicated his coalition govern- ment to a single aim: “Victory at all costs.” Parliament, summoned suddenly®— to act as tellers for the “no” votes and could not vote themselves. Mr. Churchill warned that the al- lies are “in the preliminary phase of one of the greatest battles in his- tory” and proclaimed the aim of “victory at all costs,” because: “* ¢ * Without victory there is no survival * * * no_survival for the British empire, no survival for all that the British empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and the impulse of the ages that man- kind shall move forward toward his Allies Blast Tunnel, Cutting Part of Nazi Railroad on Westwall Air Raid and Shelling Sever Direct Connection With Basel By the Associated Press. BASEL, Switzerland, May 13— } French artillery and allied air bombs this afternoon shattered part of the Istein railroad tunnel under Germany'’s “Gibraltar of the Rhine.” ‘This destruction closed to military traffic s, section of the vital army railroad incorporated in Lhe West- wall fortifiestions. Passenger traffic on this German Rhine line was cut off after an at- tack on a freight train near Istein by a French warplane Saturday. The new raid and shelling of the southern side of the bridge of Istein Rock, which the German railroad pierces in a double track tunnel, severed Germany's direct connec- tion with Basel. Istein is about § miles north of the Swiss border. Heavy German troop concentra- tlons were noted by observers from the Swiss side from north of Basel, where Switzerland, France and Ger- many come together, on east to Waldshut—a distance of 30 miles airlane. Further troop movements were reported east of this point toward Lake Constance. The French also reinforced vet- eran Moroccan troops, who have bene stat®ned since the war in lower Alsace and the upper Jura frontier with Switzerland. The Swiss have their Winkelreid Line from Basel to the Austrian frontier manned with elite troops backed by fully mobilized reserve forces. Following the Swiss neutrality plan, many reserve troops also are posted along the Swiss frontier of the Swiss Jura, opposite the French frontier. Cardenas Hits Failure To Block Nazi ‘Outrages’ By the Associated Press. GUANAJUATO, Mexico, May 13— President Cardenas last night con- demned the German invasion of Holland and Belgium, at the same time censuring those nations. which failed to “place a dike around im- perialist invasion” while there was On the Lor-|time. Speaking “in the name of the Mexican people,” the chief execu- tive said he was protesting “to the whole world against the newest outrages committed by militaristic imperialism. * * *” Nazis Threaten 10-1 Reprisal if Allies Execute Parachutists Insist Air T}oops Dress In Uniform and Not in Enemies’ War Garb By the Associated Press. BERLIN, May 13.—The German | high command announced today | that in the future it would shoot |10 captured French soldiers for every | | German parachute trooper shot by the French in violation of interna- tional law. Germany earlier had advised the | allies; thfough the diplomats of the United States, Sweden, Spain and Swl land, that any: evidence of ng with Gérman parachute lnldlern in & manner “contrary: to internstional law” would lead to reprisals at a ratio of 10 to 1. A communique from the office of French Premier Reynaud yesterday charged that the Germans were us- ing parachute troops di as Dutch and Belgian soldiers in viola- tion of international law. It said any Nazi soldiers found in France wearing other than the German uni- form would be shot instantly. Reynaud Claim Called a Lie. The German communique said: “The assertion of Herr Reynaud that German parachute troopers wore foreign uniforms or civilian clothes is a lie. “Herr Reynaud is no soldier. He appears not to know that parachute battalions are regular formations of the German army set up in peace and trained for their particular task “The uniform is generally known and is adapted to the particular fighting manner of the parachute soldier. It is not to be confused either with civilian clothing or any kind of a foreign uniform. “Should, nevertheless, Herr Rey- naud seek an excuse to vent his hate on the brave parachute troop- ers, immediate reprisals against this breach of international law will be taken by German defense forces. “In the future for every German parachute soldier shot, 10 captured French soldiers will be shot.” Authorized sources expressed re- sentment at communiques by allied authorities speaking of “extermina- tion” of German parachute troops. This language was regarded as a gross insult to the honor of the Ger- man soldier. Note Delivered to U. S. The German Embassy in Wash- ington delivered a note to the State Department with a ' request that it be forwarded to the four governments representing the in- terests of the belligerents. The text of the note, it was said, would "(See PARACHUTISTS, Page A-3.) Summary of Page. Amusements, B-16 | Serial Story.B-11 Comics .. B-14-15 | Society .____.B-3 Editorials .. A-10|Sports .