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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 22, 1941
Page
1
Le Matin reported in Paris that Martinique defenses have orders to prepare for an American assault. The fortress guarding the Bank of France gold reserves would be blown up as a last resort, with defenses being strengthened.
In Oakland on May 22, the Navy moved to escort workers into Moore Dry Dock and General Engineering Shipyard amid a strike by AFL and CLO machinists that has idled about 13,000 workers. Over 40 Navy and Marine vehicles transported about 80 shipyard workers, while 1,700 machinists remain on strike and 11 yards have closed for 19 days. Admiral Greenglade visited the Moore plant as the escorted workers entered.
Washington officials said the United States will pursue a watchful waiting policy toward Martinique and other French possessions in the Western Hemisphere until the Vichy regime discloses its planned collaboration with Nazi Germany. Senator George of Georgia noted no signs of immediate action or changes in the colonies’ status.
In Washington on May 22 Secretary Henry L. Stimson condemned the neutrality act as a violation of traditional foreign policy and freedom of the seas. He noted a conflict with munition deliveries to Britain and said repeal is an urgent matter only for others to decide.
The United States plans no action affecting French colonies or shipments pending a formal written declaration from the Vichy government detailing the extent of collaboration with Germany. Observers note Paris as the hub of talks between German and Vichy officials and speculate on Nazi aims to restrain further negotiations.
Delegates to the National Congress of Parents and Teachers adopted a nine point platform in Boston on May 22. The health section included a suggestion that appropriate measures be taken to safeguard young people in training camps defense industries and nearby communities from the evil effects of commercialized vice. The proposal was not elaborated.
The War Department asks Alabama to supply 1,600 draftees between June 11 and 20, bringing total for the month to 2,050. A previous quota of 450 for June 1 11 had been set. The new quota includes whites and 282 Negroes. Alabama faces a total call of 13,811 draftees by June 20, with 12,945 already furnished.
General Ben M. Smith urged delaying dental students who show promise of becoming dentists. He cited a survey showing dental facility shortages and warned that drafting students could worsen the deficit. Local boards in Decatur and Hartselle reported no dental students among registrants and described ongoing questionnaire mailings.
In Camp Stewart Georgia May 22 a clash among the ranks of the 209th CO regiment surfaces over names and titles. Private Captain Nothan and Captain Geoffrey Sargeant create confusion as camp hospital staff deal with misapplied ranks and a Sergeant Major Boyette.
In Rome on May 22 a police cruiser caught fire at headquarters. Officer C. H. Pecks alerted fire HQ and a team of firefighters used a hand extinguisher to extinguish the blaze, saving the vehicle.
Camden Alabama's business district was threatened by a fire last night aided by the Selma fire department. The Hawthorn apartment building burned to ruin with an estimated loss of 15000 dollars.
Five brothers from Samson Alabama Sylvester 36 Marion 34 Obie 21 Malone 27 and Alto 30 all enlisted in the U S Army. Four serve at Maxwell Field Alabama in the headquarters squadron and the fifth at Fort Benning Georgia in Company C 67th armored regiment tanks. Brigadier General Walter R Weaver congratulated them noting their family likeness and soldiering record.
In Pensacola on May 22 a manslaughter court martial for two naval air station Ensigns Thompson and Brown paused testimony as officials planned a site visit to an Alabama turnip field 35 miles away where Mrs. Robert Phillips was decapitated by a low flying plane. Witnesses described close dives and ground skim during March 25 work. The court will inspect conditions cited by the defense as potentially influencing the case.
Well known Morgan county resident Mrs. Fannie Overstreet, 69, died Wednesday at her Somerville home. Funeral services were conducted at Brown's Chapel by Dr. Edwin Wyle with burial in City cemetery. She leaves a son J. W. Rolfe and four brothers C C Rolfe Lucien Volney and Percy Rolfe and three sisters. She was born in Somerville and longtime member of the Christian church.
Funeral services are planned for R. V. Whatley 56 a prominent Cullman county farmer of Holly Pond route 1 who drowned in a fish pond at his home while swimming with two grandsons He was thought to have cramps and was later revived unsuccessfully at Cullman Hospital Survivors include his widow six daughters and several grandchildren along with another son Talmadge Whatley.
British naval patrols intercepted the French tanker Scheherezade bound for Casablanca in North Africa with a cargo of oil from a United States port. Navicert granted earlier to move the cargo, officials cited increased Vichy actions in Syria as sharpening tensions in London and Washington.
London May 22 Rudolf Hess the Nazi deputy Fuehrer bailed from a Messerschmitt on May 10 after a pursuit by a Defiant fighter, Air Secretary Sir Archibald Sinclair told Parliament. He said Hess gave a false name and asked to see the Duke of Hamilton, who reportedly did not recognize the prisoner.
British fighting planes on Crete were withdrawn after the German parachutist and air borne assault began. A government statement said the fighters faced a pronounced disadvantage and that Crete could not be supported by RAF air bases in Egypt.
War analysis by Dewitt Mackenzie argues the Crete attack aims to bypass and move German forces toward the Near East while avoiding Turkish disruption. The plan seeks to sever Turkish aid and force Turkish territory to host German troop movements from the Balkans to the Near East, per Vichy-reported signals.
Analysis argues Germany sought to move through Turkey as a feasible route to the Near East. Crete possession could aid air transport and bombing bases, but Turkish neutrality blocked a larger expedi tion. The by-pass strategy faced obstacles even for a capable Luftwaffe and army, preventing a direct assault at that time.
The national mediation board acts again in the soft coal wage dispute as talks between United Mine Workers and Southern Appalachian operators break off in New York. Both sides trade sharp statements with Lewis labeled a dictator by Southern owners and Adams calling them mock patriots. Northern operators and the union were to meet in Washington, with next sessions set for Saturday, amid wage offers and regional pay differentials. Longshoremen in Buffalo and Ravenna work stoppages ended or moderated after offers raise wages. Bay area shipyards reopen as machinists and APL workers face overtime pay disputes.
One hundred four crippled children from six counties arrived at the Morgan County Armory by noon for a field clinic run by the Crippled Children's Society. Dr Bart Conwell of Birmingham leads the diagnostic effort as about 100 more are expected. Local women handle registrations and meals.
In Columbus Georgia a rail derailment nearly produced disaster when the Illinois Central streamliner City of Miami jumped a crossing and ran along a trestle before returning to the rails. A man named Bazemore reported the event after a rail split derailed wheels, sending spikes flying. A Fort Benning troop train narrowly avoided the wreck as a passerby flagged it down and stopped the oncoming train. Repairs took about an hour and halted three trains.
Decatur Home Guards will assemble at 7 30 tonight in the Armory. Captain H Floyd Sherrod urged full attendance as rifles and other equipment have arrived and will be issued during the drill session.
In Crete the fight intensifies as British warships sink German transports and repell landing attempts. Eden warns Vichy France of possible open hostilities while Goering claims German losses are exaggerated.
The Tennessee River measured 17.75 feet and fell with no rainfall in the past 24 hours. Temperatures ranged from 67 to 99 degrees. Alabama forecast shows fair to partly cloudy skies with light to moderate winds along the coast. Tennessee expected partly cloudy conditions with possible scattered light showers and variable temperatures through the day.
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