davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-12-25
Feet Planted on Path
To Victory, Empire
Told by King George
Have Surmounted q Grove
Crisis, Monarch Says
In YuIe Broadcast
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, Dec. 25.-King George
VI broadcast to his empire today a
wish for "a happy Christmas and a
happier new year" to which I'VE
may look forward with sober con-
fidence.
"The future will be hard, but our
feet are planted on the path OF
victory" he said.
I'VE have surmounted grave
crisis" the King said. I'VE do not
underrate the dangers and difficult
ties which confront us still, but We
take courage and comfort from the
successes which our fighting men
and their allies have won at heavy
odds by land and air and sea. -
The King thanked many loyal
and generous friends in the United
States" for caring for British chill
dren and added that "the older
among us are proud" that I'VE are
all in the front line together
Text of Message.
The text Of the Kings Christmas
message follows:
I'm the days of peace, the feast of
Christmas is a time when we all
gather together in our homes. young
and old, to enjoy the happy festiv-
ity and good will which the Christ
mas message brings IT is above all
the children's day, and I am sure
that we shall all do our best to make
1t a happy one for them wherever
they may be.
War brings, among other sor-
rows, the sadness of separation
there are many men in the forces
away from their homes today, be-
cause they must stand ready and
alert to resist an invader, should he
dare to come, or because they are
guarding the dark seas, or pursuing
the beaten foe in the Libyan Desert
Many family circles are broken
Children from English homes are
today in Canada, Australia, New
Zealand and South Africa. Fol
not only has the manhood of the
whole British commonwealth rallied
once more to the aid of the mother
country in her hour of need, but
the people of the empire have
eagerly thrown open the doors of
their homes to our children so that
(see LONDON, Page A-5)
Evening star., 1940-12-25
RooseveIts Attend
Special Christmas
Church Service
Hear Bishc5 Leonard
Urge Observance
Of Moral Lows

President Roosevelt TODAY observed
the spiritual side of Christmas by
attending a special service arranged
by the Washington Federation of
Churches at the First Congrega-
tional Church, Tenth and G streets
NV.
With Mr.. Roosevelt went Mrs.
Roosevelt and his mother, Mrs.
James Roosevelt; Franklin D. Roose-
welt, jr: Mrs. Elizabeth Gushing
Roosevelt, the former wife of his
son, James Roosevelt, and Harry
Hopkins.
They heard Bishop Adna w
Leonard of the Methodist Church
make an appeal for observance OF
the moral laws set forth in the Old
Testament, in order to cope with the
forces assaulting Christianity and
civilization today.
The church was crowded with
Worshipers. Outside on the G street
sidewalks police kept in check a
throng OF several hundred who
gathered to see the President arrive
at the church and leave it.
Still Wars on Evil.
In his sermon Bishop Leonard de-
clared that the power of Jesus
Christ, instead of abating in this
modern time, still was pressing
(See ROOSEVELTS, Page A-2)
Evening star., 1940-12-25
British Step Up Bordio Attack;
Italians Intensity Air Activity
English Claim Casualties Inflicted
By Patrols on Sudan Frontier

! course just outside the town, were
reported fighting back with their
own big guns-among them two 13-
inch naval pieces which the British
have dubbed Long Lizzie and the
"Bardia Belle"
Dispatches from an Associated
Press correspondent at the front
indicated last night that the re-
inforced army of the Nile was
tightening its siege lines despite de-
termined Fascist resistance. closing
in steadily for final assault.
The correspondent declared the
steady stream of reinforcements,
backed by tanks and artillery, left
no doubt the British were deter
mined not only to crack the Bardla
defenses, but to sweep on to the
west for a try at Marshal Rodolfo
Grazianis next line of defense.
Along with the big guns, rumbling
supply wagons and tanks, there
came special Christmas treat for
the hardened, bronzed men of the
ico, ErVDT nooa AAl
Evening star., 1940-12-25
Easter Weather
Generally Over u. s.;
RainDue Late Today
High Of SIS Predicted
Here Today; Atlantic
Storm Warnings Posted