__A-14-16 Finance ....A-17 Woman's Page, Lost, Found B-11 B-6 Obituary ___A-12 Foreign Germans threaten reprisals in kill- ing of parachutists. Page A-1 German advance in Low Countries checked, French claim. Page A-1 Allies blast tunnel, cutting part of Nazi railroad. Page A-1 Liege citadel is captured, Germans declare. Page A- French deny loss of of key to Bel‘lln defense. Page A-1 Nazi aim to split Low Countries, British hold. Page A-1 Princess Juliana and family are safe in London. Page A-1 Ttaly reinforces positions = along French border. Page A-2 Britain and Holland reassure Japan on Indies status quo. Page A-4 National Today’s Star Page.| Further U. S. Fleet practice off Ha- waii ordered. Page A-2 U. 8. Army as tough as any in world, Gen. Short says. Page B-10 Washington and Vicinity Charred body found in auto on lone- ly Maryland road. Page A-1 Drug store official killed in auto accident. Page B-1 Judge Neilson charged with fixing most traffic tickets. Page B-1 Revised Prince Georges transporta- tion plan announced. Page B-1 Bruce to quit Democratic National Committee post. Page B-5 Editorial-and Comment This and That. Answers to Questions. Letters to The Star. David Lawrence. Frederic William Wile. Constantine Brown. Charles G Ross. Alsop and Kintner. Page A-10 Page A-10 Page A-10 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 t Belgians Continue Stout Resistance In Outer Forts By the Associated Press. BERLIN, May 13.—German troops have broken into strnuglc Liege and the German flag waved over the citadel of famdus fortress since this morn- ing, the high command an- nounced today. Belgian troops are fighting bitterly against the crushing German advance, however, and are offering opposition in some of the outer forts of Liege, it said. In Holland, the Germans reported two principal gains. The high command said one col- umn had “established contact with troops landed by air around Rot- terdam.” DNB, the official German news agency, reported the complete oc- cupation of the northern province of Groningen, with the Nazis reach- ing the Zuider Zee (Ijssel Meer) in force behind vanguards which reached it at Harlingen yesterday. Drive Against French. Even as the Nazis pressed their onslaught in the Lowlands toward what Germans expected to be one| of the great battles of history, other Nazi forces in the west took the offensive on the French frontier. “South and southeastward from Zweibruecken our positions were moved forward and several hundred prisoners were taken,” the high command reported from the West- wall-Maginot Line front. The high command said French| troops in the Lowlands were mov- ing up and had been thrown into the area south of Liege and west of the Ourthe River, toward which it said German troops are moving. 18,000 Dutch Reported Taken. DNB, official German news agency, reported that one of the German armies sweeping into the Lowlands had captured about 18,000 Dutch | in | soldiers, while at one point South Holland a Dutch general and his staff were seized. DNB said 600 French soldiers were captured in an action south of Saar- brueken on ' the Maginot-Westwall | front, in which German lines pushed lm The agency also reported the capture of 300 prisoners, mostly British, by German forces in Nor- way in a fight at Mo, north of Mosjoen on the west coast between Narvik and Trondheim. DNB also reported that 32,000 general staff maps of Germany were found in headquarters of the Netherlands Army in Arnhem. It said that among them were scale maps of the Ruhr district, which the agency cited as runher proof England and Holland planned an attack on the German industrial region. Text of Communique. German troops also are driving west from Liege, north of sthe Meuse River. The communique, Chancellor Hitler's with his army, said: “The attack of German forces in the west made good progress on May 12. “In Holland, German troops are moving forward west of the South Willem Canal. They have established contact with troops landed by air around Rotterdam. “In Belgium the crossing of the Aibert Canal was forced northwest of Hasselt. Our troops are moving forward west of Liege and north of the Meuse and have broken into the city of Liege. “The German flag has waved on the Citadel since the forenoon of May 18, while individual outer forts still resist. “French troops have been thrown west of the Ourthe and in Southern Belgium. Our troops are there in a fluid advance and are beginning to approach the goal set up. “South and southeastward from Zweibrucken (on the West-wall- Maginot front) our positions were moved forward and several prisoners were taken. The advance of our army was supported effectively by the air force with attacks on troop concentrations, march columns and railroads. Air Battle Continues. “The air force continues its great battle for air superiority over the western area of operations with noticeable success. In all, on May 12, 320 planes were deztroyed among them 58 in air fights, 72 by anti- aircraft fire and the rest on the (See BERLIN, Page A-12) issued from headquarters McCarran Discusses C. A. A. Controversy Senator Pat McCirran, Dem- oerst, of Nevada will be the guest speaker tonight on the National Radio Forum over WMAL at 10:30 o'clock. Senator McCarran, a cham- pion of the Civil Aeronautics Authority and who was in charge of the Senate legisla- tion which created that or- ganization, will discuss the current controversy over re- Miscellany Nature'’s Children. Letter-Out. Bedtime Story. ‘Winning Con! Winning Contract Page B-11 PageB-14 Page B-14 me:-ll PageB-15 A organization of the C. C. A. The. program is ‘arranged ‘by ‘The Star and is heard over a - “coast-to-coast metwork of the Netional Broadeasting Co. ‘From Press to Home ' Within the Hour’ Most, people in Washington have The Strategic Refreats | Admitted by Dutch; Water Lines Infact Nazi Troops Penetrate To Langstraat Region In the South By the Associated Press. AMSTERDAM, May 15.