Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 September 1939 — Page 1

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The Indianapolis Times

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VOLUME 51—NUMBER 151

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1939

Entered ax Second-Class at Postoffice,

Indianapolis,

PRICE THREE CENTS

Matter Ind.

BOMBARD NAZIS WITH LEAFLETS

313 AMERICANS ~ ABOARD WHEN SHIP EXPLODES

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Submarine Sunk Athenia 200 Miles From Land, London Claims, but Berlin Denies It; Greek Boat Hits Mine.

LONDON, Sept. 4 (U. P.).—The British liner Athenia,

tees —————— sal

POLED CLAIM

THREE CITIES RECAPTURED

——————— |

By UNITED PRESS While a mystifying silence enveloped military operations on the famed Western Front, Poland claimed today to have made a series of successful

torpedoed during the first 24 hours of the British-German |

war, sank today as rescue ships raced for Scottish and Irish ports with the survivors among its 1450 passengers and crew, including hundreds of Americans.

i |

Winston Churchill, First nounced in his first speech in

Lord of the Admiralty, anthe House of Commons as a!

member of the new “war Cabinet,” that all passengers and, crew except those killed by the explosion had been picked

up at sea. | An Information Ministry official statement issued early this afternoon said: “Reports received that the Athenia was torpedoed without warning in a position at least 200 miles from land.” Mr. Churchill said, “This forfunate escape does not alter the

fact that open boats 200 miles from Isnd cannot be regarded as legal! objects of attack.” { (The German radio at Berlin de- | nied that a German submarine had sunk the Athenia, asserting that such an act would be “against strict orders.” The Germans believed the liner had struck a British mine. The 6853-ton Greek steamer Kosti, en route from Leningrad to Antwerp | struck a mine in the Baltic today. There were no casualties among the 29 persons aboard, according to Capt. Kilaiditis, who advised that he “saw a German mine laver but did mot see any warning signals.” The captain and crew were saved and taken to Malmoe, Sweden).

Kennedy ‘Thanks God’

Capt. James Cook. master of the 13.581-ton liner, wirelessed that his ship had been torpedoed at 1:59 p.m. (Indianapolis Time) Sunday 250 miles west of Inistrahull Island, off the northern Irish coast and that passengers and crew except those killed by tne torpedo explosion had taken to boats and had been picked up by various ships. U. S. Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy wirelessed the State Department in Washington: “All on Athenia rescued except those killed by explosion, Admiralty advises me survivors picked up by other ships. List of casualties follows later. Thank God.” The State Department said it was advised that 313 Americans were shoard the Athenia, including 103 who boarded the ship at Liverpool, 145 taken on at Glasgow and 65 who shipped at Belfast. (A partial passenger list showed no Hoosiers aboard.)

Yacht Picks Up 200

The press association said that two Scandinavian vessels, the Knute Nelson and the Yacht Southern Cross, picked up 1000 of ‘the Athenia’s passengers. The Knute Nelson saved 800, press association said. The Southern Cross is owned by the Swedish armaments millionaire, Wenner-Gren. There were about 1100 passengers and a crew of about 350. All figures were tentative pending final checks, which might take days if. as was indicated, survivors were being taken to scattered ports.

Details Come Slowly

now indicate

Details of the disaster came with painful slowness during the long

hours after the ship's first flash that

it had been struck. But Britain sought to remove any possible uncertainty as to the nature of the sinking with the terse of-

| Thought to be on the sunken ship in minutes he was

KIN HERE AWAIT 8

counter-attacks against Germany in the east follows ing the entry of France and Britain into the war as her allies. What was happening in the Rhineland sector was not known. France had begun military hostilities there and it was assumed that the Nazi's Siegfried line was under fire. The German radio reported “There is no news from the Western (Franch) Front.” Great Britain's home fleet clamped down a block-

Times-Acme Radiophoto

's undeclared war on Poland. (Another photo, Page Three)

| SOMEWHERE TN POLAND—this radiophoto flashed from Berlin, after passing through Nazi censorship, shows Polish prisoners, hands above | heads, afier their capture “somewhere in Poland,” during the first day of Germany

Wife of Local Man sieves Neutrality Proclamation Likely Within 36 Hours,

On Board British Ship; Call Swiss Home.

|

Anxious local relatives of persons Roosevelt Also Expected to Recall Congress; Cabinet

returning from Europe today await- |

ed word from them &s news wires! Holds Special Session Today.

| carried the announcement of the!

sinking of a liner carrying Amer-| icans.

