davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-09-10
The Explosion

War came to the western world again
on Sunday September 3, when tall, gray
haired Prime Minister Neville Chamber
lain. Britains "appeaser," sat before a
microphone in his Office at No. 10 Down.
Ing street, London, and told universal
audience that his appeal to Reichsfueh-
rer Hitler to withdraw his troops from
Poland had been in vain. 4
Britain's ultimatum to Germany re-
manned unanswered when the hands OF
Big Ben reached II am, the Zero hour"
Therefore, Mr. Chamberlain said sadly,
the might of the British empire must
be summoned to make good the govern
ments pledge of assistance to the hard
pressed Poles.
81 have to tell you that Great Britain
Is at war with Germany" the 70-year-
old statesman said. Nov that we have
resolved to finish it, I know that you
will do your part"
A few hours later Premier Edouard
Daladier of France addressed similar
message to the French people, World
War allies of the British and co-signers
of the security pledge to Poland
The cause of France is the cause
of Justice" he proclaimed assuring his
people of victory.
By nightfall, the British home fleet
had taken up battle stations in the
North Sea. Britain's far-fung chain OF
cruisers and destroyers in all parts OF
the world were on the lookout for Ger
man commerce, now legitimate prey,
even as German submarines secured the
horizons for British and French ship
ping.
Blue-clad "poilus' were entraining for
the Franco German frontier, where,
few days later, they would be joined
by the khaki-clad divisions of Great
Britain, as In 1914. In London, thou
sands of school children were being sent
by train for the country, where they
would be safe from German bombers.
Nations throughout the world were
Quick to proclaim their neutrality
Distant parts of the British Empire
Australia, New Zealand, the native
princes OF India-cabled assurances OF
support to London
In Washington, President Roosevelt,
called from his bed before dawn, sum-
moned Army, Navy and diplomatic ad-
visers to the White House to plan
proclamation of neutrality and to aid
the repatriation of nearly 100000 Ameri-
cans stranded in Europe.
Thus war came to a world which, since
that November day nearly 81 years ago
when firing stopped on the western front
In France, had known only phantom
peace.
Evening star., 1939-09-10
The Eastern Front:

Z One OF the amazing developments OF
fhe first week of the war was the smash
ing drive of the Nazi war machine
almost without nterruption-deep into
Poland.
: Like three arrows aimed at Warsaw,
The heart of Poland, three separate Ger
man armies went into action in the be-
ginning of the German drive 10 days ago.
Zone struck from Northern Germany,
9dust to the west of the Polish Corridor;
Sanother moved directly south from East
Prussia, to effect junction with the
afirst and snip off Danzig and the Upper
fMCorridor like pair of shears; the third
showed north from the former territory
s@of Slovakia, now German, in an effort
afo capture Krakow, Katowice, Czesto-
Evening star., 1939-09-10
Review of the Hghts of the First Week Of Europes War

Of r. H. Cross He will work closely
with similar French committee headed
by Paul Morand. The purpose of both
is to attempt to shut of supplies from
Germany
Meanwhile, the French veteran, Gen.
Maurice Gustave Gamelin, was appointed
supreme commander of the French land,
sea and air forces. He is expected also
to have under his direction the British
Army in France, just as Marshal Foch
did during the last months of the
World War
No changes were announced in the
German war hierarchy, functioning
directly under Adolf Hitler as comman-
der in chief
Evening star., 1939-09-10
howa and other important industrial

chowa and other important industrial
cities of Poland.
Last week all three of these armies
continued steady advance, pushing back
the Polish forces from 2 to IS miles
each day. Polish military circles insisted
that their retreat was strategic one.
designed to draw out the German lines
of communication, to subject German
forces to the losses that always accom-
pany an attack, and, of greatest impor-
tance, to fall back upon strongly prepared
positions where they would make firm
stand along the conjunction Of the Wis.,
tula and Bug Rivers, just northwest
of Warsaw.
German forces attacking Poland in
the north were led personally by Reichs-
fuehrer Adolf Hitler, who sped out of
Berlin in an army staff car after telling
the German people that Germany never
again will capitulate." Yesterday, by
decree, he re-established the German
Poland frontier of 1914. Included in the
annexed" area were Danzig the Cor
risdor and Upper Silesia.
German Drive on Warsaw
Behind the spear -thrusts of their
mechanical forces, the two German
armies in the north and northwest
pushed slowly together during the week
and Hitler was able to claim the physical
reunion of East and West Prussia and
domination of the intervening territory
of Danzig and the Polish Corridor. AS
this is written the first advance guard of
the northern army is reported to be at
the gates of Warsaw, while the larger
force moving down from the northwest
has advanced it's position to line run
ming east and west through the cities Of
Bydgozcf1 and Torun.
Meanwhile, the brave little Polish gar
rison of some go or 10 men who were
left to defend the Polish ammunition
dump at Westerplatte in Danzig are
reported to have been overwhelmed after
Evening star., 1939-09-10
War on Land

