The Brownsville Herald (Brownsville, Tex.), Vol. 48, No. 285, Ed. 2 Thursday, May 16, 1940 Page: 1 of 14
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THE WEATHER
For the Lower Rio Grande Valley:
Frrtly cloudy Thuraday night and
Friday; not much change In tempera-
ture
High Tide—
Fndav . 12 05 a m —11 41 a m.
Low Tl de-
Thursday . 3 55 p m.
Friday . 3 IB a. m —fl 34 pm.
r
FINAL
EDITION
FORTY-EIGHTH YEAR—No. 285
BROWNSVILLE TEXAS THURSDAY MAY 16 1940
★ » ★ ★FOURTEEN PAGES TODAY5c A COPY
I I
I
NAZI COL UMNS AD VANCE DEEP INTO FRANCE
- * 1 '■ - - " 1 .... - - —*• -
Allied General
Claims Germans
Will Be Routed
| _
PARIS—(AP)—A war ministry spokesman admit-
ted Thursday night that German motorized columns
had penetrated deeply into France from the Sedan
sector but the French general in immediate command
there advised headquarters his forces were “complete
masters of the situation” and would regain full con-
trol within a week.
(By The Associated Press)
A fast-shifting war of movement—embroiling thous-
ands of warplanes and giant tanks—thundered along the
110-mHe Western Front from Antwerp Belgium to Sedan
France Thursday as the Nazi juggernaut hammered at
Belgian defense lines and the north wall of France.
Mechanized units from both sides cut loose from their
infantry and drove boldly forward to strike the enemy rear.
At least 600000 troops evenly balanced were en-
gaged.
Nazis Continue to Advance
A French war office spokesman acknowleged that the
Germans after crossing the Meuse river at three points
continued to push forward.
The distant thunder of gunfire in Belgium rattled the
windows of houses at Deal on the southeast coast of
England. 60 miles away.
A British military spokesman said the great Belgian
fortresses of Liege and Namur in eastern Belgum were
still holding out. although apparently isolated. The Ger-
mans sav they have captured the Liege citadel and other
forts at Liege and Namur.
German armored columns reportedly penetrated the
Allied lines in Belgium “to a considerable depth at sev-
eral points. The thrusts were reported unsupported by
infantry.
Mechanized German shock troops—ranging far ahead of support units
In the seventh riav of the Nazi flanking drive through Belgium and into
ATrance—struck at the rear of the French army defending the 50-mlle
•Meuse river front between Sedan and Namur Thursday.
(Continued on Page Two.)
C W. ARCHER PIONEER RE-
* tired merchant of Lyford.
paid one of his visits to Browns-
ville Wednesday. Accompanied by
Mis Archer.
Down from Lyford to attend a
session of the board of equalisa-
tion for the school and naviga-
tion districts.
Mr. Archer complimentary of
the work being done by the equal-
ization board a* last year he was
pleased with the treatment re-
ceived at the hands of the city
board.
A Brownsville property owner
for many years he is also satis-
fied with the treatment received
when he attended county board
meetings
*’I am more enthusiastic about
mv Brownsville holdings than
when I bought them years ago"
said Mr Archer.
•*I feel that this city is on the
threshold of great growth unless
of course world events stand In
the way."
) ...
VIR ARCHER INCIDENTALLY.
* 1 is one of the original boost-
ers for permanent highways in
Willacy county especially the
north and south road that will
soon become a link in the Hug- !
Ihe-Coast highwav
He suggested the lormation of i
the original committee some ten
years ago. which promoted a 1300.-
CGO read bond Issue supplemented
by an equal amount in state-fed-
eral aid
The original committee of
iContinued on fwa £594
Nicaraguan War
Chief Due Here
General J. Rigoberto Reve*.
Nicaraguan minister of war. navy
and aviation will be greeted by a
large welcoming committee at the
arport Thursday afternoon on his
arrival aboard the 4 30 Pan Amer-
ican plane
In addition to Les Mauldin.
Nuaraguan vice-consul who will
gieet the Central American coun-
try s cabinet official a chamber of
commerce committee headed by O.
W Dennett will be present at the
airport to welome General Reyes
General Reves. a powerful figure
In his country is en route to Wash-
ington. D. C. on official business
for his government He Is sched-
uled to fly northward on the 6
p. m. Eastern Air Line plane.
Swiss Shoot Down
German Bomber
ZURICH—P—A Swiss anti-air-
craft battery Thursday hit a Ger-
man bombing plane over Swiss
territory north of Zurich but the
aircraft succeeded in landing In a
field near the village of niau.
