Generalissimo Francisco Franco officially entered Madrid today. He attended Ascension Day religious services, but the public at large will not see him until tomorrow, when he reviews a great peace parade of his victorious military forces. More than 130,000 Spanish troops will march past. In addition, nearly 10,000 Italians and between 3,000 and 4,000 Germans will participate in the parade, while about 600 war planes will fly overhead.
The Italians, as the chief military guests of honor, will lead the parade. They will be headed by the picturesque Royal Carabineers with three-cornered Napoleonic hats, who have been brought from Rome especially for the occasion. They took no part in the Spanish war. The streets of Madrid were thronged tonight with outside visitors. It is estimated considerably more than 2,000,000 persons are sleeping here tonight, a little more than double the city’s normal population. Such business as has so far been able to get under way here will be at a standstill until Monday, when official celebrations of the civil war’s end will be terminated.
Every army corps that fought under General Franco’s banner will be represented among the marchers, including a mounted police squad of Andalusian nobles who constituted the early militia force in Seville under command of General Gonzalo Queipo de Llano. Great bonfires blazed throughout Spain tonight in accordance with an old Spanish custom for observance of national fiestas. Madrid’s bonfire was lighted from the votive lamp of the heavenly captain brought from the shrine of Santiago de Compostela. Community singing and folk dances in all Spanish regions also were held this evening as part of the organized victory celebrations.
Soon after the beginning of the military insurrection against the Spanish Republic in July of 1936, the name of Francisco Largo Caballero, the most popular Socialist leader of Spain, was being acclaimed in workers’ meetings and at the fronts with the addition of the “Spanish Lenin.” The order to use this qualifying phrase came from Moscow.
The Communists needed a figurehead with prestige in Spain. In their own party there was not one outstanding intellectual, political or labor personality. The mental or moral level of its own best-known men and women — José Diaz, Jesus Hernandez, Vicente Uribe, “La Pasionaria,” Margarita Nelken — was too low. They aspired to be directors of the Spanish tragedy on the Republican side, while other men, of other parties, would be the visible actors.
The chief role in the cast was assigned to Señor Largo Caballero. They gave him a grand title: that of “the Spanish Lenin.” That was the greatest honor they could bestow upon a man who was not a Communist. A few months later, at the beginning of 1937, the Communists started to pull down the man they themselves had raised to the clouds. The idol they had manufactured was made of clay. The man they had chosen for his diamantine character, for his energy as a ruler, for his popularity as a leader of the masses became exactly the opposite — a weak old man, vacillating, without roots in the working class.
Why this sudden change? Nothing could be simpler. “The Spanish Lenin” had turned out to be excessively Leninian, too personal and independent, a Spaniard who wanted to govern his country according to the spirit and the interests of his fatherland and not to the dictates of a policy placed at the service of a foreign nation. That and no other was the meaning of the May, 1937, crisis, in which Dr. Juan Negrín replaced Señor Largo Caballero in the Premiership. It meant the triumph of the Communist policy in Spain. But the day of that crisis was the day the war was lost for the republic. The Spanish war has been lost through the fault of the Communists. Did they really want to win it?
A heavy guard surrounded the approaches to the Kehl Bridge on the German side and all frontier stations today when Chancellor Adolf Hitler visited Kehl and the near-by border fortifications. There was much curiosity on the French side, from which could be seen preparations for the Chancellor’s arrival and even his party when he climbed to the tower of a factory for a view over the surroundings in the direction of Strasbourg.
Early today traffic over the bridge was restricted by German guards and regular permits for the frontier population were suspended. Only persons with passports and visas were allowed to cross after considerable questioning by the German authorities. When Herr Hitler’s party arrived at Kehl, all passage across the frontier was interrupted until after he had left.
Chancellor Hitler atop a 100-foot tower of a chemical factory today gazed across the Rhine into heavily fortified French territory after he had arrived at Kehl on his inspection tour of Germany’s western fortifications. From where he stood it was possible to see with field glasses several miles of the zone around Strasbourg in which France has built some of her most important defenses, including part of the Maginot Line.
The Reich orders the ouster of “stateless” Jews by July 31, or they will enter concentration camps. A number of “Stateless” Jews in Munich have received expulsion orders during the last few days. The police notified them individually that they must emigrate by July 31 and if they fail to do so they will be confined in the Dachau concentration camp, recently almost cleared. The number affected is estimated. at 1,000, about 700 of whom are former Poles who lost their citizenship by decree last November. They were to be expelled to Poland at that time, but on Warsaw’s intervention they were allowed to remain pending the outcome of further negotiations.
