davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-05-19
Wallace Asks Marts
10 Peg Prices on
Grain Futures
Action Is Taken to Halt
Sensational Break in
Wheat Quotations
8y the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Taking emergency action to halt
modern historys most sensational
break in wheat prices, Secretary of
Agriculture Wallace asked the Ma
tion's grain futures markets to peg
prices at not less than yesterday S
closing quotations.
The request was telegraphed to
market officials after wheat prices,
rejecting uncertainty over the Euro
pean war, tumbled 10 cents a bushel
the limit permitted in any single
day by market rules-for the third
time last week. The net loss for
the week was about 80 cents.
Secretary Wallace's request, If ac-
ceded to by the markets, would es-
tablish minimum prices of 70 cents
bushel for May wheat futures and
59% cents for May corn futures
at Chicago, the Nations principal
grain market.
(Ofncials of the Chicago Board
of Trade were not prepared to
say Immediately what steps would
be taken to comply with the
secretary's wishes, but Secretary
Fred H. Clutton announced that
directors of the exchange will
meet in special session this morn
ing at 10 o'clock to consider what
steps can be taken)
Secretary Wallace's action came
shortly after Canadian authorities
had pegged prices at Winnipeg at
Fridays closing figures.
While Agriculture Department Of
(See GRAIN, Page A-4.)
Evening star., 1940-05-19
Disc Valley, Path
To Paris, Seen
Immediate Goal
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
PARIS, May 18.-Speeding Ger
man columns swung west across
France tonight toward the Disc VAL
ley-the road to Paris-meeting
stiffened resistance from Frenchmen
fighting under a new government
headed by Premier Paul Reynaud
and Marshal Henri Philippe Petain,
World War Victor of Verdun.'
The French high commands night
communique said the Germans were
attacking in westerly direction
with powerful resources, despite con-
siderable losses"
This was at the end of nine days
OF the battle in Belgium and North
ern France, which fighters and war
correspondents say is like nothing
ever witnessed in history.
One French officer told H. Taylor
Henry, Associated Press war cor
respondent:
Two hours of this is worse than
two days of the Battle of Verdun. -
IS Miles From Channel.
Today the Germans advanced to
Guise, about IA miles west of Ver-
wins, and to Landrecies, about IL
miles west of Avesnes and some IS
miles east of the English Channel.
Avesnes heretofore had been the
western edge of the salient into
the northern French plains. its
lower edges well within 100 miles
of Paris.
Far ahead of the main German
forces, advance units struck in all
directions. Six German motorcycle
soldiers who reached Laon, Is miles
south OF Guise, were captured.
Other light units were reported to
have reached Saint Quentin, Is miles
west OF Guise. Ut was in this vicin-
ity, in 4 railroad car in the forest
Of Compiegne, that the World War
armistice was agreed upon.)
German parachute soldiers roamed
behind the French lines, but these
can have no effect on the general
development of operations" declared
a French War Ministry spokesman.
German Objective.
The German objective in turning
to the west appeared to be: First,
to try to cut off the main French
Armies from the allied forces in Bel
GUM; and, second, to reach the
Disc Valley.
The sectors of Guise and Landre-
cies lie about 20 miles within France
from the Belgian border, near the
headwaters of the Oise River and
roughly 100 miles northeast of Paris.
Midway between the Germans and
(See PARIS, Page A-4)
Evening star., 1940-05-19

during the nve days OF heavy
fighting which I have just seen on
the northern front, I have learned
how heavily air superiority counts.
German tactics have ignored the
traditional artillery preparation but
have gained the long-sought COM
mined effect of preparation and sur
prise by substituting attack avia-
ton for artillery.
The Germans made the initial
opening in the pocket by attacking
on restricted front and then shift
ing the force of attack to a neigh
boring sectr so quickly that it
seemed almost a simultaneous ac-
ton.
The action opened almost as soon
as the French had rolled into action
in Belgium and dug their hasty
combat trenches behind rocks and
under trees.
Fleets of 300 to 400 German planes
Evening star., 1940-05-19
BY the Associated Press.

Germany's wartide of men and
machines engulfed Antwerp and
was reported by the Nazis to be
within 60 miles of Paris last
night.
The British and French pro-
fessed, however, to see some
slackening OF the unprecedented
assault in its ninth day.
The indicated German position,
widening and deepening stimuli
taneously toward the west and
south, puts the invaders roughly
midway between Paris, one ap-
parent objective, and the channel
ports, ideal bases for direct as
saulrs on England.
The French said the main
fighting was in the vicinity Of
Guise and Landrecies, about 80
miles from Paris.
They admitted a widening Of
the German held portion Of
France, and Premier Paul Rey-
maud told the nation that the
situation was grave"
M. Reynaud himself took over
the ministry of war and national
defense, named former Premier
Edouard Daladier foreign minis
ter, and chose Marshal Henri
Petain, 83-year-old World War
hero, as vice premier In general
cabinet revision.
German planes bombed rail-
way stations and highways in
the Paris region, but were driven
away from the city itself, with
one-fourth Of their is raiders
reported shot down.
The British Royal Air Force an
nounced bombing of German Gil
supplies with heavy damage in
Bergen, Norway; Bremen and
Hamburg, Germany.
The angered Germans said the
Evening star., 1940-05-19

dived and bombed French nests in
each sector.
AS fast as they swooped-at some
200 miles an hour-to drop bombs
from height of sometimes no more
than 100 yards, they turned and
swooped again to machine-gun SOL
diers who remained.
After the air attack, as many as
10 armored divisions of medium
and heavy tanks crashed against the
narrow front, spewing fire from their
flame -throwers.
Trailing the tanks, light motor
lied infantry rushed to take over
the territory.
AS soon as the crack "Blitz" divi-
sions had smashed into one sector,
they suddenly we're shifted in an
effort to strike demoralizing blow
against another.
The best defense the French
Evening star., 1940-05-19
Scores Are Injured,
Al Least 5 Killed, in
California Quake
ImperioI Valley Damage
Heavy, Fires Roge in
Two Border Cities
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Ell CENTRO, Calf, May 18.-At
least five persons were killed. scores
were injured and widespread prop
erty damage was caused by a series
of earthquakes which shook the
Imperial Valley tonight.
In the city of Imperial, apparently
the epicenter of the quake, four
persons were killed in the collapse
Of grocery store on the principal
business street, and another was
killed at El Centre when a wall of
the Ell Centro Hotel fell across the
street.
The known dead in Imperial were:
Juanita Blevens. 18; Mrs. Ben Null
lens, Is; Rudine Mullens, 3, her
daughter, and a second daughter, S.
The Ell Centre victim was an un-
identified man.
City Hall Collapses.
Walls of the Imperial City Hall,
which houses the Fire and Police
Departments, collapsed, but no one
was injured. The walls of the old
Imperial Theater, vacant at the
time, also collapsed. Many other
buildings were damaged.
Heavy after shocks were continu-
ing in the valley late tonight.
At Brawley, the shock buckled
street pavements, wrecked two
bridges over the New River and
broke glass in downtown store
buildings. No one was reported in
jured there.
Telephone lines throughout the
Imperial Valley were disrupted and
police and sheriff's officers were
hampered in making an accurate
survey of the damage.
Fires In Border Cities.
More than 100000 damage was
caused by demolition of buildings
in the border cities of Mexicali and
Calexico, said reports to police here.
Fires ragged in these two cities.
Bridges collapsed in some sections
of the valley, the largest vegetable
producing area in the West. Fis-
sures were opened in some sections
of highways.
The Southern California Tele-
phone Co. said its Ell Centro Office
reported that "all the windows be-
tween Fifth and Sixth streets" in
the business section of Ell Centre
were broken by the force of the
quake, but that the buildings them
selves did not collapse.
The two principal motion picture
theaters were filled with the Sat-
urday night crowds. the telephone
company source said, but all the
spectators were evacuated without
injuries.
Many women on the streets faint
ed with fright at the first heavy
shock, it reported.
The shock was felt in Long Beach,
San Bernardino, Pasadena and other
communities near Los Angeles, but
was slight at those points.
The earth shocks were felt also
in Blythe, Indio, Needles and in
Yuma and Phoenix, Ariz.
The Southern California Tele-
phone Co. was advised by its Yuma
Office that walls of several buildings
there were cracked by the quake and
numerous windows were broken. It
declared no one was injured there,
however.
Evening star., 1940-05-19
President on Brief Cruise
Down Potomac River

By the Associated Press.
After busy week which kept him
at his desk for many overtime hours
President Roosevelt left the White
House last night for a brief outing
He took an overnight cruise down
the Potomac River aboard the Gov
ernment yacht Potomac. The Pres
ident had planned to spend the
week end at Hyde Park but decided
to remain close to the Capital in
view of developments abroad.
The White House did not disclose
who, If any one, accompanied the
President on the excursion-infor-
nation which customarily has been
made public in the past.
Evening star., 1940-05-19
Nazi Drive Sweeping
Toward Vital Ports
On English Channel
SOC, 900 Troops Expected
To Be Released by
iceland Cleanup
BY the Associated Press.

BERLIN, May 18.-The iron
legions of Adolph Hitler hoisted the
German battle flag today on the
city hall of Antwerp, fortified North
Sea anchor of the whole allied line,
and swept west and south toward
the heart of France and the English
Channel ports needed for frontal
assault on the British Isles.
Antwerp fell to the German motor
columns in nine days, 81 days ahead
of World War schedule The troops
of imperial Germany entered the
city on October 9, after shelling it
for II days. They invaded Belgium
on August 4, 1914.
The German plunge through Bel
gium and through the Netherlands,
to the north. is so swiftly fluid that
it is difficult to pick out its i'm
mediate detectives.
But the thrust through the
French Notifications of the Meuse
and over Maubeuge and the Sambre,
further northwest, seems aided at
Paris.
Authoritative sources said German
troops are within so miles of the
French capital, but they declined to
state just where.
Holland Being "Pacified."
What the authorities call complete
'pacification" of the Netherlands is
proceeding speedily, with Dutch re-
sistance ended on Walcheren Island
and more than 1000 Dutch and
French troops reported captured on
the islands of Schouwen and South
Beveland, all in iceland above
Antwerp.
When Zeeland's cleanup is COM
plete this will release 100000 men
for a drive on the Belgian and
French channel ports. With these
ports occupied, it is believed in some
circles that the British will be given
chance to capitulate or deal with
swarms of German bombing planes.
The spectacle of the German
Armies of the left lancing straight
toward Paris seems to justify the
conjecture among military observers
here that Hitler has changed the
classic Graf Won Schlieffen plan for
flanking move on Paris.
Instead 1t looks like the German
bullet troops" are taking a short
cut to the heart of France without
waiting for development of retiring
allied troops by the right wing of
the army
The right flank, indeed, seems to
be employed in seeking to cut of
British forces from seaports and
make their return to England i'm
possible.
The German entry into Antwerp,
which is one of the worlds 10 busi-
est seaports in normal times, was
(see BERLIN, Psge A-50
Evening star., 1940-05-19
The War at d Glance

British killed 20 civilians in
Hamburg and II in Bremen in
raids on military objectives.
DNB, official German news
agency, hinted that these deaths
would not go unavenged.
The British reported success
also in aerial bombing of Ger
man columns west of Namur,
Belgium, including destruction
of bridges, railways and flying
fields. The French claimed sim
liar successes in the unremitting
war of the air.
The still-f1ghting Belgians said
the forts at Namur and Liege
were holding out, even though
the Germans already had passed
them and captured Brussels and
Antwerp.
Although the French told Of
still violent German assaults all
day yesterday, they theorized
that some of the great fame
throwing German tanks which
lead the charge had dropped
back for refueling.
Some inkling that perhaps the
Germans were preparing to draw
on their second wind was given
in a German report that "paci-
fication" OF the Netherlands,
nearing completion, would re-
lease another 800, 900 Nazi troops
for the surge into France.
The British military spokes-
man, who contended the Satur-
day situation certainly was no
worse than Friday, while ac-
knowledging that the allies still
were falling back, said the British
and Belgian withdrawal in Bel
gfum was taken to conform to
the German advance in France.
Unaware Of this strategy, the
troops In Belgium were indignant
ct being ordered back, he said.
Evening star., 1940-05-19
ItuIion Liner, Due to Sail,
.Stuys at New York Pier
~ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
NEW YORK. May 10 (Sunday).-
The italian liner Roma, scheduled
to sail last midnight for Italy, re-
manned at its Hudson River pier
early today.
Italo Verrando, general manager
Of the Italian Line, said the delay
was caused by loading of cargo and
denied emphatically that the $685.
ton liners sailing had been held up
because of the possibility of italian
entrance into the European war.
Line officials said the Roma would
depart later in the morning, but gave
no specific time. Aboard the ship
were $50 passengers and 1000 tons
of cargo.
Evening star., 1940-05-19
Nozi Cunning Refugees
Is Reported Shot Down
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, May 18.-Passengers on
q Belgian refugee ship which
reached an English port tonight
related that German plane had
been shot down while attacking
steamers in Ostend Harbor and
refugees ashore.
The Nazi craft dropped two bombs
which fell wide, they said, then
turned its machine-guns on refu-
gees on the quay, but was shot down
in the sea by ground machine-sun
fire.
Evening star., 1940-05-19
Washington Stations
To Garry Churchill Talk

Ey the Associated Press.
LONDON, May 18.-Prime Minis
ter Winston Churchill will broad
cast message to the British people
at 9 pm. g pm. Eastern Standard
time) tomorrow.
Mr.. Churchill's speech will be
heard over two OF the four local
broadcasting outlets and possibly q
third, 1t was learned last night.
WJSV and WRC announced they
would transmit the talk, while VOL
of1cials had not formulated plans
at late hour. WMAL will not
broadcast the address.
Evening star., 1940-05-19
BuIIitt Sees Reynoud

PARIS, May IS. R.-Premier Paul
Reynaud tonight received United
States Ambassador William G. Bull
Gtt.
Evening star., 1940-05-19


strong enemy pressure
By the Associated Press.
LONDON, May 18.-Waning pow
er of the Nazis' massive blows was
reported tonight to have eased some
of the pressure on the western front,
but the allies were still being pushed
back and Britain steeled itself for
bad news.
Action was occurring off Britain's
southeast coast, where the drone of
planes and heavy gunfire was re-
ported late tonight.
The firing continued for about an
hour and was believed to have come
from naval units. Coast dWellers
said they saw streaks of tracer
bullets and the play of searchlights.
No air raid alarms were sounded
ashore, although a number of air
craft were heard, apparently not far
out to sea.
Meanwhile, British warplanes
made extensive bombing attacks
against road and rail communica-
tions being used by advancing Ger
man columns west of Namur, Bel
gium, the Air Ministry announced.
The communique said in part:
''In the area northwest of Namur,
extensive operations were carried
out last night on road and rail COM
munications used by the enemy's
advancing columns. Bridges and
railway tracks were hit. Airdromes
were bombed and large supply
convoy damaged by our machine
gun fire."
Giraud Commands Armies.
Possibility that there has been
change in the allied command in
France was raised by the statement
of an authoritative spokesman that
Gen, Henri Honore Giraud is COM
manding the groups of armies" of
the allies now fighting in Northern
France
Until year ago this 61-year -old
veteran was military governor of
Metz, in Alsace, facing the German
border.
Called advices do not indicate
whether Gen. Giraud'S assign
ment makes any change in the
status of Gen. Maurice GuStave
Gamelin, the allied generalissimo.
French censorship prevented cor
respondents in Paris from ca
bling information concerning
Gen. GiraudD
Gen. Giraud wears two wound
stripes as souvenirs of the World
War and the Moroccan campaign
against the Riff.
He knows the present fighting
area intimately. AS a captain, ne
was wounded and captured in the
1914 battle of Guise and interned in
Germany. Guise today is the scene
of furious fighting.
Giraud escaped from Germany
and returned to France in time to
take part in the attack on Malmais-
son in 1917.
Admits Allies Showed Back.
A calm military spokesman ad-
mitted that the allied armies in "the
battle of the bulge" in Northern
France were being showed back ever
closer to the gates of Paris.
The British spokesman made no
effort to minimize the very serious"
situation but declared it was Ger
tainly no worse and possibly a little
better" than Friday.
German progress, he said. "has
very much slackened, perhaps only
temporarily, but exhaustion of Ger
man units taking part in the opera
tions is apparent"
The situation in France necessi-
tated the British and Belgian with
drawal in Belgium, he asserted, and
(See LONDON, Page A-3.) -.
Evening star., 1940-05-19
Invaders Advance II to IA Miles:
Enq|ish Bomb Communications
Heavy Fire Heard
Off EngIond's
Southern Coast

BRITISH CLINGING stubbornly to
lines west of Brussels; now in bet
ter position, but fear necessity of
further withdrawals. Page Ar
REYNAUD CALLS PETAIN, World
War hero, to help tighten defense;
Premier takes war Office, gives
Daladier foreign ministry.
Page AS
Evening star., 1940-05-19
Air Superiority Main Factor
In Reich's Pocket Success
Planes, Backed by Armored Units Using
Flame -Throwers, Replace Artillery
BY HI. TAYLOR HENRY,
Associated Press War Corresnondent.

