davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-04-12

BY ELMO SCOTT WAISON
tReleased by Western Newspaper UnionJ
TT IS the evening of April IA,
1865-Good Friday.
l. On the stage of Ford's
theater in Washington the ia
NOUS actress, Laura Keene, is
playing in a delightful comedy,
"Our American Cousin" Join
ing in the laughter that sweeps
through the audience from time
to time is a gaunt, sad-faced
man sitting at ease in a high
backed, satin-upholstered rock
ing chair in an upper stage box.
Abraham Lincoln is forgetting
for a few minutes the crushing
responsibilities which he, as
Chief Executive Of a nation torn
asunder in civil war, has been
bearing for four long years.
The third act of the play be-
gins. The President leans over
to whisper something to Mrs.
Lincoln who sits beside him. Mel
Their the Lincolns nor Maj. Har-
ry r. Rathbone and a Miss Har-
ris, who accompanied them to
the theater, notice that a dark
moustached young man has slipped
through the door at the rear of the
box and is now standing behind the
President.
The next moment there is the
muff1ed sound of a shot. It is I'M
noticed by the players on the stage
or the audience, still chuckling over
the last funny line they have heard.
But the Presidents head drops for
ward on his breast.
Startled, Major Rathbone looks
around. Through the smoke he sees
the dark young man with pistol in
his hand and hears him mutter
something which sounds like Gree
dom!" The major leaps to his feet
and grapples with the intruder, who
slashes at him with knife, tears
loose from the officers grasp and
springs to the front of the box.
AS he vaults over the railing, his
spur catches in an American flag
which drapes the front of the box.
He drops heavily to the stage with
one leg doubled under him, then
scrambles to his feet. With blood
streaming from his wounded arms,
Rathbone rushes to the front of the
box.
"Stop that man! Stop him!" he
shouts. "The President has been
Shot!"
But everyone is too stunned to
move for q moment. The young
man, waving aloft the bloody knife,
drags himself across the stage and
disappears in the wings. But be-
fore he does SO, the startled actors
recognize in the white face and the
black eyes blazing with fanatical
hatred the familiar features of one
Of their own profession = John
Wilkes Booth.
All this has taken place in less
time than it takes to tell it. The
next moment Ford's theater is a
pandemonium of screaming women
and shouting men, showing, push
ing, breaking chairs, crashing
through ratings and trampling upon
each other as they surge toward the
stage or try to climb up to the box
where the moaning Mrs. Lincoln is
supporting her stricken husband and
Major Rathbone is trying vainly to
open the door which the assassin
had barred from the inside.
Now the soldiers of the Presi-
dents guard come bursting into the
theater and with fixed bayonets and
drawn pistols they charge the mill
ing crowd. Their hoarse shouts of
"Clear outl Clear out, you sons of
helll' rise above the tumult as they
a. w M
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-04-12

out a smile IN MS
system. A fellow
who can't photo
graph or screen
w e IL a n d W h o
knows it. I am fed
up with the old
personality stuff
in all public Of
fees, and what is
more I think a
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-04-12

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Evening star., 1940-06-17
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

Deepening of Americas defense
problem and indefinite postpone
ment of the planned adjournment
of Congress at the week end were
seen by Speaker Bankhead today
as immediate results Of the fall of
France.
Senate and House leaders of both
parties must get together to re-
arrange the congressional program,
he indicated.
A recess during the Republican
and Democratic conventions must be
taken, he suggested. But he pointed
out that even before a recess Con-
gress must complete action on sew
eral appropriation bills. These in
clude the national defense bill and
the second deficiency appropriation
measure, to be reported to the House
tomorrow.
A f1ve-week recess until after the
political conventions also appeared
more likely In the Senate as it be-
Evening star., 1940-06-17
Italians Are Jubi|ant,
Believing Peace Near;
Land Action Hinted
Mediterranean Aviation
Attacks Are Expected
To Be Intensified
BY the Associated Press.

