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Newspaper
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Location
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States of America
Date
May 20, 1941
Page
4
Berlin stated the Egyptian liner Zamzam was halted searched and sunk on the high seas with all aboard rescued and taken prisoner. The brief official note accused the ship of carrying contraband intended for use by enemies and suggested economic or political motives behind the action.
The Zamzam passenger list includes three Iowa residents with addresses listed by Thomas Cook and Sons passenger agents. United States citizen aboard is Robert Williams from Appanoose County Iowa. Aliens with U S addresses include Mr and Mrs Robert A Starling of Davenport Iowa.
The Zamzam, sailing from Recife April 9 bound for Capetown, was sunk by a German South seas raider after being searched for war contraband. All aboard were taken prisoner and landed in occupied territory. The ship carried ambulances and non military goods. no injuries were reported.
Berlin reports a German submarine led by Lehmann Willenbrock sunk 33,000 tons of merchant ships and other vessels from a British convoy, detailing the enemy action in the war theater.
French Air Minister General Bergeret arrived in Beirut to organize defense of Syria against British raids, as Eden accuses Syrian airfields of aiding Germans. Vichy says France will fight to regain colonies seized by De Gaulle forces, with Darlan en route to Paris to discuss German collaboration.
In Cedar Rapids the police traffic department met with Assistant City Attorney Dwight Krumboltz to discuss traffic law enforcement. Krumboltz, new in office, pledged cooperation with officers and said he will seek a local careless driving ordinance modeled on state law, urging yielding of right of way and stricter enforcement.
Authorities disagree on the origin of the word ham applied to actors. Some link it to Hamlet, others to ham fat from grease paint. The term remains depreciative and widely used to mock histrionic ability. Gazette ads contrast actors with real veterans, noting ad copy errantly praising rental accomplishments.
President Roosevelt creates the office of civilian defense headed by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia to mobilize all civilians not in uniform. A nine region system will supervise local programs with federal support, and a volunteer network including air spotters and relief workers will be formed to advise on price and manpower impacts.
French Ambassador Gaston Henry-Haye told Secretary Hull France will resist any move to take over parts of its empire. He protested U S coast guard actions against French ships in American harbors and urged clarity on U S emotions over the Franco German armistice. He noted air base rights allow French and Italian planes to operate from Syria against British forces in Iraq.
The Cedar Rapids thermometer rose to 86 degrees at 1 15 PM despite partial overcast. Records show the day’s heat held. later the scale moved to 64 overnight and then climbed again to 74 by 9 30 AM.
BERLIN INS reports Iceland, once under British protection after the war began, has declared its independence from Denmark. The move shifts Iceland toward sovereign status amid ongoing European tensions.
American bombing planes aided the defense on May 18 driving back an Axis push toward Egypt from Fort Capuzzo near the Libyan border. The action marks the first U.S. air strike in the North Africa campaign.
President Roosevelt announced the authorization of sale or charter of two merchant vessels to carry food to Ireland and a $500 000 initial expenditure to dispatch first consignments under the American Red Cross. The ships will be crewed by Irish seamen and fly Irish registry.
Two young naval officers Ensign J. E. Thompson of Heraldsburg California and Ensign Paul Brown of Chicago faced a court martial in Pensacola Florida charged with manslaughter after decapitating a farm woman during a stunt flight Their fate could include up to ten years in federal prison or demotion and dishonorable discharge from the service.
President Roosevelt asked Congress to appropriate 886 million for relief in the 1942 fiscal year, down from 995 million. He proposed payroll and policy changes including aliens on WPA jobs, civil service protections for WPA staff, and ending 18 month relief employment limits with annual project reviews.
President Roosevelt indicated there is nothing new on conveying war materiel to Britain and denied plans for a special message to Congress. He noted Barkley’s figures on ship losses and warned the situation could change suddenly while stressing no immediate action on Franco-German collaboration.
C E Johnston, chairman of the Western Association of Railway Executives, said Tuesday that the 30 per cent wage increase asked by five operating railway brotherhoods would require payroll boosts more than three times the railroads 1940 net income.
British troops reportedly advanced 15 miles from Habboni yah air base toward Baghdad crossing the Euphrates and taking Fallujah. The move, aided by air support, left no casualties and reduced the gap to the Tigris. Reports also noted German planes reaching Iraq and ongoing fighting around Syria and Egypt with Italian forces in retreat.
The House approved by voice vote a shipping priorities bill granting broad government powers to regulate American merchant vessels. A failed Republican amendment sought to bar maritime commission priorities warrants for ships headed to the Red Sea.
In Sylvester Georgia two women shoppers entered a store washroom to powder their noses and remained inside for three hours. They finally exited after realizing the store observes a Thursday half-day closing.
President Franklin D Roosevelt says moving Thanksgiving a week earlier to boost holiday retail sales did not work. Next year will keep the traditional last Thursday date for Thanksgiving. States and mayors split on any sales impact and changes cannot be reversed this year due to commitments.
German glider paratroops and shock troops reportedly landed on Crete Tuesday, the island key to Britain’s Mediterranean naval position. In London, Prime Minister Churchill announced in the house of commons that 1,500 Germans were involved in the operation.
A German military spokesman stated he has no desire or intention to deny reports of a German air borne assault on Crete. He added that Germany will strike at the English where found, maintaining the old dictum.
Jay A. Countryman 54 of 1400 Second Ave SE Cedar Rapids died Tuesday at 10 45 am after a brief illness. He led Cedar Rapids Auto Supply's sales since 1937 and previously worked for Cedar Rapids Pump. A University of Illinois graduate, he married Blanche Crawford in 1920 in Chicago. Funeral Thursday at Turner Chapel.
The Gazette reports Camp Good Health prioritizes nutrition with a diet planned by a dietitian and Public Health Nursing. Three daily meals include vitamin rich fruits vegetables and milk to promote growth bones teeth muscles red blood and disease resistance, funded by local voluntary contributions.
Churchill reports a serious air borne attack on Crete by German forces and later says the situation is in hand. Germans may have landed 10 000 to 12 000 troops, with gliders used as transports for the first time in combat. British Greek and New Zealand troops defend Crete under Major General Freyburg.
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