davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-10-14
"Wur in Earnest?

Is stalemate in the European war
at last at an end? Is the failure of
Germany's peace offensive the signal
for hostilities on the western front
and at sea Of vastly greater intensity
and magnitude than anything yet
experienced in the Anglo-French-
German-Polish conflict which set in
six weeks ago? Official utterances at
Berlin foreShadow that war in ear
nest" is now to be expected. Foreign
correspondents summoned to the
Wilhelmstrasse yesterday were told
Officially" that only the intervention
of the United States could now pre-
vent "the most gruesome blood bath
in history"
Whether this sanguinary warning
denotes that long awaited air attack
in force on London and Paris by
Goering'S bombing armadas or an as
sault in force on the Maginot Line
remains the Nazi general staff's Sc
cret. Another possible German Of
fensive, it is hinted, may be a COM
bined drive by air, surface craft and
submarines on British ports, war
ships and merchant shipping in
desperate attempt to break the
blockade. The sinking of the British
battleship, Royal Oak, Britain's most
serious naval setback of the war to
date, lends some force to this specu-
lation.
While these threats yesterday were
emanating from Berlin, the London
war office was declaring that British
and French military forces are ready
for anything" now that Britain's
main expeditionary force has been
safely moved across the channel to
the battle line in France. AS War
Secretary Hore- -Belisha told Parlia-
ment earlier in the week that 158, 900
men had been transported to France
during the first five weeks of the
war, it is reasonable to conclude that
viz dStuo4 VI
today manning the western front
shoulder to shoulder with the poilus
is actually much larger than the total
mentioned. for it is not customary
for war offices to make the enemy
gift of exact information of such
priceless value.
War in earnest" if that is now
the Germans program, will not take
the allies unaWareS. While Poland was
being demolished and the Nazi army's
energies were concentrated in the
east, Generals Gamelin and Gort had
opportunity to organize Anglo-French
resistance in the west relatively at
leisure and virtually without moles-
tation, for activities either in front
of the Maginot Line or the West Wall
have been altogether desultory. War
in earnest" will not begin, as it did
In 1914, with France and Belgium
invaded and overrun by superior
German forces. This time Germany
faces allies who match her in pre-
paredness and are ready, as the Brit
ish war office proclaims, "for any
thing'-even blitZkrieg.
Evening star., 1939-10-14
Blames Loss Of Trade by
England for War.

England for War.
To the Editor OF The Star:
Why hasn't some one had the courage
to print the truth about this new World
War? Why do we hear and read all the
bunk concerning the high aims of Eng
land and France against Germany?
This war is being fought for the same
reason that the last war was fought
Germany is beginning to take too much
of England's trade. In the New York
Times in the last couple of days there
was printed a list of black Listed concerns
In South America. Black Listed by Eng
land for trading with Germany.
Not only that, but Germany wants 20
get all the territory she needs to control
the trade routes to the east If possible
she wants to run her dreamed-of rail-
road to the Black Sea. All she needs
now is concessions from Rumania, or
she might even get Rumania herself,
and she has her overland trade route
to the east. Wouldn't that be good for
English control of trade and commerce?
So why should we be propagandized
into helping England preserve her COM
merce? Wait and see. They'll try to get
us to help them when they still haven't
paid us for the men and money we spent
last time. l.. JAMES CULLEN, Jr,
September a.
Evening star., 1939-10-14

old, and only one Of twenty-five
trucks was less than that age. In
cluding a few machines held in re-
serve, eighty-nine pieces of fire ap-
paratus have had more than a dec
ade of service, while only forty-two
were acquired in 1929 or later. Six
machines in active service are more
than twenty years old, and one, a
rescue squad wagon, was bought In
the autumn of 1913.
In view of the efficiency of modern
machines, the lower upkeep and
operation cost, and the greater reli-
ability, consideration should be given
to the possibility of better serving
the community and the taxpayers
who support it by a judicious in
crease in the appropriation for new
vehicles,
Evening star., 1939-10-14
THIS AND THAT
By Charles z. Trdce1ceH.

