Chalk & Destroyers

Chalking insults (frequently obscene) to Adolf Hitler on German freight cars about to return to the Fatherland from Latvia is a favorite pastime in Lettish railway yards.

Last week Chancellor Hitler had had enough of Latvia's lip. He sent four German destroyers on a "friendly visit" to Riga, Latvia's capital, which Germans captured in 1917, held until November 1918 when the Latvian Republic was recognized by the Allies. As the destroyers nosed in, President Albert Kviesis of Latvia watched from his palace. Police reserves were called out to pre vent a Riga crowd from starting trouble when the German sailors came ashore. "Germany intends to conquer Latvia!" shrilled a demonstrator who was soon shushed. In future, the Latvian Government announced, German railway cars will be kept "under close surveillance" while in Latvia and every effort will be made to keep them from being chalked.

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