davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-12-20
Toxic Cabinets Fall
Seen |fU. 5. 5purns
Reopening Of yangtze
Effort Made to PIucute
America and Replace
Denounced Trade Pact
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
TOXIC, Dec. 20.-A prediction
that the Japanese cabinet more
than likely" will fall, If the United
States does not react favorably to
reopening Of the Yangtze River to
foreign trade, came today from cir
cles close to the government.
Conservative elements expressed
hope the Yangtze plan would bring
some sign the United States was
prepared to negotiate new trade
treaty replacing the one which the
United States has denounced, ef-
fective January 26.
One informant said Japan had
played her last card in this bid
for United States understanding, :"
and that if it failed, people then
will be convinced it is impossible to
deal with America on any terms, and
that Japan has nothing to expect
from those quarters"
Early Reply Desired.
Yakichiro Suma, foreign Office
spokesman, said at press confer
ence, "the government hopes to re-
ceive an American reply before
Christmas"
He said he did not mean actual
negotiations on a new treaty would
start by that time, but that some
indication was expected of WASH
ington recognizing japanese efforts
to construct a new basis of under
standing with America"
Some sources contended the
Yangtze action was retreat under
pressure. not compatible with ma
tional honor, and that free naviga-
ton Of the big Chinese river would
return China to "the semi-colonial
status which the Western powers
riveted upon her a hundred years
ago."
Trying to Placate U. S.
United States Ambassador Joseph
c. Grew has expressed American
impatience with actions of the Jap
anese military, which he said
abridged American rights in China.
With the approach of the treaty ex-
piration date, efforts have increased
to placate the United States The
latest of these is reopening of the
Yangtze, for which no date has been
set. The river, principal trade route
to the Chinese interior, was closed
by the japanese in August, 1887.
The foreign Office was reported
authoritatively to have informed the
American Charge d'Affaires that re-
strictions still would apply to move
ment OF munitions or suspicious car
goes and to movements of Chinese
agents; that Japan would not be
liable for foreign vessels in the event
OF fighting, and that the Japanese
intend to continue using for mill
tary purposes wharves which are
mostly British -owned.
Other restrictions apparently
would be applied, if deemed neces-
sary.
Evening star., 1939-12-20
Thomas 10 Support
Wheeler i Roosevelt
Is Nof Candidate
Montonun Believed
Favored by Labor,
Farm, Veteran Groups
By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press.
Senator Thomas, Democrat, Of
Oklahoma, an advocate of a third
term for President Roosevelt, said
today he would support Senator
Wheeler, Democrat, of Montana for
the Democratic presidential nomi-
nation if Mr.. Roosevelt does not run.
He expressed the belief that Sen
ator Wheeler could count almost
to a man" on the support of pro-
gressive, farm, labor and former
soldier groups, adding that the Mon
tant Senator's opposition to the
Roosevelt court bill in 1887 had put
him in good standing with the ultra
conservatives"
Court Victory Cited.
"The administration has no rea-
son to be against Senator Wheeler
save for the court fight" Senator
Thomas continued, land now the
administration has won the court
fight"
He alluded, he said, to the fact
the President had filled four vacan-
cies on the court and will make his
fifth appointment soon.
Although Senator Thomas and his
colleague, Senator Lee, Democrat,
of Oklahoma, have urged that the
President seek third term, Senator
Thomas predicted Oklahoma would
Evening star., 1939-12-20
Japan Faces Dilemma
As j. ). Trade Pact
Expiration Nears
Public Opinion at Home
Burs Action to Ward OFF
American Embargo
By FRANK H. HEDGES.