—The Dutch command admitted today that its forces were making strategic retreats under the pressure of heavy German attacks, but still held their water defense lines. It announced that Dutch forces in Western Gelderland Province—ne- were taking a stand behind their inundation line against a German River and some points” with Dutch forces. It said Dutch border troops had withdrawn also with small losses to prepared defense positions in the northeastern e . ¥ Germans in the north admittedly reached some points on the eastern shore of the Jjssel Meer {(Zuider Zee). In the: south, the high command said German mechanized troops had penetrated to the Langstraat region, which, roughly, is north of Tilburg and west of Shertogenbosch. Hol- land’s great network of rivers, how- ever, still is beyond the Nazis on this northward path toward Rotter- dam and Amsterdam,. Heinkels Shot Down. In sporadic air activity, two Ger- man Heinkel airplanes were re- ported shot down by the Dutch near Amsterdam while invading trans- ports dropped more parachute troopers. Amsterdam had three air raid alarms through the early afternoon, but up tq,1:25 p.m. no bombs were dropped. The first of the alarms came at 4:30 am. and the two Heinkels were reported shot down at that time. ‘The parachute troops were said to have dropped after daylight. How- ever, the army quickly had the sit- uation in hand, it was reported, and the city generally was quiet. Dutch troops, meanwhile, cleaned up “Fifth Column” snipers in the southern section of the city, where there was fighting during the night. Heavy Fighting Reported. ‘Withdrawn to new positions in Central and Southern Holland, a determined Dutch Army engaged German invaders in heavy fighting along the redrawn front today, with 20,000 British troops bolstering their central position and French re-enforcements in contact with the Nazis in the south. At the same time, the Dutch high command announced the army was “completely master of the situation” in the interior. Enemy parachute troops virtually were cleared out of Rotterdam, where they still held Waalhaven Airport, but were un- (See AMSTERDAM, Page A-4.) German Transport Sunk By Mine, British Report By the Associated Press. LONDON, May 13.—Reuters, British news agency, reported today that the German transport Cam- pania struck a mine and sank en route from Oslo to Germany. Arrive Safely in BULLETIN. LONDON, May 13 (/) —Queen Wilhelmina of Holland arrived in England tonight. 5 (Pictures on Page A-3.) By the Associated Press. LONDON, May 13.—The heirs to the royal house of the Netherlands— Princess Juliana, her husband, Prince Bernhard, and their two children—arrived in London today. Princess Juliana led her 2-year- hemn‘uprootbox Prince carried one end of the box nndsnurumem.hcr. ‘The Earl of Harewood, brother- in-law of King George VI, met the royal family at the station. Amuiqmilflndhyflu!fi- Mmmflm&ytmm Dutch that “Her PHM.I Julians of Netherlands arrived A ¥ 'Hull Urges Scientists low the Ijssel Meer (Zuider Zee)— | force which has crossed the Ijssel| “come into contact at in London | times. ‘Late War Bulletins BERLIN (#.—DNB, official German news agency, said three enemy transports aggregating 10,000 tons and an enemy destroyer had been sunk yesterday by the German air force in addition to ships previously reported sunk. \ LONDON (#),—The Admiralty announced today that British warships had bombarded German parachute troops who landed on the North Sea Coast of the Lowland countries. PARIS (#.—A French spokesman today said France had no intention of relenting in her decision to shoot all para- chute troops descending in French territory and not wearing the regular German uniform. of reprisal barbarism. He termed Germany’s threat To Remain Loyal To Human Race Americas Must Keep Free Spirit of Research: Alive, Secretary Says By THOMAS R. HENRY. The 1500 official delegates of 21 republics at the first plenary ses- sion of the Eighth American Science Congress at the Pan-American Building this morning heard Secre- tary of State Hull urge on them continued “loyalty to the human race and the destiny of man” in the | face of the narrowing horizons of | all culture in the old world. For the sake of all mankind, he | said, the spirit of free research, un- shackled by national lines, must be kept alive in the American repub- lics