Those who anticipated that the war on
land would open with great display OF
pyrotechnics, like the sweeping German
invasion of Belgium in 1914, were mis-
taken. The French general staff, accord
Ing to it's long Laid plans made cautious
almost gingerly approach to the pill
boxed machine guns of the Siegfried Line,
pr "Westwall" Meanwhile, the gray
green troops of the Third Reich struck
hard against Poland. hoping to crush it
before turning to the greater Franco
British menace in the west.
Evening star., 1939-09-10
The Political Front:

On the political front Great Britain
moved Immediately to form strong
war cabinet" including Capt. Anthony
Eden, former foreign secretary, as secre-
tary for dominions. Winston Churchill
was asked again to take up his World
War duties as first lord Of the admiralty.
Lord Gort was appointed chief of the
British field forces. Sir Edmund Iron
sides was designated chief of imperial
defense, and Sir Walter Kirke became
commander in chief of the home forces.
The royal family was represented in the
scheme of defense by the appointment
of the Duke of Gloucester as chief liaison
officer with the British field forces.
A Committee on Economic Warfare
was established under the Craftsmanship
Evening star., 1939-09-10
Over There

As the signal for war sounded last
Sunday in every one of the four COM
batant nations the chiefs of the three
arms of modern warfare-armies, navies
and air forces-began like chess players
to plan their moves against the enemy.
Evening star., 1939-09-10

Spain-afraid to venture out, and that
nine others of $4,000 tons are similarly
berthed in Japanese ports.
Great Britain has thrown a naval cor
don around the North Sea in the hope
of cutting off all commerce between
Germany and other parts of the world
1t is a repetition of the blockade that
proved so effective in starving Germany
to defeat in the World War.
Mystery of the Bremen
Meanwhile, the sea mystery of the
week was furnished by the disappearance
of the $20,000,OO0 German superliner
Bremen, which left New York Harbor
a few days before the outbreak of war
British and French men of war searched
futilely throughout the week for this
rare war prize.
War in the Air
Some military experts have written for
years that the next war" would be
fought in the air, that great cities prob
ably would be wiped out in the first
few hours of war. Nothing to justify
these predictions happened last week.
The Eastern Front:
Most destructive air raids Of the pres
ent war were carried out over Warsaw
and other Polish towns by flights OF
German planes, which almost daily have
rained bombs upon them.
British Bomb Nazi Fleet
In one of these raids German bomber
power dived and dropped six bombs
some of which struck the villa 10 miles
west of Warsaw, at Konstsncin, occu-
pied by Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, United
States Ambassador to Poland, his wife
and daughter Mr.. Biddle promptly re-
ported to the State Department that the
bombing appeared to have been inten-
tional
The populations of both London and
Paris were sent scurrying to their bomb
proof cellars several times during the
week by the shrill warning of afraid
sirens. No bombs, however, were dropped
on either city. The warnings resulted
from the sighting of German planes
which, apparently, either were carrying
out scouting missions or were driven of
by the British and French anti-aircraft
defenses.
Poland on Wednesday announced that
a fight of 20 Of its planes had bombed
Berlin. The report, however, was denied
by the Germans.
The British air force, meanwhile, car
ried out several raids over German ter
ritory. On Tuesday, the British war
ofiice announced, Royal Flying Corps
bombers scored direct hits upon two
German warships anchored at Wilhelms-
haven, the Reich naval base. This was
denied by Berlin, where officials claimed
that the vessels were unharmed.
Reports from Copenhagen Friday said
that flight of 10 or Is British planes
had bombed the heavily fortified Ger
man air base on the Island Of Sylt al
the entrance to the Kiel Canal:
Propaganda bombing" also was in
troduced by the British, whose planes
dropped millions Of pamphlets over Ger
man territory. These leaflets, printed
in German, told the dtisens Of thu
Reich that Britain was not making ~,
Evening star., 1939-09-10

upon them, but upon their dictator, Adolf
Hitler, whom they were advised to over
throw in the interest of peace
British military planes based upon
France co-operated with the French air
force in carrying out series of military
reconnaissance flights over German ter
ritOry
Evening star., 1939-09-10
Over Here

The outbreak Of war in Europe brought
prompt reaction in Washington. where
President Roosevelt Sunday night ad-
dressed the Nation by radio, assuring
the country of the administrations de-
sire to preserve neutrality.
Lamenting the failure of peace efforts,
Mr.. Roosevelt warned the American
people to beware of propaganda, to use
the utmost caution" in discriminating
between fact and rumor. American busi-
nessmen, he admonished, have no right
to proflteer, either at the expense of the
war-stricken nations of Europe or of
the American public.
Although neutrality was his theme, one
passage in his speech was significant In
view of his frequent previous attacks
upon dictatorial regimes abroad.
This Nation will remain a neutral
Nation" he said, but I cannot ask
that every American remain neutral
in thought as well. Even a neutral
has a right to take account of facts.
Even neutral cannot be asked to
close his mind or conscience"
Meanwhile, the President and his cabi-
net during the week put into effect
series of new regulations to safe
guard American neutrality, combat
foreign espionage and strengthen the
national defense
Evening star., 1939-09-10
first battle on the western front will
be fought there.
British Join in Thrust

first battle on the western front will
be fought there.
British Join in Thrust
The French Government announced
at the end of the week that its armies
were advancing steadily into Reich
territory, with the Germans in retreat;
that British reinforcements were NOV
ing into position; that civilians were
being evacuated from the territory be-
tween the two opposing armies, and
that the Germans had rushed REIN
forcements into 100-mile front extend
ing from Luxembourg to Lauterbourg.
One of Frances main purposes in
pushing against the Siegfried Line has
been to compel Germany to send there
troops which otherwise might be used
against Poland.
Meanwhile, Berlin was silent concern
ing the fighting on the western front.
War at Sea-
BY contrast with the slow develop
ment of warfare on the western 'front.'
the week witnessed a dramatic series
of conflicts on the high seas as Ger
many and the Allies opened war on
each others merchant shipping.
Sinking of the Athena:
The war was only few hours old at
twilight Sunday, September 8, when the
British liner Athena, bearing 1,347
nocconuorc iv,o1,dipr o11 uoc
torpedoed and sunk without warning
about 200 miles off Scotland by sub
marine which the British Admiralty
promptly declared was German. The
German Government vehemently denied
responsibility for this breach of inter-
national law. counter charging that
the vessel either struck a British mine
or was torpedoed by the British them
selves to arouse American indignation
against Germany.
The Athena was bound from Liver
pool to Canada with cargo of 1000
tons. According to statement in the
House of Commons by Winston Church.
i'll, First Lord of the Admiralty, it was
not fitted out as an auxiliary cruiser
and carried no munitions.
British destroyers, the yacht Southern
Cross and the Norwegian steamer Knut
Nelson picked up most Of the survivors
of the torpedoed vessel bringing them
into Greenock, Scotland, and Galway,
Ireland. At the end of the week, the
Athenias owners announced that 1873
persons either were dead or missing,
victims of the original explosion or else
drowned at sea.
Commerce Raiders:
Meanwhile, world game of hide
and-seek was played between the war
and merchant vessels of the Allies and
of Germany over the seven seas. BY
the end of the week 18 ships had been
sunk. Eleven of these were British or
French, four were German, one Dutch,
one Greek and one unidentified. Al
though the allied losses were much
greater than the German, British ad-
miralty officials took comfort in the
statement that the shipping Of the Third
Reich was quickly being driven from the
seas. British. officials claimed that 54
German ships Of 10000 tons now are
hiding out Ia ono harbor-that Of Vigo,
Evening star., 1939-09-10
almost a week Of fighting against vastly

almost week Of fighting against vastly
superior forces.
With German troops pressing ever
nearer, the civilian population of War
saw. capital of Poland, began evacuating
on Wednesday. BY the time the German
advance forces reached it late Friday,
it was virtually abandoned, a pale haze
of smoke hanging over its bombed apart
ment houses and public buildings. The
Polish government has been moved to
Lublin, about 100 miles southeast of the
former capital.
Perhaps more important to the larger
fortunes of war has been the German
advance this week into the southwest
sections of Poland, base of its heavy
industry. Starting from the Slovakian
frontier, German forces during the last
10 days have pushed their line into a
vast crescent extending from the Polish
Slovakian frontier south of Newy Sacz
on through Kielce, Lodz, Ostrow and
north to Leszno near the German
Polish border.
Poland's Only Offensive
Poland's one offensive stroke at Ger
many during the last week took the
form of cavalry raid into East Prussia.
This move had little strategic signifi-
canoe, although it probably encouraged
the morale of people who were on the
defensive on all other fronts.
As the week ended, German troops
were in possession of about one-third
Of Poland While Berlin of1lcials FORE
cast quick victory, the Poles an
nounced that they were just now ready
to fight. According to reports from
Paris, the Poles have used only Is divi-
sions so far against the Germans and
are holding As in reserve to halt the
invasion from prepared positions along
the Vistula.
The Western Front:
Only the haziest, most generalized war
communiques from London and Paris
told the world last week of the vast
Franco British military operations along
the heavily fortified frontier between
France and Germany. Here was the
Gethsemane of the last war and here,
in all likelihood, the last phase of the
present struggle will be fought to q
finish.
Assault on Siegfried Line
Hence, Franco-B British forces began
last week a slow, methodical campaign
against Germanys "Westwall." French
war ONCE communiques described this
advance in only the most general terms.
"Our troops" one communique said"
continue to make contact with the Ger
man forces between the Rhine and
Moselle Rivers"
French Claim Advances
Several French communiques spoke
of penetrating the Siegfried Line. Sub
sequent military analysis, however, indi-
Gated that they referred to advanced
German positions in the mo Mans
Land between the two formidable lines.
The most concrete of French an
nouncements claimed the capture of
German pill-box-an outpost of the
Siegfried Line-opposite Saarguemines.
At least, it was established that French
troops were on German territory.
French concentrations appeared to
have been heaviest during the week
along the so-called Burgundy Gate, =
natural pass in the Franco German
frontier. Just north Of the swiss bordsr,
Military Observers predicted that the
Evening star., 1939-09-10
Decreeing Neutrality:

The State Department, on behalf of
the President, issued two proclamations
Wednesday. First was the regular
statement of neutrality demanded by
international law and custom Second
was an executive order made necessary
by the Neutrality Act
Under this second decree, all experts
of arms and ammunition to nations at
war were forbidden. American citizens
were also restricted from travelling on
the ships of foreign nations, unless their
voyages had begun before the proclama-
ton was issued An exception was made
for a period of 80 days for citizens
returning to the United States from
abroad.
Coastal Patrol Established
To enforce neutrality in American
territorial waters, the President ordered
the establishment of patrol which will
extend eventually from Maine to the
Panama Canal Two United States Navy
destroyers and two Coast Guard cut
tiers were assigned to begin it. These
Will NC 1ClillOlS SCo NY ldlu-up ucSllOycIS
which now are being reconditioned.
Orders were issued to strengthen the
military defenses of the Panama Canal.
National Emergency Proclaimed
At the end of the week, the President.
proclaiming limited national emer-
gency," announced an increase of $4,000
in the total enlisted strength of the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps. In ad-
dition, he asked for IS 900 more National
Guardsmen. This will bring the Army
to a total of 227OOO men, the Navy to
145,OO0, the Marine Corps to $4,000, and
the National Guard to 235 900.
He also decided to increase the per-
sonnel of the Federal Bureau of Investi-
CATION by $50 agents, to deal with for
eign espionage. The Treasury was
ordered to transfer $500,000 to the State
Department to aid in repatriating
Americans.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-05-18

tains" .................... Girls Glee Club
Mendelssohn
Benediction.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-05-18
Track Letters Awarded