TOXIC, Dec. 20 (N.ANAD-
Japan, which has been faced with
dilemma after dilemma since it's
troops went into Manchuguo more
than eight years ago, is presented
with still another and extremely
serious one by the United States
Like most dilemmas. it wears twin
horns, although for one of those
troublesome horns the United States
is in no way responsible. :.
To start negotiations for the con-
clusion of new treaty of commerce
and navigation. or not to start them,
is the question Japan faces. The
answer must be made soon, for the
existing treaty. effective since 1911,
expires January g. owing to the
United States State Departments
announcement of it's abrogation last
July.
A straw in the wind, indicating
some softening in Japan's attitude
toward the United States, is seen by
foreign observers here in Mondays
announcement that the Japanese
forces in China have decided to re-
open the. Yangtze River below
Marking to third-power commerce,
under some military restrictions.
Trade Vital to Japan.
1t would seem simple matter for
Toxic to take up the negotiating Of
new treaty, although its drafting,
signature. sanction by the Emperor
and approval by the United States
might not prove so simple. That
would depend not only upon the
contents of the treaty but also upon
a definite and practical reversal Of
the treatment accorded American
rights, interests and nationals In
China by the japanese Army.
A glance at Japan's trade returns
shows that. deprived of its commerce
with the United States, whether by
an embargo or otherwise, this nation
must move deeper and deeper into
the red ink column of the ledger.
Such a development might even
bring an economic collapse. At a
minimum it would compel the aban-
donment by Toxic of many of its
schemes for the economic develop
ment of China and Manchukuo, and
even of economic construction and
progress at home.
To say that American trade is vi
tai to the economic life of Japan
is no mere mouthing of words. AS a
corollary, American investment in
the Far East is vital to Japan's am
bitions for the development of this
sector of the world. To America,
trade with Japan is important. more
important than trade with China,
but it is far from vital.
U. S. Balance Favorable.
From 1882, when the price of raw
silk went into the cellar on the
American market, until October of
this year America has had favor
able balance of trade with Japan, in
Evening star., 1939-12-20

conciliator During the World War
he was sent at the request of the
Labor Department and the United
States Shipping Board to Seattle to
settle labor problems in the ship
yards. In 1917, as district forester
when forest fires ragged in the West
and the I. w. w. was on strike, Maj.
Silcox saved the day with his con-
tract: 1--WE pay transportation to
the fire. We pay wages on the fire.
We pay transportation from the fire
if you put it out He mediated a
building service strike in New York
in the spring of 1886.
Born in Columbus. Ga, he was
slated to be chemist, but took up
forestry. His career then led
through labor upheavals and ended
back in forestry again when Maj.
R. Y. Stuart died from fall from a
sixth-hoor window in 1888
Maj. SilcoX Was graduated from
the College of Charleston in 1903
He decided to cast his lot with the
forest service and two years later
was graduated from the Yale Forest
School, established by Clifford
Pinchot. Posts he had held include
junior forester. forest ranger, super
visor and regional forester.
After the war he went to Chicago
as director of industrial relations
for the commercial printing indus
try and in 1922 went to New York
as director of industrial relations for
the New York Employing Printers
Association. He gave up this post
to return to the forestry field in
charge of 1500O0,O00 acres of timber
for Uncle Sam.
Funeral details have not yet been
completed
Evening star., 1939-12-20
SiIcox

Continued From First Page)
Evening star., 1939-12-20

indicated the reopening of the
Yangtze as far as Nanking will be
subject to restrictions. If Yangtze
ports are reopened on the same basis
as the coastal cities the advantages
to American commerce will be
virtually nil.
1t is improbable the Japanese
Army will consent to any marked
change in its present economic
policies in North China, but there
Is a good chance that it will be
forced eventually to modify the
closed economy of Central China,
which has wrecked American trade
prospects in that region.
Copyright, 1880, Chicago Daily News Inc }
Evening star., 1939-12-20
Americans Satisfied
BY Yongtze Reopening
BY Radio to The Star

BY Radio to The Star.
PEIPING, Dec. 2O-American
businessmen in China are voicing
qualified satisfaction with the Jap
anese governments decision parti-
ally to reopen the Yangtze River to
foreign shipping.
Shipping rights on the Yangtze
are of less concern to Americans
than the right to do business in the
interior districts of China. from
which at present they are practi-
cally excluded by the barriers of
monopoly, trade restrictions and
phony currency erected by the Jap
anese Army. What the japanese
promise has ceased to have much
importance; it is what they do that
counts.
Japanese spokesmen have clearly
Evening star., 1939-12-20

