2 June 1941
|
Chancellor Hitler met Premier Mussolini at Brenner.
|
(To discuss "the political situation." Times, June 3, 1941, p. 1.)
|
2 June 1941
|
SECRETARY OF STATE, CORDELL HULL, EXPLAINS THE U.S. ATTITUDE TOWARD FRENCH POSSESSIONS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE
|
"As you are no doubt aware, the policy of this Government as regards the French West Indies, which includes all territories subject to the jurisdiction of the High Commissioner for French Territories in the Western Hemisphere, is governed by an agreement entered into at the Habana Conference in 1940 by all of the American Republics, including the United States, as well as by the arrangement entered into between the High Commissioner and Admiral Greenslade, U.S.N., and later confirmed by both Governments." See doc.
|
5 June 1941
|
MESSAGE TO THE GREEKS BROADCAST BY GREEK PREMIER, EMMANUEL TSOUDEROS
|
Alexandria, Egypt, "The battle of Crete which gave a splendid climax to an epic struggle, is engraved with indelible letters in the history of Greece and the world." See doc.
|
5 June 1941
|
SECRETARY OF STATE CORDELL HULL'S STATEMENT ON RELATIONS WITH THE FRENCH REPUBLIC
|
"Such action would not only be yielding priceless rights and interests beyond the requirements of a harsh armistice but it would at once place France in substantial political and military subservience and would also make her, in part, the instrument of aggression against many other peoples and nations. This could only be utterly inimical to the just rights of other countries, to say nothing of its ultimate effects on the liberties, the true interests, and the welfare of the people of France." See doc.
|
5 June 1941
|
United States authorized acquisition of idle foreign merchant ships.
|
(Under Public Law 101 and Executive Order No. 8771 for urgent needs of commerce and national defense. Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 102, p. 701.)
|
6 June 1941
|
THE STATEMENT BY FRENCH AMBASSADOR GASTON HENRY-HAYE AT WASHINGTON
|
"I can assure, solemnly and most sincerely, that, in the French conception, the destiny of France can never be opposed to that of America." See doc.
|
8 June 1941
|
British and Free French troops entered French Syria and Lebanon.
|
(Cf. May 22, supra. ". . . with the object of eliminating German personnel and influence from certain areas in which they are securing a dominating position through continued infiltration." Times, June 9, 1941, p. 2.)
|
10 June 1941
|
VICE PREMIER DARLAN'S SPEECH TO THE FRENCH PEOPLE
|
Vichy, France. "Admiral Darlan urged French to conquer their illusions and consent to sacrifices. ("For France not to fulfill loyally the armistice conditions and thereby give the conqueror reason to denounce her would be tantamount to suicide for France and the empire. . . . The signature of a definite peace remainsdifficult as long as the major problems that are the basis for present conflict are unsolved . . . the government's duty is to act so as to create an atmosphere favorable to the establishment of an honorable peace, . . . If that atmosphere cannot be created, I fear a disastrous peace for France. That fear is not founded on impression; it is founded on certainty. . . . that path is the sole path of salvation for your country." Times, June 11, 1941, p. 10. Cf. Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 203, p. 718.)" See doc.
|
10 June 1941
|
Secretary of State Hull reassured Portugal as to its islands in the Atlantic.
|
(Because of protest of May 30. Bulletin, p. 718.)
|
10 June 1941
|
PREMIER BENITO MUSSOLINI'S SPEECH BEFORE THE CHAMBER OF FASCES AND CORPORATIONS
|
Rome, Italy, "It is absolutely mathematical that in April, even if nothing had happened to change the Balkan situation, the Italian Army would have overcome and annihilated the Greek Army." See doc.
|
10 June 1941
|
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, PRIME MINISTER CHURCHILL
|
"I think that it would be a mistake if the House got into the habit of calling for explanations on the varying episodes of this dangerous and widespread struggle and asking for an account to be given of why any action was lost or any part of the front was beaten in." See doc.
|
12 June 1941
|
Russian-Japanese trade treaty signed.
|
(To stimulate trade. Times.June 12, 1941, p. 10.).
|
12 June 1941
|
FOURTEEN ALLIES VOW TO FIGHT UNTIL VICTORY IS WON (Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Yugoslavia, and Free France resolved to fight until victory.)
|
St. James's Place, London. "That they will continue the struggle against German or Italian aggression until victory has been won and they will mutually assist each other in this struggle to the utmost of their respective capacities; ("There can be no settled peace and prosperity so long as free peoples are coerced by violence into submission to domination by Germany or her associates or live under the threat of such coercion; . . " Times, June 13, 1941, p. 4.)" See doc.
|
12 June 1941
|
PRIME MINISTER WINSTON CHURCHILL'S SPEECH TO THE ALLIED DELEGATES
|
St. James's Place, London, "Here we meet while from across the Atlantic Ocean the hammers and lathes of the United States signal in a rising hum their message of encouragement and their promise of swift and ever-growing aid." See doc.
|
13 June 1941
|
SECRETARY OF STATE CORDELL HULL'S STATEMENT ON FRANCO-GERMAN COLLABORATION
|
"From the standpoint of the French people and others who have a love for freedom and have freedom, the attitude of the present Government of Vichy is a matter of the deepest disappointment and sorrow." See doc. ( Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 103, p. 716.)
|
14 June 1941
|
President Roosevelt ordered Axis funds in the United States frozen.
|
("In view of the unlimited national emergency declared by the President, . . . The Executive Order is designed, among other things, to prevent the use of the financial facilities of the United States in ways harmful to national defense and other American interests, to prevent the liquidation in the United States of assets looted by duress or conquest, and to curb subversive activities in the United States." Bulletin, p. 718. See also Vol. 6, Federal Register, p. 2897.)
|
15 June 1941
|
Croatia signed agreement with Axis respecting its interests.
|
("Croatia gives its full adherence to the principles and reasons which inspire the rulers of Italy, Germany, and Japan in constituting a united front for creation of a new order in the European and Asiatic world. Times, June 16, 1941, p. 3. Cf. May 12, 18, supra.)
|
16 June 1941
|
United States requested withdrawal of German and Italian consular staffs by July 10.
|
("It has come to the knowledge of this Government that agencies of the German Reich in this country, including German consular establishments, have been engaged in activities wholly outside the scope of their legitimate duties. These activities have been of an improper and unwarranted character. They render the continued presence in the United States of those agencies and consular establishments inimical to the welfare of this country." Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 104, p. 743. Cf. May 21, supra.
|
17 June 1941
|
United States and Canada set up Joint Economic Committees.
|
(". . . to study and to report to their respective governments on the possibilities of (1) effecting a more economic, more efficient, and more coordinated utilization of the combined resources of the two countries in the production of defense requirements (to the extent that this is not now being done) and (2) reducing the probable post-war economic dislocation consequent upon the changes which the economy in each country is presently undergoing." Bulletin, p. 747. Cf. Aug. 18, 1940, Mar. 19, Apr. 20, supra.)
|
18 June 1941
|
German-Turkish ten-year friendship pact signed at Ankara.
|
(". . . inspired by a desire to place relations between the two countries on a basis of mutual confidence and sincere friendship, . . ." Times, June 19, 1941, p. 4.)
|
18 June 1941
|
Japan discontinued negotiations with the Netherland Indies for economic agreement.
|
("The reply of the Netherlands of June 6 is not only very unsatisfactory but asserts in connection with the question of the acquisition of essential materials and goods, to which Japan attaches importance, that their quantities may be decreased at any time to suit their own convenience." Times, June 19, 1941, p. 8.)
|
18 June 1941
|
TURKISH-GERMAN FRIENDSHIP TREATY, SIGNED IN ANKARA
|
"The German Government and the Turkish Republic, inspired by a desire to place relations between the two countries on a basis of mutual confidence and sincere friendship, agreed without prejudice to present obligations of both countries to conclude a treaty." See doc.
|
19 June 1941
|
Germany and Italy requested withdrawal of United States consular staffs from territories under their control by July 15.
|
(Retaliation. Cf. June 16, supra. ". . . the attitude and activities of American consular officers in Italy have given rise to grave developments." Times, June 20, 1941, p. 6. ". . . the conduct of American consular authorities and the American Travel Agency, the American Express Company, for a long time occasioned heavy objections, . . ." Times, p. 8.)
|
20 June 1941
|
President Roosevelt denounced the sinking of the S. S. Robin Moor by Germany.
|
("The total disregard shown for the most elementary principles of international law and of humanity brands the sinking of the Robin Moor as the act of an international outlaw." Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 104, p. 741. Cf. Peace, p. 675.)
|
20 June 1941
|
The United States ordered Italian consulates closed.
|
(". . . it is obvious that the continued functioning of Italian consular establishments in territory of the United States would serve no desirable purpose." Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 104, p. 743. Cf. June 16, supra.)
|
21 June 1941
|
Uruguay proposed to treat American Republics engaged in war as non-belligerents.
|
(". . . to give new content and definition to the policy of inter-American solidarity." Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 106, p. 8.)
|
21 June 1941
|
DRAFT PROPOSAL HANDED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR (NOMURA)
|
"The Governments of the United States and of Japan accept joint responsibility for the initiation and conclusion of a general agreement of understanding as expressed in a joint declaration for the resumption of traditional friendly relations." (Cf. May 12, supra. For a "joint, declaration for the resumption of traditional friendly relations." Peace, p. 677.) See doc.
|
22 June 1941
|
Germany invaded Russia.
|
(". . . the German Ambassador in Moscow, on behalf of his Government made the statement to me as People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs to the effect that the German Government had decided to launch war against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in connection with the concentration of Red Army units near the eastern Government frontier." [Russian statement.] Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 130, p. 556. "Waiting would be a crime against Germany."
|
22 June 1941
|
Germany Invades the Soviet Union.
|
"For weeks the Russians have been committing frontier violations. Russian planes have been crossing the frontier again and again to prove that they are the masters. On the night of June 17 and again on June 18 there was large patrol activity." [German statement.] Times, June 22, 1941, p. l. "Now that the attack on the Soviet Union has already been committed, the Soviet Government has ordered our troops to repulse the predatory assault and to drive German troops from the territory of our country." [Russian statement.] Times, June 23, 1941, p. 10. Cf. Ibid., p. 6, and Foreign Minister von Ribbentrop's statement. Times, p. 4. Cf. Mar. 20, supra.)
|
22 June 1941
|
Russia attacked Finland.
|
("Citizens, centuries have shown that on the site on which fate has placed this nation, permanent peace cannot be achieved. The pressure of the East is always upon us." [Finnish statement.] Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 130, p. 556. "Immediately after the outbreak of war between Germany and the Soviet Union four days ago, the integrity of our frontiers was violated on numerous occasions by the Soviet Union, in consequence of which we presented energetic protests, but without any result. . . . When the Finnish Parliament, on March 21, was discussing the documents relating to the Peace Treaty, the Soviet Government presented in Moscow a strong protest against the project, declaring wholly without cause that it was in conflict with the Peace Treaty.
|
22 June 1941
|
Italy declared war on Russia.
|
(Cf. June 2, supra. Times, June 23, 1941, p. 5.)
|
22 June 1941
|
Rumanians entered Bessarabia.
|
(". . . to liberate and recover Rumanian national patrimony overrun, without justification by the unprovoked aggression of Communist Russia." Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 130, p. 556. Cf. June 28, 1940, supra.)
|
22 June 1941
|
Slovakia severed diplomatic relations with Russia.
|
(Axis tie. Times, June 23, 1941, p. 5. Cf. Nov. 24, 1940, supra.)
|
22 June 1941
|
Prime Minister Churchill pledged British aid to Russia.
|
("Any man or State who fights against Nazism will. have our aid. Any man or State who marches with Hitler is our foe. This applies not only to organized States but to all representatives of that vile race of Quislings who make themselves the tools and agents of the Nazi regime, against their fellow countrymen and against the lands of their births. These Quislings, like the Nazi leaders themselves, if not disposed of by their fellow countrymen, which would save trouble, will be delivered by us on the morrow of victory to the justice of the Allied tribunals. That is our policy and that is our declaration." Times, June 23, 1941, p. 8.)
|
22 June 1941
|
REICHFUEHRER ADOLF HITLER'S PROCLAMATION ON WAR WITH SOVIET UNION
|
"At no time ever did Germany attempt to carry her National Socialist Weltanschauung into Russia, but on the contrary Jewish Bolshevist rulers in Moscow unswervingly endeavored to foist their domination upon us and other European peoples, not only by ideological means but above all with military force." See doc.
|
22 June 1941
|
STATEMENT BY JOACHIM VON RIBBENTROP, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ON THE DECLARATION OF WAR ON THE SOVIET UNION
|
Berlin," It obviously was thought necessary in Moscow to counteract the effect of conclusion of the pact with National Socialist Germany by continually pillorying Germany's alleged "imperialistic war." See doc.
|
22 June 1941
|
FOREIGN MINISTER VYACHESLAV MOLOTOV'S BROADCAST ON THE OUTBREAK OF WAR WITH GERMANY
|
Moscow." The attack upon our country was perpetrated despite the fact that during the entire period of operation of this treaty the German Government could not find grounds for a single complaint against the U.S.S.R. as regards observance of this treaty." See doc.
|
22 June 1941
|
MINISTER WINSTON CHURCHILL'S BROADCAST ON THE SOVIET-GERMAN WAR
|
London." All this was no surprise to me. In fact I gave clear and precise warnings to Stalin of what was coming. I gave him warnings, as I have given warnings to others before. I can only hope that these warnings did not fall unheeded." See
doc.
|
23 June 1941
|
ACTING SECRETARY OF STATE, SUMNER WELLES' STATEMENT ON THE GERMAN REICH'S ATTACK ON THE SOVIET UNION
|
Washington." But the immediate issue that presents itself to the people of the United States is whether the plan for universal conquest, for the cruel and brutal enslavement of all peoples and for the ultimate destruction of the remaining free democracies which Hitler is now desperately trying to carry out, is to be successfully halted and defeated." See doc.
|
23 June 1941
|
STATEMENT BY THE ACTING SECRETARY OF STATE (WELLES) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE
|
"If any further proof could conceivably be required of the real purposes and projects of the present leaders of Germany for world-domination, it is now furnished by Hitler's treacherous attack upon Soviet Russia." See doc.
|
25 June 1941
|
President Roosevelt refused to apply neutrality statute to Russia.
|
(To aid Russia by keeping Vladivostok open. Times, June 26, 1941, p. 1.)
|
25 June 1941
|
Sweden granted passage of one division of German troops from Norway to Finland.
|
("Our chief interest is to maintain our liberty and stay outside of the conflict, and the government came to the conclusion that the only way to do so was to accept the German-Finnish demand." Times, June 26, 1941, p. 5.)
|
26 June 1941
|
Finland announced a state of war with Russia.
|
"To reduce this pressure, destroy the eternal menace, and secure a happy and peaceful life for coming, generations, we now embark upon our defensive battle." Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 130, p. 556. "Since the Moscow treaty and up to the new aggression launched against Finland in June 1941, the attitude of Russia toward Finland made it fully clear that the Russian policy tends to the enslaving of Finland. The final aim of Russian policy has always been the destruction of Finland's independence." Times, June 29, 1941, p. 17.)
|
26 June 1941
|
Helsinki bombed by Soviet planes.
|
(President Ryti declared that in this fight "we are not alone; Great Germany, . . had decided to wage war against the Soviet and other nations have joined Germany. Russia in this task is facing a united front stretching from the White Sea to the Black Sea." Times, June 27, pp. 1, 4; cf. also Finland, pp. 100-105, and Times, June
29, p. 17.)
|
26 June 1941
|
Soviets denounced Finland.
|
(Moscow broadcast denounced Finland, adding, "The Finnish militarists have flagrantly violated the Soviet-Finnish peace treaty. The rulers of Finland have begun military operations against our country . . . The Soviet Union has fulfilled the peace treaty conscientiously. But the rulers of Finland, under orders from Hitler, have plunged the long-suffering Finnish people into a war against the Soviet Union. Scoring the most elementary of international laws and the vital interests of their own people, the Finnish warmongers have again launched a campaign against the Soviet Union. . . . The ignoble rulers of Finland have not learned any lesson from the campaign of the winter of 1939 and 1940. They are asking for another, a final, lesson, and that lesson the Finnish perpetrators of fascism will get." Times, June 27, p. 4.)
|
26 June 1941
|
Soviet press denounced Finns.
|
(Pravda "bitterly denounced the 'treachery of Finland's puppet government in violating the Soviet‑Finnish pact and entering the war'. Times, June 29, p. 17.)
|
27 June 1941
|
Denmark severed diplomatic relations with Russia.
|
(Expressed its disapproval of Russia. Times, June 28, 1941, p. 2. Cf. June 22, supra: Russian invasion of Finland.)
|
27 June 1941
|
Hungary declared war on Russia.
|
(". . . because of the aerial attacks." Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 130, p. 556.)
|
28 June 1941
|
Albania announced state of war with Russia.
|
(Italian protectorate. Bulletin, p. 556.)
|
30 June 1941
|
France severed diplomatic relations with Russia.
|
("The French Government had become convinced that diplomatic and consular agents of the Soviet in France were exercising influence affecting the security of the State." Times, July 1, 1941, p. 6.)
|