22 Dec 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Helena Independent
Location
Helena, Montana, United States of America
Date
Dec 22, 1939
Page
1
In Buenos Aires a funeral for Capt Hians Langsdorff drew about 160000 people as seamen from the sunken pocket battleship Graf Spee paid tribute. German sailors stood at attention while Argentine troops fired a volley over the grave.
The Finnish army communique indicates a Finnish unit fought on Russian soil northeast of Repola and Liveka, about 20 miles from the Runsian border and 126 miles north of Lake Ladoga. It notes the Russian battalion was destroyed between Idenka and Repola while seeking clarification on how far east Finnish forces penetrated.
A winter storm yesterday dropped a foot of snow in parts of western Montana and six to eight inches on Boulder Hill, with roads kept open by snow plows. Winter began at 11:08 a.m. today, the shortest day, as Helena recorded 26 degrees and .09 inch precipitation. Forecasters expect continued snow flurries and little temperature change.
London reports Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax pledges British support to a Czecho-Slovak national committee. The group aims to indigenize the Czech army in France and represent the Czech-Slovak peoples during wartime.
Herlio December 11 Germany issued a sharp protest to Argentina over the internment of the officers and crew of the pocket battleship Graf Spee while awaiting a reply. The German note argues Argentina violated international law by detaining the crew, citing past shipwreck precedents and noting similar wartime practices.
Moscow dispatch reports Stalin’s 60th birthday marked by speeches and praise in Soviet papers emphasizing his link to Lenin and military focus. Adolf Hitler sends wishes while celebrations remained low on Finland invasion coverage. Montana Bonner plan noted for Jackson Day dinner on Jan 8 in Helena with Oliver Q. named Democratic national treasurer and local organizers coordinating events.
In Helena Independent distribution plan carriers will receive papers free of charge with every sale yielding 100 percent profit for the Christmas fund. Each newsboy will collect as many papers as possible, boosting gifts to customers and calendars as goodwill tokens. The scheme aims to support carrier boys on regular routes with extra Christmas bonuses and direct customer gifts.
Weather favors a festive shopping night as Helen stores plan extended hours tonight until 9 and area shops, including the post office, will stay open with Saturday hours extended. Clerks will be on duty to assist, and many Christmas displays are arranged to spur purchases despite generally strong holiday sales.
Washington lawmakers weighed a large loan request to Finland to finance wartime purchases as private Wall Street financing options were explored. Senator McNary urged support, noting Finland’s compliance with covenants and the need for a substantial government loan.
Dutch airmen fought off presumed German planes in two encounters over central province skies as thousands watched. Government officials said reports of battles were not well founded since foreign planes failed to return fire at Dutch guanora and no fighting appeared to have occurred.
Fort Harrison veterans hospital hosts a Christmas program for more than 190 patients in the recreation hall. Dr H C Watts leads the festivities with greetings, featuring piano, violin, chorus numbers and solo performances by local musicians. The event includes gifts, meals, and decorations by legion and auxiliary groups, with candy and candles provided by nearby organizations.
Helsinki reports say Soviet forces bombed the Helsinki hospital area and attacked civilians along with two civilian trains as part of a broader offensive. Finnish lines on the isthmus remained firm but 30 civilians were killed or wounded in the raids.
Dispatches report a significant Red Army withdrawal in northern Norway toward Salmisarni and Salmijard, with troops riding trucks or walking to resist the cold. Observers could not confirm a full retreat across the border as Finnish forces stay positioned while Russia faces defensive challenges and potential Romanian pressure.
The Belgian government protested to Germany against air raids. Belgian authorities reported Allied fighters drove off planes over various parts of the country.
Slippery streets yesterday caused one serious highway accident near Helena and several minor wrecks as vehicles collided at Lawrence Main Lyndale Renton Thirteenth Hwing Clark Muller and other streets. Among the injured was Apnotin Belzer who suffered a severely wrenched back. she and her parents planned to visit California for the holidays. Police logged multiple collisions while bystanders reported additional fender benders and an accidental strike at Sixth and Main with minor injuries.
Gov Roy Ayers held the clemency appeal of Simpson, condemned for the Barford gun battle murder, in abeyance to review both sides. Nat Allen, Golden Valley county attorney, was allowed to oppose the motion. Simpson, sentenced to death for the 1928 murder, faces a hearing date not yet set as the governor seeks complete information on Simpson’s sanity and case details.
Washington reports the agriculture department estimates the December 1 condition at 86 percent of normal with the 1931 drought year cited. Indicated yield about 399,000,000 bushels, the smallest since 1924, far below last year’s 583,431,000 and well under the 825,000,000 record in 1931. Weather bureau notes continued deterioration since early month and widespread dryness hindered planting and root development.
A violent earthquake shook central American regions with minimal damage, per government reports. In Manila an unusually strong quake began at 6 04 a m lasting three hours, centered near the Dutch East Indies Celebes area, not felt in Manila but recorded by weather instruments as among the strongest in years.
The Polish National Alliance contributed 80,000 dollars and the Polish American Council 10,060 dollars toward relief in Poland. Since the war began the Red Cross has received over 300,008 dollars for Polish relief.
Coast guard investigators in Fort Lauderdale opened an inquiry into the German freighter Araten after reports she fled to avoid capture by a British cruiser and may have been carrying ammunition. Local residents were questioned about interpreted objects found near Pomi pana as part of the probe.
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