Observers said the plane first
was warned away from the Schaff-
hausen area and then apparently
continued southward over Zurich
Swiss military officials withheld
detail* and it could not be learn-
ed immediately whether any of the
bomber's crew of three had been in-
jured by a shell which ripped holes
in the plane s wings.
Doctors Elect
DALLAS— P— Dr N D. Buie of
Marlin was selected as the presi-
dent elect of the state medical
association of Texas Thursday by
members of the house of delegates.
Other officers chosen were Dr.
George A. Schenewerk of Dallas.
Dr. James Gorman of El Paso and
Dr. S. J. R Murchison of Port
Worth vice presidents; Dr Hol-
man Taylor of Fort Worth secre-
tary and Dr K B Beall of Port
Worth treasurer
Fort Worth wr chosen as the
AHA boaveutiOQ ut>»
ARMY FORCES
ARE TO HOLD
MATAMOROS
No One Permitted To
Wear Gun During
General Almazans
Visit Saturday
Federal troops will police Mat-
amoros Saturday during the visit
of General Juan Andreu Almazan.
pifsidential candidate and carry-
ing of firearms will be strictly
prohibited. General Baltazar Chapa
Ayala garrison commander an-
I nounced Thursday.
Gen. Almazan opposition party
candidate is on a campaign tour
which this week brings him to
border points including Nuevo La-
redo and Matamoros.
Regular city police in Matamoros
wit. be quartered in the military
garrison on Saturday. Gen Chapa
A*ala stated and the army will
perform police duties *‘bv consent”
I of the civil authorities on Satur-
| dav.
No one will be permitted to carn-
al ms Saturday even persons with
permits. Gen. Chapa Avala stated.
The only exceptions will be uni-
formed soldiers and police on duty
and customs and immigration of-
ficers on duty.
Army officers on leave In order
to take part in the presidential
campaign will not be permitted to
appear at political meetings or
parades in uniform or armed.
Gen. Chapa Ayalas announce-
ment was contained in a com-
munication addressed to Mayor
Francisco Zarate. It stated:
"In order to aver any possible
disorder which in my opinion will
not occur during the visit of the
candidate it will be strictly forbid-
den for anybody including those
persons with authorized permit*
to carry firearms which will be
permitted only in the case of sol-
diers and uniformed policemen on
duty and customs and immigra-
tion officers on duty that day.
"This order is further extended
to include army officers who are
on leave in order to participate
in political activities so that they
will not be permitted to attend
meetings or demonstrations while
wearing uniforms or bearing fire-
arms. so that the possibilities of
disturbance of the peace will be
reduced to a minimum.
"It Is understood that we will be
giateful to the municipal author-
ities to leave police duties that
day In the hands of the federal
forces and that the city police
will be quartered in the local army
garrison thus guaranteeing to all
sectors complete impartiality of
your administration and the na-
! tional army watchful of it* reputa-
tion. will fulfill It* duty with all
' calm and with absolute effective-
ness. *’
French Shell
German City
BERLIN — (JP) — Authoritative
military sources said Thursday .
night that the French had opened '
fire with long-range artillery on
the "open” German city of Rastatt.
west of Stuttgart and near the
French frontier •
In retaliation they said the
German army has opened fire on
the French city of Hagenau. 16
miles north of Strasbourg.
Scandinavian War
Cuts U. S. Exports
WASHINGTON — Germany's
Scandinavian invasion was credit-
| ed by the commerce department
Thursday with causing a drop in
United 8tates merchandise export*
in April.
The months shipment* ‘totaled
1315.000 000. which was $29.000000
less than in March. $12.000 000 un-
der the average for the first : .en
months of the war. but $88000000
higher than the pre-war month of
April. 1939
BRITISH GENERAL DIES
LONDON——General Sir Bin-
don Blood. 97 often called "the
father of th* British army" died
i Tfeur*»ay ia Lvauufi. 1
Thousands Of Tanks
And Planes Battle
On Western Front
PARIS—(AP)—Thousands of warplanes and tanks
clashed in an unprecedented battle of movement along the
Meuse front Thursday involving a situation so serious and
confused that the high command withheld all but the
barest details.
A general melee ensued from Namur south to Sedan
in Northern France—scene of the fiercest German attacks
—with armored units from either side cutting loose from
their infantry and plunging boldly forward to strike the
enemy from the rear.
A war ministry spokesman said*
the Germans were meeting powerful
resistance as they pushed deeper
into Belgium at three different
points on the west bank of the
Meuse where they crossed Wednes-
day.
