COLUMNS

Talbot Fisher: Hitler tours Paris

Talbot Fisher
The Register-Mail
Galesburg Register-Mail

Between June 23-29, 1940, the 44th week of World War II, France’s fall to Axis forces was completed as the country reached an armistice with Italy and Germany’s Adolph Hitler went sightseeing in Paris. In the United States, the 1940 presidential election took a step forward as the Republican National Convention chose their nominee for office. Meanwhile, Galesburg prepared for the Fourth of July holiday.

At the beginning of the week, The Register-Mail announced that France and Italy had agreed to end the fighting between the two countries. France had already agreed to peace with Italy’s ally, Nazi Germany. The French government, now headed by World War I hero Phillipe Petain, now began a period of collaboration with the Axis powers known as Vichy France.

“France bowed her head in a day of mourning today after officially laying down her arms before the might of Adolf Hitler’s conquering Germans and the Italian forces of his partner-in-arms, Benito Mussolini,” read The Register-Mail on June 25.

“French troops, exhausted by the last three weeks of relentless blitzkrieg, were confined to barracks. Flags on public buildings flew at halfstaff. Cafes, theaters and all stores except those supplying food were closed.”

This left Great Britain alone in defending themselves from and fighting against Nazi Germany. During the week Britain attacked the German-held French coastline with Germans returning the favor.

Meanwhile, Hitler entered Paris, where he made the most of his visit. He made it a point to visit the tomb of Napoleon and to see the Eiffel Tower.

“A smile of satisfaction crept over his face as he saw the Nazi swastika fluttering in the breeze high atop the tower.”

There was a small sliver of hope for the French, however, as General Charles De Gaulle was recognized by London as the true leader of the French.

“His majesty’s government recognizes General De Gaulle as leader of all free Frenchmen wherever they may be who rally to him in support of the allied cause,” read the British statement.

The editor of The Register-Mail felt there was much to learn from France in an editorial titled “Lessons from France” in which he heavily criticized Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies.

“For seven years this country has been apparently traveling a road which presents some parallels to that of France. In the name of liberal thought and social reform, subversive elements have been allowed to work their way into the structure of government itself. American industry has been made a whipping post and productive capacity has been sabotaged by restrictive and punitive legislation. Millions and even billions have been expended upon social experiments which at best were but temporary expedients and not cures for the maladjustments of our society. No real attempts seem to have been made to effect permanent cures, because it appeared to be politically expedient to have a large body of the people dependent upon government bounty for their livelihood.”

The editor asked if this was softening America as France had been softened, and seemed to hint that if Roosevelt was elected in November, that America, too, could fall.

“The very fact that such questions can even be asked about an administration of the national government suggests the imperative necessity of change lest this nation go the way of other democracies, he closed.

While writing this, the Republican National Convention was going on in Philadelphia. There, a dark horse candidate was nominated over favorites such as Sen. Robert A. Taft of Ohio and Thomas E. Dewey of New York. On the sixth ballot, the convention chose Wendell Willkie. The 48-year-old Indiana native was a long-time Democrat who had switched parties the year before. Willkie gained support due to being more willing to lend support to the Allies in the war effort. Willkie, a wealthy lawyer and executive, had never run for any public officer before, and chose Charles L. McNary, a longtime senator from Oregon, as his running mate.

The Register-Mail editor seemed to approve of the selection in an editorial titled “The G.O.P. Picks a Ticket,” in which he closed “certain it appears that American democratic processes had full sway at the convention which nominated him, and the Republican party as now led and constituted appears to be a real party of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

Meanwhile, Galesburg was “preparing to entertain one of the biggest crowds in history on July 4 at Lake Storey and Lincoln Park.”

It was reported that the roads at the park were being oiled and the park was being cleaned up in general in anticipation.

“A big program is being planned at Lake Storey,” reported the paper, “including an afternoon and evening band concert, a patriotic address by the Rev. Charles Ellison of Astoria and a big display of fireworks, arranged by the Junior Chamber of Commerce.”

Fireworks, much like in 2020, were showing to be a nuisance in Galesburg in the lead-up to the holiday.

“Police Chief Frank F. Seaman, who had already received numerous complaints from local residents relative to boys who have been staging premature July Fourth celebrations by shooting fireworks most anywhere, anytime, today called attention to the fact that there is a city ordinance prohibiting the firing of noise-makers here until midnight on July 3.”

Knox County suffered its fifth traffic death of 1940 during the week as Francis E. Hall of Galesburg, 34, died while riding his motorcycle. According to The Register-Mail, Hall was struck by a car at the intersection of Academy and Tompkins streets on the evening of June 26. He suffered major injuries, including a broken back and spinal cord damage that caused paralysis. He lingered in St. Mary’s Hospital for a few couple days before dying on the 28th.

The driver of the car, Blas Gimenez, 23, was described by The Register-Mail as “a one-legged Mexican said to be out on parole from Joliet penitentiary,” and was being held in Knox County jail for reckless driving ahead of an inquest. Next week, he would face more serious charges and more details of the accident would emerge.

Talbot Fisher is weekend reporter for The Register-Mail. His weekly column looks at life in Galesburg and around the world 80 years ago as World War II approached. Contact him at talbotefisher16@gmail.com; follow him on twitter at @TalbotFisher16.

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