while it is smothered elsewhere by the demands of war only for new | instruments of destruction. Assembled in the flag-draped hall, the leaders of the intellectual life of two continents heard Secretary Hull express deep concern that the achievements of science whose pri- mary purpose is richer and longer life for all mankind may be turned to serve purposes of destruction. Cites Use of Weapons. “Today,” Mr. Hull declared, “we witness a stark demonstration of the | possibilities of anti-social and anti- moral use of the achievements of science. Weapons made possible by greac scientific discoveries and by marvelous technological develop- ment have been created, and are being created and wielded, by some nations in pursuit of policies of ag- gression and aggrandizement. This compels other nations to create and wield -similar weapons in defense or in preparation for defense. In some nations science has been reduced to (See HULL, Page A-3) Roosevelt Is Assured Of La Guardia’s Vote By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, May 13—Mayor La Guardia, a member of the Amer- ican Labor party said today: “If Franklin Roosevelt runs (for a third term) I am going to vote for him.” He was addressing 16,000 dele: gates attending a convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Work- ers of America (C. I. O.). Mayor La Guardia supported Mr. Roose- velt in 1932 and 1936. Princess Juliana and Family London today, accompanied by the two young princesses, Beatrix and Irene. “People of the Nethelands will be very happy to learn that their beloved princess is in safety, .It is, of course, of paramount im- portance even if the worst should happen (for which fortunately there is no indication at present) that ‘the royal house of Orange-Nassau should be safe. “Prince Bernhard has accom- panied the princess and their daugh- ters to London with the inten- tion of resuming his duties as aide de camp to the Queen as soon as at all possible.” ‘The nme"'lmxe." signifying | days, “peace,” was chosen by Bernhard and Juliana fon their infant daugh- ter, born within a month of the Charred Body Found Chained Inside Burned Auto Car Traced to Mechanic Missing From Home At Branchville, Md. (Picture on Page A-2.) A charred body was found this morning chained inside a burned automobile on a lonely road which runs through the Agriculture De- partment Research Center near | Beltsville, Md. ‘The body apparently was that of a man, but was badly burned as to be unrecognizable. The auto- mobile was traced through license numbers to George Hoffman, 39,/ Branchville, Md., an automobile mechanic, who has been missing from his home since early yesterday. Fred Hoffman, a brother of the mis$ing man, viewed the body and said it might be that of his brother. The body was discovered about 7:45 o'clock by a laborer. Around the neck was a heavy tire chain, such as might have been used on a truck. It was fastened to the door posts on either side of the car. Car Believed Saturated. In the rear of the car was a five- gallon can, which apparently had contained gasoline. Police said they believed the interior of the car had been saturated with gasoline before it was set afire. The road on which the car was parked had been under repair and few cars had traveled over it. Po- lice said, however, it could not have been parked where it was without being discovered for any great length of time. They believed the fire had occurred last night. Mr. Hoffman lived with his mother and other members of his family in Branchville. His sister is Mrs. Al- bert Johnson, whose husband is con- nected with the management of a ‘grocery store in Branchville. © The brother told police he had been fishing yesterday with George ‘and said he had been in good spirits. ‘The missing man left home about dark, without saying where he was going, and did not return. The fire had almost demolished the old sedan. The metal was cool when police arrived, indicating the fire had gone out hours earlier. « Deputy Medical Inspector James 1. Boyd expressed -the opinion that the body was that of a man. Be- cause the body was small, police had at first believed it to be that of a (See BODY, Page A-4) Dutch Accounts Sold Ouf, Stocks Stump $1 fo §7 BY the Associated Press. NEW YORK, May 13 —Liquidation of Dutch marginal accounts con- tributed to a selling wave in the Stock’ Exchange today which gave prices the worst drubbing since last September. At the worst, prices were off $1 to more than $7 a share in issues, but pressure relaxed in fourth hour, and prices came buck & little from the lowest. Brokers said speculators in the Netherlands have been holding a fair amount of stock here on margin, and in the decline of the past few became im| margins paired. Another factor contributing to the selling was the fact that the decline Star delivered to their homes every ¢vening and Sunday morning. (®) Means Associated Press. THREE CENTS.: Roosevelt to Ask More Defense Funds This Week Message to Be Drawn; Early Won't Say Taxes Will Be Needed By GARNETT D. HORNER. President Roosevelt will ask Congress this week for more funds