MR Js. r/. - 1 O'i<j/4-o. The most startllrig tmng in the startling war picture tonight is the surprise tactics of the air employed in the newest German blitzkrieg. >In the Norwegian blow, the Nazis landed troops by transport' planes, and dropped detachments by jck* the parachute route, iiut today these operations were more intensive, much greater in Scope, and were an amazing part in the surprise attack. The case of Rotterdam was typical. The city is on the opposite side of Holland from Germany, separated from Naziland by a hundred miles of country. Some of it flooded country - the Dutch opening the dikes^wad letting the sea in - their old historic way of defense. But what good was the dike and flood strategy against tactics like this.^ £arly this morning, great Nazi flying boats landed on the broad river of Rotterdam. They were crammed with soldiers, cwiftly* a landing was made, and part of Rotterdam was in Nazi German hands - in an attack of utter surprise. At the same time. Hitler bombers roared over the Ret terdam airport, and blasted it with bombs, turning the place into a wreck. Then i.\»a 7 .i parachute troops floated down from the sky. They landed on the airport, and^captured''At last reports fierce battling was going on at the historic Dutch city, with Holland regiments fightly fiercing to keep the invader out of the eastern part of 1h e city. German attacks repelled, is the latest. - Y Surprise air a tactics of that sort occurred in a score of places in Holland, in Belgium/ and in some^i**#^ were 1 aided apparently by Nazi warship operations along the coast. Berlin reports strategic flying fields captured, in one section and another. The seizure of The Hague wat announced, its airport occupied. But k&tm# word^indicates that the invaders been dislodged / T" at Holland’s capital. Capture the airports,1— that’s the Nazi slogan, just as it was in Norway. One point is that the Hitler forces, invading from A the sky, are small parties. Many of them are being wiped out by the defenders. But the fact remains that in many places German troops are operating behind the lines of Dutch and Belgian defense Something new in warfare. WAR - 3 In the a tack on the ground, Berlin claims to have ti captured tne Dutch fortress at Maastricht and.have seized A bridgeheads along the Albert Canal in that area. This would indicate an advance of about tv.enty miles. Berlin announces the capture of the Belgian city of Malmedy, a push of about fifteen miles. TheyTve still got the main line of defense to attack, and the latest is, the Belgian command reports that the attack of the German invading forces has been repelled. Meanwhile, is rushing swiftly. The British \ Expeditionaxy Force, stationed for so long in northern France, hurled its mechanized units into Belgium today; And tonightfs reports tell of British divisions sti'eaining along Belgian roads with a speed of motorized advance. Cheered enthusiastically by the Belgians , who are jmxii*® heartened by the sight of endless lines of mechanized equipment rolling northward in support of A the Belgian army. The way war has been speeded up nowadays, it can’t be more than hours before the British war machine clashes with the WAR - 4 with the usual tactics of hitting at communications behind the Allied lines. A dozen French cities were bombed today, with the attack concentrator? p on the airfields. The German bombers flew far and ?;ide, blasting at strategic points in France, Belgium and Holland. They were met by the Allied sky power, and titanic battles ax of the air were fought - great formations of planes Berlin denies tnis, gives its lossess as only a dozen or so, and claims to have destroyed a hundred Allied planes - either shooting them down or bombing them on the ground in airport attacks. p-frijg^plar in the air on a grand scale] ^itcnea battles on high, air power employed in new ways of^w«*|f and in the older ways too - and anii on a greater scale than ever bexore. \ BOMBING Too ay marks the first time that NaziGerraany has struck at the Allies with air bombs aimed at land objectives. Hitherto trie air^taiding on both sides has been restricted to naval and air bases. No striking at land centers of communications, factories, munitions plants. Not until today — with tew Nazi bombers^airnlng: far and wide. This brought quick warning from both London and Paris. The British government refereed to the pledge it made to President Roosevelt — not to bomb civilian populations, and then added a reservation that if the Germans start bombing civilians, why then the British air force will retaliate* / Paris said the same thing. KX fp If the Nazi air raids are not confined to military objectives, French ■ill hit back with indiscriminating bombing ---- That raised the question squarely^—Nazi bombing attacks today confined tm strictly to targets of military