PARIS May 18-German superiority the air, backed by
attacks divisions using
hrowers main carving pocket in
the French line
Evening star., 1940-05-19
More War
| Pictures!

Two full pages Of pic
lures from the war zone
and a map Of the of-
fected areas on pages
| As and At.
Evening star., 1940-05-19

Radio Programs, Poge F-5
Complete Index, Pose AZ
Evening star., 1940-05-19
Allied Defeat Would Change
Entire u. S. Defense Concept
Policy Has Been Based on Fronco-British
Fleet Aid, and Thot Now Is in Question

The folloting article is the result OF surrey members
of The Star staff OF expert military opinion Washington
Evening star., 1940-05-19
Weather Forecast

Cloudy, showers tonight; tomorrow,
showers and cooler. Temperatures yes
terday-Highest, 7s, at 4 pm; lowest.
So, at 6 am.
From the United states weather Bureau report
Full details or PAGE A.
Evening star., 1940-05-19
BULLETIN,

LONDON, May 10 Sunday
(P).-A general headquarters
communique announced today
that "the British front was held
firmly yesterday in the face OF
strong enemy pressure
Evening star., 1940-05-19

The Evening and Sunday Star is
delivered in the city and suburbs at
75c per month. The Night Final
Edition and Sunday Morning Star at
85c per month.
Evening star., 1940-05-19

tSee HENRY, Page A-5)
Evening star., 1940-05-19

(See PLANES, Page A-20.)
Evening star., 1940-05-19

CONTINUED ca Page A. Column a.
Evening star., 1940-05-19

(See PARIS, Page A-4D
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-30
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Kit nodded amiably. "And me?
I'm never happier than when l
nm whipping up a cake or turning
neat heel in sock"
Eyes, you are!" Vance jeered,
looking down at the expensive
sparkle and softness of her. There
was scarlet on her finger nails;
feweled stars cleaned in the cloud
Of her hair. The cut and stark
simplicity of her evening coat was
as sharp and chic as next month S
fashion magazine.
what are you really like,
Vance?"
THAT, my dear little songbird,
is what I've spent most OF my
life NOT telling people. Some day
you'll find out and then you'll be
bitterly disillusioned. Where do you
live?"
"Oh, I'm not going home" she
said quickly. II told you this was
gala night. Gala nights, I've al
ways heard, end with a turn about
the park
He swung the car into Fifth ave-
nue. and turned it's blunt nose
north. cts bitter night out, lass.
If you get pneumonia, just tell the
folks Vance did it because he owes
a debt to lady,"
The avenue was silent, almost
dark. The little car sped past the
dark, curtained windows of many
shops. The note OF gaiety Kit had
hoped to sustain threatened to die
a cold death. She said, Cant you
think Of anything else when you're
with me?"
II could''-in the light from the
dash she could see an inpish grin
on his face-''but I wouldn't try it
on a little girl on her way home
from her first party"
"You could try talking" she sug-
gested.
Fish some cigarets out of that
cupboard on your side, will you?
Uncle Vance is a careful driver on
a slippery road. Good old, cautious
Vance" If Vance was not thinking
of the road, he did not explain his
last sentence.
Kit found his cigarets and lighted
two. She gave him one and kept
the other.
Throw it out" he commanded
quietly. Doesn't your coach tel
you not to smoke? incidentally, who
is he? And what sort of workout:
does he put you through"
''Hefier. He was Mana Harris
coach. He puts me through thu
routine things. Let's not talk abou
them. To tell you the truth, I ge
little tired of the subject. I worl
and sing and that's all do. The
whole pattern is set. And I thinl
when things are set they get dull ,
Healey flashed a glance of sur
prise at her, but he said nothing
and she did not see the glance.
The car swept around a curve
and the lights picked out silvery
frost in the silhouettes of the bare
trees. The outlines of Central Parl
South rose in magnificent proper
tions against the rosy sky aheae
of them.
Kit said, "Oh please stop! Tha
view! It thrills me and makes me
feel little awed. I can't believe
that I'm part Of this city. Know
what mean?"
"Sure. I used to feel that way
The car skidded a few feet ane
came to stop. He turned up hi.
coat collar and leaned his heac
against the back of his seat in thu
corner.