Fighting Is General
Fighting was general after a week’s
operations on two great lines. One
running roughly from Antwerp to
the region east of Louvain and to
Gembloux then to Givet near MejQ-
eres and on to Sedan m France.
The second line runs from Se-
dan through Montmedy Longwh
and along the Franco-German
border to the Vosges. In this area
the fighting was characterized
principally by artillery duels be-
tween opposing fortifications.
In the Sedan region itself the
Franch claimed the Germans were
blocked In an attempt to deepen a
pocket they drove Into Northern
France W'ednesday.
Nazis Push Forward
In the Paris area French pursuit
plane* shot down one of a group of
enemy reconnaissance planes Thurs-
day morning
Premier Reynaud meanwhile
conferred with heads of the senate
and chamber of deputies.
A French war office spokesman
acknowledged ghat the German
army following up advantages
gainrd after crossing the Meu*e
between Sedan and Namur con-
tinued to pu*h forward In the far*
of strong Allied opposition.
North of Namur along the Bel-
gian defense line he said the French
had thrown back numerous Nan at-
tacks.
Situation Serious
He said the enemy flinging ar-
mored shock troops far ahead of the
main body In the 50-mile region be-
tween Sedan and Namur was strik-
ing at the rear of the French forces
In an effort to cut them off.
A great battle is progressing and
the situation is "serious’* he said.
However the French remained
ronfident of their ability to restore
rontrol of a situation.
The French reported heavy artil-
lery fire east of Sedan along the
French-Luxembourg frontier as well
is farther east in the Vosges moun-
tain sector
Nancy Bombed
Anti-aircraft batteries around
Pans went Into action again Thurs-
day morning but there were no air
raid alarms and no immediate re-
ports of any incidents.
German air raids on Nancy
south of Sedan and 40 miles in-
aide the French-German frontier
killed and wounded an undisclosed
number of persons and earned
nine air raid alarms. •
It became apparent that Ger-
many's army slowed by fierce
counterattacks at Sedan was crash-
ing headlong into Allied warfare of
the..Nazi's own style in a great bat-
tle of movement.
That was the picture of the con-
flict to be pieced together in Paris
Valley Golfers
Are Eliminated
HARLINGEN—Mrs. E. H Wohl-
fahrt Houston defending cham-
pion. Thursday defeated Mrs. H.
F. Massey Terrell. 3 and 2 to
enter the semi-finals in the
Tenth Annual Texas Women's
Public Links Golf Association
tournament.
Miss Virginia Ratledge. Dallas
defeated Mrs. R. C. Standish.
Houston one up. in 19 hole*.
Mr*. C. W. Roberson Jr. won
2 and I from Mr*. Helen Camp-
ell San Benito.
Mr*. Guy La Roe Terrell de-
feated Mrs. J. L. Head 5 and 3.
Today's quarter-final* matches
eliminated all Valley contestants.
(See earlier details on Sports Page)
War Bulletins
GERMAN DIPLOMATS DETAINED
PARIS—(AP)—The German embassy staff from Brussels was
detained under military guard by order of the French government
Thursday at the frontier opposite the Swiss town of Vallorbe. The
staff was en mute to Switzerland but will not be permitted to pro-
ceed until the Belgian embassy staff is safely out of Germany.
AMERICAN CEMETERY BOMBED
PARIS—(APl—French officials said Thursday the American
Meuse-Argonne cemetery at Romagne. eastern France the largest
American World War cemetery in Europe was bombed Wednesday.
American authorities said they had not been informed of any
bombardment. The cemetery covers 13€ acres and has nearly 15.00*
graves.
LINER NORMANDIE DONS WAR PAINT
NEW YORK—(APi—Painters Thursday were making another
"grey ghost" of the once colorful French liner Normandie one of the
largest ships afloat They were daubing the camouflage covering over
the super-structare of the 03.422-ton liner. Other giant liners in-
cluding the British Queen Mary were painted gray just before leaving
the L'nited States.
ARRAS. FRANCE. BOMBED
ARR AS. France—I APi.Several buildings in Arras. 100 miles
north of Paris were destroyed by German air bombs in a raid
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Of seven bombs dropped
three were duds.
ITALIANS LEAVE TCRKEY
ISTANBIL—(API—An exodus of Italian nationals from Turkey
is under way. Italian employes in factories and on ships gave notice
of their immediate departure.
W ARNED OCT OF SWITZERLAND
GENEVA—(APi—The American consulate here sent a warning
Thursday to all American citizens who are “not prepared to remain
in Switzerland in the event this country is involved in war" to leave
the country “aa speedily as possible."