Definite word, meanwhile, was re- WASHINGTON, Sept. 4

the Cincinnati, O., consulate called for the immediate return of all Mr. Swiss Army officers and privates in tional unity radio address last night the United States and Canada. | that our peace is endangered. Withinformed that —the British Athenia—was Mrs. the British liner Athenia was torMary M. Sherk, wife of Wendel pedoed and sinking 200 miles off the Sherk, 104 E. 46th St. Mrs. Sherk coast of Treland with 1400 passenleft here the latter part of July for gers, including many Americans, an eight weeks’ visit to England, Mr. apoard. Sherk said. | The President implied that isclaWrote Week Ago [tion from world events was imposMore than a week ago She wrote sible, but renewed his pledge to

him she planned to sail on . > Athenia from Liverpool. Since then his war. he has had no word from her. She His address seemed also to sugis vice president and secretary of 8est similar protection to 21 sister her husband's investment firm, American republics of the Western Sherk & Co. Inc. 129 E. Market st. | Hemisphere on the theory that our Among the 2300 aboard the Queen Safety is dependent on theirs. Mary when she docked this morning | As long as it Wg a within TY were several Indianapolis and POWer to prevent’ he said, “there | Bloomington residents. They are: Will be no blackout of peace in the Miss Helen Schofield, 5852 Lowell United States. Ave. an employee of the Postoffice “It no man or woman thoughtregistry division; Dr. and Mrs |lessly or falsely talk of America Charles E. Holland. Mrs. J EP. sending fits armies to European Holland. widow of the former men’s fields.” physician at Indiana University, and No ‘Thought Neutrality’ James C. P. Holand, all of BloomHe said our safety was bound up

0 ington. Others ih Erirope with the safety of the Western | Hemisphere and the adjacent seas. Mr. and Mrs. William H. Morrison, His address pledged national neu3601 N. Pennsylvania St., now are {rality but absolved individual vacationing in the British Isles, it, Americans from being neutral in is reported. Mr. Morrison is past thought, as well. worshipful master of the Indiana, “Even a neutral.” he said. “has a Grand Masonic Lodge. | right to take account of facts. Even Mrs. Ernest C. Fischer, 7200 Col- a neutral cannot be asked to close lege Ave., her son and a friend were his mind or his conscience.” Shortreported traveling in France. ly came news of the Athenia. The President's speech, shortwaved to the world in six languages, (Continued on Page Three)

HOOSIERS WHIRLING ¥ FAIR'S TURNSTILES BREMEN’S LOCATION

REMAINS MYSTERY

115,000 Expected Today; LONDON, sept. & (U.P) —The Races, Judging Set. | whereabouts of ‘Germany's $22,000.la 1000 passenger liner, the Bremen, remained & mystery today, following

TODAYS PROSRAM 'denial by the British Admiralty that

Horse, swine, sheep, cattle and poul-

(Roosevelt Text, Page Four) (U. P,).—Proclamation of arms-embargo ceived by Swiss citizens living in Neutrality and summons of Congress fo special session were judged today Indianapolis of the mobilization of to be but matters of hours after President Roosevelt's appeal for national the Swiss Armv. A notification from unity and adjournment of partisanship. | The Cabinet will meet in special session at 2 p. m Roosevelt warned in his na-,~ CR

the make every eflort to “keep out of

BULLETINS

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (VU. P.).~The State Deparmtent susie today that if is investigating circumstances sure rounding the bombing of Ambassador Anthony Biddle's home near Warsaw, Poland, and the sinking of the S. S. Athenia,

BUCHAREST, Sept. ¢ (0. P.).—Rumania called up more reserves today. Reserves in the new call, it was believed in informed circles, totaled between 100,000 and 200,000.