Weather of the mild variety as
sociated more generally with Easter
than with Christmas overspread
most of the Nation on this Christ
mas Day, 1910.
Along the Atlantic coast. however.
storm warnings were issued. The
Weather Bureau reported:
Northeast storm warnings Or
dered from Delaware breakWater to
Cape Hatteras Disturbance of
slight intensity on the South Caro-
lima coast will move northeastward
with increasing intensity and cause
increasing northeast to east winds
becoming strong this afternoon be-
tween the Virginia Capes and Cape
Hatteras. and early tonight between
the Virginia Capes and Delaware
breakwater. with winds reaching
gale force off the coast
Early risers in Washington found
q slight nip in the air. but shortly
after 10 a m. a temperature of Al
. degrees was recorded at the Weather
Bureau and a high of 55 degrees was
forecast for the Nations Capital be-
fore the day is ended
The readings are slightly above
normal for the Christmas season in
the District, temperatures of 38 and
43 degrees having been reached last
year and in 1888.
Rain Forecast Later in Day.
Rain is expected late this after
| noon, with moderately heavy rain
, tonight and tomorrow. Lowest tenn
| perature expected tonight is about
40 degrees.
For those who hold that a white
| Christmas adds a CHEEKY note to
holiday merriment, the Weather
I Bureau could offer little solace. The
only new-fallen snow reported was
in scattered sections of the Rockies,
/ the Associated Press reported
Rainfall which has been espe-
cially heavy in parts of California
and Arizona, will extend tonight and
tomorrow into other sections of the
Nation. forecasters said.
! Predictions were for scattered
showers in the east and west por-
tionS of the Middle Atlantic States
the lower Great Lakes regions, the
Northern and Southern Appalachian
areas and parts of the Ohio Valley.
Some snow and colder weather
were seen for sections of the North
Central States.
| Two Die in California.
Californians were offered little
but rain. A desert storm which
poured nearly inches of water
through Palm Springs yesterday
washed out railroads and highways
Two persons, who had struggled
9 miles after their automobile begged
down, were found dead near Bakers
field.
Florida, too, did not escape, al
though rain there yesterday was
confined largely to northern Sec
tions. Ocala reported 24-hour
fall of 392 inches.
Cattlemen and farmers in North
(See WEATHER, Page A-2)
Evening star., 1940-12-25
British and German WorpIones
Grounded in Christmas Truce:
She|Ied by Sub, Ship Radios
England Enjoying
Quiet in Second
YuIetide of War
BY the Associated Press.

1S JDc AssoSldttu FIeeS.
Distress signals cracking out of
the North British ship
Everleigh - being shelled by sub
marine broke Christmastide lull
in the war today as British and
German raiders observed an ap-
parently unofficial truce in bombing
assaults.
In her first appeal for aid the
5,222-ton freighter reported she was
being shelled by the submarine ap-
proximately $50 miles west of the
northern tip of Scotland.
Three hours later Mackay Radio
picked up this message from the
vessel at 1880 am. (E. S. To:
Still being shelled and chased by
submarine
The position given-latitude 1920
north, longitude 2120 west-was
about 40 miles northeast of the spot
where the ship was first attacked.
In the 17-day-old battle OF North
Africa and the Balkan war, fierce
fighting ragged on Christmas Eve,
but there was no indication OF
hostilities as the day of the nativity
dawned.
Adolf Hitler's high command, TAX
ing note of a cessation OF British
and German aerial bombardment
after the devastating Nazi attack on
Manchester Monday night, reported
that German speedboat sank a
2.50O-ton British ship on December
%, in addition to two others pre-
viously announced.
The German attitude, as earlier
outlined in Berlin, was that so long
as British planes stayed home over
the Christmas season, Nazi bombers
would do likewise.
Authoritative German sources IN
Washington reported last night
that the Luftwaffe proposed to re-
frain from bombing England from
last night until Dec. q as a sort
Of Christmas truce provided the
Roval Air Rorce carried out no
attack upon Germany or German
held territory.
The report gained credence from
the fact that no aerial action was
reported over Britain since early
Yesterday while no British aerial
attack apparently had been made
upon Germany last night. 1t was
recalled, however, that Prime Mini
ster Winston Churchill rejected a
PROPOSAL for a Christmas armistice
advanced recently in the House OF
Commons.
To inquiries about the arrnistice
report. officials of the German
Embassy here said the Embassy was
making no announcement on the
subject and they declined to be
quoted as confirming the report in
their individual capacities, although
they did not deny it.
Evening star., 1940-12-25
Ohio Leads Death Roll
As Christmas Day
Traffic Kills Scores
Fatalities Mount to 1871;
List Of Dead Expected
To Grow Hourly

By the Associated Press.
Christmas brought to the United
States today a record of violent
death-131 persons killed throughout
the country, most of them in traffic
mishaps.
Before the day was old, 81 persons
had perished in Christmas Eve and
early Christmas morn traffic acci-
dents, while "a others died in other
ways.
Ohio continued to lead the States
in the roll of death, recording IA
traffic fatalities and two killed in
train accidents. Texas followed with
13 traffic deaths. including five who
died when two cars collided head-on
and third automobile smashed into
the wreckage Another Texan was
dragged to death by a horse after
becoming entangled in a rope.
10 Killed in California.
California had 10 traffic deaths,
In Ohio man who was delivering
gifts died in an automobile col
lision. They found him dead in a
Santa Claus suit.
Based on past records, the num-
ber of Christmas dead could be ex-
pected to increase sharply during
the day as the States recounted their
tolls. The National Safety Council
says a normal record of traffic
deaths on an ordinary December
Wednesday is go.
Toll by States.
Deaths by States-Arkansas !
traffic; California, 10 traffic; Colo
RADIO. 3 traffic; Connecticut, 2 traf-
fic. 3 others; Delaware. traffic;
Florida, 2 traffic; Georgia. traffic,
l other; Illinois,, 2 traffic, others:
Indiana traffic, others; Iowa,
traffic, 3 others: Kentucky, l traffic:
Maryland 2 traffic, others; Massa-
chusetts, others: Michigan, traf-
fic, 3 others; Missouri. traffic. /
other; Nebraska, l traffic, 2 others;
New Hampshire, 2 traffic; New Jer-
sey, traffic; New Mexico, l traffic;
New York, 6 traffic, 3 others; North
Carolina, l traffic; Ohio, IA traffic,
others; Oklahoma, 2 traffic; Penn
sylvania, traffic; Tennessee, traf-
f1c; Texas, 13 traffic. / other; Vir-
ginia, traffic; Wisconsin, 4 traffic,
other.
Evening star., 1940-12-25
Thousands of British Soldiers
Join Bethlehem Celebrations

Zealand, Czech, Polish and Free
French" soldiers knelt at the shrine
and sent up special prayers for
comrades engaged in battle in the
western desert.
In the shadowy church courtyard
a throng representing persons from
many nations joined in singing
chorals under a starlit sky.
At the same time, Jewish resi-
dents in the Holy Land began a
weeklong celebration of Hanikkah-
"the Feast of Lights" which extols
the bravery of the Maccabees who,
in the second century B. c., pre-
vailed against the enemies attempt
ing to destroy their temple.
Today approximately 5000 modern
Maccabees are fighting in various
branches of the British armed
forces.
Evening star., 1940-12-25
Port Of VaIona
Dive-Bombed
By British
Airdrome Enveloped
In Pals of Smoke,
R. A. F. Announces
By the Associated Press.