know how often we are wrong when we
do, in regard to the pure creatures Of
earth and air and sea.
We let the birds, particularly, speak
for themselves in what they do and are
This means that we 1nd blue jays and
English spsrrows and starlings on the
credit side of the ledger.
Many persons who might not be will
ing, perhaps, to agree with this in public.
have a sneaking regard for these very
birds. We believe that If they will watch
the jay, for instance, as closely as our
correspondent, they will come in time to
admit publicly that 1t is one of our best
birds.
The jays habit of hiding food against
the winter is not too widely spread.
There are not many songsters which do
it. Some hide few seeds in the crevices
of bark, but most of them are thoroughly
improvident in this respect, or, maybe,
it is better to say that they have great
faith in their mother nature, who, they
feel sure, will take care of them, as she
usually does.
The blue jay, apparently, does not trust
the universal mother.
He, like the squirrel, believes in
watching out for himself.
He, too, will thrust seeds and grains
into the bark of trees, thereby providing
something to eat not only for himself
but for the many smaller birds, such as
the nuthatches, chickadees and titmice.
No doubt thousands of smaller birds
are the beneficiaries of the bold and
reckless jays, whether the latter intend
ed this or not. In any event. it should
be put down to the big birds credit. In
this world whether we intended to do
good deed or not, if the result is good we
may claim some share in the happy
result.
The careful planting of the acorns
shows real intelligence
The Jay seems to know as well as any
squirrel that the earth is the natural
storehouse for acorns.
Carefully he digs the hole, carefully he
places the acorn, carefully he fills the
hole with earth-and carefully he places
leaf over the spot!
This last touch must be in order to
keep others from realizing what IS be-
meath.
1t is. in other Words, camoufage.
There can be no question of marking
the spot
Both jays and squirrels fail to find
much that they bury each season. 1t
makes no difference Nature is large.
she contains multitudes. as Whitman
said; everything which she compels ami
mails and birds to do has a double or
triple purpose. 1t is only when We fail
to realize this that We become angry at
natures creatures.
Evening star., 1939-10-14

tralized community within the Fin
nish state, lie near the coast Of
Sweden, and are the westernmost
extremity of chain of isles which
form virtual land bridge from the
continent to the Scandinavian pen
insula across the mouth of the Cult
OF Bothnia. They are strategic be-
cause the holder of them Is in a
position to dominate two-thirds of
Sweden's eastern coast. Fortified
they have been neutralized by inter-
national convention most of the
time since 1856-and in the hands Of
a strong power like Russia, they
are a potent menace not only to
Sweden but to Norway as we'll.
Norway in turn offers Russia an
other strategic position for which 1t
has long yearned-a position on the
Atlantic and the facilities for becom-
ing an important Atlantic power. So
whatever designs on the Aalands
Russia may reveal in the present
negotiations must be regarded in the
light of their ultimate possible use as
a means to fasten the Soviet hold
upon Scandinavia and thereby &C
quire for Russia a foothold on the
Atlantic
Such a contingency would alter
materially the status of great power
politics in the Atlantic, affecting the
United States as we'll as Great Brit
ain and France in that respect. The
Soviet as an Atlantic power is not a
happy prospect to contemplate.
Evening star., 1939-10-14
Believes Men Could Learn
From Wild Creatures.

To the Editor Of The Star:
1t was with much interest and pleasure
that I read Charles E. Tracewell's article
on bird watching in your paper last
evening (September ~, in which he
urges us all to seek relief from the
strain of current affairs" by turning to
these Oldest of living creatures whose
ways were worked out before the dawn
of mankind's bloody and continuing more
bloody history" and feel that I would
like to share with others, who are like
wise interested, wonderful experience
Early in September. our county game
warden, true to a promise, brought me
from the State game farm II beautiful
little partridges, old and strong enough,
If given a chance, to begin life on their
own in natural surroundings.
With the plump little birds came a
number Of 4xl2-inch pieces of paper
cardboard with Posted printed on
them in large letters. These tackled on
gate posts and boundary trees around
our farm were to form "Maginot Line
for the little feathered folk that had
come to dwell with us-a line felt sure
would hold in "Old Virginia"
Near small stream and under low
growing trees, thick with hanging grape
vines, we placed the travelling compart-
ment" of the CHEEKY bob whites, then
after scattering an abundance of feed
that they had been accustomed to in
their days of captivity, opened their door
into their natural world.
Lying nat on the ground in the tall
grass just a short distance away, I
watched the intriguing little creatures
take their freedom. One by one they
came cautiously out. They fluffed their
feathers, tried their wings, stretched
their tiny necks, looked around-gained
courage. They were under their own
vine and fig tree" and there was no one
to make them afraid.
They ate, found their way to the little
stream, drank, lifted their heads and
called to their mates
The sun down. came home relaxed
renewed, slept like child and dreamed
the world was Posted L. c. M.
Washington, Va.
September %.
Evening star., 1939-10-14