HITLER PROVEN LIAR, MARKETS VIBRATE FOLLOWERS ADVISED ° *10CK oF WA8

By UNITED PRESS Great Britain today closed all its Chamberlain Broadcasts Di- markets except cotton and began [enforcement of decrees designed to N war basis.

By WEBB MILLER All markets and banks in

United Press Staff Correspondent [United States LONDON, Sept. 1 (U, P.).—Prime closed for Labor Day. They will reMinister Neville Chamberlain in a open tomorrow. periodic series of broadcasts to the, Prices of stocks soared on the German people today declared that Tokyo and Amsterdam exchanges, “ th lio aw notably American issues ‘on the latnobody in this ¢ y y lo p : : 2 bod) 5 Count any longer ter, and weakened in Paris under places any trust in the word of your close scrutiny of Bourse officials. leader.” | ‘Gold and foreign exchange tradRepeatedly since Sunday the at- INE Was HA aa a oa Ohdon am , oan fand it was feved go ealings tk by Rn Chamberlain on Adolf y4y1q be banned for the duration | ge on transmitted by ra-iof the war, although silver trading 10 In an effort to carry the mes- may he resumed. British banks

the

sage to the German people that gealed up funds on deposit by Ger- |

Great Britain is not fighting them mans, pending Government action Ibut is fighting a “tyrannous regime” yn them. established by the Nazis over the Lan CRE Reich, | (Hitler) gave his word that PLAYING WITH MATCH he would respect the Locarno treaty; he broke it,” Mr. Chamberlam said CAUSES FIVE FIRES “He gave his word that he neither | LaLa, wished nor intended to annex a match in the hands of a twoAustria; he broke it. | “He ‘declared he would not incor- vear-old boy vesterday started a porate the Czechs in the Reich; he fire which spread to five buildings aid so. “He gave his word after Munich Department reported today. that he had no further territorial, The lad, playing in the yard of demands in Europe: he broke it. | John P. Wells, 918 Church St., set “He gave his word he wanted no! the match off, igniting a shed. The Polish provinces: he broke it. (damage was $25 The fire then “He has sworn to you for years he spread to Mr. Wells’ home, causing was the mortal enemy of Bolshe- an additional $25 damage. vism; he is now its ally. | Flames jumped to the home of “Can you wonder that for us his/ Mrs, Ida Bagley, 916 Church St, word is not worth the paper it is causing $25 damage to the roof and written on.” weatherboarding. From there it All Britain will be subject to immediate | Britt, 917 Meikel St. dojng $15 dam(Continued on Page Three) lage.

rect to Reich. change its entire economic life to

and Canada were

and caused $115 damage, the Fire

Germans and Austrians in communicated to a shed of O. D. |

POLES JUBILANT OVER ALLIES’ AID

‘Warsaw Hears of Thrust | Into East Prussia by | Own Troops. |

WARSAW, Sept. 4 (U. P.).—An | official communique reported suc-

| cessful counter-attacks on the inCuda Germany Army today as the

| capital jubilantly celebrated entry of Creat Britain and France into the war, One report reached Warsaw that the Poles had recaptured the im- | portant ‘city ‘of Czestochova, a famous religious shrine and an important junction on the southwestern front. This report lacked any official confirmation, but Government announcements said that: Polish counter-attacks had taken Orlow and Kack in Gdynia-Danzig sector.

rethe

Germans Driven Back

Zbaszyn was stormed and retaken from the Germans. Positions remained unchanged after heavy fighting on the East Prussian frontier. The small Polish garrison in the Westerplatte fortress near Danzig is still holding out. Polish cavalry drove the Germans back at one point on the East Prussian frontier and dashed into ‘German territory in a counter-attack. At least 64 German planes were shot, down, including six by antiaircraft, nine by Polish planes at Bvdijorzez and six at Posen. The Government charge! that Czech-Slovak Legion Formed German aircraft were dropping gas bombs on civil populations which also were allegedly being bombed and machine-gunned. A foreign legion of Czechs and (Continued on Page Three)

FRANCE BEGINS WAR ON LAND, SEA, AR

First Communique Gives No Details of Fighting.