1887 selling more than twice as
much as was purchased. In only one
other year during the last 60 has this
been true.
With the opening of the European
war it was thought that Japan
would have to purchase still greater
quantities of goods in the United
States, but this development did not
begin until October. The decrease
by IA per cent in the value of the
yen as against the American dollar
and the accumulation by traders of
large stocks, in view of the approach
ing treaty abrogation, account for
this in part, but the fact is that ia
pans exports to the United States
have risen to A per cent of its total
exports to all countries outside the
yen bloc. The yen bloc consists of
Japan, Manchukuo and that part of
China which Japan controls. Ex-
ports from Japan to these countries
bring in none of the foreign ex-
change which is so sorely needed for
purchases abroad and as specie re-
serve
This figure of A. per cent exactly
balances with Japan's imports from
America during the same period,
the latter also accounting for "A
per cent. If new treaty can be
successfully negotiated. Japan faces
the very real possibility of still
further increasing its exports to
America, and perhaps even of turn
ing its adverse into favorable bal
ance of trade.
Other Factors to Consider.
That is tempting plum for a
nation in the economic and finan-
cial condition in which Japan finds
itself, and it would be incredible if
Japan did not bend every effort to
negotiate a new treaty If there we're
no other elements in the situation.
There are such other elements.
Greatly as the Toxic government
and the japanese business world
desire new trade treaty, the gov
eminent up to now has refused to
take the initiative in its drafting
because of public opinion within
Japan. Ever an extremely proud
and sensitive people, the japanese
have become even more so because
Of the warfare in China and of
the worlds frequently expressed
disapproval of Japan's policy and
action there. Public opinion, Ger
tainly opinion in certain military
and extreme Rightist circles, pre-
vents the government from taking
the necessary first steps toward a
new treaty.
Here are the twin horns of the
dilemma for Japan: To suffer a
tremendous economic blow if an
embargo is put on American trade
with Japan after January 26, or to
ny In the face of public opinion.
Even if the Abe ministry should
approach the Roosevelt administra-
ton for the conclusion of a new
treaty of commerce and navigation
it would in all probability be a
futile attempt unless Japan first
took definite action in China re-
moving some of the handicaps and
trials which Americans and Ameri-
can interests suffer in China. That
is why the reopening of the Yangtze
to navigation is significant at this
time.
Evening star., 1939-12-20
% British Vessels
Sunk, Germans Claim

BERLIN, Dec. 20 tP).-Destruc-
ton of % British vanguard" YES
sells by the German air force in
three days was reported today by
the German high command, which
also said some prisoners had been
taken in sallies against the allies
on the western front.
The German communique said:
Our scouting troops on the west
front succeeded at several places in
breaking into enemy positions.
thereby taking number of
prisoners.
Despite bad weather conditions,
the German air force carried out
reconnaissance of and attacks
against sea positions in the North
Sea- Through these actions, &C
cording to present reports, four ships
of the British light naval forces
were destroyed by bomb hits. One
German reconnaissance plane at
tackled a large British flying boat
and crashed it.
36 Planes Claimed.
"The German air force during the
past three days destroyed % ships
of the British vanguard forces,
among them the Peal, Serenity. New
Choice, Eilead, Wray, Evelina,
Sedgef1y and Trinity. Losses by the
Britons in the air battle of Deem
Der 1S were increased by two more
planes. Thus the enemy's total loss
that day now can be reported at
36 fighting planes of the Vickers-
Wellington type"
(The London air ministry said,
however, that the British loss was
only seven planes, and that IL
Nazi planes were brought down.
1t. Col. Karl Schumacher said
lessons which his squadron learned
in the Spanish Civil War and the
Polish campaign turned the Helgo-
land naval base aerial battle with
British bombers into a German vic
tory
Col. Schumacher, the head of the
pursuit squadron which engaged in
Mondays battle. was decorated with
the iron cross yesterday for his
achievement.
Claims Nazi Planes Superior.
In a press interview Col. Schu-
macher said So Vickers- Wellington
bombers engaged in the dogflght
with 40 German pursuit planes.
The Vickers- wellington is not
as good plane as ours. Ours can
fight much better" he commented.
Our ME-109 and ME-110 (Mes-
serschmidt puruit-destroye types
are so fast that we were able to
choose our attacking positions.
Aside from experience in the
Spanish and Polish campaigns, Col
Schumacher said his airmen were
able to study their enemy's combat
methods in British flights over Will
helmshaven September 4, Helgoland
September 20 and the North Frisian
Islands December H.
I'VE don't underestimate the Tom
mies,"
Evening star., 1939-12-20
Wheeler Holds Up Plans.
Woman Is the Boss,
Judge Tells Husband
By the. Associated Press