propaganda being carried on to get us
in. BY minding our own business and
refraining officially from gratuitous
counsel and advice to the belligerents
BY warning our citizens and ships that
if they enter the zons1Df military and
naval operations in Europe they do so
at their own risk and peril and that
our Government will afford them no
protection whatsoever. This will involve
for the time being abandonment of our
doctrine of freedom of the seas, but it
will be surrender of something of little
value at present, and as compensation
therefore We assure our peace and Sc
curlty and obviate the dangers to our
social order, our political institutions and
the costs in money and lives that would
surely result from our entry into the
war, or departure from strict neutrality.
Neutrality laws will not alone, however,
keep us out. In addition thereto, there
must be among our people the will to
stay out, notwithstanding propaganda,
intrigue and provocation to force us into
it. Surely if Sweden, Norway, Denmark,
Belgium and other countries, which are
in the very midst of the conflict, can
remain neutral and out of the war, We,
who are 5000 miles away from it,
can do so.
The adherence of the American peo-
pie OF Nazi-ism, Fascism and Com
munism causes our people to sympathize
quite naturally with Britain and France
in this war and to desire to aid them
II it can be done without violating our
neutrality. This We can do by amend
ing our neutrality law so as to permit
the sale of munitions of war to all the
belligerents alike and upon terms of
equality upon cash-and-carry basis.
ALEXANDER SIDNEY LANIER.
OctOher
Evening star., 1939-10-14
Friday the Thirteenth

The whole world passed through a
severe crisis lasting the entire twen-
ty-four hours of yesterday, Friday
the thirteenth. The fatal day marked
a series of disasters throughout the
Nation. Countless motorists, return
ing to vehicles left too long in one
spot, found them decorated with
deadly pink slips. Peaceful homes all
over the country were invaded by
mothers-in-law on indefinitely ex-
tended visits. In the Washington
area pocketbooks were severely man.
gled by the remorseless NAV of the
Laurel races. In retrospect it seems
that America was lucky not to get
mixed up in the war in Europe.
Much credit is due the civic fathers
of French Lick, Ind, for pioneer ef-
forts to reduce this menace. They
assembled in serious conclave to con-
slider the problem. There was no way
to abolish Friday the thirteenth and
scotch once and for all the entire
root of the jinx, but surely its effects
could be mitigated and the more OBJ
vious dangers avoided. After much
consultation the board passed reso-
luton to eliminate one of the most
fearful risks Of all. They ordered all
black cats to be belled, to warn citi-
zens of their approach in time to
avoid having their paths crossed by
these hoodoo animals, and instructed
the town marshal to carry out the
order. As he was a man, and not
a mouse, he did so. At press time
the results are unknown French Lick
residents are cordially invited to
write to The Star and tell how they
made out.
Evening star., 1939-10-14
ARLINGTON, VA.

Dear Sir:
Il have read a number OF your articles
on birds and enjoy them very much.
"A few days ago I saw from an upper
window blue jay light on the trunk OF
= small dogwood about IL inches from
the ground, which was unusual, and
caused me to watch it; then jumped to
the ground and started digging . hole
in the soil
II thought it. was after a grub, but
after digging about 2 inches it picked
up q small acorn which was placed in
the hole and tapped solid in the bottom,
then filled up opening carefully, and
placed leaf over the disturbed soil.
1T then went to a nearby hedge with
another acorn which was placed on the
soft earth and driven down with the bill
to the same depth as before then cov-
cred 1T with soil, then placed another
leaf over same.
Il have been wondering why SO many
Seeding willow and pin oaks have been
coming up In the shrubbery and flower
beds the last few years, as there is none
growing nearby, but this, no doubt, ac-
counts for 1t. as they cannot remember
where they were all placed
Very truly yours, w. H. w."
This accounts for 1t, without doubt!
Many persons who have wondered over
saplings coming up in their yard, and
who have blamed it on the squirrels,
must revise their opinion.
This column has insisted for many
years that the blue Jay Is one of our most
beautiful, interesting and intelligent
songsters. 1t Is (at least in our ex-
perience) no such black villain as it has
been painted generally.
This propaganda for the jay is neces
sary, for there are altogether too many
bird lovers who accept its character as
1t has come down to them in some writ
ings Of the past century.
1t seemed that in those DAYS persons
who wrote about bird life had to have
their villains. Instead of accepting the
birds as they are, and writing about
what they saw, they wanted to divide
the feathered hosts of the air into good
and bad, quite as if they were humans.
If they happened to see blue jay with
another birds egg in its claws. they i'm
mediately branded all jays as bad" inti-
mating that all the jays did during the
nesting season was to scout up and
devour the eggs of other species.
They selected the English sparrow. too
for their shafts. Every ill adjective in
the dictionary was showered upon it,
-
Fortunately for birds and men, this
century has evolved better way to write
about nature.
We no longer take sides. because we
Evening star., 1939-10-14
Says America Should Be
Neutral Naturally"
To the Editor Of The Star:

10 the Eultor OF Inc star:
Are we going to be called upon every
20 years to save small nations in a CONT
nent that cannot run its own affairs?
National desires prompt wishful no"
An altruistic Interpretation of the
major provisions for repeal of the present
embargo on American arms shipments
to belligerent nations and for imposition
of requirements that full title to Ameri-
can goods of any nature must pass to
foreign hands, and that the goods must
be transported in foreign ships, If des-
tined for belligerent purchasers, indi-
Gates an eagerness for economic gain on
our part.
No undertaking of foreign policy packs
more danger for America from democ-
racys worst enemy war, than a policy
that seeks profit and gain from other
peoples wars and preparation for war.
Mr.. President, please remember, in
1887 at ChautauQua, you stated that
production for a war market may give
immense fortunes to few men, for the
Nation as a whole it produces disaster
If we face the choice of profits or peace,
the Nation will answer must answer, We
choose peace"
Let's stay out Of foreign entanglements
and preserve American youth for the
advancement of humanistic ideals in
stead of forfeiting it for the destruction
of a world disturbing monomaniac who
seems to possess dreams of territorial
domination only in Europe. We should
have learned lesson at that time some
40 years ago, fighting as We did for what
we thought were lofty purposes and
causes winning the war. but losing every
blessed cause for which We alleged our
selves to be fighting, with absolutely no
gain to show as the result of that expert
ence.
Let's be neutral naturally, not unnat-
urally neutral. EDWARD v. FRAYLE.
October !.
Evening star., 1939-10-14
Empty Cribs

1t must be strangely quiet In London
Town.
No childish laughter nor the flash Of
brown
Legs chasing hoops. No wild hyenic
shouts
While tumbling on the grass. No fistic
bouts
Enliven Kensington, for they have fed
To join Peter Pan. He quietly led
Them all away to Never Never Land.
Before white empty cribs pale mothers
stand.
Dear God, If We could always keep them
SMALL"
And London sighs beneath its tragic
pail. FAITH HENDERSON.
Evening star., 1939-10-14

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication of all news dispatches
credited to 1t or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein
All rights Of publication of special dispatches
herein also reserved.
Evening star., 1939-10-14
Asks Who Could Accept
Hitlef-Guaranteed Peace.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Hitler, with hands dripping in Polish
blood. makes an offer of peace or war
to Great Britain and France. Who could
accept any peace which Hitler could
guarantee? A. B. CANNADY,
Crescent City, Fla.
October Z.
Evening star., 1939-10-14
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the Driter although the use OF
a pseudonym tor publication is
permissible Please be brief!
Evening star., 1939-10-14
Member of the AssOcia ted Press,

Entered as second-class matter post once.
WaShington D. c.
Evening star., 1939-10-14
WASKING TON, d. C.
SATURDAY October IA, 1888

The Evening Star Newspaper Company.
Main once: 11th St and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York once: 110 East 42nd St.
Chicago once: 435 North Michigan Ave
Evening star., 1939-10-14
Delivered by Carrier-City and Suburban.
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.