PARIS, Sept. 4 (U.P) —The War

try judging.

ficial announcement at 4:20 a. m ] . Grand Circuit races in grandstand

(Indianapolis Time) today by the “Tf information ministry: in afternoon. “The steamship Athenia was sunk Horse show in Coliseuth at night. bv a German submarine early this Night show in Grandstand and firemorning.” works, Mr. Churchill charged the ship (Continued on Page Three)

Fanned bv a little breeze and relieved of dust annoyance by a heavy shower last night, crowds of Hoosiers thronged to the Indiana State Fair today for the Labor Day program.

TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES

start this afternoon and judging of Indiana's finest animals and farm produce was to continue. Fair officials said thev expec! 115000 to pay their way inte the grounds today. Friday's paid attendance was 9873, Saturday's was 24 801, and yesterday's was 53.186. Total attendance so far this year is 87,860. Horses, cattle, poultry, sheep and swine were in the judging arena today. There was 4-H Chub dairy cattle judging in the morning and (Turn to Page Four)

Jane Jordan... 6 Johnson AL 8 Movies : Mrs. Ferguson 10 Obituaries ... 11 Pegler Pyle Questions .... Radio .. « 11 Mrs. Roosevelt 9 Society .... s 12, 13

Books ... Broun

Crossword ! Curious World 15 Editorials .... 10 Fashions ..... Flynn Forum ....... Gallup & In Indpls, ... 11 Sports

A

— ei ge AA Sct itt init

The Grand Circuit races were to

the ship had been captured by a British vessel. The Bremen sailed from New York last Wednesday, ostensibly for her German home port at Bremerhaven (but it has been unreported since and some quarters believed she had set out for a neutral port. Her sailing from New York was delayed two days while U. S. ‘Customs officials conducied an ‘exhaustive examination. Normally, she would arrive at her home port tomorrow.

Indiana - relaxed today the Labor Day holiday, Workers and their bosses alike [left the daily grind to attend Labor | Day celebrations, picnics, family reunions, the State Fair or to simply appreciate the quiet ‘of home. Indianapolis had twé major Labor Day celebrations. The Central Labor Union, the A, F. of L. central group, held a ‘mass meeting at the Pair Grounds, while the Tndustrial Union

to enjoy

ALL'S WELL ALONG

h.M..... a. M..... am... 8 i : paraded Continued fair weather tonight held a picnic at ‘Columbia Park. and tomorrow and cooler tem-| Labor Day celebrations were sponperatures tonight were predicted by the Weather Bureau today for,

other Indiana cities. ‘Indianapolis and vicinity. )

A. F. of L. groups celebrated in »

% ~

Labor Parade and Rally At Fair Celebrate Holiday

Council, the ‘C. 1. O. governing body, | through downtown and! | brations were held at Muncie and activity for days, was deserted early

sored by unions in ‘more than 20 [were closed for the holiday, and only | radio appeal to the Army and | (Continued Four) (Continued on Page Three

| Office announced today that land, sea and air force operations have begun. The announcement was in the

It gave no details. | France's 2,000,000 men under arms (were mostly in the Maginot Line | facing the heavily manned Siegfried Evansville, Hartford City, Bloom- Line of Germany as mobilization ington, Ft. Wayne, Lafayette, South continued, this being the third day Bend, Richmond, Shelbyville, Terre of reserve concentration. Haute, New Albany, Elkhart, Mar- | France's great Bastern frontier ion, Anderson, Bedford, Vincennes military zone was held by forces and Seymour, Ind. |scores of times more effective than C. 1. O. unions held all-day fes- those of the World War. Under the tivities at Kokomo, Connersville, |French-British general stafl plan South Bend, Ft. Wayne and Gary, |of co-ordinated action everything Ind. ©. I. O. delegations from has been in readiness for months. Frankfort, Terre Haute, Brazil, Bl-| As dusk fell last night and Paris wood and Anderson, Ind. attended was blackened out, the half-emptied the Indianapolis celebration. [city was completely ‘calm. Joint A. F. of L. and C. 1. O. cele-| The War Office, scene of feverish Premier Edouard

Princeton, Ind. lin the ‘evening.

