davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-12-22
BY MAI. GEORGE FIELDING
ELIOT.

ELIOT.
The battle of Britain, which has
been in progress since August, is
actually three battles.
1.-The battle of production.
2-The battle Of transportation.
3-The- battle of combat.
The first two battles 60 on ali the
time; the third, the battle of COM
bat, flares up intermittently, as one
side or the other may gather enough
strength from success in the other
two battles. Complete defeat in
either of the other two would spell
the end for either combatant, since
upon success in both of these bat
ties depends success in the third,
while the first two are interde-
pendent.
Germany began the war with a
great accumulated advantage in the
battle of production, but under seri-
GUS handicaps in the battle Of trans
portation. Not only had Germany
built up reserves of fabricated arms
and munitions on very large scale,
but she had also built a war in
dustry, geared to military require
ments, far more capacious than
anything possessed by Britain or the
United States.
am speaking here not Of ulti-
mate capacity, but of immediate ca
pacity to turn out munitions. This
advantage was proportionately much
greater in the scale of modern war
than it would have been even in
1914, not to speak Of century ago.
The dependence of the fighting
forces of today upon mechanical
appliances of all sorts is far greater
than at any other period of history,
and to produce in quantity these
appliances and their ammunition
and supplies is far beyond the ca
pacity of any save an organized and
thoroughly equipped industry.
Reich Losing Production Battle.
The gap, in this respect, between
the wars of Napolean and those ol
today is the gap between the village
smithy and Vickers, Krupp or Skoda
1t is gap so great that extensive
combat on "full-out" basis can
be carried on, even by the greatest
industrial powers, only intermit-
tently and as a result of long prep
aration, assemblage of heavy re-
serves Of munitions and for limited
periods of time. In the intervals
between such gargantuan efforts
each side endeavors to use every
available means to prevent its op-
ponent from making such prepara-
tions or counterpreparations.
In the long run, Germany may be
said to be in certain prospect of los
ing the battle of production because
Cd Germany's industrial plant,
though huge, cannot equal the po-
tential output of the combined in
dustrial plants of the United States
and the British dominions, plus the
British production, even though the
latter be reduced by air attacks; 90
all German plants are within reach
of bombardment, or will be with the
coming into service of additional
British long-range bombers, while
American and dominion plants can
not be so attacked; (3) Germany is
short of many essential raw mate
rails and pphess~and because OF
the blockade cannot get more OF
those she does not herself produce
while her opponents have open to
them the resources of the whole
non-European world But thiStwfloIe
conception of the war is a single
entity; without the blockade Ger.
Evening star., 1940-12-22

at least 100000 more men were con-
centrated in Kenya to face Italian
East African forces in Somaliland
and Southern Ethiopia.
Besides the 100000 tons previously
estimated as Britain's warshir
strength in the Mediterranean
Gayda said the British have 5;
cruisers and 20 smaller warships in
the Red Sea and the Gulf of Alden.
Gn 1899, James Fighting Ships,
authoritative British register of
warcraft, listed only II British
cruisers altogether, including
some mot then completed and
others undergoing conversion into
anti-aircraft ships,l .s
300 Planes Credited to Foe.
Besides $500 airplanes on Medi-
terranean fronts. Gayda said Britain
has 300 planes in East Africa.
All these forces have been con-
centrated in attack on the Italians,
he said. because the British military
command wanted to free the navy
for defense against a strengthened
German naval force and because the
British government wanted to raise
its war prestige in empire and
United States eyes.
The outcome of the British Of
fensive will show itself only after
several weeks or months, Gayda
declared
Evening star., 1940-12-22
Germany Held in Sure Prospect
OF Losing Production Battle
Reich Also Under Severe Disadvantages
In transportation Maj. Eliot Says

many could get more supplies; with
out the bases of the island of Great
Britain the blockade could not be
maintained; without a free flow of
munitions and material to Great
Britain those bases may not be able
to hold out when Germany has as
sembled her resources for another
resort to full-scale combat.
Transportation Battle Similar.
Thus the battle of production,
slowly turning against Germany,
may be lost by reason Of the time
factor; Germany may win the i'm
mediate contest and thus render nu-
gatory the hopes of future months.
Similar considerations apply to
the battle of transportation. What
ever American and dominion pro-
duction becomes, the output in
weapons and munitions must reach
the place they are required-the
island Of Great Britain-in time to
be of use in dealing with German
attacks, and particularly in time
not only to turn the scales against
Germany in the current battle of
production and to defeat Gernany's
efforts to win the battle of trans
portation, but to enable sufficient
reserves to be assembled to deal
with a possible German resort to
combat.
In the battle of Transportation
Germany is under severe disadvan-
tages as to her own position. She is
blockaded by sea, and her position
in. the east and southeast has been
Worsened by the Italian disasters In
the Mediterranean, so tnat there is
now little prospect of break in the
blockade ring in this direction.
But Britain's disadvantages are
also great; they spring from the
high degree of industrialization of
the British Isles, which makes them
dependent on sea communications
not only for materials, but for essen
tial foodstuffs.
Germany, with her coastal posi-
tlons from Norway to France can
now, by means of aircraft and sub
marines, direct a powerful campaign
against British shipping and ports.
II Germany can win this battle. she
has defeated Britain also in the ba.-
tie OF production and gaireo a ire.
mendous and perhaps decisive ad-
Evening star., 1940-12-22
vantage in the coming battle or

vantage in the coming battle or
combat.
The importance which Germany
attaches to this battle of transpor-
tation is underlined by the recent
official German pronouncement on
the subject of the German shipping
now in American ports and Ameri.
can aid to Britain in general.
That a German official spokesman
should, in view of the record of
the past, have been so il1-advised
as to threaten the American people,
suggests a degree of anxiety closely
bordering on panic and upsetting to
the calm and deliberate Judgment
which would surely have avoided
such pitfall.
From our point Of view, we are
now actively participating IN the
battle Of production and our efforts
seem likely to increase. So far we
have taken little or no part in the
battle of transportation or in that
OF combat. If, however, our efforts
in the battle of production are not
to go for naught, it would seem
logical that We should see to 1t
that the loss of the battle of trans
portation does not make our pro-
ductive efforts sheer waste.
We are fighting the battle of
production because it is in our vital
interests that Britain should not
lose it, that we should not lose it;
and because we wish, if we can, to
avoid being drawn into the battle
of combat. Hence the area of ex-
tension of our activities as far as
the battle of Britain is concerned
is clearly in the battle of trans
portation, to which we should make
such contributions as we can. If
the idle German shipping in our
ports cam be of assistance, we should
throw it into the scale of battle at
once.
Copyright, 1910, by New York Tribune,
Incl
Evening star., 1940-12-22
Action Around Bordio
SIockens in Severity
BY EDWARD KENNEDY,

Associated Press War Correspondent.
WITH BRITISH FORCES OUT
SIDE BARDIA, Dec. 21-British
pressure continued on Bardia, Italy's
beleaguered Libyan port, today, but
the action slackened in severity.
The arrival of new British con-
tingents, however, made it plain
there was no thought of giving up
the attack on this Fascist strong
hold.
On the other hand, it seemed
equally as certain that the Italians
were not planning to abandon the
port, but were preparing to put up
stiff resistance.
While some detachmentS have
been withdrawn to Tobruk, farther
west in Libya, the bulk of the fight
ing forces-perhaps two divisions
remains in the besieged town.
Italian aircraft have been more
active in the Bardia region than
at any other place or time since
the British offensive began 13 days
ago. British pilots reported encoun-
tering big groups of italian planes,
several of which, they said, were
shot down.
Officers express satisfaction with
the performance of their troops in
the desert. The rains have stopped,
but temperatures have hit new lows
in the desert, with freezing weather
reported during last night at some
inland points on the escarpment.
The temperatures for the past two
weeks have been about eight de-
grees below average for this time
Of year.
Egyptian Premier Husein Sirry
Pasha today toured the British
desert military and air establish
ments.
Evening star., 1940-12-22
Mild Weather Marks
Winter S Appearance

b! the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, Dec. 21-Winter came
in like lamb today-to the delight
of millions of Christmas shoppers
and holiday travellers.
The change of seasons was
marked by mild weather in most
section of the United States.
The mldafternoon temperature in
Chicago, for instance, was A. In
North Dakota and Montana, in the
Western belt plagued by cold and
snow storms as early as Armistice
Day, readings were more than Is
degrees above normal, with peak
of Sc at Great Falls, Mont.
Thousands of Americans passed
through Chicago's transportation
hub. Rail, air and bus lines re-
ported that extra equipment was
placed in service to handle the
throngs, bound for the most part
for their home towns. Highway
patrolmen reported heavy traffic on
the roads.
M. D. Fife, station master at Chi
cago's Union Depot, terminal for
four railroads, said he hadn't seen
anything like it" in decade.
Evening star., 1940-12-22
Will Reach Suez Yet,
ItoIions Declare

ROME, Dec. 81 (P).-The Suez, as
the vital point in the Mediterranean
"will be reached by Italian troops"
despite "the violent shock" in Libya,
the Fascist weekly Relazioni Inter
nazionali declared today.
Virginio Gayda charged in the
newspaper II Giornale dItalia that
"the British command had its troops
advance with white flag" in the
"delusion of misleading the defense
Of the italian fortified line in front
Of Bardia, Libya.
5 66 Armored Cars DetrOyed.
Gayda reported that IL trainloads
Of British wounded have reached
Cairo and said Italian artillery and
aviation have destroyed 66 British
arfnored cars and 80 trucks.
Estimating British manpower In
North Africa at 425, 900, Gayda said
Evening star., 1940-12-22
Berlin
Continued From First Page. J

of policy. coming at this time,
seemed so fraught with potentiali-
ties that this correspondent re-
quested, as an unusual favor, to be
permitted to keep copy of the
official stenographic transcript.
Text of Statement.
This speaks for itself. 1t reads
as follows:
"The British blockade minister, ac-
cording to reports received here,
said among other things: Possibly
the United States can spare some
ships for us of those used for nor
NAL existing services. Also a GER
tain number of enemy ships are ly-
ing at anchor in the United States
and, of course, 7 am eager for these
These constitute the only possibility
for reasonably effective replenish-
ment of our tonnage so far as I can
see. Editors note-The Associated
Press report of the Cross interview
quoted him as saying: Il naturally
cast covetous eye on those vessels. y
This statement by Cross to Amer
ican press representatives means
nothing other than an Indictment
to America to commit warlike act
which, naturally, can also be called
merely support of England
Curious About U. S. Reply.
"We are extremely curious to know
how America will reply to this
brazen request for warlike action.
I'VE have got used in recent times
to the fact that certain circles in
the United States, in formulating
action that from the viewpoint of
international law can have but one
meaning, are being guided by rabu-
hstic reasoning, according to which
in formulating their actions they
try to give slant to them which
is calculated to inculcate the i'm
preston that they are a measure
solely of kind that is beyond criti-
cism from the viewpoint of interna-
tional law.
Editors note: Webster de-
fines rabulistic as characterized
by railing" The German word
"rabulisterei" means pettifogging,
and "rabulist" is a pettifogging
lawyer)
1T will be extraordinarily inter-
eSting to us to observe the reaction
on the part of the United States
to this unmistakable demand by the
English blockade Minister.
Sees England Breaking Down.
1.-The argument which is in prog
ress between England and America
concerning support on the part of
the United States for an England
that is breaking down more and
more constantly evokes interest in
an increasing manner.
"Our interest is increasing because
it is not tenable in the long run that
in a discussion-be it in only the
press-concerning questions which
are of vital significance for political
relations between two nations, that
one nation continually observe a re-
straint onto self -effacement, while
the other permits a. policy from
morn until night of pinprickS, injury,
insult, challenge and moral aggres-
sion.
II say with all the earnestness
that is proper before this group, as
your informer, that this demand by
the English minister draws our at
tention to the manner by which
England u to be- supported u its
death struggle"
Evening star., 1940-12-22
London
Continued From First Page)

the destruction of a consider
able" number of building in Liv-
erpool, but said casualties ap-
peared not to have been heavy.
On the offensive side, the Brit
ish reported a successful over
night bombing campaign which
was declared to have caused
many explosions and fires" in
a Berlin airplane motor factory;
brought particularly good re-
: ShIts in. raids on the Invasion
ports of Ostend, Antwerp, LIE
Havre, Amsterdam and Flush
ing, and in the industrial Ruhr.
Hit, too, said the Air Ministry,
were the Nazi gun emplacen1ents
across the Channel. A 5,000-ton
German supply ship was de-
clared apparently smashed to
bits and pieces" by a salvo of
four bombs which struck the YES
sci IN Boulogne Harbor.
The Admiralty reported that
in a raid of December II, naval
planes had started fires in three
cities in the Italian Dodecanese
Islands-Rhodes, Stampalia and
Scarpanto.
Invasion Threat Seen.
Expectation of a new, formid-
able threat of invasion from the
air was widely supported tonight
by responsible military and cir
sources who declared that Ger
many would send over an en-
larged Luftwaffe and thousands
of parachute troops in an at
tempt to beat Britain to her
knees before spring.
The air correspondent of the
well-nformed Sunday Times
said that the new threat as
forecast by Lord Beaverbrook
comes more plainly from the air."
an opinion backed by neutral and
British air sources. Lord Beav-
erbrook, Minister of Aircraft
production, warned Britain this
week against letting down her
guard.
These sources suggested that
the comparative immunity of
night bombers over Britain +, OBJ
ably may be encouraging the
Germans to try landings by
parachutists and aerial troop
transports at night.
Observers remark hopefully
that such landings, bringing
Nazi aircraft at low attitudes,
would put them within range of
searchlights and short-range
anti-aircraft guns. The Germans,
they say, would suffer heavy
casualties in the air, be spotted
by searchlights and surrounded
on landing. -
Airdrome Attacks Forecast.
The most probable line of at
tack was forecast by one we'll
informed observer as a sudden
and studied attempt" to destroy
fighter airdromes so that Brit
ish Spitf1res and Hurricanes
would be unable to retain day.
light mastery of the air over
Britain and the Channel.
After preliminary bombing of
hangers, this source said. para
chute troops might be dropped
at as many as so fields at once
to hold a landing area and light
it for pancake" landings of
troop carrying Junkers and
Focke-Wulf transports.
Following the precedent of
Norway and the Netherlands, he
added, thousands Of troops might
be landed to attempt to hold out
long enough to destroy all air.
craft at air stations while a
bridgehead was being established
on the English Coast free from
fighter opposition.
Evening star., 1940-12-22
Greek
Continued From First Page }

in Europe" he said. Weather
changes with great rapidity, making
accurate forecasts impossible.
THE nature of the country
doesn't allow landing when pilots
are unable to regain their base. Ice
formations are another difficulty,
making it hard to maintain enough
altitude to clear the mountains. The
temperature never is higher than
% degrees and sometimes goes to
so below"
Evening star., 1940-12-22
Jonitor Unimpressed
By Backward Calendar.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 21.-The human
itarian project of printing back
wards calendars for reading barber
shop mirrors has its drawbacks.
The airplane line that did it left
some of the calendars around the
Office overnight and the janitor
threw them out. He got q load OF
backwards figures and figured .ths
calendars were Spoiled"
Evening star., 1940-01-07

about her feet. She drew her stout
Tristan affectionately into her glory.
A week ago she had loathed him. her
mind full of Dino. Tonight, purified.
she sang not to him but to a Tristan
who was neither he nor Dino, but a
creature of her own song. That night
she slept deeply. In the morning
Rupert brought in the newspapers.
Care to see your notices."
do they satisfy you?" she asked.
smiling
Quite" he said dispassionately.
Then I don't want to see them,"
she said. laughing.
But May and June were impossible
to live through without Dino. The
season was over, and suddenly all her
longing for him came rushing back to
her. where is Dino?" One May
morning she asked this of Rupert
boldly.
do you wish to see him?' he asked.
his face grave. How plain he was in
the sunlight that fell across the little
breakfast table by the window -
that same sunlight which deepened
every glow in Dino's eyes and lips!
"Yl., think So" she said, looking
away.
II shall 60 out to China this time"
Evening star., 1940-01-07

winter sunshine in the Bois, sitting in
a warm corner in cafe. or walking
slowly through the Louvre. She rested
to the bottom of her soul through
silent evenings when, before the little
coal fire in her drawing room. she sat
and embroidered a handkerchief for
herself, and Rupert sat opposite her,
reading one of his books. She loved
Dino desperately, but she did not
want to see him or speak of him.
On the eighth night she went out
to sing. strong and quiet and full of
her own fire. There was no uneasiness
in her throat that night. She sang
gloriously. Flowers frothed and heaped
Evening star., 1940-01-07

that her awareness of herself, her
health. her beauty. the fulflment of
her being in the long warm summer
with Dino on the seacoast of Brittany,
was the climax of her life. She had
thought: This is l. Now am really
myself" But it had been a climax. Life
from then on had been a descent.
MY DEAR" Rupert reminded her,
"the American contracts are all signed.
You sing in New York three weeks
from tonight. A fortnight is the least
you have ever been able to take for
rest and preparation. Let me tell you,
my dear. that trying season lies
ahead. A new soprano has been found
in Warsaw - Marya Polonowski.
1t was the first time she had heard
the name. She wavered. silent, gazing
at Rupert.
II don't care" she said at last.
"Yes. you do. my DEAR" he said
gently.
She had rushed away to meet Dino.
But it was not the same. After many
hours she still could not forget what
Rupert had told her. She lifted her
head from Dino's breast.
"You are the beat of my heart" she
told him. She let herself be enfolded
and did not speak of their love for
another long hour. Then she said sud-
Evening star., 1940-01-07
THIS WEEK MAGAZINE
PROCESSION OF SONG
Continued from poss nine
Continued from poss nine

Rupert said slowly. and thoughtfully.
But without her knowing it, he had
arranged her second tour to America
before he went. She was angry at that,
because for once she had not been
ready to see him when he came back.
She was, she made up her mind. going
to marry Dino. After the summer she
knew she could not live apart from
Dino.
II know now Il am a woman
first" she told Rupert as he stood
bleakly before her. How desiccated he
had looked that day! She felt life itself
in comparison to him. Ever after she
looked back to that moment and knew
Evening star., 1940-01-07

"Now l can really singr she told
him in joy and triumph. Nov l am
Isolder
She had truly thought so. But as the
night drew near for her first appear
ance. she found herself irritable, and
when she was irritable her throat was
husky. Dino. spoiled son of an old
family. could not understand that at
such time she must be left alone,
absolutely alone. GO awayr she
ordered him. glaring at him like little
angry cat from under her furrowed
brows. Go away - 60 awayr'
Dino understood that his rival lay
in herself. and he fought it ferociously.
What do / care about your sing
ing? he demanded. 1T is you love.
You will marry me - and sing only
for me-
She tore herself out of his arms at
that and then flung herself in them
again and began to weep. II shall do
both" she wept. Il shall sing better
than ever l have before and l will
marry your
Distraught and weary. she went
upon the stage to make love to the fat
Tristan she found there For the first
time, the critics were cool to her the
next morning.
Her maid brought in the news
papers, together with the announce
ment that Signor Bonatti was waiting
to breakfast with her. She took the
papers and turned to the cool critical
pages She could not believe what she
saw disappointing" uneven and
harsh." "the usually limpid high
notes shrill," said another - "an un-
satisfactory Isolde"
She pushed the pages to the floor.
Il will not breakfast" she cried. Tell
Dino l will see no one Il must be
left alone!' She lay sobbing.
But Dino was never obedient or
considerate. He rushed upstairs and
into her room. Before she knew it,
he was there, gathering her into his
arms.
Now you and l will be married."
he said to comfort her. Don't care,
my tiny one, what they say. You sang
sweetIv in nv care"
She pushed him; she slapped his
cheek.
BE silentr' she screamed you
don't know anything about itr'
He was as angry as she was now,
and he bent her back and kissed her
throat fiercely.
BE silent yourselfr' he ordered her.
you are little foolr'
Then she bit him hard on the cheek,
and he dropped her as one drops pet
beast gone mad. and put his hand to
his bleeding cheek.
Il am glad did that" she gasped.
"gladr'
"Wh-why -" he Stammered.
Because l did sing badly! sang
horribly and you made me do it!'
She went off into mysteries and then
into a long sleep. When she came to
herself, Dino was gone In her room
were her maid and Rupert. She felt
light and weak and unutterably sad
and forlorn, until she looked toward
the window and saw Rupert's pale
figure folded into her yellow satin
chair.
Rupert" she said family. Il sang
very badly"
Il know, my DEAR" he answered
gently. so you will have a weeks
rest, and then sing again.
1t had been a charming week Not
once did she see Dino. 1t was peace
after storm - those long silent days
with Rupert, driving through the
Evening star., 1940-01-07

What was the trouble? l
asked him.
"Oh, nothin' unusual" he
said. "Only sometimes l think
people are gettin' a little spoiled"
There was quite a pause while
he lets another saucer of coffee
cool.
"Bout a couple of hours ago."
he went on. I'VE got a call from a