The present tense Polish-German situation, however, seems to have precipitated the German action. Although almost all those affected have taken preparatory steps for emigration, it is not likely that they will have their papers in order so soon. An aggravating factor is that the Reich will not transfer even a fraction of their property, as is done in cases of German Jews. It is learned that Munich authorities will also deprive some wealthy German Jews of their citizenship in order to avoid transferring the small amount of capital left to them after winding up their affairs at home.
Julius Streicher’s Der Stürmer calls for the extermination of all Jews in the Soviet Union, saying it is the only way to eliminate Bolshevism.
The average Briton’s view of the United States irks Ambassador Joseph Kennedy. He asks the press to expand U.S. news coverage.
Giovanni Valetti of Italy won the Giro d’Italia.
Slovakia loses the last of its liberty as the Minister of the Interior, who was cool to the Reich, is named as Minster to the Vatican.
Pius XII, Bishop of Rome and Universal Pontiff, took possession of Rome’s Cathedral Church, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, “mother and head of all the churches,” in an ancient and stately ceremony today. The Roman people, who lined the circuitous route from the Vatican and overflowed the cathedral and the huge square before it all the way back to the ancient gate of St. John that leads to the Appian Way, responded with a warmth and fervor that in the long tradition of the papacy seems especially marked for Popes born in the Eternal City. Not for ninety-three years has Rome witnessed this ceremony, which means that none who took part today as celebrant or worshipper was alive or old enough to attend when Pius IX drove up in his carriage on November 6, 1846.
Jews rioted in Jerusalem against the White Paper, resulting in over 100 injuries. More than 100 casualties were suffered in street battles in Jerusalem alone between police and Jewish youths demonstrating against Britain’s new policy of an independent Arab-controlled Palestine.
When the police tried to prevent Jewish demonstrators in Jerusalem from proceeding to the District Commissioner’s office the demonstrators rushed and stoned the police. An Associated Press dispatch from Jerusalem reported that the fighting yesterday started when the police tried to disperse 5,000 demonstrators from in front of the District Commissioner’s office. That report said: “For three hours the battle continued without a let-up.”
It had been agreed by representatives of all Jewish parties that no flag but the Zionist emblem would be carried in the demonstrations today, but Zionist Laborites appeared in Tel Aviv with the Red banner, which Revisionists resented. In the ensuing clash several persons were wounded. Jews throughout the country observed a general strike.
Mayor Israel Rokach and rabbis led a huge demonstration procession in Tel Aviv to the stadium, where a three-hour meeting was held. Representatives of all Jewish organizations participated, some carrying banners inscribed: “My heart for my people, my blood for my country. The Bible is our mandate; England cannot annul it.”
After memorial services for martyrs in Palestine, representatives of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, the National Council of Palestine Jewry and the municipality of Tel Aviv addressed the crowd. A resolution for Palestine Jewry was read, declaring: “Palestine Jewry declares the betrayal policy will never materialize. Palestine Jewry will fight it with all its forces. No sacrifice is too dear. Nobody within Palestine Jewry will collaborate in the establishment of governing institutions founded on this policy, nor participate in them.
“Palestine Jewry does not recognize the arbitrary restriction of immigration. No power in the world can deter the natural right of our people to come home. Come they will, these forbidden immigrants, and every Jew in Palestine will assist them in opening the gates to them.”
In Washington, President Roosevelt discussed a program for the private financing of housing construction with James A. Moffett, former Federal Housing Administrator, and railroad legislation with Jesse Jones, chairman of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. With Mrs. Roosevelt, he was the host this afternoon at the annual White House garden party for disabled veterans.
The Senate passed the $773,000,000 Naval Appropriation Bill, including funds for two new, 45,000-ton battleships, received the Walsh resolution for a study of the problem of meat purchasing for the army and navy and other government services, and adjourned at 4:57 PM until noon tomorrow. The Temporary National Economic Committee heard Alfred P. Sloan Jr. and Frederick B. Rentschler on the question of the flow of capital in industry.
The House passed the $83,728,100 Rivers and Harbors Bill, received the $121,399,120 Appropriation Bill for the State, Justice and Commerce Departments, received the Hoffman resolution for an investigation of the activities of the United Mine Workers of America in connection with the coal controversy in Harlan County, Ky., and adjourned at 4:50 PM until noon tomorrow.
Machine-gun and rifle fire rattled in the dark glens of Harlan County, Kentucky today. Snipers in the hills sent bullets into at least two coal mine areas and at one mine a detachment of the Kentucky National Guard returned the fire. Nobody was hit, but the shooting rasped the already taut nerves of the community where twenty-four mines are operating under the guns of the State militia. The Harlan County Coal Operators Association has opened some of its mines after refusing to sign for the CIO. United Mine Workers the “union shop contract” accepted by every other coal operator association in the Appalachian region.
