France Demands Peace Guarantees and War Unity
France declares readiness to cooperate with all pursuing common aims and rejects attempts to divide Britain and France. Premier cites leap in aviation tank production and naval buildup as war priorities. Britain adopts conscription and unity of command while troops move from Canada and airmen from Jalin. Denmark declares neutrality and offers potential non aggression pact, urging avoidance of war.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Britain
France
M. Daladier
Alec
Canada
Jalin
Nartionaliene
Madler
Europe
Cil
Denmark
Christmas Spending in England Reaches Record High
London reports bank note issue at a record £554.6 million as Christmas spending drives demand. Officials warn rising prices and wages strain finances while war savings and defense bonds shape hopes to postpone a public loan. Small investors back savings certs and bonds, reducing immediate Treasury needs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
England
Police raid nets pirate radio station in Rathmines
Irish police raided a house in Dartree Rathmines and seized a pirate radio station that had been broadcasting three times weekly. Four men were arrested including the announcer as the equipment was removed by lorry while the station announced a short shutdown.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dublin
Dartre
Rathmines
Prime Minister Menzies Wishes Courage for Australia
In a New Year message Prime Minister Menzies calls for courage, understanding, and unselfishness to win the war and establish peace. The remarks were issued through a special arrangement with Reuters World Service.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Prime Minster
Mr. Menzies
Australia
Finnish Pressure on Red Army Sparks Central Front Clash
From Helsinki the latest communique says Finnish forces push toward the central Karelian Isthmus near the Mannerheim line as heavy fighting rages westward. Soviet airstrikes hit towns along the Gulf of Finland injuring civilians and damaging a hospital as Finnish detachments press northern and southern flanks with reinforcements from the Caucasus.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Helsinki
Karelian
Mannerhelm Line
Copenhagen
Gulf of Finland
Moscow
Rad
Seversl
Britain asks Uruguay to permit H M S Ajax entry
Montevideo reports that Britain requests Uruguay allow the H M S Ajax to enter Montevideo harbour for repairs after damage from the Graf Spee engagement. A Naval Commission may be appointed to decide stay length, mirroring the Graf Spee case, with objections from British authorities over the battle context.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Great Britain
Uruguay
Monte Video Harbour
Monte Video
Associated Press
Graf Spee
Food Before Liquor London Bar Restricts Whisky Production
London reports an early restriction on whisky production noted by The Star. Food experts weigh releasing barley for feeding to boost brewing output. Brewers may be forced to dilute brews as beer strength falls toward vanishing point.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Eatry
European Peace Plan Quietly Circulated Across War Sides
The German press reports peace proposals from Roosevelt and the Pope are being considered in Berlin via the Rome ambassador. If Allies reject them, a Russo German strike may follow Finland’s fate as Anglo French cooperation is urged for any breakthrough. Meanwhile Germany presses renewed pressure on Scandinavia over Finland aid.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rome
Berlin
Finland
Roosevelt
Pope
Europe
Chinese Confident Japan May Exit China in 1940
In New York, Prime Minister Wong Chung Hui states Japan could pull out of China by 1940 as pressures rise. He cites isolation, high prices, inflation and manpower shortages, predicting a nine power conference to settle terms if Japan withdraws. Elsewhere in Hong Kong, Japanese forces pull back from border sectors after four months to show friendliness to Britain.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Chungking
New York Times
Mintuzi
Wong Chung Hui
Japan
China
Imperial Guard
Ching
Britain
Hong Kon
Bunda
Hong Kong
Teje
Canton
Kwantung
British Spirit Will Prevail
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir John Simon told constituents that postwar events proved the country’s instinct was right and the spirit of free men and women would prevail over Nazi philosophy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Sir John Simon
Hitler outlines German war policy and Vatican aid
The Vatican publishes a Golden Book of secret documents tracing Holy See diplomacy that year. Papal nuncios and delegates will receive the volume, numbered to bar ownership disputes, with sworn printers. One section reportedly details Vatican aid to non Aryan refugees.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Vatican City
Sat
Holy See
Vatican
New Zealand Anti Tank Battery Receives Welcoming Message
New Zealanders in England forming an anti tank battery were visited by Lord Willingdon and NZ High Commissioner Mr Jordan. They were congratulated on their appearance as they prepare for Centennial Celebrations in New Zealand. The leaders pledged to fight for victory and renew the war effort with messages from Goering and other top Nazi officials.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
New Zealand
Herr Hitler
New
England
Marshal Goering
Marshal von Prauchitech
Admiral Raeder
German Planes to Raid England In Air Attack Claim
Marshal Goering vows German battle planes will attack Great Britain from the air once ordered by Hitler. The article claims bombers will unleash a historic bombardment and reports indiscriminate mine drops along the British coast by German planes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
London
Marshal Goering
Hitler
Great Britain
Goering
Western Front Updates and Minor Engagements
Reports from the Western Front indicate limited operations due to high costs and frigid conditions. German forces reportedly recaptured a small group in the Vorges forest area while British patrols found empty German trenches and one injury from an anti-tank trap. A French bulletin notes raids by French and German troops with artillery support across multiple sectors.
Price Control Wartime Measures See Price Decline
The Commonwealth government issued 64 price fixing orders covering common items since the war began. A small drop in the latest price index is cited as evidence of the system's effectiveness. Postwar retention of measures is expected. Dr. F R Maulden, linked to the Statistics Office, is named as a successor to Professor Copland.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
F. R. Maulden
Commonwealth Statistician
Commonwealth Prices Commissioner
D. B. Copland
Maulden
Hobart University
German Ship Tacoma Ordered To Leave Uruguay Waters
A German vessel Tacoma must depart Uruguay within four hours or face internment as Uruguay classifies the ship as a warship. The 24 hour countdown begins when the captain was notified.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Uruguay
Montevideo
Tacoma
World War Wartime Broadcasts From Smuts and Carol
From Mouth Africa Premier Smuts in a farm broadcast urges no quick peace as war wears on. In Bucharest King Carol to Romanian forces calls for full readiness and prayers for peace in the new year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pretoria
Mouth Africa
General Smuts
Bs Farm
Routh
Bucharest
Carol
Germany to claim damages from Allies for former colonies
Berlin states that Germany will hold England France New Zealand Australia and South Africa responsible for damages to former German colonies from the war. A German protest noted Poweya had a mandate to maintain neutrality in the territories.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Berlin
Germany
England
France
New Zealand
Australia
South Africa
British Army to call up men up to age seventy eight
A royal proclamation will call up men for registration up to age 78, mobilizing nearly three million men. Officials expect registration to be completed by March.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Congress Opposes War Ship Construction Debate Rises
Congressional agitation seeks to block building warships up to 100000 tons amid claims the ships would cost 150 million dollars and require Panama Canal enlargement and a new dry dock.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Faval Seieles
Panama Canal
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ple
M. Stauling
The
Coun
Pirate Radio
Ireland
RED Army
Russia
Sbacrvers
Mannerheim
Suvanio
Mannerheim Line
Giane
Kutno
Kipela
Jyvaskyla
Kexholm
Hanko
Maennerheim
H.M.S. Ajax
Fuehrer
Czechoslovakia
Poland
Lord Willingdon
Central Europe
Western Front
Vorges
No Man's Land
DR. Mauldon
Congress
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