importance? there Or were^tiKli air raids against open towns and civilians? Here's A A a late Paris bulletin, with the spokesmen for the French Foreign did Office declaring that the Germans^waai^ strike non-military objectives today. Does that mean that France will immediately BOMBING - 2 retort in kind? That isn't clear. But one thing is clear, the long dreader! day of indiscriminate bombing and the terrorizing of cities be A. nearer. *£.:i3&ncta*. TbdaX, for the first time in the present war^— bombs hit England. Near the little town of Chilara incendiary bombs fell and exploded — doing some damage. The scene is in Kent, near Canterbury — one of England's historic places. XXS There _ - —»— were loud explosions, leaping of flames, as bombs near A A Canterbury. London emergency orders were issued today — get ready to evacuate the children. When the war broke out two hundred and fifty-youngsters were taken from London and placed in the country — A away from the peril of bombs. But since then the children have been filtering back to their homes and parents. It's estimated there are now almost half a million in London^and to evacuate them will take six days of intensive labor. In a multitude of ways Britain is guarding against the Blitz-krieg that may sweep to England. The» London War Office today took measures against possible fifth column tactics by Nazi Germany — secret agent strokes against vital BOMBIHu - 3 centers. t was announced tod«r that military guards have been stationed at all vulnerable points in the British Isles. Wnd ti­ ne sentries have orders to shoot anyone who approaches and Tails to answer the military challenge. Anybody going near one of those vulnerable points is required to answer the £hallenge.wtfcfc-one By—shoutiHfcg And must remain staniii^ until the sentry acknowledges the reply. Otherwise the military guard will shoot. This order is so deadly serious that the War office has issued warning to persons who are deaf^guehr^j might not be able to hear the sentries challenge. They*re told to stay away from all places considered vulnerable Britain is moving to guard against actual invasion. Tonight the homeoffice issued a warning in these words:"Everybody .should be on the lookout for German troops landing by parachute." grit- strategic points throughout the /\ The* araiounc ©Kiant British Isles^»detachments of special troops have been stationed to fight parachute soldiers, if they should land from the sky. These precautions are only too pointedly suggested by the startling tactics of air invasion which the German forces are employing in the low countries. chamberlain This evt-ning the Cabinet of Great Dritain met at Number Ten Downing Street, the storlet home of British ?r /A ime Ministers. They gathered in the Cabinet room where the chiefs of British government customarily assemble to mate decisions. Facing his colleagues. Prime Minister Chamberlain announced his resignation, fte may surmise that it was a scene intense with the deep curr ents of emotion. Seventy-oiie year old Neville Chamberlain the very personification of quiet Briti'sh propriety, and unspectacular rectitude. The conservative Prime Minister who not so long ago had the biggest parliamentary majority in British history. The man who'strove so hard for peace, and had to be a war Prime Minister. Now his tenurei of office had come to lamentable failure j Chamberlain saddled with the blame for the in Norway, denounced v*'ith more vehement bitterness than any other British Prime Minister has had to endure. Politicaliv rajmaxaAX . , ^ two days ago by parliamentary hostility and so slender o. /ote of ft/--- -----—----— ^ confidence that it spelled defeat. Today, tne newest strode of Nazi terror unleashed, the latest blitzkrieg hurled with 7 CHAMb^nLAlN - 2 lightning violence at the low countries, and menacing Britain itself. In such tragic circumstance did Neville Chamberlain -r»TrcBiflMExkxx:< announce his resignation. ' It'S no wonder that after the Cabinet meeting tnere W I I I I ■ at Number Ten Downing Street, the government Ministers 23 told about / it in tones of strained eraotion. So deeply touched - their voices ■I broke. / / N0 wonder Either that Neville Chamberlain’s own voice was faint and shaki^ when he spoke on the air and announced his resignation to the British Empire and the world. At times one / thought he m^ght be on the verge of breaking down, as when he said:- / / / nIfm not going to make any comment on the debate in tne House of Commoi When it was over I had no doubt in my mind that some new drastic steps had to be taken if confidence was to be restored.” he resigned, making way for Winston Churchill, the new Prime A # _____ _ His voice rose to fires'(Tr rnfflfffa^lon when Ke of the event of today - that event of terror. »,£arly this morning,n DHA'iSEHLAIN - 3 | (3^^. OuOw jJ to said^jp"*ithout excuse or warning - Hitler added anot her iBBXTtlB to the horrible crimes which disgrace his name." And he excoriated the Nazu Fuehrer in these words:- "A wild beast who nas sprung out of his lair,n Anti he related the new Hitler S blitzkrieg to his own political drama - Chamberlain^s own downfall as Prime Minister. ”He has chosen a moment when perhaps it seems to him that this country is in the throes of a political crisis," he said. And fckSH added:- nIf Hitler has counted on our * internal division toxk&l to help him, he has miscalculated the mind of this people.