21 Dec 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Charleston Gazette
Location
Charleston, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 21, 1939
Page
1
Helsinki reports Finnish troops inflicted heavy losses on the Red Army in a counter attack on the Salla front. Two Soviet divisions were driven back about two miles as they pressed toward the Kemi river, with risks to Finnish forces in the Petsamo area.
Finnish communique says over 200 Red bomber sorties caused heavy civilian losses and property damage in Abo Sortevala Hango and archipelago while bitter cold and blizzards in Petsamo slow Soviet advances. Reports say Finnish bombing of the Murmansk railroad continues with help from Brit, Italian and Spanish volunteers.
West Virginia railroads report their strongest three-month period in a decade due to higher coal output. Secretary George Parrish of the West Virginia Association of Railroads says year end 1939 will rival 1937, with an outlook brighter than any year since 1929 despite earlier mine shutdowns.
British and French naval leaders met in secrecy as German warplanes hit British fishing boats. The Aberdeen trawler Star of Scotland was machine gunned, while the Strathalbyn and Strathrannock escaped damage. The meeting followed intensified Allied naval actions and debates on neutrality zones and sea warfare policy.
Weather reports in Charleston describe a cloudy cool spell after light snow flurries yesterday. Forecasters expect temperatures near 25 to 28 degrees early this morning with a cool trend. Goosebone prophets speculated on possible Christmas snow while a northwest high pressure system moves in, though no warm southward surge is yet confirmed.
Washington December 20 The Wallace certificate processing tax plan to raise 400 million for farm payments was rejected by Morgenthau and Eccles as impractical and unpopular. A new tax plan to raise 500 million for national defense faces a mid next week decision with broad support for a 10 percent super tax on individuals and corporations.
Washington December 20 William Green president of the AFL said evidence from a House committee inquiry tends to support AFL charges that the labor relations board favors the CIO He cited board services to CIO and noted Edwin S Smith urged a hosiery mill boycott in support of his claim The NAM praised the committee work for proposing act amendments.
More than 20000 people entered Madison Square Garden to support the civilian Finnish relief fund. Herbert Hoover praised Finland’s character and urged donations to supply food medicine and shelter for victims of Russian aggression. The event featured Gladys Swarthout Kirsten Thorborg and Lau ritz Melchior with speeches by La Guardia Wagner Wheeler Woll Thompson and others. Proceeds plus a first mail total near 10000 and a pennies contribution from Finnish American miners’ children supported the fund.
Captain Hans Langsdorff, commander of the scuttled German battleship Graf Spee, shot himself at the Argentine naval arsenal after ensuring the safety of more than 1,000 crew. He died a week after the battle off Montevideo and was laid in state as officials reported his act as dying for the fatherland.
Last night on WGKYV the gift basket program raised a new fundraising high for the Salvation Army in Charleston. The extended broadcast featured a large lineup of talent including Mayor Dawson Judge Jackson Savage Bulldog Taylor Frank Knight Lela Everett Bill Mandt Mrs H E Kleiner Willa Dean Kleiner C S Carden Chris Johansen John Miller Joe Matthews Russ Holt and others. The Gazette and WGKV partner to collect pledges for funds food and toys with donors urged to call WGKV or the Gazette. Adj Hal Hughes reports workers collecting pledges and asks radio listeners for continued support.
The Gazette advises readers to distinguish fact from propaganda in war reporting and notes that absence of news from the fronts can signal good news. It argues that current conflict aims to avoid bloodshed, contrasting with mass casualties of the last war.
Berlin reports show Captain Hans Langsdorff of the scuttled Graf Spee died by his own hand. The embassy release in Argentina and a Berlin broadcast offered contrasting accounts citing strong external influence alleged by Berlin.
In Fort Lauderdale a German freighter the Arauca was placed under attachment by a U S district court order to stay in Port Everglades until a 38451 claim from Imperial Sugar of Galveston was resolved. The British cruiser Orion was involved in the interdiction during the legal action.
A Pan American diplomatic accord draft warns European belligerents to respect the western hemisphere neutrality zone. The 21 republics plan a strong statement that the October Panama conference zone must be honored and pledges further consultations on policy toward warships entering ports. The draft notes potential action beyond diplomacy and references the Graf Spee incident and automatic internment proposals.
The German government seeks a legal and historical precedent to press Argentina for the release of the Admiral Graf Spee crew and officers. German officials argue the sailors are seamen seeking shelter, not internees, while authorities study precedents amid reaction to the ship’s scuttling and Langsdorff’s death.
A pre Christmas week of disaster for Nazi Germany shadows Adolf Hitler at Berchtesgaden. Germany scuttles ships including the Graf Spee and Columbus, and Captain Langsdorff dies by Hitler's command. Reports say Allied shipping losses mount while British totals rise, with France announcing heavy U boat sinkings.
The Columbus scuttling story unfolds with Capt. Wilhelm Daehne describing orders to sink the liner to avoid capture. He recalls firing upon the British destroyer, lowering lifeboats, and transferring survivors to the Tuscaloosa as 579 men were detained at Ellis Island for examinations.
President John B. Easton of the CIO accuses Gov. Holt of using the miners issue for political gain. He says Holt aims to split the United Mine Workers to win votes for his preferred gubernatorial candidate.
German fliers dropped an umbrella as a gift to Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain who visited British troops in France last week. The umbrella carried a note from DNB saying the Luftwaffe regrets his bad weather and dedicates the umbrella as protection.
Eleven year old Larry Moorman who spent 28 months in an iron lung will go home for Christmas. Doctors say his recovery has been miraculous as he will leave Children's Hospital in an ambulance with the boiler removed for the day. Larry hopes for a tree and a visit from his mother and father as he celebrates the holiday at home.
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