davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-12-19
Hitler Forced to Act in Next
? Months, Commons Is Told
Armed Porty With Reich Seen in 194l;
Losses in African Bottle Put at 1000

Mr.. Churchill said, it may be used
in "other theaters." but he did not
say what they might be.
The Battle of Africa. he declared,
has cost Britain less than 1000 killed
and wounded as against capture of
at least 10000 prisoners and much
material, but above all had demon
strated the quality of British En-
pire forces, permitting Britain ito
take bolder views than those open
to us before The British were
contending against odds of 3, and
5 to l in Libya, he declared.
Mr.. Churchill suggested that the
present tapering off of the German
air siege of Britain might mean
preparation for some other form
of activity against Britain" Bad
(See CHURCHILL, Page A-21)
Evening star., 1940-12-19
Italians Reported
Abandoning Key
Albanian Towns
Occupation Of KIisuro
And TepeIeni Neor,
Greeks Indicate
By the Associated Press.

ATHENS, Dec. 19.-Unconfirmed
reports from the Greek Italian bat
tlefront in Albania said today that
Italian forces had withdrawn from
the key mountain towns of Klisura
and Tepeleni. Another dispatch said
that Greek occupation was imminent.
The Greeks apparently were fol-
loving the usual practice of delaying
entrance until surrounding areas had
been mopped up.
In the case of Tepeleni and Klisura
in the middle sector of the front, the
Fascist warriors were said to have
withdrawn merely to heights about
the towns, in position to fire on
Greek troops should they try at once
to occupy the two places.
Despite bad weather." said one
dispatch, Greek columns are con-
tinuing their advance, especially in
the central sector where. after heavy
artillery fire, they reached Klisura.
The Italians abandoned their po-
sitions, where they had been fight
ing for three days. and left in the
hands of Greek troops abundant war
material and quite few prisoners" !"
The current Greek offensive also
Is aimed at the sea coast town Of
Chimara.
Meanwhile the British Royal Air
Force told of a most successful at
tack yesterday on the port of Va
Iona, which is in the path of the
Greeks coastal column, Is miles
north of Chimara.
The British encountered strong
fighter opposition" and fought 90
minute running engagement. One
Italian plane was believed to have
been doWned and one British plane
made a forced landing on its return
to base.
Evening star., 1940-12-19
Freighter Beached
After Crash With
u. 5. Batt|eship
The Arkansas Hits Curoo
Vessel Early Today
OFF New Jersey
Py the Associated Press,

~ Cne Associated FreSS.
NEW YORK, Dec. ia &c, 100
ton battleship, the U. S. S. Arkansas,
and freighter collided in the dark,
early morning hours today of the
Jersey coast, damaging the cargo
vessel so badly she had to be
beached after limping 40 miles to
New York Harbor.
The crash occurred off Seagirt
about 3 a IN. None of the personnel
aboard either Ship was injured and
the Arkansas, Oldest battleship of its
type in service, was practically un-
damaged.
Listing heavily to port, the 5,148-
ton freighter, the Melrose, was run
aground by her master, Capt. George
E. Tubbs, on Red Hook Flats, a
shadows off the Brooklyn shore,
within sight of the Brooklyn dry
dock she had sought to reach.
The misunderstanding about 500
Naval Reservists, the last group of
some 5000 undergoing training for
commissions-also continued on to
New York and dropped anchor in
her customary spot in the Hudson.
Capt. John L. Hall, jr, of Will
liamsburg, Va, commander of the
battleship, said later, I'VE all saw
the ship for about IS or 20 minutes
before we had this light collision
only a glancing blow-but it could
not be avoided"
He added that, pending an inves-
(See COLLISION, Page A-5D
Evening star., 1940-12-19
Draft System Change
To 21-Year-0Id
Glass Plan Seen
European Principle
Said by Sponsors to
Have Mony Advantages
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.

A radical change in the selective
service law, replacing the present
system of training available men
between the ages of 81 and 36 with
a new plan of calling out each
year all qualified men of 81, was
predicted today at a source high
in the defense program.
c. A. Dykstra. director of selective
service, conferred with President
Roosevelt today and admitted as he
left the White House that they had
discussed proposed changes in the
age limits of men liable for military
service.
While no definite announcement
came from the White House or
selective service headquarters, it was
reported that the President is in
terested in the plan to lower the
age of trainees. It was indicated
that the draft director gave the
President results of study made
by selective service officers of the
annual class" system.
This proposed change, currently
under discussion by officers of the
War Department and the Selective
Service System, is expected to be
advanced at the new session of
Congress as an amendment to the
act. It is understood that its
sponsors will urge it as a more
of less permanent defense policy.
The new plan-an old story in
Europe-would retain the principle
of selective service, but place it
on a more practical and equitable
basis, those favoring it contend.
Sponsors Claim Efficiency.
The European system of COM
pulsory military service, sometimes
known as the Swiss plan, calling
out men for training when they
reach q certain age and designating
them afterward as the "class" of
that year, is regarded by Army
officers and some members of Con-
gress as a more efficient plan and
one even less likely to disturb the
economic balance and democratic
traditions of America than the
machinery set up by the Selective
Service Act of 1910.
Congress is expected to consider
the annual class plan along with
other suggested changes in the law.
one of which would remove the limit
of 100000 on the number of selectees
who may be in training at one time
during peace.
Statisticans at the Census Bureau
estimate that 100000 Americans
will reach the age of 81 during the
next year.
If, as at present, men between the
ages of 18 and 81 were allowed to
volunteer, it was pointed out, there
would be an annual reservoir Of
(see CONsCRIPTION, Page A-ls)
Evening star., 1940-12-19

lighting a flash of Christmas JOY
in homes that now face only dark
ness Your gift in the hands of
mother of the needy will do more
good than you know
Bring or mail your contribution
to Christmas House. outside The
Star Building at Eleventh street
and Pennsylvania avenue NV.
Here is an account of what some of
your fellow citizens did yesterday
for Yule cheer:
Employees of the Coast and
Geodetic Survey held a Christmas
party in the Department of Com
merce auditorium, and presented
$13445 to The Star Warner Bros
N B. c. campaign. Their Santa
Claus also gave to Bill Coyle, radio
director of The Star. 200 toys and so
pounds of candy for distribution TO
underprivileged youngsters.
A woman. who listens to the
N. B. c. Kibitzers broadcast their
appeals for the Christmas fund,
sent In her second gift.
Il had already given all thought
Evening star., 1940-12-19
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, Dec. 19.-Three straight
nights of r. A. F.. bombardment of
Mannheim. Southwestern German
industrial commercial and COM
munications center, were described
today in well-informed quarters as
part of a British move to smash
communications between Germany
and Italy.
Linked with the third attack last
night was an r. A. F. smash at
Italy-a factory In Milan, docks at
Genoa and an airdrome in Northern
Italy, according to the Air Minis
try's announcement.
Informed quarters stressed the
Mannheim raids, however, as an
attempt to smash communication
links between the axis powers while
British troops continued their pres
sure against Italian forces in Libya
and British air and sea forces
helped the Greeks fight Italy in
Albania.
In the darkness last night r. A. F.
bombers planted bombs amid the
smoke of previous bombardments
of Mannheim, the Air Ministry
said.
Bombed 81 Times.
BY British count, Mannheim has
been bombed 81 times since the war
started. Aside from it's importance
in axis communications, the city
factories make submarine engines
and provide other finished products
needed by warning Germany.
Still another motive in the Mann
helm attack, it is believed, is the
British wish to give successive re-
gions of Germany taste of heavy
raiding something like the Nazi air
force has been giving to various
sections of England. Fire damage
was reported by the Air Ministry.
The ministry said four large new
fires were started in Mannheim,
where smoke from fires of previous
raids" still could be seen.
"At Milan" communique said,
"a large area was seen to be blaz-
ing furiously."
The submarine base at Lorient,
in Nazi-occupied France, also was
attacked, the ministry said.
The British lost no planes in the
nights raiding, reported to have
been carried out despite bad
weather.
(The Swiss high command
earlier had reported a new vio-
lation of Swiss territory by "for-
eign warplanes' which crossed
the Jura in a southeasterly di-
rection," the route frequently
used in the past by British flyers
raiding italy,
German Air Force Inactive.
Although conditions over the
Channel were described as mot
unfavorable," the German air force
remained inactive last night and
for the second successive day the
morning communique on aerial op-
(see MANNHEIM, Page A-l4J
Evening star., 1940-12-19
@5D. {. Registrars
Take Physical Tests
Tomorrow Night
2o6 to Get Examinations
Tonight; All Will Have
x-Roys Next Week

Selective service authorities today
ordered 265 registrants to report
for physical examinations at four
Washington Hospitals at pm. to-
morrow. These, with 296 registrants
ordered yesterday to appear for tests
tonight. make a total of 561 pro-
spective selectees out of which the
Is local area boards expect to I'LL
the Districts January quota call
of 202 men.
While most of the physical ex-
aminations will be completed in the
hospital checkups, all of the regis
trants involved will report to the
District Public Health Clinic here
beginning early next week for chest
X-rays and laboratory tests. As
was the case in Washington's first
quota call last month lin which 81
selectees were inducted for one year
Of military training) hnal physical
examinations will be given the Sc
lectees at the Army induction sta
ton for this area.
Induction Station Changed.
Since the token" induction in
November, Sd Corps Area headquar-
ers has changed the induction sta
tion in the Washington area from 4
location at 458 Indiana avenue NV.
to the 5th Regiment Armory in Bal
timore, Md.
Brig Gen. Albert L. Cox, selective
service executive for the District,
announced today, however, that
members Of the 26Oth Coast Artil-
lery Regiment. National Guard, will
be indicted here instead of in Bal
timore or elsewhere, as had been
scheduled. Col. Henry Pillsbury, Sd
Corps Area medical officer, conferred
with authorities here today regard
ing place where the examinations
for the Guardsmen might be held,
and decision on this matter Is ex-
pected in the next few days. The
tests are expected to begin on jan
uary s. and continue at the rate of
about 200 men q day until the anti
aircraft regiment members have all
been given final checkups.
The Guardsmen, like the selective
service men, also will be given chest
X-rays and laboratory tests.
Registrants ordered to report to-
morrow at Z pm. at local hospitals
were:
Board No. Emergency HospitaD
Albert P. Gault, jr., n, 1890
Thirty third street NV; Sidney
Blatt, q, 4042 Fessenden street NV:
Clay B. Cofer, %, 1917 Dent street
NV; Richard w. Rabak, %, 1926
Thirty ninth street NV; Joseph
w. Widlick, 81, 3739 Benton street
NV; Charles A. -Estep. "a, 3117 N
street NV; Harold Hughes, "a, 1925
N street NV; Arthur E. Farquhar,
81, 1907 o street NV; Francis L.
King. %, 3039 @ street NV; Will
liam B. Briggs, 80, 1903 Thirtieth
street NV; Vernon G. Mastin, 81,
14l7 Thirty-fourth street NV;
Lawrence A. Knapp, IS, 1645 Thirty
first street NV; Edward K. Adel-
sheim, Is, 22O9 Observatory place
NV, and Vivian M. Mastin, %, 1417
Thirty fourth street NV.
Board No. 2 Garfield HospitaD.
Claude j. West, n, 2630 Woodley
place NV; Bruce F. Johnston, %,
2709 Woodley road; Carl A. Lands,
IS, 1929 Connecticut avenue NV;
David Pincus, Is, 3412 Morrison
street NV; Irving w. Thompson,
%, 1865 Twenty-ninth street NV;
Evening star., 1940-12-19
BY the Associated Press.


Secretary Of War Stimson, declar-
ing soldiers had been exploited
financially and subjected to . bad
moral influence in unnamed COM
munities near Fort Benning, Ca,
announced today he would create
an organization to deal with such
conditions throughout the country.
He told his press conference
there would be a committee to work
toward improvement Of health and
sanitary conditions in towns near
Army posts, and cooperate with
law enforcement and other OFF,
cial agencies in the communities.
The aim would be to control "un-
desirable persons and places" in
crease proper recreational facilities
in the towns and protect soldiers
80 far as We can from being ex-
plotted"
Evening star., 1940-12-19
British Take Back 720
From SomoIiIond Raid

NAIROBI, Kenya Colony, Dec. 18
Delayed P.-British headquar-
ters announced today that patrols
which were reported to have raided
El WAX in Italian Somaliland had
retired across the Kenya border with
approximately l20 prisoners after
setting fire to buildings and supply
depots.
Evening star., 1940-12-19
Tert OF Churchill Report, Page BIS
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON. Dec 19-Adolf Hitler
needs ito do something now, or at
any rate in the next two months, :"
Prime Minister Churchill declared
today; therefore German invasion
still is Britain's supreme danger
At the same time, in his pre-
Christmas war review before the
House of Commons, Mr.. Churchill
spoke joyfully of Britain's continu-
ing offensive against Italy in Africa
and optimistically of Britain's
chances next year of armed parity
with Germany. Britain is only half
armed now, he said.
If Britain's 1941 strength is not
used in defense of the British Isles,
Evening star., 1940-12-19
The Idea May Be OK Mr. President but Will 1t Hold Water?
Christmas Money to Needy
Has Doubled Happiness Value
Organizations Gifts Brighten Homes Thot
Would Be Dark on q Hopeless Day

Many Washington have hit scheme for doubling their
money between and Christmas
They double in terms of human Notwithstanding to The
Christmas dollar bills vedoar bills checks
bigger The going to families extreme need
Evening star., 1940-12-19
British Again Smash
Al German-|ta|ian
Communications
Mannheim Is Blasted
Third Straight Night;
Milan, Genoa Bombed
BULLETIN.

LONDON [P).-Londoners heard
AFRAID sirens shrilling early this
evening for the first time in three
nights.
Evening star., 1940-12-19
Christmas House
Broodcosts

If you're in the vicinity of
Christmas House, at Eleventh
street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue. NV, at any of the WMAL
broadcasting periods, stop by to
make a contribution and take
part. Representatives of organ
izations can arrange to appear
on one of the broadcasts by
calling National 5000 and ask
ing for Christmas House.
Today
l2-l2:l5 Pm.
.sss Ara to 4:4S R.M. a,.~,,
Tomorrow
9:45 to 10 AM.
4:30-4.45 PM.
7:15-7:3O PM.
Evening star., 1940-12-19
Summary Of Todoy's Star
Foreign n.

Foreign.
Britain still only half armed,
Churchill says. Page Al
British again smash at Reich italian
communications. Page Al
10000 Italians taken prisoner, Eden
says. Page Al
Italians reported abandoning key
Albanian towns. Page Al
Matsuoka pleads for U. S. to stay out
of war. Page Al
ENJOYS to provide news of Medi-
terranean situation. Page Ala
Risto Ryti elected President Of
Finland. Page BIS
National
Logan-Walter bill objectives seen
approved next session. Page As
New tactics to speed arms produc-
ton being studied. Page Al
Evening star., 1940-12-19
Italians Are Trapped in Bordio,
British Blasting Tobruk Road;
Churchill Expecting Invasion
31,546 Prisoners
Already Counted,
Cairo Declares
BULLETINS.

STRUGA, Yugoslavia cat the
Albanian border, Dec. 10 (P).-
Fleets of German transport
planes were reported today to be
shutting Italian reinforcements
across the Adriatic to the Al
banian battlefront in an effort
to halt the Greek counter-inva-
sion.
BASEL. Switzerland. (P.-The
newspaper LIE Democrat of Dele
mont reported today from a good
source in Zurich" that freight
and civilian traffic have been
suspended on the Brenner rail-
way line to permit the passage OF
German divisions who are on
their way to Italy.
Evening star., 1940-12-19

(See DRAFT, Page A-20
Evening star., 1940-12-19

CONTINUED on Page AS, Column ~
Evening star., 1940-12-19

(See DEFENSE, Page A-18.)
Evening star., 1940-12-19
Weather Forecast

tonight about "a; tomorrow cloudy,
warmer, followed by light rain. Tenn
peratures today-Highest, A, at 2 pm;
lowest, 20, at Sis am.
From the United States Weather Bureau report.
Full Details on Page Az.
Evening star., 1940-09-26

at all, rather than have to fight
them later under disadvantageous
conditions. It is likewise to our
advantage to do all we can to check
the Japanese southwark thrust,
aimed in the end not only at Singa-
pore but at the Dutch East Indies
and the Philippines, perhaps,
eventually, at Australia.
These considerations lie behind
the reported conversations between
Great Britain, Australia and the
United States regarding the status
quo in the Far East. The expressed
anxiety of the Japanese press re-
garding the outcome Of these con-
versations is a clear indication that
the Japanese we'll realize that such
cooperation, translated from words
into deeds, would confront them
with a resistance so based and
armed that they could not hope to
overcome it.
The plain and fundamental fact
of the matter is that neither we
nor Britain can suffer the vast
areas Of the French, Dutch and Bel
gian colonial empires to fall into the
hands of the forces of aggression,
to be used to supply and implement
further aggression. We must deny
them to those who have constituted
themselves to enemies OF our way
Of life.
(Copyright, 1910, New York Tribunte. Jnc)
Evening star., 1940-09-26
Eliot Sees Dokor Too Vital
For British to Drop Seizure
Observer Anticipates Another Attempt;
Pictures Port of Importance to u S.

we cannot desire to see this Japa-
nese project succeed.
Vichy, which speaks with the
voice of Germany. apparently made
a sufficient concession to allow the
Japanese to have their way. No one
will take seriously the idea that the
restriction of the Japanese "privi-
leges" to the use of three air
dromes, the entry Of 5000 troops
and the right to send warships
singly into Haiphong would not
have been instantly and progress
sively exceeded. The actual situa-
ton Is not yet clear. It would ap-
pear that the French civil authori-
ties obeyed Vichy, but that the
military refused to comply and re-
sisted the entry of the japanese
with some success, as far as tan be
learned. There are about 10000
French troops in Indo-C China, in
cluding at last reports. four bat
talions Of the Foreign Legion. nine
battalions Of colonial infantry, three
tank companies, two squadrons Of
motor machine guns and two-pos-
sibly three-regiments Of colonial
artillery.
Chance for u. s. to Assist.
Native troops include about Is 900
men-22 infantry battalions and
two companies of engineers. There
are considerable numbers of native
reservists, though no very large
store of arms for them. The great
weakness Is in the air, and 1t Is a
weakness which little can now be
done 70 repair in time. The only
possibility appears to be the trans
fer to the French of American
built planes now in course Of de-
livery to the Netherlands Indies,
with replacement Of these from
American sources as soon as pos
sible. But before this could be done
it would be necessary not only to
have Dutch agreement. but to be
certain that the French military
leaders in Indo-China meant to
fight, and are willing to place them
selves under the De Gaulle standard.
In its larger aspects, the Japan
ese thrust at Indo-China is likely
to go far beyond any mere attack
on the Chinese, if the Japanese
have their way. Once they have
Tonkin, they will soon find reason
for penetrating AMMAN and Laos
probably on account Of 'intolerable
disorder menacing to japanese in
terests"-and so bring themselves
to the frontier of Siam. Following
that would come intensified Japan
ese activity in Siam itself, with
perhaps a direct move into the
Siamese part of the Malay PENN
sula, with its railway leading down
to Singapore. At some point in
this advance British resistance
would certainly be encountered. 1t
is therefore to British interests to
try to stop the Japanese before
they get foothold in Indo-C China
Evening star., 1940-09-26
Msgr. Sheen Denounces
Continuance in Office
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Sept. 26.-Msgr. Full
ton J. Sheen, professor Of philosophy
at Catholic University. Washington,
yesterday declared 1t was "an offense
against justice to use illegitimate
means to further even an honest
political end. such as continuance in
any public office"
Msgr. Sheen, in q sermon a, the
annual "red mass Of the Catholic
Lawyers Guild, called for q "realiza-
tion that there are two kinds Of
dishonesty in politics: dishonesty Of
money and dishonesty of power"
Without mentioning any specific
individual he continued:
Americans have become so ac-
customed to associating graft with
politics that when they find q poll
tician who does not steal the public
treasury, they call him honest. It
would seem that respect for someone
else's money was the minimum con-
dition upholding any position. . .
Justice is not satisfied merely by
money honesty, it demands also the
honest use Of power.
I'm other words, it is an offense
against justice to use illegitimate
means to further even an honest
political end. such as continuance
in any public office. The end never
justifies the means.
"Just as may not steal from a
rich person to help a neighbor in
distress, so neither may make use
of subversive groups legally, or Of
loyal groups illegally, to maintain
myself in office"
Archbishop Francis ]. Spellman Of
the New York diocese praised Msgr.
Sheen as "a man preeminent In
his field Of philosophy"
Evening star., 1940-09-26
Sure Way To Keep
False Teeth
Pure and Clean

You can't properly clean dental plates
By just brushing them and even If you
could, brushing can injure them in time.
So why not keep up with the times
take DR.. Sherwin's expert advice and
give your false teeth daily bath With
amazing Stera-Kleen.
Get . 30 cent bottle today and follow the
dmpas directions. After the first Stera-Neen
bath vosr plate 10 inmaculately clean-teeth
dean with purity - sparkle with beauty
your1 b joyfuliy sstshsd - tens of thoU
1oia II uoaep in0v-1Ases lsr vssA
Evening star., 1940-09-26

Ministry Of National Defense re-
ported today.
In Durango state, troops clashed
with . group near the village Of
San Simon. Three Of the rebels
were killed and one was taken
prisoner in q running fight, the
others escaping into the mountain
our countryside, the ministry said.
Members OF various bands were
Evening star., 1940-09-26
DR.. Pike to Address Bor

DR.. James Pike of the George
Washington University Law School
will discuss Some Recent Trends
in the Construction of the Fed
eral Rules" at the annual conven-
ton of the California State Bar As.
sociation at Coronado, Calf, to-
day. The address will be published
in the George Washington Law Re-
view,
Evening star., 1940-09-26

said to have surrendered in Chihua.
hua, Tamaulipas and Michoacan
states.
President Cardenas, who Is tour
ing Northern Mexico, has offered
jobs and pardons to all those sur
rendering.
Evening star., 1940-09-26

Australia is recruiting many air
pilots.
Evening star., 1940-09-26
Mexican Troops Pursue
Small Rebel Bonds

MEXICO CITY, Sept. 26.-Federal
troops are pursuing small bands Of
rebels in four states, the Mexican