By the Associated Press
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 2O.-Frank
Carlucci, 36, is learning about women.
His wife, 16 years his Junior,
charged he beat her and testified:
He picks out my hats and my
dresses: tells me what I can buy,
and bosses me around all the time"
Asked Magistrate Anthony Lucas
OF Mr.. Carlucci: Don't you know
that in this country the woman is
the boss?'
I'm finding that out he replied.
Charges were dropped when the
couple decided to separate.
Evening star., 1939-12-20
50 Nazi Submarines
Already Destroyed,
French stimate
Counting Requirements,
Reich Believed to
Have IS Now

~ the Associated Press.
PARIS, Dec. 2O.-Official French
estimates today placed at more
than so the number of German sub
marines sunk by the allies since the
war began September 3.
The French estimated that when
the war started Germany had some
so U-boats, and said that at least
IL had been accounted for by
Frances fast destroyer units.
The latest sinking was credited
last night to the 1.319-ton destroyer
Siroco, which previously had sent
two submarines to the bottom in
one week.
Naval experts have said that they
were destroying submarines at the
rate of four week, twice as fast as
Germany's capacity to replace them.
This would leave Germany with
some 35 submarines at present.
Winston Churchill, Britain's first
lord of the admiralty, said Decem-
ber 6 that the allies were destroying
from two to four German subma-
rines weekly, which rate, he said, "is
superior to what we believe to be
the German power" of replacement.
Report Four Raids Repulsed.
French military sources reported
that front line troops repulsed four
German raids late yesterday be-
tween the Moselle River and the
Vosges Mountains,
The strongest attack, they said,
was broken up by heavy artillery
fire which forced the Germans, esti-
mated at about one company. to re-
tire in confusion, abandoning arms
and material.
The allied commands commu-
nique today said, however, there was
"nothinp to report"
Evening star., 1939-12-20

send an uninstructed delegation to
the National Democratic Conven-.
ton.
Wheeler Holds Up Plans.
While Senator Thomas was prais-,
ing Senator Wheeler to reporters,
Senator Wheeler himself made it
plain he did not intend to become
an active candidate until Mr.. Roose-
velt discloses his plans.
Senator Wheeler, who has said
he does not believe the President
wanted to run for a third term,
expressed the opinion Mr.. Roosevelt
holds strong veto" powers over any
candidate who might not be to his
liking.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-14
Opposes Concentration of Administr ative
and Executive Power in Commission;
Proposes People Alter Set-Up

Continued From Page onel
veto power whatever. He l. so
restricted by charter limitations
that his sphere OF activity Is con-
fined TO one Of the least important
of the five major city departments.
Under our form Of government,
the mayor is commissioner OF the
department Of public health and
sanitation. which means health and
refuse departments Now the ad-
ministration Of the health depart
ment is in charge Of the director
of health. a competent physician.
experienced in public health work,
leaving the mayor, as far as his
administrative duties are concern
ed. in practice little more than a
glorified refuse collector.
In saying the present charter
prevents the type Of city govern
ment our citizens have a right to
expect. do not mean to infer
that our elective officials are not
trying to fulfill their duties to the
best of their abilities. I have the
highest regard for the other COM
missioners and can readily
understand why you have returned
them to office when the oppor-
tunity offered. Considering the
number OF clumsy features of the
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-14
RESPON sIBIIITY
Is DIVIDED

The theory OF the commission
form Of government seems TO be
the dividing OF responsibility TO
prevent the concentration Of au-
thority in any one official. but l
am sure II was not the intention
of the freeholders who formulated
our charter to establish five sep
arate city governments instead OF
one. In effect, however, that la
just what we have. We find our
selves conducting separate busi-
nesses, each partitioned off from
the other. Every commissioner
has a tendency TO manage his own
department independent of the
others, with the result that each
department maintains Its indi-
vidual identity rather than co..
ordinsting its efforts with similar
functions in other departments.
For example, we have col
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-14
VICE CONDITION
REPORTS NOTED