[form of “war communique No. 1.” [tested that Polish civilians

ade of Germany while other vessels raced to the ‘rescue of the big British liner Athenia, which was reported torpedoed and sunk without warning by ‘a German submarine. The Athenia carried about 1450 persons, including 313 ‘Americans,

faccounted.

| Leaflet Barrage New Phase to Warfare Some of the passengers and crew took to the lifeboats ‘and were picked up some 250 miles west of Ireland. An undetermined number was killed by the torpedo explosion, Germany denied that one of its submarines had torpedoed |the Athenia. Berlin said the ship may have struck a mine. | British “propaganda” planes flew over German towns, dropping leaflets. Berlin announced that these planes had been driven off. The import of the propaganda bombardment had some of the European capitals guessing. There was a possibility that Britain intended to capitalize on reported discontent of the German public. } | The leaflets explained to the German population tha ‘general war situation and said that “vour Government fails to keep you informed.” The leaflets added “We are at war with the present Government but not with the (German people.”

Available reports indicate about 1400 had been

®

Hitler Again Blames England In London, Prime Minister Chamberlain today began a series of broadcasts to the German people saying, “Nobody in this country any longer places any trust in the words

of your leader.” | There were air raid alarms throughout the Rhineland (today, apparently due to the barrage of leaflets. It was a new phase in European warfare and conceivably as potene ‘tially dangerous for Germany as bombs. The planes flew over Dutch territory, dropping some of ‘the leaflets there. The Netherlands Government protested, {declaring that its neutrality had thus been violated. | The Poles officially claimed to have recaptured three Villages and it was unofficially reported that the important, city of Czestochova had been recaptured. This was the scena ‘of yesterday's bitterest fighting and the Germans took it ‘only after the city was in flames. Czestochova is an ime (portant vailroad junction and industrial city, strategically vital to the Germans in their drive toward Cracow. It is ‘sentimentally important to the Poles as a religious shrine. The town of Dydgosszcz in Poland was reported wiped ‘out by Nazi bombers and Poles charged that the Germans

were dropping mustard gas and other types of gas over some (Continwed on Page Three)

Death Is Decreed for Any Boring From Within,

In Berlin:

| BERLIN, Sept. 4 man troops smashed their way for avoiding military service, follows ‘deeper into Poland today, still with- | N8 the declarations of war against : a" [Germany by Great Britain and out a ‘declaration of war, and pro- France. But for the moment. Gers | ha& many remained on the defensive bes started guerilla fighting. | hind her Siegfried line on the Wests The German radio announced to=- ern frontier, and concentrated everys \day that “there is nothing to report” thing on a quick, decisive viciory [from the Western (French) Front. [over Poland. | Im line with Herr Hitler's procla-| Four train loads of wounded Gers mations yesterday, rejecting British man soldiers were reported to have land French ultimatums and pre- arrived at Bratislava, Slovakia, from |eipitating the general war, Nazi the Polish Front. The loss of 21 quarters said today that Germany German planes in Poland was 2dwas not starting hostilities with mitted officially, but it was claimed either Britain or France, ‘but if that 120 Polish planes had been shot [they shoot at us we naturally will down or destroyed by bombs. shoot back, as we did in the case of| The capture of the important Poland.” The Polish campaign is Polish towns, Czestoehovo and Rads still referred to as a ‘“‘counter-at- omsko, was announced here. Rade | back.” [omsko is 25 miles from the German The German radio reported today Silesian border and could serve a8 that British ‘propaganda planes” a base for a drive against Warsaw (had been driven from the skiesover or Lodz, an industrial city 44 miles

All downtown stores and banks|Daladier, who at 9:30 p. m. in a an uvhannounced German city after north. ;

on Page )

ae

peo- dropping leaflets.

Adolf Hitler had gone to the Haste were (Continued on Page Three)

> »

3

New drastic war measures

(U. P.).—=Ger- | decreed, including the death penalty

CUPP ES