oS Jbc ASoObldItQ FItpa
ATHENS, Dec. 25.-A low-level,
dive-bombing attack on Valona,
Albania, which left the airdrome
of that Italian port of entry "en-
veloped in pals of black smoke,
was reported today by the British
Royal Air Force.
The British said their formations
took the defenses of the town com
pletely by surprise" diving in
through low clouds Apparently the
attack was made yesterday
The raiders pumped bombs and
turned machine-gun fire on planes
on the runway, hangers and other
airdrome buildings.
1taly has acknowledged that
German transport planes, Ger
man piloted, are carrying italian
troops to the Albanian battle
zone Presumably Valona air.
port is one of the landing fields
being used)
n III oioCl az NoiOlld puU uP OIL
anti-aircraft barrage without success
and was heavily machine -gunned.
the r. A. F. reported. All British
planes returned safely from the
attack. it was said.
New Advances on Coast.
Sharp fighting which surged along
the Albanian battlefront Christmas
Eve was reported to have resulted in
new Greek advances near the
Adriatic seacoast and in the
mountains further north.
The Greek high command said
Large quantities of war material
and number of prisoners were
captured in the fighting, which a
government Spokesman declared had
resulted in "appreciable victories. y
Eight field pieces were listed among
the equipment captured.
Attacking at bayonet point, the
Greeks were reported to have
stormed and captured several
strongly defended Fascist positions
in the mountains northeast of
Chimara, the Adriatic port wrested
from the Italians earlier this week
On the central sector of the
battlefront, the Greeks occupied
strategic heights of great import
ance" north and east of Premet, the
official spokesman said, despite stiff
Italian resistance and unfavorable
weather condition.
Weather Hampers Operations.
Intense cold and deep snow were
said to be hampering operations on
the northern flank, but Greek forces
were described as still holding the
initiative.
The Italian forces retreated north
ward from Chimara along the sea
coast were reported digging in for
a firm stand against the left wing
of the Greek army advancing toward
the important port of Valona.
The Greeks said the Fascist troops
had occupied strong natural posi-
! tions at Logara Pass, south OF
Valona, and apparently were pre-
pairing to offer strong resistance.
Evening star., 1940-12-25
Two Elderly Women
Die Crossing Streets;
Crash Kills Youth
Princeton Club Publicity
Mon Is Among Injured
In Holiday Traffic Here

Holiday traffic killed two elderly
women pedestrians and a 16-year-
old youth in Washington and the
nearby area last night and early
today.
Two other persons were injured
seriously One was the publicity
manager of the Princeton Triangle
Club, Albert Van Court. 81. of South
Pasadena, Calf, struck by hit
run car. The dead were:
Miss Mary Josephine Blake, 73,
36 street NV. who became the
18th traffic victim of 1910 in the
District. At this time last year "a
had been killed.
Mrs. Anna Spellbring, 68, of 2413
Second street NV, fatally injured
in an accident in Chevy Chase, Md.
Harold w. Kennedy, 16; of 4504
West Virginia avenue. Bethesda, Md.
His automobile ran off the highway
and overturned at Ager and Riggs
roads last night. AS he was alone
in the car, Prince Georges County
pOllSC "SiC W OUbdlll
of the accident. Taken to Casualty
Hospital with head injuries, he died
this morning
Hit on X Street.
Mrs Blake died today at Sibley
Hospital She was struck by an
automobile as she walked across
K street last night, at the west
side of North. Capitol street.
/ Physicians said she received a
conclusion, possible skull frac-
ture, compound fracture OF LETT leg
and fracture of lower right leg.
Driver of the automobile was Joseph
Pugh, %, of 1926 Eastern avenue
NE
Mrs. Spellbring died in George
/ town Hospital early today of in
/ juries received on Connecticut ave-
nue. and Irving street, Chevy Chase,
Md. last night.
Miss Blake was native of Wash
! ington and had lived at the I street
residence for quarter of a century.
She was retired Woodward e.
Lothrop employe She had no close
relatives, friends said.
Two Drivers Face Hearing.
Mrs. Spellbring. the widow of
Bernard A. Spellbring, who was
prominent in labor affairs before
his death in 1925, was visiting her
daughter, Mrs Charles Futterer of
Irving street, Chevy Chase, Md,
and had left the house to mail some
Christmas cards. She was walking
across Connecticut avenue, where
traffic was restricted to tWo-car
lane. when car operated by Brice
M. Mace, jr., of 81 West Underwood
street, Chevy Chase, Md, struck her
according to Policeman l.. B. Thomp-
son of the county police
Mr.. Thompson quoted Mr.. Mace as
saying he stopped. but his car was
struck from behind by another ma
chine driven by Dudley c. Grafton
%, of 80 East Bradley lane, and the
impact forced his car forward, strik-
| ing Mrs. Spellbring. Both drivers
will be held for preliminary hear
ing in Bethesda Police Court, Mr.
Thompson said. No charges had
been filed today.
Besides Mrs Futterer, Mrs. Spell
bring is survived by another daugh-
ter, Mrs. Arthur J. Goelling OF
Mount Rainier, Md, and three sons
John A., Lawrence p. and James p
Spellbring, all of Washington. Her
late husband was one of the Or
ganizers Of the motion picture
operators division of the Interna-
tional Association of Theatrical and
Stage Employees and was president
of the division for many years.
Mr. Van Court, one Of the Prince
ton students whose tour took them
to the National Theater stage yes
(See TRAFFIC, Page A-4)
Evening star., 1940-12-25
BY II 4, Associated Press.


