davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-05-31
Capture of Nurvik

Receiving but little attention, in
contrast to the news from Belgium
and Northern France, the Allied cap
ture of Narvik is an offset-if small
to the disaster which the British Ex-
peditionary Force and a portion of
the French Army has suffered in
Flanders.
Expulsion of the Nazi garrison,
which now is seeking refuge in the
mountains east of the once -impor-
tant ore port, marks the successful
conclusion of an Allied siege in which
two naval battles were fought and
land attack was carried on for nearly
eight weeks.
From the standpoint of morale, the
Allied victory at Narvik has a certain
Importance, not only in Britain and
France, but among those Norwegians
who continue to resist the German
invader. The official Norwegian gov
ernment still exists in hiding in Nor
way, and the retention by Allied
arms of at least one stretch of Arctic
coast may be a stimulus to King
Haakon's hopes.
But the Importance of Narvik from
strategic military, naval and aerial
standpoint Is even greater. It's
seizure signifies that the Allies are
holding one flank against the Ger
man positions in Norway, a flank to
which the Germans must continue
to give a certain attention. 1t also
means that Germany will continue to
be denied-as it has been since the
start of the Narvik siege, April g.
the use of the Narvik port for ore
shipments.
Narvik provides the Allies with
potential base for air operations
against Nazi-held Trondheim, four
hundred miles south, base from
which an assault upon Trondheim
may yet be launched if the German
offensive on the western front bogs
down and operations there become
stabilized. The war for Norway is not
over as long as the Allies continue to
hold portion of Norwegian territory,
and if the tide ever turns against the
Reich, possession of Narvik may
assume greater significance than is
now the case.
More important for the future,
however, than the potentialities of
Narvik for a renewed assault on the
German position in Norway is the
route it offers into Sweden, whose
fear of German invasion is abated
for the moment but not removed.
Germany, at grips with the Allies
in the west, is requiring additional
supplies from those nations which
remain free within it's orbit The
SWedes have displayed a willingness
to cooperate with Germany, but
such cooperation may not be sufi-
cient If Germany finds it necessary
to replace the huge quantity of ma
terials lost in the western front
fighting. If the Swedes should ever
determine to resist a German inva-
sion, Narvik would become a vital
railhead for shipment of Allied troops
and war materials to the relief of
Sweden.
Evening star., 1940-05-31

others would have us abandon the world
for state Of isolation No wonder then
that we feel uncertain, bewildered, and
confused. Our chosen political leaders
are our generals who make Our De-
cision." but they must first know what
we, the people, set forth as Our Mis-
sion" 1t is our privilege as a democracy
to have it so. Until public opinion has
crystallized upon a definite objective
and conveyed it to our Government, the
present desire for immediate action will
be as aimless as that of great army
whose leader forgot what he wanted to
do. Our Mission" is paragraph one,
Our Decision is paragraph five.
May 27. JOSEPH B. BARNWELL.
Evening star., 1940-05-31
Strengthening of Puerto
Rico Area Urged.

To the Editor Of The Star:
1t has been established as a basic
part of our foreign policy that the
United States will defend the Western
Hemisphere from foreign aggression. We
are increasing our Army to repell any
invasion and are expanding our Navy
to guard our coasts and to serve as the
first line of defense
However, no foreign foe is going to
cross the Atlantic and hurl its forces
at our defenses. Any aggressor must
have bases and sources of supply. The
Germans have blazed the way across
the Atlantic from Africa to Brazil with
their lighter-than-air ships; this base
would also accommodate warplanes after
a mere 1600-mile flight from the Old
World to the New World. 1t is then only
short hop to the oil fields of Venezuela
and another hop to the Canal Zone.
To combat this inevitable method of
attack. the United States is handi-
capped. Although with formidable air
force, our nearest air base to the east
coast of South America is Puerto Rico.
Rico to the nearest point in South
America is greater than the range of
a heavily laden bomber or a fast pursuit
ship.
But there are potential air bases all
along this route. They are the islands
of the Lesser Antilles, belonging to the
British the French and the Dutch. AS
our neutrality is definitely pro-Ally
and since there is strong talk Of re-
pealing the johnson Act to allow credit
to the Allies, no better means could
be devised Of rendering them aid than
to allow them credit for the purchase
price Of their respective holdings in the
Caribbean. To free this hemisphere
from European possessions now would
remove the possibility Of their becoming
trouble spots later should the outcome
Of the war change their sovereignty.
This move could not be looked upon
as imperialistic on the part Of the United
States. 1t might be found that several
South American countries would like to
procure islands near their shores. There
might also be found some solution to
the Argentine claim of the Falkland
Islands, an issue that has existed Tor q
long time.
With the present war as an example,
we cannot be too well prepared. Upon
realizing that our defense Of the Carib-
bean and South Atlantic depends upon
the meager facilities available in Puerto
Rico, 1t is urged that Congress take &C
ton on this means Of strengthening our
security in this vital zone.
A. KELLY SHELTON.
San Juan, p. r.
May ~.
Evening star., 1940-05-31
Presents Problems That
May Arise.

