1933 (FRIDAY)
GERMANY: Germany submits an aide memoire (a position paper) on disarmament again insisting on equality of rights stating, "This need [of assuring her security] requires that Germany be either absolutely free as the other countries, or subject to the same qualitative restrictions."
1934 (SATURDAY)
SPAIN: Luis Companys, President of Catalonia, declares the independence of Catalonia. Spanish troops suppress the independence movement, as well as an insurrection by miners in Asturias, where a Communist government is proclaimed. Spanish forces ruthlessly suppressed the revolt in Asturias with great brutality.
1935 (SUNDAY)
ETHIOPIA: The Italians capture Adwa in northern Eritrea Province and began their offensive into the interior.
1937 (WEDNESDAY)
SWITZERLAND: The League of Nations Assembly declares Japan the violator of the Nine-Power Treaty and proposes a conference of signatories.
UNITED STATES: The government expresses official approval of the League of Nations conclusions about Japan stating, "In the light of the unfolding developments in the Far East, the Government of the United States has been forced to the conclusion that the action of Japan in China is inconsistent with the principles which should govern the relationship between nations and is contrary. to the provisions of the Nine Power Treaty of February 6, 1922, regarding principles and policies to be followed in matters concerning China, and to those of the Kellogg-Briand Pact of August 27, 1928. Thus the conclusions of this Government with respect to the foregoing are in general accord with those of the Assembly of the League of Nations."
1938 (THURSDAY)
CZECHOSLOVAKIA: The Czechoslovak government accords Slovakia full autonomy, which has been the goal of Slovak leaders for a long time. Monsignor Joseph Tiso became the new premier of Slovakia.
October 6th, 1939 (FRIDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM: London: Afternoon: The British government dismisses Hitler's peace proposals as "vague and obscure". The speech "abounded in perversions of the truth" and made no suggestions for reparations for the wrongs done by Germany to other peoples.The U.S. freighters SS Black Gull and SS Black Falcon are detained by British authorities.
Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS KANIMBLA is commissioned.
FRANCE: The U.S. freighter SS Exeter detained at Marseilles yesterday, is released. The captain reports that the ship was examined several times by French naval authorities.
GERMANY: Berlin: Noon: Hitler stands in the Reichstag and speaks of his desire for peace. He says that he has no quarrel with France and has given his best to foster Anglo-German friendship. "War in the west", he says, "would be a senseless waste of lives and wealth." He proposes a conference of leading European powers to prepare a statute giving peace and security for all. He also suggests a set of rules to make war less terrible.
"But if this war is really to be waged only in order to give Germany a new regime, that is to say, in order to destroy the present Reich once more and thus to create a new Treaty of Versailles, then millions of human lives will be sacrificed in vain, for neither will the German Reich go to pieces nor will a second Treaty of Versailles be made. And even should this come to pass after three, four, or even eight years of war, then this second Versailles would once more become the source of fresh conflict in the future. In any event, a settlement of the world's problems carried out without consideration of the vital interests of its most powerful nations could not possibly, after the lapse of from five to ten years, end in any other way than that attempt made 20 years ago which is now ended. . . . If Europe is really sincere in her desire for peace, then
the States in Europe ought to be grateful that Russia and Germany are prepared to transform this hotbed into a zone of peaceful development and that these two countries will assume the responsibility and bear the burdens inevitably involved. For the Reich this project, since it cannot be undertaken in an imperialistic spirit, is a task which will take fifty to a hundred years to perform. Justification for this activity on Germany's part lies in the political, organizing of this territory as well as in its economic development. In the long run, of course, all Europe will benefit from it. Second, and in my opinion by far the most important task, is the creation of not only a belief in, but also a sense of European security. . . . Neither force of arms nor lapse of time will conquer Germany. There never will be another November 1918, in German history. It is infantile to hope for the disintegration of our people. . . ."POLAND: The last organized stand of the Polish Army at Kock and Lublin is ended by Panzer and motorised units of the German Tenth Army. 17,000 Poles are taken prisoner, thus ending the Polish campaign although sporadic fighting will continue in the more remote areas for a considerable period.
CHINA: Chinese forces repel Japan to win the First Battle of Changsha. Over 40,000 Japanese troops die during an 11 day battle in which the Japanese expeditionary force suffered its first setback against Chinese Nationalists since the outbreak of war two years ago. As well as heavy troop losses, the 120,000 strong Japanese force has lost huge quantities of arms as it was ambushed by troops defending Changsha, capital of Hunan. For the Chinese this is vindication of a switch to mobile guerrilla warfare as well as the retraining of their troops. Led by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, the Nationalists have been claiming that the Japanese supply lines are overstretched and that they are weakened by the Japanese-Soviet conflict in August.
AUSTRALIA: The government approves sending five Australian destroyers to Singapore and placing a second light cruiser at the disposal of the British government. The government also states that the ships must be returned to Australian waters if the situation in the Far East deteriorates.
U.S.A.: The motion picture "Ninotchka" is released today. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, this romantic comedy stars Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas and Bela Lugosi; George Tobias appears in an uncredited bit part. The plot has a cold Russian agent (Garbo) coming to Paris on official business and meeting playboy Leon d'Algout who of course, she falls in love with. The film is nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Picture (it loses to "Gone With The Wind"), Best Actress (Garbo) and two writing awards.
Submarine USS MACKEREL is laid down.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-32 damages SS LOCHGOIL.