ROME, June 17.-France' request
for an armistice with Germany was
received in Rome today with jubila-
ton by the Italians, who believed
the step indicated the war soon
would be over. .,
The announcement from Adolf
Hitler's headquarters that the
Fuehrer and Premier Mussolini
would meet soon to consider how to
deal with France was published
here.
Fascists said it was understood
the meeting would be for the pur-
pose Of "co-ordinating the attitudes
of the Axis powers, both at war with
France. The date was not an
nounced, but it was assumed it
would be soon. One source said it
would be held tomorrow.
Also, authoritative italian sources
said, it was not known yesterday
whether Hitler and Mussolini would
meet again at the Brenner Pass at
the border of Italy and Germany
the scene of their closely-guarded
talk in March which was followed
by Germany's march into Scan
dinavia and then the outbreak Of
real war in the west.
Ciano Returns From Front.
Count Galeazzo Ciano, Foreign
Minister, and Alessandro Pavolini,
Minister of Popular Culture, few
back to Rome from the front, where
they have been serving as aviators.
They reached their Offices at 6 pm.
and found Premier Mussolini still
working in his office in Palazzo
Venezia.
The Italians were expected to in
tensify their bombardment of the
British naval bases at Malta in the
Mediterranean and at Alden of East
Africa.
Some newspapers said air attacks
on these bases and other Mediter-
ranean points were preliminary to
land action against British territory
as well as sea attacks on the Medi-
terranean feet.
A headquarters communique said
(see ROME, Page A-3)
Evening star., 1940-06-17
Fierce Battle Begun
After Petoin Appeal;
Nozis Sweep South
New Premier Tells Nation
He 'AskedMeuns to STOP the
Fight; Moginot Line Gone

BORDEAUX, June 17:-France still fighting, though
near the end OF her rich resources asked Adolf Hitler
saddened, 84-year-old Marshal Henri Petan hero of
the battle of Verdun in the World War; broke the news
TO ms countrymen in a broadcast
1T is necessary to try to end the fighting" he said
made contact with the adversary last night asking
soldier to soldier to seek with the stop
Paris the beloved capital had fallen. The great industrial
cities OF the north the invaders The
Swastika flew Versailles the Erel Tower
The Magnot Line Frances hope security
was practically the German Army
with armored apanes sweeping south
ward, bent on complete victory.
Fierce Battle at Ponarlier.
From Les Veriers Switzerland lat the French borde It
reported that two hours after the
began the plain behind large
by French infantry.
he They shall not pass had taken the
government from Paul Reynaud last night after
discussions on what help the United States might
(There was immediate a response to
Petains offer, but the high announced
Adolf Hitler Mussolini ally.
Other German sources said there could
only a complete capitulation'D
Complete captuation probably
French hee second strongest in Europe and counted
England in its blockade.
Fighting still going high command in
its morning region Lage Chaeaudun
well as the line Of the Loire and south Avalon time
which the communque referred not clear The Nazs also
reported to have advancing
direction of Doubs, close o Swiss border
Maginot Line
From Basel Switzerland reported artillery
Magnot line heavily hellng German positions
Peains radio statement German West Wall replied There
was no other land air action throughout the Of both
sides had been silent until the French opened
lthough the French reported withdrawn
main forces from the Magnot line believed they
small detachments to delay the German
Meanwhile the French cabinet reported meeting
await developments"
Contact Was Made Through Spain.
The marshalPemier said contact
with Germany through the intermedaton of Spain
The Premier made his radio address pm am,
IT, after dramatic during
military reverses and the future were discussed
His announcement of overtures surprise
the formation of his generally accepted
prelude to request for armistice.
Evening star., 1940-06-17

which hundreds of refugees were
streaming into Switzerland.
They reported the battle started
when the Germans tried to enter
Pontarlier.
The French, they said, were fight
ing stubbornly. The Germans were
trying to fight their way into the
town after practically surrounding
it with motorized units and light
field pieces.
About SIS pm. watchers on the
Swiss frontier saw several hundred
armed uniformed figures appear on
the crest of hill on the French
side Of the frontier and run down
across the grassy slope toward
Switzerland.
Swiss frontier soldiers advanced
to meet them. They were exhausted
French Alpine Chasseurs, who said
they had been cut off from their
main force by large numbers of Ger
man troops east of Pontarlier. where
they were routed and many killed.
Soldiers Pitiful Sight.
AAc A1CA WllU lOIHlcQ pdIC OF one
OF Frances most famous units were
a pitiful sight as they crossed the
frontier.
They handed their arms to the
Swiss without a word. Many fell
exhausted on the grass Just inside
the Swiss frontier and fell asleep
Immediately. They were unshaverl,
their uniforms in rags, and some
had no helmets. Others had no
jackets. Some of them bore minor
wounds.
The men with enough energy to
speak gave their story in broken
sentences to Swiss officers-three
days Of fighting in a retreat from
the north. They had lost their sup
plies, they were short of ammuni-
ton.
They said they had been rushed
north from the Italian frontier sew
eral days ago in desperate attempt
to halt the German advance. Swiss
Red Cross workers fed those who
could eat and gave f1rst-aid treat
ment. w.
Last nights high command coih-
(see BORDEAUX, Page A-135 :,
Evening star., 1940-06-17
President Opens
Drive 10 Protect
American Trade
Program Is Viewed
As Move to Weld
Western Hemisphere
BY JOHN c. HENRY.