Monday noon Coach Erickson
awarded 8 track letters to the boys
who had earned them during the
past season. To earn letter boy
must make a total of five points in
a track meet. A first place, two sec
ond, or five third places will bring
letter He may be also mem.
Der of a winning relay team.
The boys who won their letters
were: Bob Nolop, first in mile and
third in half mile at Eureka, Karl
Klehm, first in shot put, second in
high jump, hurdles, and broad jump
at the county meet He also placed
second in high hurdles and tied for
second in high jump at Kalispell.
He was fifth at Missoula in the shot
put. Wayne Johnson was first in
440 and $50 at Eureka, and third
in both races at Kalispell. Jack
Darlington was member of the
winning relay team. Bill Seims won
the go, was second in low hurdles
and shot put, and third in hundred
at Eureka He was third at Kalis-
pell in the low hurdles. Leonard
Spencer was second in 440 at Eu-
reka, and a member of the relay
team. Forrest Spencer was third
in broad jump and javelin, and also
a member of the relay team Bill
Martin won the pole vault at Eu-
reka and was second at kalispell.
Bob Adamson was the manager of
the team.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-05-18
EDITORIAL
Parting Advice

Many editorials are written in
school papers about the lack OF
school spirit, of craftsmanship, Of
courtesy, and the need for improve
ment in any or all of these respects.
1t seems that during the past year
the students of Libby High School
have shown themselves to possess
an abundance of all of these i'm
portant qualities.
None of the classes need any adj
vice about any of these questions
but the individual students in high
school, as we'll as the classes, would
derive a great deal of benefit and
enjoyment from more friendly get
togethers at which all of the mem
bers of one class would be present
The intermingling of the members
Of different classes in gangs and
groups, which has been SO prevalent
recently, is a good influence; it pre-
vents a lot of the hard feeling and
the unfriendly competition which
used to exist between the classes.
Nevertheless, it is detrimental to a
sense of comradship and unity be-
tween members of the same class.
This is hard to realize, sometimes,
until the last few hurried weeks
of school, when, more than ever,
the seniors seem to work together
On sneak day, at the Junior Prom,
during the class functions of the
senior banquet, class day, and COM
mencement, we seem to realize what
friendly people there are in our own
class, and really get to know one
another. BY the time the class has
at last achieved this feeling of COM
radship, it is separated, and its mem
bers will never really meet as
group again.
The members of each class should
begin early to gain in informal
gatherings feeling of comradeship
with one another, SO that they will
not have to realize, in the last days
before graduation. how many inter
esting people there are in their class
whom they never really learned
TO know.
c RI
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-05-18
Missoula, Sheridan
Win State Meet

Missoula County High School of
Missoula won the A class track meet
with a total of 81 points. Sheridan
won the B class scoring Is points.
Missoula's main men were big John
Mohland, who won both distance
and shot put for total of 10 points.
Arvid Carlson. stellar middle dis
lance man, also made 10 points, win
ming the 440 and $780, Hill, Sheridan's
weight man, was the big factor for
them. Earl "Pruny" Parsons was
the outstanding individual perform
err with total of Is points for Hell
ena high school. He won the 100
and 220, a second in the broad jump,
and tie for third in the pole vault.
Eugene Pitts of Hot Springs won
the mile, $50, and a second in the
440 for high B class honors.
All first, second, and third place
winners were awarded medals,
while fourth and fifth places were
awarded ribbons. Pitts and Par
sons were also awarded gold watch
es for being high point in their re-
spective classes. Karl Klehm Of
Libby placed fifth in the shot put
for "B" class, putting it AZ #. liz
inches. He made Libby's only point.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-05-18

Tuesday the new Il" club mem
bers were initiated The boys that
have earned letters since the be-
ginning of this term for the first
time are considered new members.
They are Jack Raymond, Joe Cor
bett, Richard Neils, Bill Seims, For
rest Spencer, Bill Martin, Ralph
Spencer, and Bob Adamson The
latter two earned their letter as
manager.
The new members were called to
the front by Wayne Johnson who
had them introduce themselves to
the student body AS there were
eight new members, Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs were the
theme of their program. They sang
Whistle While You Work in the
morning, and at noon they had a
fire race. The side that lost this
race had to present a skit in front
of the assembly at | o'clock. Jack
Raymond, Bill Martin, Joe Corbett,
and Forrest Spencer were on the
losing side. They presented Lance
lot and Elaine At $3.50, the much
looked forward to Woodshed Prom
enade was held in the big gymnas-
ium. Boat racing and padding were
the main features of this part of
the program. After this they were
declared initiated members of the
t--g%t.9 =E j