davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-03-17
Wartime Office Hours
Upset Italian Routine

ROME Correspondence Of the Asso-
ciated Press Wartime ofice hours are
upsetting the domestic routine of italian
wives who have their husbands around
the house in the afternoon and like it.
Government employees now work from
8 am. to 2 pm. and many private COM
mercial OF industrial offices are open
continuously from 8 am. to pm, after
which the employees 60 home for the day.
Previously it was an old Italian custom
for Offices to open at o'clock, or even
10, in the morning, close at pm, while
the staff went home to lunch, reopen at
3 or or even pm, and close for the
night at or 8 o'clock. That leisurely
habit was changed to conserve fuel for
heating and lighting during what might
be hard winter.
Some wives said they found 1t 4
nuisance for friend husband to come
home at 2 or 4 in the afternoon and stay
there, interfering with bridge parties, tea
parties and neighborhood gossiping. But
Fascist duty obliged them to grin and
bear the company Of their spouses.
The new routine also is introducing
the Italian ofiice worker to an American
habit, hitherto avoided by the Italians,
that Of taking a light lunch downtown.
As matter Of fact, since work must
go on in the office continually under the
new rules, many employees must take
pocket lunches to work with them. With
coffee banned, they can't even continue
their old practice Of going out frequently
for . cup Of that beverage which often
substituted for food.
Evening star., 1940-03-17
Domestic Front

Intermittent controversy over Amer.
ican military plane sales abroad threat
ened to develop into first-class brawl dur
ing week, but ofncial hush hush thus far
has been effective.
Break on story came with disclosure
that Army had decided to release Cur
tiss P-4o fighter to foreign purchasers,
that allied buying mission was exertinR
pressure for rights to other advanced
military flying equipment.
Storm arose Immediately on Capitol
Hill, resulting finally in authorization
OF inquiry by House Military Subcom.
mittee.
Meanwhile President called aviation
advisers from three departments, held
long pow-pow from
Plone Exports which little news
Questioned emerged. Coincident-
ally, War Department
put out statement that domestic military
needs are being met on schedule and
White House released statistics on Jump
In aircraft engine production by nearly
800 per cent in past year.
On Friday came sudden announcement
that piqued British French committee
had suspended negotiations for Amer
ican planes-presumably until oratorical
contortions cease.
Major foreign order placed during
week was that of Swedish mission for
about $50 planes with Vultee Aircraft,
involving about $S,500,O00.
On TlASdav E1oa1en can't
year naval expansion authorization bill,
calling for 1854, 900 900 of new ship and
plane construction.
To Baltic peace, our reaction was
three-sided.
From White House, President Roose-
welt issued curt reminder that "the end.
ing Of this war does not yet clarity the
inherent right of small nations to the
maintenance of their integrity against
attack by superior force"
Promising continued American regard
for Finnish people, Chief Executive re-
marked they have won the moral right
to live in everlasting peace and inde-
pendence in the land they have 50 brave
ly defended"
From State Department came unmis-
taxable indications that so-called moral
embargo against military exports to
Russia will not be lifted soon.
And from various sources, including
Federal Loan Administration and Hoover
relief organization, came assurances that
American assistance to stricken nation
and its homeless peoples will be con-
tinued. Waiting, Loan Administrator
Jones said, is 10000 900 credit bloc in
Export-1mport Bank. At Capitol, pro-
posals were made to remove restrictions
from Finnish credits and to appropriate
$l0,000,00 for outright Finnish relief
grant.
Evening star., 1940-03-17

prestige sadly damaged-her officers
proved lacking in Skill her transport
system inadequate, and her whole mill
tary machine short Of what 1t takes.
But In somewhat same fashion as NaH
myers did in Poland, Red pilots by day.
after-day systematic bombing broke
down Finland's civilian life-wrecking
roads, smashing harbor facilities, de-
stroying factories, beating down every
instrumen. of resistance back of lines
except will OF people.
Southwark, in Balkans, release of So
Wet energies from Baltic zone brought
new speculation on like
Nozis Press lihood of Nazi-soviet joint
Rumon;o pressure against Rumania,
Turkey ct al. But from
Berlin on Thursday came authorita-
lively worded Associated Press report
that Moscow would consent to with
hold any threat against Rumania If
Bucharest government would agree to
closer trade relations with Reich
Pro-ally. King Carol-royal man-on-
the-flying- g-trapeze-was clearly reluc-
tant, but possibility of his eventual
capitulation must be disturbing London
Paris bloc.
Close tn background Of Baltic peace
manipulating. probably so close as to
Evening star., 1940-03-17
At Sea