CAIRO, Egypt, Dec. 25.-"Prep-
arations to deal with the situation
in Bardia a"-presumably an assault
by land forces to wrest that Eastern
Libyan base from Fascist troops
ARE being pushed forward in spite
of renewed air activity in support
of the beleaguered garrison" Brit
ish general headquarters reported
today.
With intensifcation of the Brit
ish bombardment of Bardia. there
were indications that the zero hour
was near.
The only other action reported by
general headquarters was that of
patrols, west of Gallabat, on the
Anglo Egyptian Sudan Ethiopian
frontier There, communique said
succinctly, the British inflicted
casualties upon the enemy"
The siege of Bardia was in its
ninth day.
The Italians, entrenched behind
barbed wire along dried river
Evening star., 1940-12-25
Pope Proys for Peace
After Christmas Mass
B, the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
VATICAN CITY, Dec. 25.-Pope
Plus XII prayed today for the re-
turn of peace to the world after
saving Christmas mass at 7:30 am.
(12:3O am, E S. T) in the private
chapel of his apartment.
Then he read greetings from SOW
ereipns and chiefs of state and
received the children of his nephews
for an exchange of gifts around q
Christmas tree In the papal palace,
Evening star., 1940-12-25

That is what generosity, through
The Star-N. B. C-Warner Bros
Christmas campaign, accomplished.
Said Mrs. W. A. Roberts, secre-
tary of the Citizens Christmas
Committee, which distributed the
Christmas checks:
This is the first Christmas we've
ever been able to reach all the fam
lilies that welfare agencies knew
were in need and it is due entirely
to The Star-N. B. C.-Warner Bros.
campaign"
Although it is still too early for
final figures on how far the money
went and how many toys were COL
Evening star., 1940-12-25
British WorpIones
Shower Naples With
Leaflets and Bombs
RA the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ROME, Dec. Is. - British
raiders were reported today to
have followed up Prime Minister
Churchill's appeal to Italy to
get out of the war with a shower
of propaganda leaf1ets-inter-
spersed with incendiary bombs
-on Naples.
The Italian high command
said the leaflets and bombs were
dropped in an attack at noon
yesterday. The contents of the
leaflets which f1uttered down on
the city were not disclosed.
Evening star., 1940-12-25
Bad Weather Hampers
Albanian War Activity

ROME, Dec. 25 tP).-Bad weather
was said today to have hampered
land operations all along the
Albanian battle front, but the italian
high command credited Fascist war
planes with beating back a British
attempt to bomb the Albanian port
of Valona.
Greek attacks, the high command
declared, were repulsed.
The communique said British
planes attempting to raid Valona
withdrew from combat" when op-
posed by Italian fighter planes.
Evening star., 1940-12-25
Spanish Fire on
Low-FIying Planes
BY the Associated Press

%.
LA LINEA, Spain, Dec. 25.-
Spanish anti-aircraft batteries and
machine-gun crews fired on several
airplanes of unidentified nationality
this afternoon when they flew low
over La Linea and the nearby region
facing the British fortress rock,
Gibraltar.
Telephone dispatches reaching
diplomatic quarters at Bern, Switzer-
land, said that one craft was shot
down, a French observation plane
apparently from North African
hase.)
Evening star., 1940-12-25
3, the Associated Press.