President Roosevelt today launched
a commercial offensive apparently
intended to counter European con-
quest by totalitarian Germany and
Italy.
The Chief Executive, silent about
latest developments abroad. in
structed four cabinet officers to draft
an All-American trade program and
invited such countries as might de-
sire to join in its application.
This action was taken to be an
immediate move to weld the Western
Hemisphere into stronger and
more completely self-sustaining unit.
AS the meeting was being sum-
moned, Mr.. Roosevelt was being
kept constantly informed of de-
velopments abroad. Stephen T.
Early, his secretary, told his press
conference, however, that no COM
ment was expected at the moment.
Four Secretaries Called.
Called to the economic confer
ence, to be held at 3:15 o'clock this
afternoon, were Secretary of State
Hull, Secretary of Treasury Nor
genthau, Secretary of Agriculture
Wallace and Secretary of Commerce
Hopkins The discussions will take
place at the office of Secretary Hull
Earlier in the day, Mr.. Roosevelt
was to see Secretary Hull, Assistant
Secretary of State Berle, Secretary
Morgenthau and Under Secretary
of Treasury Bell. The Chief Execu-
tive conferred last night with Sec
retary Hull and Under Secretary
of State Welles.
Before any of today's business,
it was announced, the President
signed the Naval Expansion bills
sent him by the Congress late last
week.
The program authorizes a naval
air force of 10000 planes and 10000
pilots and increases the fleet by 81
new warships and % auxiliary naval
(See ROOSEVELT, Page A-6)
Evening star., 1940-06-17
| British Seizure
|Of French Fleet
Held Possibility
BY the Associated Press.


Frances petition for an armistice
not entirely surprising to officials
here, set experts to studying its
implications for the future defense
Of the United States.
One Of the most urgent questions
considered was the fate of the
French fleet. One possibility seen
here was that the British fleet, with
which the French naval forces
worked in close unison, might
seize" French warships and mer-
chant vessels before they could be
surrendered.
Another question posed for de-
fense experts here was how French
defeat would affect French terri
torial possessions in the Western
Hemisphere, since any attempt by
Germany to gain these possessions
would clash Immediately with Amer
ican policy.
Evening star., 1940-06-17
Congress to Drop Plan to Quit
Saturday, Bonkheod Thinks
Fall Of France Intensifies u
Defense Problem, BorkIey Soys

gan debate on the 81 ,007, 900 900 de-
tense tax bill.
Majority Leader Barkley insisted
the question of recess or adjourn
ment was still up in the air" He
indicated, however, that no business
was expected to be transacted during
the Republican and Democratic con-
ventions.
He also express belief that if the
recess plan is decided on, the inter-
val between the two conventions
would be too short to make it worth
while to reassemble for the inter-
vening period.
The Republican convention opens
in Philadelphia June "a and is ex-
pected to last week. The Demo-
Gratis gather in Chicago July Is.
After the tax bill, only two major
defense measures, already passed by
the House, are awaiting Senate con-
sideration. One Is the $1,700. .000, 900
(see CONGRESS, Page A-50
Evening star., 1940-06-17

He succeeded Paul Reynaud
last night as head of France
after M. Reynaud's cabinet had
spent a day in long discussions,
bearing largely on the United
States offer of help for the Allies.
Un New York the Columbia
Broadcasting System gave out
the following translation of Pre-
mier Petain's speedk read from
London by the omcial British
wireless:
CFrench men and women: At
the call of the French President,
I have assumed the leadership of
the government of France. I
have been thinking of those who
have been fighting true to their
old military traditions, against
an enemy of huge numerical
superiority. I also think of those
old combatants whom I COM
manded during the last war. I
have given myself to France to
better her situation at this grave
hour.
cat this moment, I think of
the unfortunate refugees, the
men and women on the roads,
driven away from their homes
by the misfortunes of war.
CT express to them my sincerest
sympathy and compassion. It is
with . heavy heart that I tell
you today that we must stop the
fight.
CT sent message to the enemy
yesterday to ask him If he would
meet with me, as between one
soldier and another, after the
fight. and honorably, to seek a
way to put an end to hostilties.
c'Let all Frenchmen gather
around the government over
which I preside during these sad
hours. And let them do their
duty Zone word inaudible) their
faith in the destiny of their
country.")
Pontarlier is about 80 miles south
east of Besancon, in the rugged
Doubs region. The rumble of field
guns was heard on the Swiss side Of
the Les veriers Valley, through
Evening star., 1940-06-17

For a long time after it flashed
through the Wilhelmstrasse and
the various government bureaus
and over the radio, the full i'm
port of the words did not seem
to register consciously on the
minds of the populace.
1t was regarded as likely that the
expected meeting between Hitler
and Mussolini would take place
somewhere near the Italian-German
border. The Fuehrer is believed to
be somewhere in France with his
troops.
On March II the two men met at
Bremen, and few weeks later the
Germans occupied Denmark and in
vaded Norway.
officials would indulge in no spec
ulation on the terms which might
be presented to the French, but the
cry in the press and in official cir
cles since the start of the swiftly
moving campaign in the west more
than a month ago has been for
complete destruction" of the French
Army.
What About England?
The question all Berlin began
asking, once the significance of the
French offer was made clear. was
"What about England?" Officials
left it unanswered in an ominous
silence.
The official German news agency
repeated the short communique from
the Fuehrer's headquarters four
times.
The radio interrupted its pro-
gram with the announcement which
it described as "of widest political
and military Importance from the
Fuehrer's headquarters.
In no time at all Berlin began
roaring the old song Deutschland
Uber Allies" and the Nazi song
Horst Vessel" Excited groups
stood around radios in cafes and res
taurants and shops.
Although Mussolini will partici-
pate in the discussions of the French
future, the italian Army had little
to do with bringing France to the
point of surrender.
Britain, it is now felt, will meet
the full fury of the German attack
If there is to be an attack-with her
powerful fleet almost intact.
Whether Hitler will risk frontal
attack on the British Isles or will
revert to war of waiting and watch
ing with one aim accomplished of
forcing Britain off the continent"
is question which captured the
minds of observers here and left
them wondering.
Claim Alsace, Lorraine Cut Off.
Meanwhile, lashing deep into
France with deadly strokes in two
directions. Germany claimed her
(see BERLIN, Page A-3.)
Evening star., 1940-06-17
.Midair Crash
Over New York
Suburb Kills Z
Two Houses Crushed
By Army Bombers;
Fires QueIIed
BY the Associated Press.

os tiie hSSoCidleu FIcSs
NEW YORK, June 17.-Twelve
Army men died today when two
twin motored Douglas bombing
planes collided in midair and
plummeted about $500 feet into a
thickly- populated residential sec
ton just within the New York City
limits. There were no survivors.
Ten victims were members of the
Army Air Reserve Corps: called for
further training to Mitchell Field
on Long Island from Kelly Field,
Texas.
Another victim was a Regular
Army of6cT, 1t. Paul Burlingame
OF Louisville, KY, a graduate of
West Point, where he was a football
star as cadet. He was in command
of one of the ships.
The twelfth man killed was not
Immediately identified.
The midair collision, probably the
worst in the history of Mitchell
Field, Army flying station. occurred
while four planes were flying in
practice Information only a few
minutes after the take-off.
Two Houses Set Af1re.
Both planes crashed into front
yards in Two Hundred Thirty ninth
street, one smashing two houses and
setting them af1re. A woman occu-
pant Of one of the houses was
burned.
The planes quickly became fu-
neral pyres of flaming, melting
metal.
George Noll heard the crash and
rushed out of his home.
'It was a tremendous noise" he
said. The whole street seemed to
rock. The two houses across the
way were smashed in"
Witnesses said the planes were
part of q group flying in v forma-
ton and that when one ship at
tempted to cross over another during
a change of formation their wings
locked together.
Plunging earthward in flames,
the pilot of one ship apparently
struggled to avoid a row of newly
built one-family houses, witnesses
said, and managed to crash in the
street. Wreckage of the planes was
scattered over wide area. Firemen
extinguished several blazes.
Bodies of the victims were placed
in Army ambulances and returned
to Mitchell Field.
r. w. Watkins, whose home was
within so yards Of the scene of the
(See PLANE CRASH, Page A-13J
Evening star., 1940-06-17
Bank Of England Bans
Trading in U. S. Stocks
BY the Associated Press,