Even the war at sea reflected cessation
Of fighting ashore.
Twice British Admiralty announced
scuttling Of German merchantmen. one
within confines Of American neutrality
belt. Loaded with 5000 tons of ore and
lumber, Hanover had sailed from West
Indies port several days before being in
tercepted by British cruiser in narrow
passage between Dominican Republic
and Puerto Rico. Setting fire to ship.
crew and officers took to small boats
when British appeared; Hanover later
was salvaged and towed into port.
On Friday. Admiralty announced La
Coruna, 7,500-ton cargo carrier, likewise
had been scuttled by Ger
More Ships man crew when caught in
Scuttled North Atlantic.
Three smaller British
merchantmen were on casualty lists put
out by London.
Apparently bearing on Baltic settle
ment, Norwegian sources declared early
IN the week that Nazi assurances had
been given that Scandinavian shipping
henceforth will be less severely treated
by German sub fleet. conditional upon
their not moving under convoy. Swedish
Norwegian shipping losses have been
severe initial half year of war.
But blockade tactics Of each faction
were unabated.
Victorious in till with Italy over coal
shipments (ships intercepted week ago
were released but understanding was
Evening star., 1940-03-17

Kuolojaru (ceded to soviet) and hence
to gulf.
Less spectacular than frontier revis-
ions, railroad provision has been greeted
by Russ sympathizers as most Agnin-
cant-opening way to de-
StroteQic velopment Of whole White
Pn;I,o.a Sea sector, heretofore
blocked OF by rigors Of
Arctic Ocean passage around north Nor.
way coast.
Immediate reverberations Of agree
ment on new order were numerous and
varied.
Tauntingly, Berlin papers and spokes-
men reminded neutrals once again how
futile have been allied protestations Of
support for Austria, for Czecho- -Slovakia,
for Poland for Finland. England was
ready to fight to the last Finn" one Ber-
lin journal jibed.
Ironically, Premier Daladier told Paris
Chamber that allied expeditionary force
of $4,000 men stood ready to sail for Bal
tic from English Channel ports on day
Films capitulated.
Bitterly, Britishers, impatient with
plodding diplomacy Of Chamberlain, as
sailed their government in Parliament.
Talking loudest were
Hore- belisho energetic Leslie Hore-
I.r.:.:-.i Belisha, ex-secretary Of
war, and David Lloyd
George, oratorical hornet, World War
premier-and occasional contributor to
The Sunday Star.
always the same" the little Welsh
man moaned of Britains aid to her
friends, "too late, or too little"
But ever devoted to practice Of mud
ding way along, British did nothing
actually to disturb Downing Streets de-
pressing calm. In more volatile French
capital, Deputies spent two days in secret
critical debate of allied policies, but at
end came 240 to vote of confidence in
dogged Daladier-with TO Deputies not
voting
Sadly, Films turned to reconstruc-
tion-first of their homes and their lives,
second Of nations world position.
For latter purpose, Helsinki appealed
to Stockholm and Oslo for formation of
North European defensive alliance.
Quickly, Sc a dina
Scandinavian Wan states indicated
Alliance S.., approval, but degree
to which such alli-
ance might be implemented to point of
effectiveness is not Immediately ap-
parent
Inside ravaged Finland, 100000 civil
tans on Thursday began exodus from
areas ceded to Russia-homeless desti-
tute, heavy of heart.
AS end Of military chapter in worlds
history, northern peace left Russian
Evening star., 1940-03-17

reached that any future German exports
by sea to Italy are Taboo, British
French negotiations sought to smooth out
irritations here over their blockade prac-
tices. Contributing little to removal of
friction was decision on Thursday to dis
continue purchases in America of So
called luxury articles, fruits, tobaccos, etc.
Evening star., 1940-03-17

