davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-09-03
Forecast

From the United States Weather Bureau Report
Full Details on PAGE Az
Generally fair today and tomorrow, fol-
lowed by showers late tomorrow; slightly
warmer tomorrow; cooler Tuesday. Tenn
peratures yesterday-Highest, "a, at 2:30
pm; lowest, 81, at am.
Evening star., 1939-09-03

(See BERLIN, Page A-6D
Evening star., 1939-09-03

(see GUNTHER Page A-e)
Evening star., 1939-09-03

(See p. w. 4, Page A.3.)
Evening star., 1939-09-03

(See LONDON, Page A-5)
Evening star., 1939-09-03

(See ROOSEVELT, Page A-50
Evening star., 1939-09-03

tSee PARIS, Page A-4.)
Evening star., 1939-09-03

(See AMERICANS, Page AID
Evening star., 1939-09-03

Full Associated Press
News and Wirephotos
Sunday Morning and
Every Afternoon.
Evening star., 1939-09-03

(See WARSAW, Page A-4D
Evening star., 1939-09-03
Program Advanced Speedily

With only $16,000,O00 left, the
P. w. A., under the spur of the
then administrator, Secretary Ickes,
plunged ahead at accelerated speed.
The program advanced more speed
lily than any other. There was ap-
Evening star., 1939-12-27
Bigger ButtIeships?

Members Of the House Subcom-
mittee on Naval Appropriations have
exploded a bomb in naval circles
here and abroad by suggesting the
advisability of building sixty-five-
thousand-ton battleships for the
American Navy. The subcommittee
has asked the Navy Department to
prepare estimates on the cost of such
great ships, which would be nearly
double the tonnage of our largest
battleships now and some twenty
three thousand tons heavier than
Great Britain's Hood, biggest warship
af1oat. One member of the House
Naval Committee, Representative
Mas of Minnesota, even proposes
ships up to eighty thousand tons and
carrying twenty-inch guns.
British authorities are said to be
"incredulous" over the report that
serious thought is being given in con-
gressional quarters to construction
Of superbattleships. England is
building two battleships that will
displace from forty to forty-five
thousand tons, Japan is understood
to be at work on two of similar pro-
portions and the United States has
plans for a pair to displace forty
five thousand tons each. Russia con-
sidered a f1fty-thousand-ton battle
ship several years ago, but dropped
the idea.
While naval engineers Of this
country and Of other leading powers
agree that much larger battleships
can be built successfully, it has been
the consensus that they would have
Evening star., 1939-12-27
The Americas DISAGREE

Disclosure that the tWenty-one
American republics are by no means
of single mind concerning specific
means of putting teeth into the
safety belt" doctrine embodied in
the Declaration of Panama should
occasion no surprise in any quarter.
There is, of course, no disagreement
with respect to the formal protest
recently lodged with the European
belligerents as a result of violations
of the safety zone principle by both
Germany and the allies, but there
is vast difference between the
mere filing of protest, which in
wolves no risk of repercussions, and
resort to means of enforcing respect
for the neutrality doctrine-a step
which might lead to complications
with any or all Of the belligerents.
From the standpoint of the effect
OF this disagreement on the Euro
pean powers, it is fortunate that the
conflict of opinion runs to both
extremes-from Bolivia, which has
no seacoast and therefore is inclined
to oppose any sanctions, to Argen-
tina, which has an extensive coast
line and advocates the rather drastic
device of interning any belligerent
vessel that enters any American port
after committing warlike act in the
safety zone area.
Nor should the present failure to
reach an agreement on sanctions be
disturbing to those in this country
who believe that there is merit in the
safety zone principle. After all, this
effort to secure international respect
for the assumption of jurisdiction
over sea zone extending around
this hemisphere to an average width
OF three hundred miles is something
new under the sun, and each step in
It's development should be taken only
after the most careful consideration.
II the inevitable divergence of view
among the several American govern
ments can be composed before the
doctrine receives it's first real trial,
1t will have a better chance of
achieving its purpose-the insuring
OF the peace of the subscribing
nations-when the test comes.
Evening star., 1939-12-27