Presents Problems That
May Arise.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Let us take an analytical look at this
war and its portents. have not given
up hope for an Allied victory. Some
how I am convinced that the Allies will
prove more potent than they have thus
far
However, unpleasant though it may
be, We must admit that a German VIC
tory is more likely, as the war now
stands. So let us proceed on that dis
tasteful presumption.
Economically speaking, England it.
self is not particularly valuable, it is
the empire that causes her wealth. In
the event that England and France are
conquered there will certainly be a wild
scramble for their colonies. What atti-
tude should We then assume? Should
we take possession of Bermuda, the
naturally invoke the Ill will of Hitler.
Isn't it already invoked? Does it need
to be? Belgium, Denmark, Norway and
Holland did nothing to arouse him, yet
look at their present state.
Well-should we leave these possess
sions exposed SO that Germany may
gradually dominate them by a clever
series of steps, no one of which would
be sufficient to arouse us to the extent
of declaring war?
Unfortunately think the answer is a
militaristic one. If the time comes when
we will have to make that decision, we
should assume control of those strategic
possessions, especially If the inhabitants
of them are willing. If, on the other
hand, at that time we dare not challenge
German because Of our unpreparedness,
then the answer is obviously to the
contrary.
These are just few of the questions
that we should be considering now so
that if the time comes we will be able
to act unhesitatingly and wisely.
However, there is no cause for alarm
and hysteria. We are all united on our
one purpose, viz, to get prepared just
as fast and as well as we can. That is
our main objective.
We should assume that remote atti-
tude somewhere between being passively
calm and frantically worried-let us call
1t firm determination to face any
eventuality with confidence and wisdom.
May II. G. r. G.
Evening star., 1940-05-31
Placing the Blame

Reporting on tWo-year study OF
the factors responsible for the stag
nation Of the capital markets, the
Brookings Institution disagrees Wig
orously with the theory that the
United States has reached stage of
economic maturity" and its corol-
larry that there must be extensive
supplementing of private by public
enterprise.
Dealing with capital expansion in
relation to employment and economic
stability, the study finds the posi-
bilities OF further development Of
private enterprise are sufficient to
absorb the Nations capital and labor
resources for many years to come,
provided that stabiliza ton Is brought
about by removal of unnecessary i'm
pediments to the flow Of funds into
constructive capital developments,
and restoration of confidence in the
future of private enterprise.
This fortnight declaration from
so reputable an agency, coming at a
time when the public has been told
repeatedly that the era of private
industrial initiative has run its
course, should serve a most useful
purpose. If it accomplishes nothing
more than to cause our economic
planners to pause and recheck the
validity of their own defeatist doc
trines it may lead to significant
results.
Proponents of the public spending
school have rested their case on the
assumption that our economic from
tier has disappeared, that American
industry has grown up" to the point
where attractive opportunities for
private investment no longer exist on
scale adequate to take up the
slack in unemployed men and cap
ital. Consequently, they argue, the
Government must step in and spend
vast sums Of public moey to provide
the job opportunities that formerly
resulted from private investment.
From that proposition the insti-
tution's analysts emphatically dis
sent. They grant that the flow Of
private capital into constructive
developments has slackened, but in
their judgment this is the direct
result of recently adopted govern
mental policies.
Outstanding among these, accord
ing to the report, is the existing
system OF taxation, which has been
developed without thought of its
evil effects upon the capital market
and which has encouraged invest
ment in tax exempt bond issues
while discouraging investment in
the types of securities which must
be sold by new or expanding indus
tries. Other governmental policies
which were criticized by the insti-
tuition include the excessive regula-
ton of security issues which has
raised the costs and increased the
risks of capital fotations, continued
heavy deficit spending which has
impaired confidence in public credit,
and the development Of number
of Government lending agencies
which have narrowed the field Of
private investment outlets.
Implicit in this report is we'll
reasoned plea for abandonment Of
those New Deal policies which are
demonstrably harmful, to the end
that private industry may be given
a reasonable freedom to work out
its own salvation. This appeal comes
late, but perhaps not too late If its
hopeful promise for the future can
be weighed impartially against the
dismaying consequences of seven
years of public spending.
Evening star., 1940-05-31
Cuban Ambassador Denies
Fifth Column" Is in Cuba.