BETHLEHEM, Palestine, Dec. 25.
The little town of Bethlehem
celebrated its second successive war
time Christmas against a back
ground of stark realism today with
thousands of khaki-clad British
soldiers joining the usual throng of
pilgrims in devotions at the most
revered shrine in Christendom.
The tragic atmosphere of war per-
vaded even the dimly lit basilica of
the Church of the Nativity, in which
reverent worshippers heard Latin
Patriarch Louis Barlassina intone a
pontifical high mass last night on
the hallowed spot where Christ
was born nearly 1000 years ago.
Blackout restrictions dirnmed the
usual blaze of Christmas lights as
uncounted British, Australian. New
Evening star., 1940-12-25
Alien Registration

Waslaington's non-citizen resi-
dents must register at the City
Pest Office, Massachusetts, ave-
nue. and North Capitol street,
before midnight tomorrow.
Failure to comply with the
Alien Registration Act of 194G
involves penalties up to a fine
of $1,000 and Imprisonment for
six months. Fraudulent state
ments in registration are pun
ishable by deportation.
Aliens IA years of age and
older should register in person,
while parents or guardians must
register for alien children under
IA. Special arrangements can
be made in the case of persons
unable to visit the registration
Office because of illness or physi-
cal disability.
Evening star., 1940-12-25

lected through the campaign, Mrs
Roberts estimated that $500 families
were sent Christmas checks. The
"toy matinees" collected some 10000
toys, several thousand. more toys
were brought to The Stars Christ
mas House and the fleet of Star
trucks was busy the entire week be-
fore Christmas picking up truck
loads of gifts from Government de-
partments. Various other organiza-
tions cooperating with the Star
N. B. C-Warner Bros. campaign
(See CHRISTMAS, Page A-2J
Evening star., 1940-12-25
First Christmas Buby
In City Arrives at l2:02

The honor of being the first
Christmas baby goes to a 6-pound
14-ounce girl born in Columbia Hos
pital at 1902 am. to Mr.. and Mrs.
James Taylor of Arlington, Va.
The Taylors live at 5215 North
Carlyn Springs road, Arlington.
Evening star., 1940-12-25
SeopIone Crashes

BAHIA, Brazil. Dec. Is (R-A
tri-motored seaplane of Panair do
Brasil subsidiary of American
Always, was reported to have
crashed today In a takeoff, injuring
two persons. :.
Evening star., 1940-12-25
Christmas Enters All Homes
As Capital Gives Generously
Dinners, Toys and Warm Clothing Sent
To Brighten Homes of All the Needy

Washngonians could sit down to their Christmas dinner to-
knowing neighbos poor having
Christmas dinner, too.
And 10000 children of the needy found and
mens and caps their Christmas stockings this morning.
Evening star., 1940-12-25
No Late Editions
Today

The $50. Night Final and
Night Final Sports editions of
The Star will not be issued to-
day because of the holiday.
Subscribers to these editions
will receive the regular home
edition.
Evening star., 1940-12-25
Summary Of
Todoy's Star

Page. Page.
Amusements, Serial Story B-6
A-12-13 Sports A-14-15
Comics B-22-23 Society B-3
Editorials AS Woman'sPg. B-20
Obituary A-10
Foreign.
Bombers are grounded in Yuletide
truce. Page Al
Port of Valona dive-bombed by
British. Page Al
Less efficiency found in giants OF
industry by F. T. c. Page B-l
Washington and Vicinity.
Three killed in holiday traffic acci-
dents here. Page Al
Building guard stabbed to death;
wife held. Page B-1
Extension of reorganization power
fought by McCarran. Page B-1
Evening star., 1940-12-25

(See EGYPT, Page A-4.)