FDR SENDS NOTE TO IL DI CE
WASHINGTON—(APi—The White House said Thursday ‘ that
President Roosevelt had sent another communication to Premier
Mussolini of Italy in an effort to prevent the spread of the European
war Stephen Early. White House press secretary told reporters that
“This communication that went out was one of a aerie*' and waa not
“PlUHA U*eU juu »ew *ep«r#|« pppeaV
CAMERON HAS
OIL BOOM ON
ISABEL SHOWj
Corings Being Taken
At 9420 Feet After
Cuttings Reveal
Petroleum
_
A showing of oil In a deep well
south of Port Isabel Thursday had
set off Cameron county's first Tull-
fledged "oil boom ”
Reports of a '•gusher** and an
"oil well explosion* spread like
wildfire throughout the area as ex-
cited residents suddenly became
petroleum-conscious.
The facts as stated Thursday by
S F Hurlbut. secretary of the Sal
Vleja corporation which is inter-
ested In the lease on Pure Oil Co.
Garcia well No. 1 six miles south-
west of Port Isabel and about 22
miles from Brownsville are:
1. Showings of oil were found in
the "cuttings’ of mud brought up
by the drill-bit.
2—Drilling was stopped at a
depth of 8420 feet In order to take
core samples of the structures
reached.
3. Coring began Thursday morn-
ing. It takes 10 hours for samples
to be brought up.
4. A * Schlumberger'* test was
made Wednesday night but Its
showing was not favorable A
"Schlumberger’* is an electrical test
for earth structures
Reports that the cap had blown
off the well were described as un-
true by Mr Hurlbut.
' We have found favorable show-
ings. he said "and it may be three
or !jut days before we know defin-
itely."
Other reports circulated to the
effect that a "twelve foot" strata
of oil sand had been struck.
*See OIL. Pag# Two)
Liquid Bomb Test
Postponed Week
ABERDEEN Md — <JP>—A test of
the death-dealing powers of in-
ventor Lester P. Barlow's liquid-
oxygen-carbon bomb was postponed
Thursday until next week and the
Uves of a herd of goats were at
! least temporarily spared.
I The inventor declined to go
through with the test because he
said he was ordered to bring out
a 1000-pound sack of his "glmite"
20 minutes before the scheduled
time and much of the oxygen i
evaporated.
Barlow obviously upset left the
scene before some of the con-
gressional committeemen and mill- |
I tary authorities for whom the
demonstration was arranged had \
arrived. He returned later and said
■ there had been "some mistake.'
—
Swiss-German !■
Frontier Closed
SCHAFFHAUSEN. Switzerland —
A*—Swiss and German military
authorities Thursday night closed
the Swiss-German frontier on the
Rhine river on both sidee from
Basel to Lake Constance.
Even rail freight traffic was
limited to a strict minimum.
. German authorities refused to
permit .even Swiss peasants and
farmhands to cross the frontier a
few feet in the Schaffhausen area
to tend their fields.
Bus Catches Afire
MERCEDES—The Mercedes vol-
unteer fire department made a run
Wednesday at 10:30 p. m. to aid
a Missouri Pacific bus afire about
midway between Mercedes and
Weslaco.
Fire Chief J. L Bates said the
blaze was caused by an emergency
brake left dragging The bus raf-
tered no damage and its passen-
gers were not injured.
MATCH INDUSTRY
STOCKHOLM —A»— The entire
Swedish match industry will shut
down May 27 owing to the impos-
of exportation it was an-
fiOMUd Thrifty* ^
I
President Asks
Over Billion To
Prepare for War
.. . .1
War at a Glance
< Bt The AMoriated Ptm# t
ROME—U fi consulate* advise
American citizens to leave Italy
“at earliest possible moment’
amid rising fears Italy may en-
ter war.
BERLIN—Nazi troops attack heav-
ily along 100-mile front in bloody
3-day-old battle of the Meuse.
Germans threaten to blast Brus-
sels to ruin* if military move-
ments continue in Belgian cap-
ital.
PARIS—French high command re-
port* unprecedented battle of
movement along Meuse front.
Sav* situation “serious—very con-
fusing ■’ Germans still advancing
despite heavy resistance
LONDON—Royal Air Force carries
out it* greatest bombing attack
over German soil. British round
up Germans and Austrians for
internment.
ISTANBUL — Italian nationals
move out of Turkey.
ATHENS—Greek* hurry reinforce-
ments to troop* guarding frontier
facing Italian-occupied Albania
Allied fleet movements cause un-
easiness.
