davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-11-17

include many from World War stock
with high choke collars0, they also
will receive the rudimentary train
ing of a soldier. They will learn
something of close-order drill, but
mostly they will begin learning how
to care for themselves. And every
morning there will be a half-hour
of setting up exercises to harden
muscles.
More intense instruction will come
after they are assigned to the special
training units of the organizations
with which they will serve their
year. For 13 weeks after joining
their organizations, selectees will be
in a military grade school" They
will be gradually hardened, without
making severe physical demands at
first, but developing eventually the
ability to endure prolonged and
arduous physical exertion. They
will be taught to march (an exact
ing science in itself. use their
weapons, and care for themselves
as well as their means of transpor-
tation in the field.
At the end of this period selectees
should be in prime physical condi-
ton and thoroughly versed in the
fundamentals of the soldier.
The next step, the high school"
phase, will be devoted to battalion
training, which will call for the
Evening star., 1940-11-17

lamation of Thanksgiving, but va
rious State Governors followed the
later lead of De Witt Clinton in
designating day upon which to give
thanks for the good things the year
had brought. This occurred in the
North. The South refused to take
part in a festival which it declared
smacked too much of Puritanism.
However, the popularity of the day,
and the soundneSs of the thought
behind it, prompted Gov. John of
Virginia, in 1855. to propose to the
State Legislature that thanksgiving
be recognized. A storm Of disap-
proval arose.
But Gov. Wise, Johns successor,
took the bull by the horns and, in
1857, Virginia observed Thanksgiving
Day. Gradually the rest of the
Southern States Joined in the cele-
bration.
But it was not until Lincoln's time
that Thanksgiving Day became
established on its present national
Evening star., 1940-11-17

BY 1880, the Thanksgiving Day
idea had spread to Boston, and
during the next so years there were
many public days of thanksgiving.
In 1877 the first thanksgiving proc
lamation was printed. Interestingly,
one finds that in Connecticut there
is an almost unbroken record of OBJ
servance of this holiday since 1647,
when that Colony followed the lead
of Massachusetts,.
But there still is no evidence of
general Colony-wide observance, as
present popular belief would have it.
The Continental Congress during
the Revolutionary War set aside
day for Thanksgiving by the people
and the Army in the field. 1t was
Samuel Adams who made the orig
inal draft of the Congress procla-
nation. The original Of President
Washingtons proclamation of 1889
now Is in the Library of Congress.
Neither President Adams nor
President Jefferson issued a proc
Evening star., 1940-11-17

But there will be many others to
whom Fort Meade will be but the
introduction to service elsewhere.
For Ranks of Regulars.
Undoubtedly the first men induct-
ed soon after November 18 will be
used to fill up ranks of the regulars.
Fort Myer, home of "Washington's
own" Sd Cavalry now has $50
soldiers on duty. But by February
10 it will have 1912. A few days
after November ID, the first group
of 254 selectees will become troopers
at Fort Myer. On February 10, 429
more selectees will be assigned from
the reception center at Fort Meade
Typical of the growth to war
strength of Regular reorganizations
is that of the Sd Cavalry. At present
the regiment has six troops. 1t
Will grow to 9, including 6 rifle
troops, a machine gun troop,
special weapons troop armed with
so caliber machine guns which can
be used against armored vehicles
as well as planes, and 81 millimeter
mortars, and finally, the headquar-
ters and service troop.
Housing is already available for
the first increment of selectees. Two
new barracks, 118-man mess hall,
a troop recreation building, a troop
supply building and three stables are
to be constructed at Fort Myer in
Evening star., 1940-11-17

incunabula of Thanksgiving Day is
the original proclamation of Presi-
dent Washington, closely guarded
at the Library of Congress.
Lost for generations, no authority.
apparently, knew where it was for
at least 100 years until it was
brought to the Library's attention
at New York sale. Arrangements
were made for its purchase, and
now it is certain that the precious
manuscript never will stray from
the possession of the American
people.
The handwriting on the we'll
preserved manuscript is that of
William Jackson, Washington's Sec
retary and also secretary to the
Constitutional Convention. George
Washington's signature is there to
its final flourish.
Oft-quoted, the moving words of
the Father of His Country calling
his children to prayer are particu-
larly well worth repeating on this
occasion. He said:
Whereas it is the duty of all
nations to acknowledge the provi-
dence of Almighty God, to obey His
will, to be grateful for His benefits,
and humbly to implore His protec-
ton and favor-And whereas both
Houses of Congress have by their
Joint Committee requested me to
recommend to the people of the
United States a day of public
thanksgiving and prayer to be OBJ
served by acknowledging with
grateful hearts the many signal
favors of Almighty God, especially
by affording an opportunity peace
ably to establish a form of Govern
ment for their safety and happi-
ness.
Nov therefore I do recommend
and assign Thursday, the twenty
sixth of November next, to be de-
voted by the people of these States
to the service of that great and
glorious Being who is the benef1cent
author of all the good that was, that
is, or that will be. That we may
then all unite in rendering unto
Him our sincere and humble thanks
for His kind care and protection of
the people of this country prior to
their becoming a Nation; for the
signal and manifold mercies, and
the favorable interpretations of His
providence in the course and con-
clusion of the late war; for the great
degree Of tranquility. union and
plenty which we Aave since enjoyed;
Evening star., 1940-11-17
Bv Herbert H0Hander.

Oldest of all American national
holidays, Thanksgiving Will be
marked this week more widely and
with greater feeling than at any
time in the long, eventful history of
this outstanding festival.
While Thanksgiving has been a
red letter day in the national cal
endar for many decades, it Is fact
that interest in it and the atmos-
phere of the celebration both have
varied in direct relation to the tenor
and temper of affairs at home and
abroad.
And it is in times of crisis, such
as these, that the true spirit of the
holiday. that which motivated the
first celebration at Plymouth more
than three centuries ago, comes
most impressively to the fore.
Delving into the background Of
the Thanksgiving celebration brings
to light little known facts regarding
this holiday and also affords the
opportunity of dispelling a number
of popular misconceptions with re-
spect to it.
For example, one finds that the
exact date of the first Thanksgiving
observed at Plymouth in 1921 is not
known, although there is basis for
the belief that it was some time be-
tween September % and November
II.
There was no especial religious
significance attached to that cele-
bration. Rather, the week was given
over to festivity.
Thanksgiving observances have
not been held in unbroken sequence
in the United States from 1921 to
the present. Indeed, so parlous were
the times in 1922 that they were not
held at all in that year.
Furthermore, not even President
Washington's precedent of issuing
proclamation of thanksgiving was
followed by all succeeding Presi-
dents, and it remained for Abraham
Lincoln finally to imprint the day
in the consciousness OF the people
so firmly that it has become, next
to the Fourth of July, the Nations
greatest holiday.
Digging back into the yellowing
archives which hold the scattered
accounts of these early celebrations,
one finds that by 1923 the condition
OF the Plymouth colony had i'm
proved so markedly that the Cover
nor designated July 80 as q day Of
THANKSGIVING,
Evening star., 1940-11-17

for the peaceable and rational man
ner in which we have been enabled
to establish constitutions of Govern
ment for our safety and happiness,
and particularly the national one
now lately instituted; for the civil
and religious liberty with which we
are blessed, and the means we have
of acquiring and diffusing useful
knowledge, and in general for all
the great and various favors which
He hath been pleased to confer
upon us.
And also, that we may then unite
in most humbly offering our prayers
and supplications to the great Lord
and Ruler of nations, and beseech
Him to pardon our national and
other transgressions; to enable us all
whether in public or private stations,
to perform our several and relative
duties properly and punctually; to
render our national Government a
blessing to all the people by con-
stantly being a Government Of wise,
just and constitutional laws, di-
rectly and faithfully executed and
obeyed; to protect and guide all
sovereigns and nations Especially
such as have shown kindness to us),
and to bless them with good Gov
ernment, peace, and concord; to
promote the knowledge and prac-
tice of true religion and virtue, and
the increase of science among them
and us; and generally to grant unto
all mankind such q degree of tenn
poral prosperity as He alone knows
to be best"
While Thanksgiving Day, as we
observe it, without question is dis
tinctly an American holiday, the
basic and motivating thought of
such an observance is as old as the
race itself.
In all parts of the world all peo-
Piles continue to observe the festival
of thanksgiving. The customs may
vary, but they are all linked to a
common and primordial desire.
Some of the customs are but little
different from those practiced thou
sands of years ago; in other cases
the festival has been stripped of
many Of its ancient trappings But
in every instance that which re-
mains is an impressive mirror of the
past.
And difficult though the times may
be, 1t is on such occasions as
Thanksgiving that the unquench-
able hope and optimism which have
carried man forward in the past
shine forth most brilliantly,
Evening star., 1940-11-17

recall the deep gumbo of the roads in
1917 and 1918 after rainstorm.
The name of Fort George G..
Meade also disappeared once, quite
recently, but a quiet rider in an
appropriation bill restored it with
out knowledge Of the War Depart
ment. Named after the Pennsyl-
vania major general because of his
ability at Gettysburg, the post was
organized as Camp Meade in May.
1917-one of 16 cantonments built
for the National Army troops.
On March 2, 1928, the War De-
partment, taking cognizance there
already was a Fort Meade in South
Dakota land still Isl, it was re-
named Fort Leonard Wood, in
honor of the major general who,
although an Army surgeon, COM
manded the Rough Riders in Cuba
and later sought the presidential
nomination. However. on March 5,
1929, Representative Dave Reed OF
Pennsylvania inserted a rider to
the appropriation bill which re-
stored the name.
Use in World War.
During the World War it was one
of the major training camps in
the East. In all, about 100000 men
passed through and $4,000 men
trained there at one time.
Streets were of dirt, and ami
NAL transportation was all that +
could be used after a rain. Now
there are wide, paved roads, which
were named after men of the Tank
Corps who were killed in action.
The men first trained there we've
from Pennsylvania, Maryland and
the District who made up the 10th
Division. Later divisions included
the 18th and 92d.
Tragedy struck while the 18th
Division was in camp, shortly after
it was formed in August, 1918. In
October of that year the influenza
epidemic began, and within a few
months more than 300 men died.
Funeral escort units worked over
time shipping the dead men back
to their homes. For those who were
untouched by the epidemic 1t was
also the black spot of their lives.
The strictest quarantine and pre-
ventive measures were adopted. But,
worst of all, every soldier (and
officer) was compelled to gulp large
doses of castor oil every other day.
Medical science has advanced
greatly since then, and although
no positive cure has yet been found
for influenza enough is known about
the infection to preventive Army
hopes-a recurrence. Hospital ia
cilities have been greatly expanded
In recent months.
After the war, the reservation be-
came the home of the tank school
(then entirely an infantry weapon
but now advanced to first rank in
the newly organized armored force.
This school was removed to Fort
Benning, Ga, in 1882, although tank
units remained.
When a hot sun beats down next
summer on soldiers, they may be
thankful for World War plans to
maintain a cavalry remount depot
which was destroyed by fire. A con-
crete horse dip is now one of two
swimming pools In operation at Fort
Meade,
Evening star., 1940-11-17

combined use of different weapons
and equipment of that unit. When
battalions are well trained, selectees
will pass into the college course"
and participate in regimental ex-
ercises and in maneuvers involv-
ing the co-ordinated use of the COM
bined arms.
BY midsummer, troops at Fort
Meade should be we'll along in their
training to participate in large-scale
maneuvers. which may take them to
another State for several weeks.
The reservation, while large enough
to train large units, is not consid-
Evening star., 1940-11-17

cred expansive enough over which
to maneuver a division.
When the first men move into
Fort Meade, workmen still will be
tearing down the last remaining
vestiges of the World War can
tonment where the first troops ar
rived in September, 1917. Most of
the new cantonments are in the
Camp Franklin section of the res
ervation, where quarters were built
for 1000 men of the Signal Corps
in 1917. The name of Camp Frank
lin has disappeared, but many vet
erans who live in the District will
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-11
BIG LOAN
 BELIEVED
 IN 0FF|NG
Decision on Britain D e al Awaits Return of
 President

WASHINGTON, Dec. l1.-Secre- tary of Commerce Jesse P. Jones and Chairman of the REC, indicat- ed that the decision on the question of financial aid to Great Britain now awaits the return to Washing ton of President Roosevelt.
 Asked at a conference with the newsmen, whether a loan to Great Britain was imminent, Jones said the matter will have to go before Congress and the question of ask ing Congressional approval could not be decided at the moment be- cause the Administration is away reference being to the current cruise of the President in the Caribbean.
 Secretary Jones announced that loans of $60,0O0, 900 to Argentina and S7,500,000 to Uruguay will be used for general purchases of merchan- disc in the United States.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-11
MORRISON
 SUGGESTS
 NEW PLAN
Reply fo Hitler Is Idea for International Police
 Air Force

LONDON, Dec. 11-British Home Secretary Herbert Morrison, in a speech which amounted to a reply to Hitler's oral attack yesterday on the have nations, envisioned a cooperative postwar world guar anteed by an international police air force which will never again make it possible for a thug with a bomber force to terrorize the continent.
 By implication. however, Morri- son rejected any hope of peace in world dominated by Nazi Germany and said, Many people are ready ao listen if Germany could hold out a convincing promise that Europe will be enriched by economic unity paci- fled by removal of national rival ries."
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-11
British Food Problem Bad
 As " Days
Farmers Urged 10 Increase Their Production on
 English Soil

LONDON, Dec. 11.--R. s. Hudson. Minister of Agriculture, declared to- day that Britain's food situation is just as grim" as it was during the difficult war days of 1917.
 Hudson told the Farmers Club at London the British Navy's task of defeating the German counter blockade by submarines and long distance bombers is now doubly or trebly as difficult" as in seventeen and urged farmers to increase home production.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-11
Fierce Warriors Are Dis patched After Fleeing
 Fascist Armies
IMPORTANT MOVES
 ARE IN DEVELOPMENT
British Air Force Makes Raid on Important Sup
 ply Base at Valona
(By Associated Press)

The fierce knife yielding men of the wild hills of Crete, surpassed in toughness only by Greece's famous mountain troops, have been thrown into the Greek front line of attack against the retreating Italians, &C., cording to an official announce ment from Athens today.
 At the same time, the govern ment spokesman reported import ant moves are now in full develop ment" but he gave no hint of the new Greek offensive action beyond saving advances are continuing on all fronts.
 The British Air Force headquart- CTS announced an air raid on Val ona. Italian supply port in south western Albania, and ships, muni- tions dump and several shore build ings were hit despite opposition Of Italian air fighters.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-11
B B0TTLIN C
 UP FASCIST
 FORCES NOW
British Have Hemmed in libydn BdttdIions ItaI-
 ian General Falls Dead
(By Associated Press)

Late afternoon advices from Rome, war bulletin issued by the Italian High Command, said fierce fights are continuing in the Sidi Barrani zone and in one of the engagements, Gen. Maletii fell dead while at the head of his Libyan battalions.
 London military circles tonight, while cautioning against over op- timism, said the initial phases in the Egyptian campaign opened a wide field of activities.
 The Italians are reported to be bottled up by the British, hemmed within triangle formed by the towns of Sidi Barrani, thence Is miles east alon0 the Mediterrarean sea coast to Maktila, then Is miles south to Nibeiwa.
 Credit for the spectacular 75-mile dash and cutting the Italian lines of communication behind Sidi Bar- rani has been given to British Lieut.. Gen. Henry Wilson, 50. first man of the British Army to command 8 completely mechanical unit.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-11
IRON EMBARGO,
 UNITED STATES,
 HITS NIpp0NE5E
Domei Declares that New Export System Pointed
 Directly df Japan

NEW YORK, Dec. 1.-The Domei Japanese news agency declared to- day in a broadcast from Tokyo that the United States Governments ex- tension of the export licensing sys- tenn to iron ore, pig iron and certain steel products is regarded as her new economic measure expressly aimed at Japan"
 Newspapers have unanimously pointed out that the appointment of Admiral Nomura as Ambassador to Washington first appeared to bring about a decrease in tension, but tnis has not resulted in any modification of the attitude of the Unstad States Government"
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-11
By JACK STINNETT

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-As sure IS shooting, steps are going to be taken in the 77th Congress to bring into the union 18th state. In case you haven't heard, it's Hawaii.
 The flag people already have it figured out. The present 6-8 pat tern of stars on a field of blue can be rearranged to TT spacing of the stars without changing the field or making the star pattern look like a crowded section of the Milky Way.
 But the flag people have been prepared for "any contingency" for a good long time and prob- ably are two hops and skip ahead of Congress. I doubt if there is a congressman who isn't fully aware that this organized incor- porated territory and integral part of the United States" as Hawaii ans are fond of calling it, isn't about as important as any off, shore chunks of terrain that ever fell into the lap of Uncle Sam If there is any doubt, let one stare for couple of hours at the is- lands production figures on sugar and pineapple (to mention only a couple, or their consumption figure on mainland tourists (to mention only one).
 Nevertheless, this measure tc
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-11
tongshore
 Agreement
 IsApproved
Two Locals Vote Accept dnCe of Which Runs Un-
 tiI Sept. 30, 1942

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Dec. h. The local CIO Longshoremen's Un- ion, by vote of three to one, has accepted the terms of a new working agreement, including the arbitration clause.
 The acceptance of the agreement follows the lead taken by the Port land, Oregon, local, which previously had approved of the agreement which runs until September 30, 1922, with semi-annual wage reviews.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-11

WASHINGTON Behind that closely guarded secrecy about Pres ident Roosevelts Caribbean cruise itinerary is a seriously considered plan to visit the famous French is land of Martinique.
 When the President embarked on the U. S. s. Tuscaloosa at Mlam. no decision had been made regard ing this. But it was one of the things he discussed in his two-hom conference with Admiral Leahy new Ambassador to France.
 Whether Roosevelt will debark ii he goes to Martinique, or merely receive the French Governor aboard the Tuscaloosa, also is undecided Like the plan of the trip itself, it depends on developments.
 The boys around the diplomatic corps aren't saying anything about it. but it was the son-in-law of Ogden Hammond, prominent New Jersey capitalist and ex-Republi- can. who recently was detected talk ing s2,O00, 900 into Mexico.
 The gentleman in question Is Count Roberti, for many years at tached to the Italian Embassy in Washington, and now attached to the Italian Legation in Mexico City Countess Roberti was Mary Stevens Hammond. eldest daughter of Og- den Hammond.
 Count Roberti had come from Mexico City to New Orleans to pick LID the s2,OOO,OOO, J. Edgar Hoovers alert G-men got wind of the trans action and tipped off the Mexican officials. So when Count Robertl arrived on the other side of the border, Mexican inspectors demand ed to see what was inside his suit case Count Roberti demurred claiming diplomatic immunity.
 The Mexicans opened his bag any way, disclosing two millions in American bills. The young Fascist claimed that the money was only to pay the expenses of the Italian Legation in Mexico. And although s2.OOO.0O0 is obviously enough to run Italian diplomatic establishments for five years, the Mexicaps were
 TW~-
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-11
Government Bond Sale Is
 Announced
Five Hundred Million Dol lar Issue Is Placed Be-
 fore Public Today

WASHINGTON, Dec. II. 4 The Treasury Department last night an- nounced that it placed on sale to- day a $500,00,000 issue of 3A per cent National Deefnse" notes.
 These notes mature in five years.
 The issuance is in line with Sec retary of Treasury Henry Morgen- thau's' recent statement that tax exempt bonds are for stacker money but these bonds are subject to Federal taxation for the first time in history.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-11
DE5TR0YERS F0R(ANADA
 ROADS DEAL
Bates Suggests U. 5. Make Trade with Britain h.
 voIving Highway

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11-Repre- sentative Joe B. Bates of Kentucky has proposed the State Department start negotiations for the lease of United States destroyers to Canada in exchange for road rights to Can- ada and Alaska.
 In letter to Secretary of State Cordell Hull, Bates suggested Can- ada would willingly grant road rights to Alaska for use of United States destroyers in convoy duty with the understanding the destroy CTS be returned to this country at the end of the war
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-11
STATEHOOD FOR HAWAII
 MAY HAVE TO WAIT NOW:
 THERE'S MUCH OPPOSITION

make Hawaii the 18th state is go- ing to meet plenty of opposition -or if not opposition" exactly, then lethargy and indifference. This isn't my conclusion. It comes from a score or more of Representatives and Senators, some of whom, to say the least, are supposed to have their fingers on the congressional pulse.