repay the attention that must be given
to them during the next decade or two.
My government with its three-year plan
has done nothing more than begin an
economic and administrative process,
and also one Of political orientation,
which will establish itself more firmly
as time goes on because 1t has already
impressed itself on the conscience and
the will of the Venezuelan people.
"The abundant agricultural and cattle
production will undoubtedly bring the
development Of small industries and, as
q result, an improvement in housing and
lower cost of living"
'Venezuela," suggested, large and
very rich in natural industries, many of
which have not even been developed, is
q country of relatively small population.
What is your plan for Venezuelas future
immigration? Will there be European
or North American immigration?"
I'VE are stimulating contractual immi-
grafton, and are encouraging spontane-
GUS immigration, with the prudent re.
strictions that circumstances require.
The foreign colonies of Chirgua and
Mendoza have been established; those of
Guayabita and Guanare are being de-
veloped, and those under consideration
are Ell Tama and others in the east and
south Of the republic.
There is much talk today as to
whether the Monroe Doctrine is out
moded or not. Do you like the theory
of the Monroe Doctrine, or do you think
it should be modified?"
when the American nationalities
achieved their independence, the lib
orator (Bolivar) proclaimed as funda-
mental principle Of his territorial status
the doctrine of 'uti-possidetis'. This
doctrine declared that the independent
States Of America had acquired possess
sion Of all the territories that had be-
longed to Spain and that on the Ameri-
can continent there was no more free
land that could be occupied by any Euro
pean power. This was, essentially, the
affirmation Of the same principle which
later inspired the Monroe Doctrine"
Explains Two-Sided Character.
"Mr. President, you have been called
by many of the people Of Venezuela
the Lincoln of South America A great
many other people, however, have a
question in their minds: How is it pos
sible that q man who built Gen. Gomezs
iron-fisted army, and was Minister Of
War under South Americas longest and
strongest military regime, now governs
with the philosophy Of liberal and not
Of dictator? Can . lion become q
lamb?
The President Of Venezuela infre-
quently laughs, but, as he looked out
from the veranda and watched the white
liner from Italy that was nosing into
La Guira loaded with Basque immi-
grants from dictator-rulef land, he
smiled gently. Before confining myself
to your question:" he said, Il should
dedicate thought to the memory Of
the great Nberator Of the North-George
Washington, who combined, In q very
high degree, the qualities both Of SOL
dier and statesman.
when was Minister Of War under
Gen. Gomez, my job was to build good
army. was soldier, not Z statesman
Evening star., 1940-03-17
Diplomatic Front


Nearly week of quickezed manipula-
tions behind the lines preceded Baltic
agreement; from Berlin, Stpckholm, Co.
penhagen, Rome came rumors and re-
ports of varying authenticity that peace
was in making.
Finally, on Tuesday night, came story
from Moscow that Finnish negotiating
delegation, flown to. Russian capital In
special plane from Stockholm, had con-
sented to armistice and bitter terms of
conquest.
In brief, major terms follow:
!. Russia will take all of Karelian
Isthmus, key city of viipuri and shores
Of Lake Ladoga.
For nearly three months Red columns
had battered at isthmus defense lines
before making heavy way
Foil OF far enough north in mid
Viipuri February to threaten Viipuri.
Then for three more weeks
Bolo leaders fumed at inability of troops
to occupy what once was seaport city
OF $4,000 persons, but now is nothing
but e-blackened pile of rubble. Day
after day mass attacks were launched
at city from three sides, but not until
day fighting ended could Soviet COM
munique claim storm tactics had been
successful in forcing fall of town.
For full duration of war Russian COL
umns tried-and failed at heavy cost
to gain footholds northward and west
ward of Lake Ladoga. Conspicuously
unsuccessful were efforts to flank Man.
nerheim Line at its eastern anchor, Tai
pale, on lake shore, and Suojarvi, north
east of lake at frontier.
2. For 80 years Moscow government
will hold lease on strategic peninsula of
Hanko, Gibraltar of
Honko Goes Finnish Gulf, from
To Soviets which Soviet guns
henceforth not only will
command waterway approach to Hell
sinki and Leningrad, but will point men
acingly to heart of Southern Finland
Conveniently across gulf will be other
Russ batteries, placed by agreement with
Estonian government in early instance
Of peace by pressure.
8. At two points, Russian rights of
way are to be carved across Finland,
actually cutting little nation into seq
ments. At far north, line is to be intan-
gible one Of custom-free transit privileges
for Soviet citizens and goods between
Norway and Arctic Russia in Murmansk
sector.
Southwark, division is of potentially
greater import, carrying railroad right-of-
way privilege from Gulf Of Bothnia to
White Sea. Gulf terminal will be Kemi;
new Red railroad will begin at Kan
dalaksha, running almost due west to
Evening star., 1940-03-17
RULE WITHOUT FORCE BOON TO VENEZUELA
Lopez contreo. Gomez, Successor, Directs q LberoL
By William La Varye.

said, started by the administration Of
which I am President. rests on the
legal principles that protect the free
exercise Of public liberties, which in
spire individual responsibility in the
use of political rights and the perform
ance Of civic duties on the part Of those
who govern and those who are gov
erned."
upon becoming President" I said,
"you invited many Venezuelans, who had
left the country during Gomez's life
time, to return to their homes. Many
of them you appointed to government
positions. Has this liberality worked out?
Have these returned exiles contributed
assets to the nation?"
Proof Of Nationalism.
when I requested the collaboration
in my government Of those elements that
served in the previous administration and
Of those that did not participate in it, I
gave proof Of an absolutely nationalistic
criterion, free from factional prejudices
and absurd sectionalisms. The collabora-
ton Of these people, as well as the re-
suits Of my administration, may have de-
fects, but on the whole this action has
been favorable to the present move
ment toward national unity and the in
culcation of methods of economic, ad-
ministrative and social order"
do you expect" asked, that cor
porations and foreign capital in Vene-
zuela will voluntarily cooperate with
you in your various social and national
welfare programs, even to the extent OF
voluntarily changing the old clauses IN
concession contracts, or do you expect
that total or partial confiscation Of old
agreements will have to be used to ma
tionalize the administration Of petroleum
and other resources?"
MY government always expects the
real cooperation, both technical and
financial, of all those organizations that
are willing to lend 1t and that realize
Venezuela is q favorable field for all
progressive activity, both because Of
prevalent conditions and because of the
policies of the government, which is en-.
deavoring to maintain an effective equi-
,ibrium between capital and labor. In
exchange Venezuela hopes to receive
just benefits and all the consideration
due her as an independent state, and
also for the hospitality she offers those
that come to her SOIL"
"The government. Mr.. President, has
greatly increased its budget. Your
theory of this Is what?"
IF the increase in fiscal revenues cor.
responds to the greater political stability
attained, which, as Is natural, guaran-
tees economic development, the arrange
ment and distribution Of the budget are
also q result Of the administrative power
achieved during my administration"
"Venezuela has no debts, and from its
petroleum resources has surplus Of
present revenue. But II agricultural
products should produce no profit, cease
to develop, and the petroleum resources
be used up in expanding government
expenditures under your three-year pro-
gram, what is going to produce income
in the future?"
"We are investing large part Of our
income from oil in the development Of
agriculture and cattle raising, for we, are
sure these sources Of wealth win amply
Evening star., 1940-03-17

Jupdnese-A American relations are
discussed frankly here by an out
standing japanese statesman, Uho
tods foreign minister in the cabinet
Just preceding the present Yonat
ministry
TOXIC (By MaiD.-In response to the
invitation of the North American News
paper Alliance, make this statement.
It expresses my private opinion, but I
feel 1t also conveys general public senti-
ment here. It is in effect message
from the Japanese people to the people
Of the United States.
To lifelong friend of America, the
present state of affairs between our two
countries Is anything but satisfactory.
Is rapprochement possible? From our
standpoint there can be only one answer
YES The American answer is for
America to say, but no Japanese can
conceive Of any American answer which
precludes re-establishment of normal in
tercourse. On this point Ambassador
Grew and were Of one mind when we
were striving to arrive at agreement.
We have stated time and again that
American rights and interests in China
viii be respected. But we must have
reasonable time in which to work out
difdcult problems which concern both
China and Japan. do not think Japan
unreasonable in asking America to give
us the necessary time.
Military Measures in Inner Mongolia.
Japan and China are evolving a pro.
gram of mutual cooperation which, in
scope and magnitude, is unprecedented
in their history. It is program deeply
rooted in the mutual instinct of self
preservation.
The new China will be independent
both in name and reality. As for North
China, its autonomy is simply the legal
ization of the condition which had long
existed before the hostinties began.
For Inner Mongolia, contiguous to
Soviet-dominated Outer Mongolia, GER
tain defensive military measures against
Communist incursions will be arranged
jointly by China and Japan. The reason
need not be explained here. It is self
evident to all who follow news which
comes to the American and European
press from the Near East, from India,
from European capitals. from the deep
interior Of Central Asia. In the face Of
obvious facts, we must take the situation
in hand before it is too late. A COM
muntzed China is . blow to the worlds
civilization, while 1t raises . question Of
life or death to the countries imme-
diately affected.
The defense needs Of Japan, China
and Manchukuo have close relationship
to the joint economic system which they
contemplate. However contrary to free
trade ideals this projected system may
seem to be, the fact is plain that all ma
tions, including those protesting democ-
racy and liberalism, are tending towards
economic -Ottawas, quotas,
tariff walls, blocs, etc. OF course, no
nation can be literally self-supporting,
but In world like this, no nation can
afford to ignore economic nationalism
practiced by others.
For many years Japan practiced trade
liberalism. importing raw materials free
Of duty or ct very low rates Of duty, and
Evening star., 1940-03-17