In a speech to miners today, Brigadier General Ellerbe W. Carter, commanding the National Guardsmen on duty in the county, said of the union: “It’s either them or us. It’s the State of Kentucky against a bunch of bums and thugs from Lynch.” At Lynch is the mine of the United States Coal and Coke Company, a subsidiary of the United States Steel Corporation. That is a “captive” mine. It did not reopen this week and its miners were active on the picket lines at other mines. Late tonight the company signed a union contract under special conditions announced by John L. Lewis, head of the CIO. The union is waiving the “union-shop” demand in the renewal of “captive” mine contracts.
Martin Dies asserts his House committee uncovered evidence of an organized anti-Semitism campaign. Chairman Dies of the House Committee on Un-American Activities announced tonight that his committee had evidence to show that a well-organized anti-Semitic campaign had developed in the United States and that it had attracted the support of Major General George Van Horn Moseley, retired. Mr. Dies, whose committee had taken testimony in a session today which was surrounded with extraordinary secrecy, made public a letter which he said that General Moseley, former Fifth Corps Area commander in the army, had written to a New York National Guard officer.
The letter, which Mr. Dies announced was part of his committee’s record, said: “The fact is that the most serious problem confronting America today is just this problem of the Jew and how to get rid of his influence definitely — locally, nationally and internationally.” Another letter, alleged to have been written by General Moseley to a reserve army captain, said: “If the Jews bump me off, be sure to see that they get the credit for it from coast to coast. It will help our cause.”
The members were pledged to strict silence about other developments in the new turn of the committee’s work. Mr. Dies at first would say only that it also related to anti-racial and other propaganda and Communist activities.
Six witnesses, their identities carefully guarded, were heard. Some were kept hidden from others. Several were escorted from one committee room to another by way of narrow ledges five stories above the ground so they would not be seen. It was learned that the committee undertook the hearings today with the approval of Speaker Bankhead and Representative Rayburn, the majority leader. Mr. Rayburn said: “This is one thing I can’t talk about.”
Intercession by President Roosevelt to prevent limitation of Jewish immigration to Palestine, as proposed by the British Government in its White Paper, was urged today by Dr. Solomon Goldman of Chicago, chairman of the National Emergency Committee on Palestine and president of the Zionist Organization of America. His appeal on behalf of American Jewry was presented to Secretary of State Cordell Hull at noon today. In reply the Secretary assured him that the text of the document, which has not yet been received by the department, would be carefully analyzed. In the meantime, Mr. Hull said American rights in Palestine will be of concern to the Government of the United States. Any modification of the Palestine mandate affecting those rights would require consultation between this country and Great Britain, he affirmed.
U.S. Schools feed 119,000 needy daily. The Board of Education and WPA reach a new record in care of children.
The Athletics waive pitcher Bud Thomas, acquired from the Senators on waivers on May 1, to Detroit. Thomas will go 7–0 for the Tigers.
The French hail the King and Queen of Britain in Quebec; 50,000 children sing the British anthem. The hundreds of thousands of subjects of the British Crown who live in Greater Montreal and an almost equal number of visitors from outside, including many Americans, lined the twenty-four miles of city streets traversed in royal procession today by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth upon their arrival from Quebec on the start of their transcontinental North American tour. For the four hours it took the royal visitors to make the circuit of this, the largest city of Canada, and the second largest French-speaking city in the world, the ears of the King and Queen rang with the sound of cannons fired in salute, the cheers of loyal subjects and the treble voices of children singing.
It was the spontaneous welcome of the people which was most impressive of all the day’s festivities. That phase completely overshadowed the more formal manifestations of loyalty, such as the official municipal welcome by Mayor Camillien Houde and the city fathers in City Hall and the ultra-formal dinner this evening at the Hotel Windsor. While the King and Queen were being wined and dined and toasted in the Windsor Hotel tonight, one of the greatest crowds in Montreal’s history gathered in Dominion Square outside. “We want the King!” the throng chanted in unison.
Bagpipers marched up and down outside skirling the age-old martial and popular airs of the Highlands. So insistent was the crowd that King George and Queen Elizabeth left the banquet table and appeared on a balcony. They returned to the dinner, but soon they were called out again by the cheers and chant. In a spotlight thrown upon them the King and Queen waved to the thousands below them. Their train left Montreal at 11 P. M. for the town of Canadonia. There it will remain for the night and go on to Ottawa in the morning.