*' As for the new ministry, the retiring Prime Minister will become apparently a member of the Cabinet. He stated that he v*'ould accept a Cabinet post - willing to serve under Winston Churchill. Other members undoubtedly will be Labor Party leader X Clement Attlee and Liberal deader Sinclair. Thereof an insistent A London rumor too that Lloyd George will be given a post in the new government - as Minister without portfolio. CHA^fcZivLiAIN - 3 So now Kinston Churchill becomes Prime iidinister of Great Britain - the brilliant Churchill of whom it was said that he held every political post, save the top. And indeed for many years it seemed that Churchill was destined never to realize his highest ambition. /elevation have rung out the theme - triumph at last! But Winston Churchill will feel little inclined to gloat over the new turn of high destiny for him. Historical-minded as he is, he will receive the crown of his lifefs ambition with grave and solemn reflection leading his country in an hour that Neville Chamberlain described today in these words:- "Our hour has come. We are put to the test - have the unfortunate peoples of Holland and Belgium.11 UNITED STATES 7 President Roosevelt!s press conference tod^y was held in an atmosphere of grave preoccupation. The President gave his opinion of the new blitzkrieg, gave it with a reference to Queen Viilnelmina of Holland. nI thinj£ I can say personally,Tl said he, "that I am in full sympathy with the very excellent statement that was given out1*- - the proclamation by the Queen of the Netnerlands. Let it go at that. It is wrorth reading So let!s repeat what Queen Wilhelmina stated, her A. proest to the world: "I herewith direct a fix flaming protest," A said she, "against this violation of good faith and violation of all that is decent in relations between cultured states." ie Presiden^was ask^i about the probability of United States staying out of the war. \^e replied\by refef^ing to ^ his statement made last fallw^en the war^began. said hi attitude remained unchanged. AtVthat time,\the President decl red his position ^ follows: A "I hope(t))ie United ^tates will\keep /'Vi ns wa I believe it will. And I give you assurances that ever; effort of y\ur gover jrnuent will be directed toward \hat end." UNITED STATES _ 2 Today the President indicated that he has not yet ready to make a formal declaration that a state of war exists between Germany and Belgium and Holland. Such a proclamation would put our heutrality laws into effect with reference to the twq^fimall potions. | JLa^^p-^e Crzh~ The President will talk to the^swttioaj^tonight about today1s events in Europe. He will be on the radio at ten thirty this evening. This has one effect in a realm far removed from world events - it affects prizefight affairs. Ten thirty P.M. was to have been the hour for putting -on the air the lightweight championship fight between Lou Ambers and Lew Jenkins. But now that has been advanced an hour, the fight and broadcast to be staged at nine thirty P.M., Eastern Daylight Saving»Time ______ _____ O ---- There was quick government action with reference to Dutch and Belgium credits and investments in the United States These amount to a billion, a hundred and seventy-two million dollars. If the United States Government permitted them to be liquidated, the German invaders might be able to cash in on them l So the credits and investments are tied up - frozen. UNITED STATES - 3 TnVre ___ _ ^.\ 3f»Yno truth in the rumor that the united States fleet is going to the Philippines. The moment the news of the new blitzkrieg came, the rumor started circulating: fh^U.S. fleet. now in Hawaii, ordered to steam to Llanila. Admiral Stark, Chief of Naval Operations, was asked about that and he replied with these words:- "Manufactured out of thin air." And he added this statement:- "There is no change in the plans for the fleet." The talk about the United States Navy in the Pacific points of course to the Dutch East Indies. It has long been wondered — What would happen to the great Holland Empire to the south of Asia, were Nazi Germany to invade the Netherlands? One suspicion has been - that Japan might make a try at those immensely rich islands like Java, Sumatra, and Dutch Borneo. $od* 3 r't>r±Rg« tae—quws'fcion -itrfc