All Other StafeS and Canada.
Evening star., 1939-10-14

@. Are there any spiders that change
color?-M B. D.
A. The crab spider assumes the color
OF the flower on which it lives and hides
In the heart of the blossom awaiting its
prey.
Milford chronicle., 1939-05-05
PHILOSOPHY OF FISHING

Some inexpert fishermen ask how
II is that they can fish all day in q
brook or lake. and get none or few
fish. while some fisherman who
seems to know the game will take
out a good basketfull.
The good fisherman is a close OBJ
server. He watches every puff OF
wind, every ripple of water, every
movement of the insect life on
which fish feed He remembers the
kind of bait they like. He knows
what kind they reject with scorn.
He. puts these observations covering
many years together. and the re-
suit is many bites on his line.
Also he is a philosopher. If the
fish are not in a biting mood. he does
not get upset and scare them away
by noise and motions. He either
goes homes good humeredly, or
waits until they are hungry. He Is
often rewarded where noyices quit
disensted.
Milford chronicle., 1939-05-05
PAYING FOR 4 NEW WAR

When the World war started, the
nations were in fairly good financial
shape. Their debts were not terribly
heavy, and the credit of the leading
governments was good. The taxes
were not what they are now. and it
was possible TO largely increase these
assessments and borrow money on a
great scale, to conduct the terribly
costly business of war.
How will it be now, il the nations
get to fighting again? Nearly all ma
tions are burdened by heavy debts
and taxes. Their people are crying
out against the sums they now have
10 pay, and they already groan under
the burden of their old debts. How
will it be if their taxes and debts are
doubled again? How many will
crack under the strain?
The people who guide the affairs
ef these nations .would better think
Of the question OF paying for wars.
,rhe people of no country are in any
mood to pay any such bill.
Milford chronicle., 1939-05-05
GREENWOOD

Mrs. Clayton Johnson, and daugh-
ter Mae, attended the wedding oi
Mrs. Johnson's brother In Chester
last Saturday.
WeddiRg
James Graver, son of Mr.. and Mrs
Charles Graver, of Holmsburg, and
Miss Jean Webster, daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. John B. Risdon of Holms-
burg, were married in the Emanuel
Church at Holmsburg on Saturday
afternoon at p. m. The bride wore
white satin and carried white roses.
Miss Marie Graver, sister of the
bridegroom and Miss Peggy Dulaney
were bridesmaids. Miss Graver and
Miss Dulaney were also dressed in
white satin and carried sweet peas.
James Graver was attended by Jack
Bright and AL. Batzel. After a very
pretty ceremony the guests were in
vited to a reception given at the
home of the bridegroom at 1920 De-
catur street. Following the wedding
supper the guests were entertained
by a string orchestra and dancing.
The following from Greenwood at
tended the wedding: Mr.. and Mrs.
Edward Reher, Mrs. James Breeding.
Wallace Turner. Mr.. and Mrs. STAN
ley Klemm and Mrs. Laurence Por7
Milford chronicle., 1939-05-05

Yes you did, No we did not. Like
two small, children .quarreling, the
Democrats and the Republicans are
passing the buck back, and forth as to
whether this Legislature cost the
State as much as the last two or
three Legislatures when the Demo-
Gratis controlled either house. We
must. remember that the Senate and
House were both controlled at var
ious times by majorities that looked
like Repnpblican on paper but which
both sides who are willing to tell
the truth. must agree were controlled
by a block consisting of Democrats
and so.called Independent Republi-
cans, men elected on the Republican
ticket bat doing everything possible
10 hurt the Republican party. These
combinations spent more money In
the Legislature than ever before and
their charges are far in excess of the
amounts spent by the Republican
controlled Legislature of this year.
Taking it all in all. the Republicans
kept expenses down as much as pos
sible. At least il must be agreed that
they have saved the State thousands
OF dollars by what the Democrats call
ripper bills" They have placed the
Motor Vehicle Department, which
vas one of the most glaringly politi-
cal aud spendthrift departments in
the State. away from political control
and have placed il on its own legs
ais an independent department not
controlled by the political Secretary
of State II is under the control of a
nOn-pOlitical and non-partizan new
highway commission. No more will |
il respond to the political whims of !
the Secretary Of State and his pOliti- |
cal deputy motor vehicle commission
er. Right there this Legislature has !
saved thousands of dollars. In other |
directions it has done equally as we'll |
In the highway department it will
show solid money-saving. Highly in
fiated salaries will he debated, use of
state cars for political purposes will
stop instead of being encouraged. and
the filling of both departments with
political hangers-On will cease. These
things in themselves have been worth
any other expense the Legislature
may have incurred.