BY the Associated Press
LONDON, June 1.-THE Bank OF
England today banned dealings in
Canadian and United States stocks
and bonds.
The new order was the latest in
a series to conserve foreign ex-
change. Permits for residents or
non-residents for such trading were
cancelled.
Evening star., 1940-06-17

70 Frances request for armsce
sythss Associate Press.
BERLIN, June 17-Adolf Hitler and Bento Mussolini
will meet to formulate the attitude of Germany and Italy
toward Frances request for terms which she would lay
down her arms, said a high command announcement
today from Htler's headquarters.
The conference probably will take place at Munich
tomorrow, trustworthy source said today in Rome
The high command announcement said:
The Premier of the formed French government MAR
shall declared radio address the French nation
that France must lay down her
taken by him to inform
decision the conditions
under which would be prepared to meet the French
wishes
"The Fuehrer will meet the Italian Prime Minister Benito
discussion which position of the two states
will be examined"
Madrid the Foreign Ministry asserted that Germany
France.
Official circles dscamed knowledge of Generalissimo
Frances role Intermediary between France and
Germany armistice terms reported in Bordeaux
Complete Capitulation Held Sole Basis
separate armistce with France imaginable in
complete capiulation" authorized said.
that regarded Engands sword
by wrenched from Englands hand"
explained that armistice short of
capulaon the French forces free for reorganization
against the Italians This Germany
would permit, they said.
fight" declared spokesman in discussing
what termed of capuation
offers"
The news of lay the French
amazed Berlin.
Evening star., 1940-06-17
Full Copitu|otion Sole Basis
For Armistice, Nozis Declare;
Henderson Warns of Invasion
Cannot Garry On
OnAmuteur Lines,
England Is Told
(Tert British Statement Page 49,

(Tert British Statement Page A-9)
BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, June 17.-Great
Britain authoritatively stated
today her, and the empires, reso-
lutte determination to continue
the war until victory is won.
Last nights statement that "in
their unshakable determination
to achieve victory, no matter
what the cost, the government
and the empire have the united
support of their people," still ex-
pressed the opinion of the Brit
ish government, an authoritative
spokesman declared.
This source said a further
statement of the British position
might be made later tonight.
The British press urged that
everything be done without delay
to buttress the defense of the king
dom.
The full brunt of the war must
now fall on this island" said Lord
Beaverbrook's Standard. The paper
urged that the British Isles be con-
verted into 4 floating fortress"
The News declared that IF the
nation rises as one man to the tow
ering heights of the struggle" there
will be no need for dismay."
Henderson Warns Of Invasion.
In Lincoln Sir Neville Henderson
told meeting that he expects Adolf
Hitler to attempt the invasion of
England this month or July rather
than wait until August or September.
Sir Neville, Britain's last Ambassa-
dor to Germany. urged every able
bodied man and boy to learn to
use rifle.
Hitler" he said, "can defeat the
British only by starving us through
a blockade, by bombing us into sub
mission or by successfully invading
our country. I think he will try all
three.
I'VE cannot any longer carry on
on amateur lines. We are not going
to beat Germany unless we turn
professional"
Prime Minister Churchill will
make statement in the House of
Commons tomorrow and is expected
to reiterate his declaration that
Britain never will sheath the sword
until the war is won.
Future of French Fleet Uncertain.
The main uncertainty is the fu-
ture of the French fleet. If it es-
capes general capitulation it would
be Of inestimable value to the Brit
ish. If it is handed over to the
Germans-and it may bet would
be serious for Great Britain
1t is considered certain that Ger
AAA"AAJ . nooSAiPt W ouOJuSdGC Ely
land is about to start. 1t may come
any minute. It may be after the
Germans have rested from the
French campaign.
The Germans for some time have
been practicing combined land, sea
and air operations off Norway.
Ireland, the Shetland islands or
Iceland might be stopping of points
on the way to England.
1t was believed Germany would
attempt to seize all those outposts
as bases preparatory to the move
against England herself.
If the fleet can maintain a block
ade against Germany and Italy, and
England can get enough additional
assistance from its Dominions and
the United States, a long war may
(See LONDON, Page A-6.)