many disadvantages. In the first
place their cost undoubtedly would
be tremendously in excess of that OF
tod6y's larger ships, which average
between seventy-flve and one hun
dred million dollars. The huge YES
sells would be so bulky, moreover, as
to overtax present facilities of the
Panama Canal-although the addi-
tional set Of locks authorized at the
last session of Congress probably
could accommodate sixty-thousand-
ton vessels. Larger drydocks would
be required to handle the big craft
The heavier displacement would
tend to decrease maneuverability of
the ships, especially in coastal
waters.
Increasing the size of a battleship,
OF course, enables 1t to carry heavier
armor and to mount larger guns.
Modern warships have increased in
tonnage in direct proportion to the
increase in power of main offensive
batteries. Twelve-inch guns were
regarded as the most effective until
about 1900, when the British de-
veloped an efficient fire-control sys-
tenn for batteries of uniform caliber.
The improved control paved the way
for larger guns of longer range and
greater armor piercing capacity.
After the British stepped up their
naval guns from twelve to thirteen
and half inches, the United States,
Japan and Austria came out with
guns OF fourteen inches. Great Brit
ain followed with fifteen inches, and
the United States raised the bore to
sixteen inches. These are the largest
naval guns in service today. With
each increase in gun size, thicker
armor plate was required for defense
against the devastating shells. The
added weight of guns and armor
called for larger hulls and more pro-
pelllHg machinery
Interesting as are the proposals for
gigantic battleships, the House COM
mitteemen probably will be dismayed
by the estimates of cost to be pre-
pared by naval experts. President
Roosevelt already is said to have
ordered the naval program curtailed
in an effort to keep new defense ap-
preparations near the two-billion
dollar mark. Much of this money
will be earmarked for smaller, faster
combat and auxiliary vessels, of
which the Navy has urgent need.
Construction of the super battle
ships, while meriting careful study
at this time, can we'll be deferred
until after the Navy has been
rounded out in categories concerning
the efficacy of which there can be no
doubt.
Evening star., 1939-12-27
Anthony H. 6. Fokker

Despite lack of conventional en-
gineering training and a contemptu-
Gus intolerance of those who could
not rise above the limitations of
slide rule, Anthony H. G. Fokker,
one of those rule-of THUMB en-
gineers who occasionally blaze bril-
liant trails by sheer force of genius
and an overwhelming capacity for
hard work, had profound influence
on the development of aviation dur
Ing more than a quarter century.
The untimely death of this Java
born Netherlander a few days ago
In New York has robbed aviation of
q man who had achieved high rank
as a pioneering designer of air
planes which have played important
parts in mans conquest of the air.
His extraordinary genius for de-
signing airplanes first became mani
fest at the age Of eighteen, after he
had left an engineering school in
Holland in disgust because he could
not agree with the teachings OF his
professors. He completed his first
airplane in 1910, at the age of twenty,
and in the Russian military airplane
competition at st. Petersburg in that
year it outflew all other entries.
Young Fokker tried to interest the
governments of several European
nations in his military airplane de-
signs. All but Germany turned deaf
ears and the result was that during
the World War, Anthony Fokker, at
the age Of twenty-four, was turning
out German fighting planes which
during large part of the conflict
kept the Central Powers in position
Of air leadership. Almost as a by
product Of his extraordinary genius
came the first synchronizing gear
to permit the firing of a machine
gun between the blades of revolv-
Ing airplane propeller, an invention
which made possible far more eff
cient pursuit airplanes and greatly
improved aerial tactics and gunnery.
TONY" Fokker found himself at
the close of the war with world
reputation, a fortune of 30,00O,000
marks, two airplane factories, an
armament factory and controlling
interest In motor works. At twenty
eight he was the first man to have
become a millionaire through avia-
ton.
Although Fokker's early designing
had been confined almost wholly to
military types, the close of the war
found him entering a new field as
4 result of his early conviction that
the days of commercial air transpor-
tation were at hand. His success in
the designing Of aircraft for trans
port and other non-military work
Evening star., 1939-12-27
Priceless