BELGRADE—Yugoslav cabinet re-
news general mobilization plans
WASHINGTON — Roosevelt goes
before joint session of rongress
and urges larger defense program.
Irrigation Co-op
Nears Completion
RIO GRANDE CITY — Burr
county * third multiple family irri-
gation project known as the Fron-
ton project will be ready in time
for the fall feed crop according to
J. W Evans. Weslaco district Farm
Security Administration supervisor
The projects are financed by the
FSA and A. and M Extension ser-
vice. in co-operation with the coun-
ty government.
A Diesel 100-horsepower engine
and other equipment are to be pur-
chased through loans totalling SA-
500 being made to the 32 families on
the project.
A farmer on one of the earlier
projects produced a great deal more
cotton last year than hi* neighbors
who grew the crop without irriga-
tion. I
Germans Advance
On Western Front
BERLIN—(AP)—German forces attacked heavily
Thursday along a 110-mile front from Antwerp to Sedan
in the seventh day of the sustained drive which already
has netted them all of The Netherlands except the pro-
vince of Zeeland half of Belgium and a small section of
France.
The high command reported the*
Allies Wednesday * accepted the j
fight” In the Antwerp fortifica-
tions northeast of Brussels and
along the Dyle defense line from
there south through Central Bel-
gium to Namur.
Southwest of Namur 50 miles
fu-m Sedan the high command
said “our divtsiona expanded their
successes.' by crossing the Meuse
and “again defeating French ar-
mored units.”
C'Wnter-Attacks Repelled
Fresh counter-attacks aouth of
Sedan it said were repelled while
tne Germans pressed the attack
toward the Maglnot Line Itself
fa’ther to the southwest to take
into their hands more of the strip
between the rival fortified lines.
Thus the high command said
“between the Moselle and the
Rh’ne we advanced our positions
acst of Saarlautern 'nearly 100
miles southeast of Sedan) and near
Lauterburg " Lauterburg. near the
Rhine is about 150 miles airline
southeast of Sedan
Hand-in-hand with the furious
figntmg on the ground. German
oaee GERMAN Fast Tvoji^
Leopold Urges
Troops To Hold
Forts Of Liege
LONDON —/P — King Leopold
III of Belgium was heard railing
by radio on the men of "the
forts of Liege" to "resist to the ut-
most for the fatherland ’’
"I am calling on you. forts of
Liege" said the monarch's ad-
i dress read over the Brussels radio
French and Flemish.
"I address you. Col Modard
commander officers non-com-
missioned officers and men -to
resist to the utmost Tor the
fatherland
“I am proud of you.
"Leopold."
WOUNDED REACH LONDON
LONTX>N—i.JP— Between .10 and
40 wounded prisoners were brought
i w irfcodofi
► ——
Army to Get Lion’s
Share of Defense
Fund to Safeguard
Western World
AMERICA~MAY
FACE ATTACK
‘Our Ideal Is Still
Peace’ Execu t i v e
Says As He Urges
Preparedness
| ' WASHINGTON— (AP)—.
An air armada of 50000
! warplanes was advocated
by President Roo neve It
Thursday in a personally de-
livered message to congress
asking a $1182000000
emergency national defense
program.
"Our ides? our objective it still
peace—peace at home and peace
abroad." Mr Roosevelt told a tense
and solemn joint session of tha
senate and house. Nevertheless we
stand ready not only to spend mil-
lions for defense but to giye our
services and es-en our lives Tor the
malntenare of our America liber-
ties."
Demands Modern Army
The huge warplane program was
put forward by the chief executive
as a long range goal His mora im-
mediate recommendations. Mr.
Roosevelt said were designed to
give the nation a modern well-
equipped army and industrial-mili-
tary resources capable of leading
the defense of the Western Hemi-
sphere in a world of lightning **ar.
Dressed in a blue pin-stripe busi-
ness suit the president addressed
the assembled legislators Yrom Uio
speakers rostrum of a crowded
house chamber. He had driven to
the capitol through ram in com-
pany with Brig Gen. Edwin M.
Watson secretary and military aide
and Capt Daniel J. Callaghan
naval aide.
Listening to her husband's ad-
dress from a gallery was Mrs.
Roosevelt and several of the White
House office staff.
In addition to his goal of 50.000
airplanes in readiness for action.
• See DEFENSE. Page Twm
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The Brownsville Herald (Brownsville, Tex.), Vol. 48, No. 285, Ed. 2 Thursday, May 16, 1940, newspaper, May 16, 1940; Brownsville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1405580/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .