davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Soviet Believed ASKING
Bases on Black Sea
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
MOSCOW, Dec. 28.-Speculation
was revived in foreign circles today
that Soviet Russia might be ex-
tending demands for new naval
bases on the Black Sea, as a Bull
garian trade delegation arrived.
Russia has been concerned over
her position in the Black Sea since
Turkey signed mutual assistance
agreement with Great Britain and
France after negotiations with
Russia collapsed.
Meanwhile, Russia called more
men to the colors, presumably for
the Finnish campaign. The number
involved in the order was not dis
closed
A Red Army communique cover
ing yesterdays war activity said
merely:
Nothing important occurred on
the front Soviet aviation made
reconnoitering flights"
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Reds Reported
Repu|sing Films
In Far North
Russians Said to
Have Taken Stand
Near SoImijorvi
BY the Associated Press.
~NnrNIII ~

BY the Associated Press.
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 28.-A Fin
nish attack on far northern Rus
sian forces, which dug in near SAL
mijarvi after a 50-mile retreat, ap-
parently had failed today in the
face of strong Soviet opposition.
Reports from Northern Norwegian
frontier stations said the Russians
were making determined stand
south of Salmijarvi in the bottle
neck which is Finland's outlet to the
Arctic Ocean.
Soviet troops cut through that
northern strip to Salmijarvi on the
Norwegian frontier and then turned
south SO miles. as far as Nautsi, but
were forced to retrace their steps
to the Salmijarvi area. Finnish
forces following them withdrew
when the Russians took up positions
south of Salmijarvi.
Fifteen Finnish soldiers, isolated
when the main forces retreated sew
eral miles from the Russian posi-
tions, crossed the frontier into Nor
way and were interned.
The Firms surmised that the Rus
slams were expecting reinforcements
and were preparing a new southwark
push. Finnish reports yesterday said
100000 fresh troops were being sent
to the Russian fronts.
Volunteers from the Scandinavian
countries are arriving in Finland in
increasing numbers to help fight
the Russian invaders, Several thous-
and SWedes are r"ported to have
volunteered. There were reports that
large numbers of Italian volunteers
also had arrived, but the reports
were without confirmation.
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Newton {. Parke, 81,
Newspaperman, Dies
In Hotel Plunge
Was Correspondent
In Europe and Worked
Here and in New York

Newton C. Parke, 81, internation-
ally known neWspaperman, plunged
to his death today from his ninth
floor room at the Annapolis Hotel.
His crumpled body was found on
the lobby roof by the hotel detective,
whose room is on the second floor
Identification was established by a
note left in his room, giving the
name. address and telephone num-
ber of his Wlfe-Mrs. N C. Parke.
2l25 Fifteenth street NW.-and
stating she would take care of his
bill.
Mr.. Parke, former foreign editor
of the Baltimore Sun and head of
the Hearst European wire service, re-
Gently had been employed as a sub
stitute copy reader by the Washing
ton Post.
Registered December %.
He registered at the hotel Deem
Der % as IN. c. Porter of New York
City
Mrs. Parke said she was unaware
her husband was in Washington and
had received a letter from him this
morning, mailed in Philadelphia.
Mr. Parke, following an active
career as correspondent in Eu-
rope worked here with the Inter-
national News Service. but lost his
job when that service merged with
its companion Hearst agency, Uni
versal Service, a few years ago.
Since that time he worked at
odd copy-reading jobs here and in
New York, at one time with the
Herald Tribune.
Wife Puzzled by Motive.
Mrs. Parke said the letter she
received today contained a descrip-
ton of hes husbands S activities dur
ing the last few weeks.
Il gathered from the letter." she
said. that he had been in Phila-
delphia. New York and Boston re-
Gently
The postmark on the note, Mrs
Parke said, was blurred and she was
unable to tell whether it was De-
cember % or o.
Mrs. Parke indicated that her
husband had been respondent be-
cause of employment difficulties, but
said Il can't understand why he
did it."
The house detective who discovered
Mr.. Parke's body said he heard a
"thud' about 4 am. but didn't IN
vestigate. He saw the body on the
roof just beneath his window when
he got up shortly after daybreak.
Friend of Floyd Gibbons.
Mr.. Parke. who lived at one time
at 1915 N street NV. was a close
friend of Floyd Gibbons during the
World War when they covered front
line action together in France.
Mrs. Parke said he also was a
close friend of Haywood Broun,
newspaper columnist, who died of
pneumonia in New York week ago
They had the same birthdays" Mrs.
Parke commented, "and once cele-
brated the date together"
She also recalled Mr.. Parke's ac-
800 pADKC po1o hAI
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Army Under rs Per Cent Ready
For Action Gen. Marshall Says
Public Schools Must
Have Better Texts,
He Tells Historions

Gen. George c. Marshall, Army
chief of staff declared today that
the Army machine is probably less
than 25 per cent ready for imme-
diate action" in addressing a joint
session of the American Historical
Association and the American Mill
tary Institute. He said that our
problem, therefore, involves the de-
velopment of war force after the
emergency has arrived
The time necessary for the de-
velopment of such force, Gen.
Marshall said, is one of the factors
kept in mind by the War Depart
ment in preparing for national de-
fense. The other, he said. is OBJ
tanning maximum preparation at a
minimum of expense.
IF we are to have sound prep
aration for war" he added, we
must have better school text books
and better methods of teaching his
tory.
Thousands of historians from all
over the country are attenulng tne
sessions of the American Historical
Association and several other his
torical groups which are meeting
concurrently at the MayfloWer Hotel.
Emphasis is being put on the study
of history from the standpoint of
the total culture, and three main
topics are being treated: the tech
nique of cultural analysis and syn
thesis, the cultural role of ideas and
cultural conflict and nationality
groups.
Public Opinion Is Factor.
In a democracy such as that in
this country. Gen. Marshall eX-
planned, military policy is dependent
on public opinion, and the military
organization will be good or bad
depending upon how we'll the public
is informed. Gen. Marshall said
that press and radio had been doing
an excellent job, but that school
books had not accurately reflected
the military problems of the past.
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Army Air Corps Adds
81 New Squadrons
For National Defense
Puerto Rico, Panama
And Hawaii Units
To Be Reinforced

Secretary of War Woodring an
nounced today formation of So
new Air Corps squadrons in a major
step in the far-reaching expansion
of the country's air strength.
A large part of the squadrons are
intended for the defenses of the
outlying possessions and interests
of the United States. They include
bombardment and pursuit groups
for Puerto Rico, pursuit group
for the Panama Canal Zone and a
bombardment group for Hawaii.
Other squadrons are to be assigned
to duty in continental United States.
Forty-one of the squadrons are
being formed for the first time and
the remaining II are being restored
to the Armys active list after
periods of inactivity.
The new units will increase by
nearly so per cent the present num-
Der of squadrons of the Army Air
Corps and will augment by several
hundred planes the present air
strength of the Army.
AAiSoS- lS" lllllS, OcClSldIy
Woodring said, will absorb large
part OF the increased personnel of
| the expanded Air Corps and will be
equipped with new airplanes re-
Gently purchased by the War De-
partment."
Planes Being Delivered.
The new planes, the Secretary
added. are now being delivered
The new squadrons will consist of
heavy, medium and light bombers,
fast-rising and fast-fying inter-
cepter planes and light and medium
reconnaissance planes.
The units intended for defenses of
the Caribbean area include one to pe
known as the 25th Bombardment
Group, composed of four squadrons
OF heavy bombers. 1t is being formed
at Langley Field, Va, and will be
located permanently in Puerto Rico.
where tie Army is now constructing
large air base. Other units de-
signed for Puerto Rican duty include
the 36th Pursuit Group, a new Or
ganization of four 'squadrons, which
is being formed at Langley Field and
at Kelly Field. Tex; one base squad
ron, to be known as the oath, which
also is being formed at Kelly Field.
Increase in Panama Force.
Another unit, the 22d Bombard-
ment Group, will be composed of
medium bombers. 1t will consist of
three new squadrons and activated
squadron and will be assigned to
the Panama Canal Zone. A pur-
suit group of four squadrons also
is being formed at Albrook Field.
Canal Zone
Another unit of medium bomb
ers, designated as the 18th Bonn
bardment Group and composed of
three squadrons, is being activated
at Hickam Field. Hawaii.
Other units will be located at
strategic air bases in continental
United States, including a compos-
ite group of bombers and pursuit
squadrons for Alaska.
The new squadrons are a part of
the s3O0,O00,OOO expansion program
authorized last year for the Army
Air Corps. The program provides
for increasing the personnel of the
Air Corps by about $4,000 men and
an air force of $500 planes by 1941.
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Red Lifeline Reported
Bombed by Finn Planes

HELSINKI, Dec % P-Finland's
defensive invasion OF Soviet Russia
was broadened today by a second
thrust toward the Murmansk rail-
way supply artery for Red invaders
in the far north.
At the same time. Finnish forces
in the Karelian Isthmus. Southeast
ern Finland, reported that repeated
Russian tank attacks were shattered
on the Mannerheim Line.
Finnish airmen. cooperating with
swift phantom-like ski troops in
white, we're said to have carried the
eastern offensive to the railway itself
with a series of bombing attacks
Advance in Salla Area.
Paralleling the movement of ski
patrols from Lleksa. Firms were re-
ported advancing into Soviet terri
tory toward the railway in the Salla
area, where the line runs within As
miles of the border.
Patrols crossed the frontier in the
"waistline' area without intention
of invasion but because of tactical
necessity in view of military condi-
tiors within the country" said
Finnish source
There were reports-but no con-
firmation--that the highly mobile
ski patrols had reached their rail-
way objective They were said to be
bent on tactics similar to those of
Lawrence of Arabia in the World
War-SWift forays to find weakly
guarded stretches of track, then
dynamiting and withdrawal before
opposing forces could reach the
scene
The Red Army was reported previ-
ously to have been driven back so
miles in the Salla sector, about 23O
miles north of Lieksa. point of the
first Finnish invasion of Russia.
Claim 8 Tanks Destroyed.
On the isthmus front. each side
retained its positions despite Rus
sian attacks with heavy artillery and
tanks. The Finnish communique
yesterday said an enemy attack
north of Lake Hatialahti was re-
pulsed and eight tanks destroyed.
THE battle continues" the army
report said
Day and night artillery fire con-
tinued against Viipuri, near the
isthmus, but on the lake dotted
Karelian front there had not yet
been a decisive battle.
Russian thrusts in an attempt to
cross Lake Suvanto were accom-
panied by aerial bombings of the
southern coast area for the twelfth
consecutive day.
Civilian deaths from bombings
throughout Finland were placed un-
officially at $50 since the start of
the war
Northern Fighting Increases.
Guerrilla fighting increased on the
northern Suomussalmi and Pet
samo fronts, Finnish advices said,
(See FINLAND, Page A-3)
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Pope Plus Repays
Visit Of Italian
King and Queen
Call First Pontiff Has
Made on Temporal Prince
In More Than 70 Years
Ry the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ROME. Dec 28.-Pope Plus XII
called upon Italys King and Queen
today III the first visit by any Pope
on a temporal prince in more than
70 years.
The pontiff. who went to the
Quirinal Palace amid pomp and
ceremony. was formally repaying the
visit which King Victor Emmanuel
and Queen Elena paid him a week
ago.
A reliable Vatican source said
these historic meetings would be
followed on January S with visit
by Premier Mussolini to the Pope
at the Vatican, all signifying the
ever-closer relations between the
church and the Italian state.
Received by Plus XII in 1882.
1t would be II Duce's second visit
to Pope. He was received in audi
ence by Pope Plus XII in 1882.
Pope Plus today in brief speech
after the ceremonial meeting with
the King and Queen said the visit
"resealed" the happy accord be-
tween the church and the state
The pontiff invoked divine pro-
lection on the royal family lin
order that the peace which, safe
guarded by the wisdom of its
rulers, is making Italy greater.
strong and respected before the
world may become a stimulus and
incitement to future understandings
for peoples who today almost as
brothers turned enemies are fight
ing across lands, skies and seas
understandings which by their con-
tents and spirit are sure promise
of a new order, a peaceful and dur
able order, which would be sought
in vain outside of the royal ways
Of justice and Christian charity"
Thousands Line Streets.
Tens of thousands of Romans
lined the streets to cheer the papal
procession to the royal palace and
receive the holy fathers benedic-
ton.
The occasion, rich with color and
formality symbolized the final dis
solution of any discord over Italys
seizure of Rome from the Pope in
1870 and the city's designation as
the italian capital In protest, the
Popes became voluntary prisoners
in the Vatican until 1929.
In some foreign eyes the cere-
monial also signified possible CO.
operation between the Vatican and
the government toward eventual
peace efforts. but Fascist authorities
disclaimed any coordination of
foreign policies.
The Pope and Premier Mussolini
both are hostile to Bolshevism, but
Virginio Gayda, editor. who often
(Sep POPE Page All
Evening star., 1939-12-28
German Merchant Ship
Aground OFF Spoin
BY the Associated Press.

by Ute ASSUCldCeU FTeSS.
CADIz, Spain, Dec. 28.-Part Of
the crew of an unidentified German
merchantmen which went aground
near San Lucar de Barrameda
landed today at Port Bonanza
while others remained aboard to
attempt salvage.
A British warship pursued the
German ship toward Spain's At
lantic coast, but withdrew when the
Spanish torpedoboat LAURA ap-
peared and signaled that the Brit
isher was in Spanish territorial
waters.
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Afehanistan Reported
Mobi|izing Army
q, tho ASsoc;oted proSx

BY the Associated FreSS.
ROME. Dec. 28.-Dispatches from
Peshawar said today that Afghan
istan apparently was mobilizing her
armed forces at the Soviet Russian
border. The reports were denied by
Afghanistan officials.
The same advices said that Iranian
troops were concentrating on the
Russian Iranian border between
Kezuit and Tabliz and that at least
10000 soldiers were massed between
Hamadan and Kermanshah, near
the southern tip of the Caspian Sea.
Evening star., 1939-12-28

Personally, am convinced" he
continued, that the colossal waste
fulness of our war organization in
the past. and the near tragedies to
which it has led us, have been due
primarily to the character of our
school text books and the ineffective
manner in which history has been
taught.
When the high school student
knows exactly what happened, and,
most important of all. why it hap
pened, then our most serious mill
tary problem will be solved
He said that historians had been
Csee HISTORICAL. Page A-4)
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Nude Body Of Girl, Stabbed
Many Times, Found in LOT

Py tie Associated Press
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 28.-The
nude body of an attractive blond
girl of about 10, stabbed many times,
was found today in a vacant lot.
Capt. Edgar Edwards of the homi-
eide squad said the unidentified girl
had been dead about two hours and
that she apparently had been killed
in a furious struggle.
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Dies Committee Asks
Ross, German Agent,
Be Barred by u. 5.
Probers Charge He Has
Not Reported Full
Scope Of Activities

~ TIE Associated PRESS
The Dies Committee recommend
ed today that Colin Ross, whom it
described as "Nazi propagandist," :"
be prevented from ever setting foot
again on American soil.
Ross has been registered at the
State Department as an agent for
various German interests. including
motion picture companies, but the
committee expressed the opinion in
formal statement that he had not
reported the full scope of his ac-
tivities.
The committee report declared
that during the World War Ross
was German spy and secret serv-
ice agent" He has been in the
United States intermittently in re-
cent years and sailed for Japan
last March He is now believed to
be in Germany. and there has been
no public indication that he wished
to return to this country.
The committee, which was direct
ed by the House to investigate un-
American activities. said high Fed
eral officials have issued warnings
and secret orders concerning Ross
affairs while he was in the United
States.
Reports Only on Own Findings.
The committee announced. how
ever, that it was reporting only on
its own investigation of his activities.
1t summarized some of its findings
as follows:
That many of the speaking en-
gagements in this country featuring
Ross were arranged for by the va
rious Nazi consular officials situated
throughout the Nation and that he
was promoted by. and spoke for,
gatherings of the German American
Bund.
That Fritz Kuhn, fuehrer of the
German American Bund, in recent
testimony before this committee ad-
mitted his acquaintance with Ross.
That Ross was instrumental in
having 80 American boys taken to
Germany and that the greatest part
of the expense of this trip was paid
for by various subdivisions of the
Nazi government and some alleged
Americans residing in Ger
many.
THAT within the past IL months
Ross toured the United States with
his wife, sons and uniformed chauf-
feur in special Mercedes automo-
bile, equipped with motion picture
cameras, and that he appeared to
have funds far in excess of his re-
ported earnings from Nazi agencies.
Photographing Charged.
That he attempted to photograph
several specialized industrial plants
and that at least one American re-
fused to comply with Ross requests
because they were so extremely
derogatory to the best interests of
the United States
The committee said it had infor-
nation that Ross carried expensive
Photographic equipment which was
arranged to permit him to take pic
lures quickly and from any angle.
The report was made public by
Representative Voorhis, Democrat,
of California, chairman of a sub
committee on Nazi-ism and Fascism.
He said the six other committee
members concurred.
Mr.. Voorhis said in a statement
accompanying the report that the
form of government of Germany or
any other nation was not COM
mittee concern, but he added
Attempts by any foreign agency
to influence American citizens in
favor of a foreign form of gov
ernment and against American
(see UN-AMERICAN, Page A-4)
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Summary Of Todoy's Star