Throughout the ages, woman,
lovely woman, has been highly val
ued. 1t was so even in the Stone
Age, when, in times Of plenty. saw
age man wanted her around the
cave. Rockefellers of that era in
fact used to have quite a few of her
around the cave at the same time,
while each of the Smiths had to be
contented with just one. And, If per-
chance disaster occurred, and the
bottom fell out of the rock market,
the Cro-Magnon husband could usu-
ally find some one to take her off his
hands for bearskin, a tenderloin
cut Of mastodon steak, or other
things necessary to keep the wolf
away from the door. In this way
originated commerce. now considered
so essential to the welfare of society.
Eventually, however, new in
stinct, chivalry, arose and battled
commerce to standstill, and it be-
came illegal to traffic in wives. Not
seeming to realize this, the other day
st. Louis baker tried to make a deal
with friend to take over the bakers
wife, the price being an icebox, an
automobile and a hundred dollars
cash. The wife followed the nego-
tiations with fascinated interest.
During her honeymoon her husband
had told her she was a treasure, and
1t seemed that he was right. In
these hard times, an icebox and an
auto are not to be despised, and a
hundred dollars are always good.
She listened with at least outward
complacency.
It was rudely shattered when the
baker explained that the cooler, the
car and the cash were not intended
exactly as a purchase price. Far
from it. He, the baker, would throw
them in as a removal bonus to his
friend, or to any one else who ac-
cepted and automatically became a
friend. The offer was refused-per-
haps gallantly, or perhaps ungal-
lantly-who can say? At any rate, it
leaves an unparalleled opportunity
for any man who wants a combina-
ton of transportation and refrigera-
ton, cash money and matrimony.
Evening star., 1939-12-27
Enforcing Security

Secretary of Agriculture Wallace
draws from the state of the world
overseas an impressive argument for
the wiser use of American resources,
especially our soil. ION its lands and
natural resources a nation will rise
or fall" he said yesterday in an
nouncing that, for conservation pur-
poses, hereafter Farm Security Ad-
ministration loans will go only to
those who help conserve the land by
planting more than one crop on
their farms. To-day" he added, ma
tions OF Europe and Asia are engaged
in campaign of wholesale destruc-
tion, fighting for resources and ia
cilities which we already have" He
is anxious that we keep what we
have. eager for soil with lasting
fertility.
For more than twenty five years
the Agriculture Department extern
sion service has been teaching the
American farmer the value of di-
versity of crop practice. The Agri-
cultural Adjustment Administration
during the past six years has brought
an evangelical fervor to this teach
ing. But, finds the Secretary, land
is still wearing out faster than we
can restore it. The one-crop cotton
farmer in the South and the one
crop wheat farmer in the West is
still common among us, always po-
tential victim of an economic blow
at his single source of income. The
Secretary's devotion to conservation
is commendable. But it is question
whether his latest technique for
fastening general practical devo-
tion to farm conservation is worth
the cost, viewed from the vantage
point of our system of political lib
critics.
Actually, the secretary's announce
ment about farm security policy
contains little that is new. For five
years, since the now retired DR.. Rex
ford Tugwell became resettlement
director, the Agriculture Department
has been letting rehabilitation loans
to tenant farmers on the verge of
joining the relief rolls. In all, for
rehabilitation and other loans, the
Farm Security Administration has
1888, 1884, ,846 outstanding, with 569 900
borrowers, most of them owing $3.50
apiece on f1ve-year notes. It has
been the farm security practice in
the past as it will be in the future
to accompany the loan with farm
plan, which the borrower is expected
to follow. Invariably the farm plan
provides for crop diversif1cation. No
doubt the farmers prospects are in
creased by this sort of coercive agri-
cultural instruction. But there is no
doubt either that it is an assault on
the legalistic conception of our form
OF government to permit an officer of
the executive branch to dictate under
what circumstances the needy shall
be allotted public funds. It is the
worship of efficiency carried to the
political danger point.
Evening star., 1939-12-27
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles E. TrdceUeu.

