`New York Times' Coverage of 1932 to 1948 History Revisited: Part 4

Between 1932 and 1948, the New York Times newspaper claimed to always be providing its readers with accurate information about what was going on during the 1932 to 1948 period of world history. But between 1932 and 1948, the New York Times sometimes printed articles that turned out to be historically accurate; and sometimes also printed articles that turned out to be historically inaccurate.

Seven weeks before German Imperialism's Nazi war machine invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, for example, the New York Times published an article, from Berne, Switzerland and dated May 1, 1941 by Daniel T. Brigham, headlined "Russia Reported Bolstering Lines: Said To Be Increasing Forces In Ukraine, Poland And Estonia Against Reich," which stated:

"...Russia was reported here today to be taking extensive steps for the immediate bolstering of already strong Soviet forces in the Ukraine, Poland and Estonia in preparation for a worsening of Russian-German relations in the near future, which, it is said, might even lead to war...Russian apprehension is further heightened by an increasingly acrimonious tone in the Axis press in reference to the Soviet Union..."

Then, in a May 28, 1941 article, headlined "A Call To Nation: President Takes Step Permitted Only When War Threatens," the New York Times stated:

"President Roosevelt tonight proclaimed that `an unlimited national emergency exists,'...The United States, he declared, will not permit Germany to dominate the high seas...

"The President...stated that, with further American naval units transferred...to the Atlantic, this government intended to assure war supplies reaching Britain...`The delivery of needed supplies to Britain is imperative,' he declared. `This can be done; it must be done; it will be done.'..."

And in an article from Ankara, Turkey that was dated May 29, 1941, headlined "Nazi Troops Pouring To Russian Borders" and published, 23 days before German imperialist troops attacked the Soviet Union, on May 30, 1941, the New York Times stated:

"Further confirmation was received from diplomatic sources today that the German High Command is withdrawing German troops from the Balkans and concentrating a formidable army on the Russian frontier in Rumania and Poland..."

Then, on June 14, 1941, Daniel T. Brigham sent another article from Berne, Switzerland, headlined "Clash Is Expected Soon, Germans Are Expected to Attack," that the New York Times published on June 15, 1941 (a week before the Soviet Union was attacked) which stated that "indications point to military action, probably along the Russian-German dividing line in Poland, within the next 10 days."

Yet a June 17, 1941 article by Walter Duranty was headlined "Soviet-Nazi Deal Held More Likely Than Clash Despite Rumours" by the New York Times; although part of this New York Times article stated:

"...I have just received an uncensored letter from a competent friend in Moscow, dated April 27 [1941], stating:

"`Various indications are that the Germans intend eastward action in June [1941]. Many folks here now take it very seriously.'...

"There are other items that appear to herald a speedy Russsian-German clash...The presence of German troops in Finland is admitted..."

And in a June 22, 1941 article from Ankara, Turkey that was written by C.L. Sulzberger on June 21, 1941 and headlined "Big Armies Mass On `Eastern Front': All Along Russian Frontiers Troop Movements Suggest Clash May Be Near," the New York Times stated:

"For some time rumors have circulated setting the actual date for war's outbreak...German troops have been filing through Slovakia from the West...Sano Mach, the Minister of Interior, announced at Bratislava that a `German liberation' of the Ukraine was imminent..."

Then, in a July 9, 1941 article written by its London reporter and headlined "Litvinoff Exhorts Britain To Invade: Former Commissar In A Radio Plea From Moscow Advises Quick Drive On Reich," the New York Times stated:

"In a radio appeal by Maxim Litvinoff, Russia tonight urged Great Britain to hurl her full weight against Germany in the West while the Red Army withstood the shock of the Nazi war machine in the East and thus force Adolf Hitler to wage war on two fronts.

"The former Soviet Foreign Commissar and longtime foe of the fascist dictators, implying that the moment was ripe for a British invasion of the Continent, said that the battle of Russia was forcing Herr Hitler to `withdraw more and more forces from the West to the East.'..." (end of part 4)