or politician. I built the best army I
could, and let Gen. Gomez take care of
the other problems. But now am the
constitutional President Of Venezuela,
and my job now is to build q better
Venezuela-for all Venezuelans. With
reference to your mention Of the illus
trious Lincoln, 1t is idle to express such
favorable opinion about my work as
head of the state, because it is prema-
ture. Favorable opinions as well as un.
favorable ones musv necessarily be ac-
cepted with Observation-Disclosures public
men can be judged impartially only by
the generations of the future"
Evening star., 1940-03-17

Venezueld's present policies at home
and abroad, as contrdSted 1Dith those
of the Gomez dictatorship, are dis
cussed here by President Eleasar
Lopez Contreras in the first interuietr
he has granted for publication abroad.
The writer, a seasoned explorer of
South American highways and By
,Days, recently returned to Neu York
from Venezuela
Venezuela's mountains come down to
the Caribbean Sea, and, since the days
OF Simon Bolivar, eel Iberator" of South
America from Spain, mountain men
have been the country's rulers. But to-
day philosopher, rather than a dicta-
tor, has come out of the Andes, and he's
trying to promote Venezuelas stature in
American Hemisphere affairs.
Eleazar Lopez Contreras, unlike his
predecessors, made no militaristic move,
after old Gen. Gomez's death, to seize
the dictatorship of Venezuela While
Gomez's cousin with a following of
armed men tried to establish q dictator
ship over Caracas, Lopez Contreras
waited silently until the Congress could
meet to select, by constitutional proceed
ure, the legal successor. There were
several strong men in Venezuela-Gala
Wis, Perisoto, Leon Jurado. There were
men who leaned uncompromisingly to
the left, like Morales, Tejia and Rangel
Lamus. There were men who leaned to
the right, like Escalante, Medina, Paca-
nins. No one seemed to know just which
way Lopez Contreras leaned, for, al
though he had been Gen. Gomez's min
lister of war and built the dictators ave-
inspiring army, he never talked about
politics.
Discards Uniform.
now sat facing him, three years after
the national Congress had elected him
President. He had discarded the uni
form in which I had last seen him, on
the dictator's last birthday party in
Maracay. He sat in back of an old ma
hogany desk, in plainly furnished study
overlooking the Caribbean. Tall, gaunt,
he seemed to the casual observer more
like scientist or scholar than mill
tary leader.
Some people said he was making an
experiment that couldn't succeed-that
Latins required a strong. even arrogant
helmsman to keep them from political
eruptions. Some said Lopez Contreras
was too soft, too kind. Old Gomez had
given orders; Lopez Contreras called
conferences, asked opirions.
But knew that he had quieted down
by compromise and mediation the po-
htical antagonisms that followed the
dictator's death, and that Venezuela
today is peaceful and booming with new
social and economic programs. He had
agreed, for the first time, to answer for
publication any questions wanted to
ask him.
Mr.. President" said, many people
tn North America are curious to know
just what kind of man you are and
what this new philosophy. of govern
ing without force, is based on. What,
exactly, is the difference between the
policy of your administration and that
Of Gen. Gomez?"
He looked out at the sea for q few
moments. THE political evolution" he