Recently there has been much
talk around town about wide open
vice conditions Ia the city. and an
effort was made 10 call the grand
jury 70 investigate these c0Bdi-
tons. II W reasonable for the
public 70 assume that the mayer
has sufficient authority 10 correct
these conditions il he were 20 dls-
posed.
Let us take a look AZ the prob
lem under our fise-hsaded govern
ment The councils only official
source q Information IL the COM
missioner Of public safety him
self, an elective official on an
equal basia with the other com
mb~lonera. and elected BY you
citizens 70 run that department
A complaints are received. they
are naturally referred 70 the com
missioner q public safety a. h. IL
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-14
CONFLICT NOW
FREELY ADMITTED

Under the commission form Of
government the people elect men
as heads Of the five departments
Of the: Public finance. public
safety. public utilities. public
works and public health. These
men comprise the city council.
which is the legislative body Of the
city government. Authorities In
the field Of municipal government
agree that II Il unsound TO have
both the legislative and admins
trative powers OF government In
the same hands. As elective Of
ficials, We commissioner arc SUBJ
ject TO constant political pressure
and this pressure Is applied TO us
not only as councilmen. but also
as managers Of our respective de-
partments. In other words. the
same political expediency which
often warps our judgment as legis-
lators. also extends into the ad-
ministration Of city business. and
inefficiency. waste, and incompe-
tence too often are the results.
As an illustration, let US con-
slider the agonizing annual strug-
gle Of the commissioners In bal
ancing the budget. Under this I'M
business-like system Of ours. the
commissioners, including the may
or, ask for enough money for
their departments to satisfy all
the requests various pressure
groups make upon them. instead
of estimating the minimum amount
of money on which their depart
ments can be operated efficiently
in the public interest. These two
ideas are Numerically opposed and
the results is expensive to the tax
payers. But IL is sometimes poll
tically expedient to yield 10 the
demands Of the organized groups,
ana so we as commissioners OFTEN
allow our optimism to run away
with our judgment in estimating
receipts, and the budget is bal
anced-on paper. Then, acting as
legislators, these same commits
sioners approve the budget which
they prepared, and then back
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-14
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suFxKs~ HANnzs srx

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sahssrss~ - Tiers hesFssiy ~
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ssetsm wcuia wi<h y r~sn<a u T.
Ths ssvt s~Fvies sfsar = = paw<fs
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EustFnmsns. III q > ~ Always
- usea Len n tkesF eva ~
sonvsA criticised ~ skklxenF
gsuarsg Esssisa ~ taxpayers
isexuea afssn refsFFsd h ~ -
hntsitrs and tsx.eatsfs~ smpleyrs
q ~ sisy hsvs deae fk< hunkn
thinx shsy have nxxsnls<a ~
are tadAy the ssass ra~effai pntt<
teal pressure xspssr h n ctr.
They Weld = greater affaznze =
TIE city halI 1han any eemmi<-
Sinner ard eamessmss f<el 10y
wieia mafe lnfsusnss th&n an ths
commissioners susnnsnse Marry -
them have shs tss haia@F's eesn-
piss. whirh = b. rsutect ere an
etssFs There " > tenf<ney y
msse t~e teh@ KFow where an~
grew before sss q msN< their r<f=
sinai interests primary and ~ ~
sefests IT TIE clty s<santNfy Al
Though I Am familiar with abuses
apw present IN evil services. snd
although l F<enxnis~ Ehsi eers
ssnusres n said shsss~s sn=s ssscA
an sstiima~ trw~ri he city xav.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-14
CENTRAL BUREAU
FOR CARS NEEDED

This transportation problem
struck me- with terrific impact.
coming into public life = novice
after 81 years experience In the
conduct of private business u
seems obvious that the city should
operate = central transportation
bureau 10 provide cars a. they are
needed. each individual taking a
car out being strictly responsible
for II and returning II when
through with IL. The greatest
economy in this set-up u obviously
that the city would need fewer
cars, and those II did own could
be given systematic servicing
Also. In the interest OF economy,
II would seem the lighter. less ex-
pensive cars would be the logical
kinds 10 buy for public business.
but I find all makes OF cars At
varying prices. being driven by
city employees. There seems TO be
a finely developed technique among
a few city employees TO get the
kind Of car they want. II one Of
them Is given car he doesn't
like. he merely demonstrates that
that car Is too expensive 10 oper-
ate, and believe me. he can do that
in a few months. Department
heads realize this and 80 usually
give the man what he demands