the animal world was not that Of instant
desire to kill.
We like to think that our present atti-
tude, by and large. is different, but one
may suspect that still the feeling OF
many persons is not admiration, or
sighting strange animal or bird, but
just desire to kill.
It will be satisfaction, therefore, fol-
all friends of bird life to know that In
the past few years there has been q
marked increase in the number of home
owners who have become interested
enough to put out food all winter long.
This costs money, and some time and
labor, but it repays in many ways, not
only in interest, beauty and feelings OF
dong good, but also in the large num-
ber of our birds which are saved.
Natural conditions are always severe
on bird life.
Annual migration makes tremendous
demands upon them.
Only recently scientists have noted
carefully the condition of birds landing
in South America after the autumn
flights Southwark, and are unanimous
in telling us that often the conditions of
the wayfarers is pitiful Many land but
to die
City bird lovers who once interested,
keep far better than average lookout
for their feathered friends, can tell
tales of finding dead thrushes and robins
without marks upon them.
There Is no doubt in the minds of
these bird lovers that the creatures Sue
cumbed simply as the results of long
flying coupled with lack of food
Any one who feeds the birds regularly
may feel pretty sure that he is literally
offering help in time of need.
This is great satisfaction, not only
from the standpoint of human pity, but
also from conservation viewpoint.
The help which the birds may receive
in your garden is incalculable, really. and
1t is good for us to realize this, and not
to feel simply that we are just pleasing
our eyes and ears with the sight and
sounds Of the songsters with winter
here
We do that, certainly, but more than
that, we save lives, and thus create
future enjoyment for others, who, miles
away may some day have the same birds
as their guests. This is particularly true
of migrating birds, in spring and late
autumn.
This tiny hummingbrd, which one day
stops at the late flowers, in a few weeks
will be in Honduras. provided he has the
food and good fortune to enable him to
make it.
The favorite wrens are here today and
gone tomorrow, but they will be back
about March 12-the very same pair, pro-
vided they found conditions to their lik-
ing while here. With them it is not so
much food as housing. They are very
modern birds. They insist on first class
homes
Be sure, If you feed the birds, that
there is not piece of grain, or a seed,
or crumb of suet which goes begging.
Evening star., 1939-12-27

This Christmas week, as you watch
the birds feed In your garden, where
you thoughtfully have placed mixed
seed and grain, you will be glad the
number of such spots is increasing by
leaps and bounds.
This is real conservation work, al
though you may never think Of 1t in
that light, and certainly the songsters
do not. 1t is just as we'll Let 1t be
pleasure and happiness and health, both
for you and the birds.
1t Is good to remind ourselves that
this is really something new in the
world.
Pioneer conditions were brave and
rugged, but they were often very cruel
Animals were something to be con-
quered The reflex was a carry -over to
the harmless birds.
1t may be a good thing to recall the
way birds were once treated in this
country, and still are in places, unfor-
tunately.
We have no less an authority than the
great Audubon, who wrote many articles
to accompany his magnificent plates of
the wild birds of his adopted land, our
own United States, and his.
Here is the way they greeted the great
f1ocks Of the passenger pigeons at mi
grafton, when the very skies were dark
ened with them for hours:
1.-The people were all in arms. The
banks of the Ohio were crowded with
men and boys, necessarily shooting at
the pilgrims, which there flew lower as
they passed the river
"Multitudes were thus destroyed. For
week or more the population fed on
no other flesh than that of pigeons and
talked of nothing but pigeons
4 X
1t will be noticed that Audubon spoke
of the birds as pilgrims, and of men and
boys as their foes"
When the birds, in their hundreds of
thousands. came to seek rest in the
forests, they were greeted literally with
fire and sword, and slaughtered by the
thousands to make pioneer holiday.
1t was next morning that "the authors
OF all this devastation began their entry
amongst the dead and dying and man.
gled. The pigeons were picked up and
piled in heaps, until each had as many
as he could possibly dispose of, when the
hogs were let loose to feed on the re-
mainder."
k.* X
Passenger pigeons were harmless crea-
lures, much like our present turtle doves,
slightly larger, and prettier
They lasted long enough, as species,
to enable competent artists to draw and
paint them. Their eyes were mild, their
coloring delicious blend of gray and
soft pink
The pioneers, with stern natural con-
ditions to deal with. had no inkling of
admiration in their veins. BY and large,
that is. No doubt here and there was
man who refused to share the general
attitude. Probably Abraham Lincoln, if
we can believe some of the stories about
him, was one whose natural reaction to
Evening star., 1939-12-27

was as immediate and far-reaching
as his success in the creation Of fight
ing airplanes. Throughout the re-
nlainder Of his life he was to con-
tinue work in both fields, with his
sphere of influence constantly widen
ing.
He roughed out his designs on
scratch pads, on tablecloths or on
his white-washed factory walls, with
an uncanny knack for freehand pro-
portions, yet the airplanes so Off
handedly produced were In most
cases highly satisfactory. One of
them made the first flight from
the United States to Hawaii; in an
other Richard E. Byrd few the At
lantic; Fokker carried Sir Charles
Kingsford-S Smith on many ocean
flights; the late Amelia Earhart first
gained fame riding the Atlantic in
a Fokker.
TONY" Fokker left Germany soon
after the war and established his
main plant in Amsterdam. Four
years later, in 1923, he came to the
United States and began manufac-
turing in New Jersey. His airplanes
ultimately were purchased by twen-
ty-f1ve governments and were used
by twice as many airlines. He became
a citizen Of the United States about
eight years after his first American
venture.
Despite numerous eccentricities of
thought and character, there is no
question of the genius of Anthony
H. G. Fokker. It is~given to few men
to make greater impression in their
chosen fields of endeavor.
Evening star., 1939-12-27