Foreign
Pope Plus repays visit of Italian
King and Queen. Page Al
Retreating Reds taking stand on
Far North front. Page Al
$4,000 casualties in one area of Turk
ish quake. Page Al
British planes reconnoiter North
west Germany. Page Az
Won't follow suggestion to resign,
says Japan's Premier. Page Az
French repulse two German attacks,
Paris reports. Page AS
American woman is struck by Jap
nese sentry. Page AS
Allies use Films to cut Reich supplies,
Nazis charge Page Al
Air raids prelude to big drive in
China, says Japanese. Page Al
NotionoI
Gen. Marshall says Army less than
Is per cent ready. Page Al
Woodring asks defense adequate for
ANY military load" Page AZ
Scientist would paint arctic black to
change temperature. Page AS
Evening star., 1939-12-28

(See POPE, Page ABB
Evening star., 1939-12-28

(See QUAKE, Page A-9D
Evening star., 1939-12-28

(See .PARKE, Page A-4.)
Evening star., 1939-12-28

Partly cloudy; continued cold tonight,
with minimum about II; tomorrow fair;
gentle variable winds. Temperatures
today-Highest, %, at 1880 pm; low
est, 81, at 6 am.
From the Uniteo states wea ther Bureau report
Full details on Page Az
Imperial Valley press., 1939-04-13
Ritter toFight
N. ]. Extradition,
He Declares Here

Continued from Page One)
wish to return to Germany, as it
would be unwise Winters, his sec
retary- -bodyguard, he said, is an
American. Winters was sent to New
Jersey last week by San Bernar-
dino officers.
He admitted he had been a pris-
oner in a Nazi concentration camp
out refused to give details except
to state it was because of his con-
Servative political activities. He en-
tered the United States, he said, in
1887. When asked about COM
mission, signed by Hitler, that was
found in his possessions, he said
Hitler had offered him a position
with the finance ministry in 1884.
He said he refused the appoint
ment.
He served nine months of three
year sentence for violation of i'm
migration laws. He then was re-
leased so he could Straighten up
his affairs and leave the country.
He said Thursday he was with
friends at Brawley when he heard
officers we're after him for over
staying his time He hired as yet
unidentified boys to take him to
Mexico. They took him, he said,
to n high iron fence and pointed
TO a hole in the netting. Mexico
is on the other side of that" he
quoted them as saying, crawl
through They refused to take
him further and would have moth
ing else to do with him He slept
in a basement that night, the night
of March II, and hid in Mexico
several days.
Ritter's descriptions of trip to
san Luis were graphic. He is thin
and worn, presenting pathetic
figure as he bows formally from
the waist and clicks his heels in
military fashion.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-04-13
Albania Seizure
Arouses Anger Of
Prime Minister

Continued from Page One)
violated the British-Italian agree
ment to respect the status quo in
the Mediterranean Chamberlain
said
1T is difficult to reconcile what
happened with the preservation OF
national sovereignty as contemplate
ed in the Anglo-Italian agreement.
Britain. however, Chamberlain
announced, would not denounce the
agreement, although Lord Perth
British ambassador to Rome, hao
asked Count Galeazzo Ciano, Ital-
ian foreign minister, for an ex-
planation regarding Italy and Al
bania and found the explanation
unsatisfactory.
In declaring Italy's occupation
of Albania unjustified, Chamber
lain said that rightly or wrongly,
italian stories of i'll treatment ano
oppression by King zog's govern
ment were regarded with doubt and
suspicion.
Chamberlain said that after
Britain and Greece had received
information that Italy intended to
attack Corfu. Guido Crolla, Italian
Charge d'Affairs in London. gave
Lord Halifax personal assurance
that Italy would not occupy the
strategic Greek island.
Lord Halifax welcomed the as
surance. Chamberlain said, but en-
ohasized that if such action were
contemplated, it must be a matter
of gravest concern to the British
government.
Chamberlain said Lord Halifax
also informed Crolla he would be
glad if the Italian government
made Crolla's assurance their own
and it would be better If the as
surance were repeated to Greece.