At City Hall the King and Queen met 160 of the notables of Montreal, including, of course, the politically powerful, who had been carefully rehearsed in court etiquette beforehand. The sovereigns shook hands with five wearers of the Victoria Cross. At the dinner, which they left to spend their first night aboard the royal train, which for the next month will be their home, “they broke bread with 1,100 citizens of Montreal.
The Dionne quintuplets have been. taught to curtsy, but that is the only special training they will receive for their presentation to the King and Queen in Toronto Monday. They are not being loaded with instructions on what to do and say, Dr. Allan Roy Dafoe explained today. The physician wants them to act naturally; too much training might make them “stiff.” The five little girls have come to believe that they know the King and Queen through a large photograph of the royal couple that is in their home. So there is little fear among their teachers and nurses that they will be even slightly flustered.
Bolivia adheres to the Axis powers. This is feared as a foothold for fascism and a dangerous precedent for Latin America.
Shanghai early today witnessed the most unusual situation ever experienced in its foreign-controlled areas. The International Settlement joined the French Concession in an extraordinary display of armed and police forces designed to warn the Japanese military authorities to keep their hands off. At the suggestion of the authorities of the French Concession, both foreign areas mustered every available man. The French display of strength included French Annamite soldiers, French and special Chinese police from the Concession forces and also a modicum of landed French sailors from warships anchored in the Whangpoo (Huangpu) River.
The entire regiment of the Fourth United States Marines was under stand-by orders. All leaves were canceled and there were multiple patrols on the streets of the American defense sector. All the American bluejackets of the cruiser USS Augusta, flagship of the Asiatic Fleet, were under stand-by orders. The British defense forces were mustered to the last man with both landed battalions and sailors from British warships anchored in the harbor. The Shanghai Volunteers Corps, with all its reserves and also all foreign members of the International Settlement police force, were summoned to emergency patrol and police duty.
Contrary to widespread alarmist reports that the Japanese planned to take over the foreign areas, there was apparently no Japanese movement afoot. The display of force was a local movement designed to show the Japanese what the American, British and French could muster in case the Japanese should attempt at Shanghai any duplication of the Kulangsu tactics. The general impression prevails in Shanghai that the Japanese tempted fate too far when they attempted the seizure of the International Settlement of Kulangsu at Amoy and that the united show of American, British and French force there showed the militarists that there was a distinct limit beyond which they did not dare venture.
The Chinese claim to have repulsed a Japanese drive in North and Central Hupeh and Southwest Honan, with losses of 20,000 casualties inflicted on the invaders. Japanese reports of having surrounded a huge Chinese force are ridiculed. Chinese dispatches reveal a continuance of the Chinese drive in Central Hupeh. The Chinese advance, it is stated, is threatening the rear of the Japanese position in the northern part of the province.
Forty Chinese civilians were killed and sixty injured today in three Japanese air raids on Swatow, Kwangtung Province port 200 miles northeast of Hong Kong. In Chungking, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek’s military commission asserted in a communiqué that known Japanese war losses during the first half of May were 30,405 killed and 105 captured on all fronts.
The United States Consulate at Foochow, Fukien Province port north of Amoy, reported that Japanese warships had been shelling towns and villages along the Min River below Foochow.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 129.43 (+0.34).
Born:
Gary S. Paxton [Larry Wayne Stevens], American musician and songwriter (“Monster Mash”; “Alley Oop”), in Coffeyville, Kansas (d. 2016).
Peter Grünberg, German physicist, Nobel Prize in Physics (2007), in Pilsen, Bohemia, German-occupied Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (now Plzeň, Czech Republic) (d. 2018).
Giovanni Falcone, Italian magistrate, and organized crime prosecutor, in La Kalsa, Palermo, Kingdom of Italy (d. 1992).
Jim Hicks, MLB outfielder, pinch hitter, and first baseman (Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, California Angels), in Claiborne County, Mississippi (d. 2020).
Neil McCarthy, American college basketball coach (Weber State Univ. 1974-195, New Mexico State Univ. 1985-1997), in San Francisco, California (d. 2021).
Naval Construction:
The Royal Navy submarine depot ship HMS Adamant (F 64), sole ship of her class, is laid down by Harland & Wolff Ltd. (Belfast, Northern Ireland).
The U.S. Navy attack cargo ship USS Arcturus (AKA-1), first of her class of 11, is launched as the Type C2 cargo ship SS Mormachawk, by the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. (Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.).
The Royal Navy Dido-class light cruiser HMS Hermione (74) is launched by A. Stephen & Sons Ltd. (Glasgow, Scotland).
History Diaries 