man Navy which gave battle at Jutland
to an allied fleet twice its size?
Granted that in our present state,
brutal forces have arisen which must be
curhed by any means-even war. But in
reporting war, why for the future ad-
vancement Of man, can't it be reported
as the horrible business it is-without
the fanfare of drums and drama which
serve to perpetuate it.
I don't pretend to know the answers
to all these questions, but do know this:
That until the world can find the an
swers, our much vaunted civilization is
a sorry mess, not in many particulars
superior to that of the Neolithic Age.
Arlington, Va, ZOLTAN REDAY.
December %.
Evening star., 1939-12-27
Denies U. S. legations
In Lithuania Will Close.

To the Editor Of The Star:
My attention has been drawn to an
article entitled United States May Be
Forced to Close Legations in Baltic Ma
tions," which appeared in The Star on
December IS, 1889.
The author Of this amazing article
the Associated Press-claiming 1t re-
ceived its information from authoritative
sources, found 1t necessary to enumerate
the Sins" Of the Baltic nations, but
failed to pay due attention to the geo.
graphic position Of the Baltic states. The
article affects my country. Therefore, 1t
was quite natural that I should turn to
the same authoritative sources for verif1-
cation and now I am glad to be able to
state that, as far as Lithuania is con-
oerned, the guesses and suppositions of
the Associated Press In the matter proved
to be without foundation whatsoever.
P. ZADEIK1s,
December -. Minister Of lithuania.
Evening star., 1939-12-27
Demands Indemnities
From Japan.

From Japan.
To the Editor Of The Star.
In the past four months it has become
increasingly apparent that Japan's need
of American trade Is more than urgent
it is vital. The body Of Japan. in order
to sustain life, needs the beating heart OF
American trade.
Under the existing circumstances 1t Is
small wonder that Japan In her desper-
ate plight is willing to make all manner
of wild promises, indulging in the most
sensational propaganda to achieve her
selfish ends. Every well-informed Amer
ican worthy Ct the name is keenly aware
of the incredible falsity and deception
practiced by the Japanese government
in her relations with this country in the
past, and there is no reason to believe
at the moment that their peculiarly de-
ceptive type of behavior will ever be
corrected.
It is repeatedly reported through the
newspapers that Japan has under con-
sideration projected concession relating
to the indemnif1cation of Americans suf-
fering losses in China since the hostili-
ties were instigated by the Japanese. in
June, 1887. Naturally, in view Of ia
pans crucial need for American trade,
she is willing to make promises on paper.
On the basis Of the historical record,
however, we know that her word is
worth materially less than the paper on
which it is written
Now there are many solid and sub
Stantial American citizens who have suf-
fered acutely, directly and indirectly,
from this horrible conflict. In many
cases the sources Of livelihood to Ameri-
cans whose interests were in China were
ruthlessly destroyed by the Japanese.
It seems to me that the only equitable
solution Of this problem lies in our de-
manding that the Japanese government
be required to indemnify all Of the
aforementioned losses before she is en-
titled to hearing with our country for
the purposes Of drafting any further trade
agreements. If we enter into even tenn
porary trade agreements with Japan, ia
pan must first pay all claims to Ameri-
can citizens outstanding against her.
Otherwise are we not condoning crimi-
nality In our international relations?
Redbank, N. j. EEL RATNAC,
December ~.
Evening star., 1939-12-27

German airmen dropped an UNI
brella as a jocose gift to the British.
Some day they may be glad to strap
a parachute on Adolf and repeat the
performance. Or, perhaps, they may
forget the parachute.
Evening star., 1939-12-27

Traffic Director Van Duzer de-
clares that it will cost between ten
and fifteen million dollars satisfac-
torily to solve the Districts traffic
problems. That is'a lot of jack, fell
low citizens, but remember that it
will cost a sight more not to solve
them