to meet emergency na- tional defense needs that have been emphasized by war devel- opments in Europe, the White House announced today. The exact amount to be requested in addition to the approximately $2,000,000,000 already budgeted for the Army and Navy has not been determined, White House Secretary Stephen T. Early said in making the announcement, Indicating that additional taxa- tion may not be considered neces- sary to meet the cost, Mr. Early cautioned reporters against “going out on a limb” when asked if the President would repeat his previous suggestion for new national de- fense taxes. Half a Billion Talked Of. Reports circulated on Capitol Hill that the additional appropriation request would be around $500 000,000, but Mr. Early said forecasts from any source would not necessarily be a barometer of what the President might ask when he completed con- sideration of the whole problem. Mr. Roosevelt concentrated his at- tention today on studies to de- termine exactly what steps are necessary to strengthen the Army and Navy for adequate defense in the light of reports from military specialists watching developments in Europe, Mr. Early said. He conferred at the White House with a group of national defense advisers, including Secretary of War Woodring, Assistant Secretary John- son, Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall and Secretary of the | Treasury Morgenthau, who is acting as co-ordinator of military pur- chasing programs. The President also arranged to lunch with Secre- tary Morgenthau and had no other appointments during the afternoon. Adjournment Delay Seen. Congressional leaders, leaving the White House after their regular Monday morning legislative con- ference with the President, said they had discussed the forthcoming de- fense recommendations and fore- | saw some delay in adjournment of Congress. “There might be a little delay use of this new message,” said Majority Leader Barkley of the Senate, “but not much. I think we'll get out early in June.” Asked whether a half billion dol- lars would 'be a good estimate for the new request for defense funds, Senator Barkley said he would neither confirm nor dispute the figure. He added that there was no discussion of special taxes. Attending the parley with Sene ator Barkley were Vice President Garner, Speaker Bankhead and House Democratic leader Rayburn. Decision Reached on Cruise. Mr. Early indicated that the de- cision to send the message to Con- gress this week was reached by Mr. Roosevelt yesterday during a cruise on the Potomac River. “He had some guests,” Mr. Early said, “but mostly took himself away from them and played with his stamps and, as he phrased it this morning, did some thinking.” Mr. Early pointed out that the President has received through the Army and Navy and other sources full reports on developments in the European war since last September. Thege reports, he added, have covered developments in Germany's “blitzkrieg” invasions of Poland, Denmark and Norway. Partial re- ports also have already come in from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Seeks Defense Basis. The reports have been made by specialists, including American mili- tary attaches on the scene, expert in air, artillery and infantry tactics, Mr. Early said. He added that Mr. Roosevelt is studying these reports with his advisers and is trying to ar- rive from such intensive studies at a composite which will form a basis for determining what is necessary to strengthen our national defense. Mr. Early stressed that the em- phasis in the President’s mind was on defense needs and not on any preparation for offensive warfare. He added that Mr. Roosevelt and his advisers were all in the same boat—that they did not know what would be needed for any of the branches of the Army and Navy services until they had com- pleted the studies under way. Pointing out that it was natural for the head of each branch of the service, such as the air force, the infantry, the fleet or the Signal Corps, to ask at a time like this for all he could get, Mr. Early emphasized that what they might say would not necessarily jibe with the President’s conclusions after studying the problem as a whole. McKellar Appointment Kept. The President’s only other ap- pointment today was at 12:15 pm. with Senator McKellar, Democrat, of Tennessge to discuss a pending bill for authorizing Federal aid to States in building roads, Mr. Early said the President kept this appointment only because it had been made a long time ago. The Senate heard demands for Army expansion as soon as it con- vened after a week end recess. Senators Lodge, Republican, of Massachusetts; Connally, Demo- crat, of Texas, and Lee, Democrat, of Alabama all urged that the Army be increased to a size sufficient to protect the entire Western Hemi- carried many stocks through their | Phere. lows of January, and reached an srea in which many holders had placed stop-loss orders. Chrysler broke $6.50 at the worst,| ) “We have been told by the gen- erals and the admirals that the Air Force is an auxiliary to other branches,” Senator Lee said. °T