21 May 1940
Page 1
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 17 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Medicine Hat News
Location
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Date
May 21, 1940
Page
1
Norman A. McLarty says Ottawa intends to keep last year’s 40 percent relief funding arrangement but may set a maximum payable to the province due to heavy wartime expenditures. Aldermen note possible changes while a municipal irrigation project expansion proceeds.
Paris dispatch reports Premier Reynaud telling the Senate that Germans occupied Arras and Amiens as of this morning. He notes Meuse bridges not blown due to errors to be punished, warns of no tolerance for traitors and saboteurs, and urges resolve against a feared miracle required to save France.
Ottawa May 21 The CCF argues for greater use of mechanized warfare over large infantry contingents and calls for setting asidewide conscription debates. M J Coldwell urges a standing, multi party wartime scrutiny committee to ensure continuous oversight of war effort and economic controls.
Anti Allied protests surged in Rome as youths clashed with troops at the British consulate. Guards around the French and British embassies were doubled and a large presence of sailors joined the demonstrations.
The historic Louvain library, rebuilt after wartime destruction with North American aid, lies gutted. Fire swept all floors, and about 700,000 volumes are presumed lost as smoke lingers from the ruins. American correspondents filed the account.
Moscow reports that Russia believes a long war will favor the Allies due to vast resources raw materials and continued economic backing from the United States. The Trad organization of Russian trade unions stated this view, noting prior Russian sentiment highlighted Germany’s prospects and Allied disadvantages.
Prime Minister Mackenzie King told the House of Commons Canada would raise a second division of the Canadian Active Service Force and seek approval for a new national defence ministry for air. He said the war effort would cost about $2 million daily this fiscal year and outlined plans for overseas despatch, reinforcing the first division, recruiting, forming two Canadian corps, and raising a third division for possible use at home or overseas.
Ottawa announces no change in wheat peg policy. The Canadian Wheat Board will take deliveries of producers up to 5 000 bushels and excess amounts may be delivered to pools under the Wheat Co operative Marketing Act. Producers may sell in the open market if futures trade at or above the pegs.
German mechanized forces possibly five divisions strong surged into northern France aiming for Channel ports and to split Allied lines with a northward sweep toward Cambrai Arras and Calais. South of the bulge French positions around Rethel Sedan held and even advanced locally while British and Belgian forces pulled back on the north flank to avoid encirclement.
Prime Minister Mackenzie King told Commons the war situation in France was grave with German forces driving toward the Somme valley after capturing Amiens and Arras. He recalled 1918 when Allied lines held despite a deep crisis and stressed continued unity and morale despite rapid changes in the fighting.
After a rainy spell over the weekend the weather warmed yesterday reaching 69 degrees by day. Overnight the temperature dipped to 39 degrees, unusually low for the season. By 1 p.m. the sky was clear and the thermometer read 72 degrees signaling warmer weather ahead.
Ottawa reports Canada's 19th Parliament opens with a large government majority creating committee competition and seating difficulties. War administration dominates the session as ministers insist on rapid work to equip and feed Canadian soldiers, with broad agreement the election timing was apt.
The Canadian Corps Association launches a countrywide drive to suppress any fifth column activities with mass meetings set to begin Thursday night across Canada. The effort aims to address alleged internal subversive actions during the wartime period.
Saskatchewan seed ing of the 1940 wheat crop is 85 percent completed the Saskatchewan Pool Elevators Limited crop report notes.
Edmonton report states the vacancy caused by George Woytkin’s resignation would seat provincial treasurer Selon E. Low in the Alberta legislature. Low, defeated in Warner but holding his cabinet post, is expected to be nominated for the by election set for June 20. Opponents had not commented on nominating or acclamation.
The Second Infantry Brigade of Canada’s First Division began moving from Aldershot to a tented training camp on rolling English plains. Led by Brigadier Pearkes, the convoy including the Princess Pats Edmonton Regiment and Seaforth Highlanders sparked cheer from onlookers as Major-General McNaughton observed. The shift is a routine phase of divisional training with the Third Brigade to follow.
Calgary police commission at a special meeting urged Prime Minister Mackenzie King to declare German organizations illegal and strip members of citizenship. They call for internment camps for enemy alien women, centralized investigation of enemy activities, and home guard units of ex servicemen. Alberta towns report fears of independent action amid 1936 census showing German origin in the province.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.