To the Editor Of The Star:
II were not used to the amazing lack
of information manifested by certain
sections Of the American press with
regard to Cuba and to the Latin Ameri-
can republics at large, would assuredly
have reason to be surprised on reading
the column This Changing World" by
Mr.. Constantine Brown, published in
yesterdays issue of your esteemed news
paper, in which he discusses the in
creased fifth column" activities in
South America, and says, after referring
to the case in Mexico, that the situation
in Cuba "is reported to be even worse"
where thousands are preparing an
underground revolution with the aid of
German resources, arms and money.
These charges by Mr.. Brown are not
true, and create an alarm which is of
no help to an understanding of the real
situation in Cuba.
The attitude of the Cuban people is
properly reflected in the statement made
by the presidential candidate of the
Democratic Socialist Coalition. Col.
Fulgencio Batista (retireO, to the foreign
newspaper correspondents at Havana,
and which was transmitted to the
United States under date of May "a by
the Associated Press and the United
Press, among other news services. This
statement affirmed that the interests of
Cuba will be those of the United States
whenever any danger should menace
the democratic policies Of the Western
Hemisphere.
The curious statement of Mr. Brown
may be attributed, no doubt, in this case,
to a lack of information which the
reading of the words of Mr.. Batista
should correct.
PEDRO MARTINEZ FRAGA.
May Is. Ambassador Of Cuba.
Editors Note-Mr Brown did not
question in his column the loyalty OF
the Cuban people nor of Col. Batista.
He spoke of the subversive elements
which have made their way into Cuba
during the past few years and are
abusing Cuba's hospitality
Evening star., 1940-05-31
County Juvenile Court

The current discussion of the need
for Juvenile Court in Prince Georges
County gives rise to the hope that
some action finally is to be taken on
this matter. Certainly it is plain that
a county Of more than 10000 persons,
and which requires not one but two
police court judges, could use a
Juvenile Court to advantage.
In the present discussion, It has
been suggested that the Police Court
Evening star., 1940-05-31
Says Widows Mite
Worth One sixth of Cent.
To the Editor OF The Star:

In your Questions and Answers COL
umn of todays issue note a very bad
error.
You state that the widows mite had
the value of one-third an English
farthing or two-thirds an American
cent.
Since the English coin is worth only
one-half that Of the American coin it
follows that the mite should therefore
be worth only one-half of one-third or
one-sixth of q cent
May 81. ALEXANDER WATSON.
Evening star., 1940-05-31
Stresses Importance Of
Spiritual Revival.
~ ~ RAtka~ - rR G4>

This reader was favorably impressed
by the emphasis on spiritual revival
necessary to revitalized democracy in
articles on the editorial page Of The
Sunday Star. 1t was a belated but
powerful recognition that only by
return to God and will to sacrifice can
we get back an appreciation that free
dom, born in travail and labor, can only
be kept that way!
'Where there is no vision the people
perish" May America, to which much
blessing has been given, regain its
spiritual vision. 60 forward in unity, de-
fend the right within and withou0 and
In serving God help bring salvation to
q bereft world.
May ~. JOSEPH D. KAUFMAN.
Evening star., 1940-05-31

A machinery factory in Leningrad
claims that it now has no fewer than
10000 volumes in its plant library.
Fine and dandy; but is it making any
machinery?
Evening star., 1940-05-31

Cowboys and cowgirls from both
the United States and Canada are
taking part in rodeos In far-away
Australia. They may be there for
some time.
Evening star., 1940-05-31

A., The Associated Press Is exclusively entitled to
tne use fof republlcation of all news dispatches
paper and also the local news published herein
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1940-05-31
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
Member of the Associated Press

Entered as second-class matter POST once.
Washington D. {,
Evening star., 1940-05-31
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 1Oriter, although the use OF
a pseudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. Please be brief!
Evening star., 1940-05-31
The Evening Star Newspaper Company

The Evening Star Newspaper Company.
Main once: l1th st and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York Office: ITO East 42nd St.
Chcsgo once: 435 North Michigan Ave.
Delivered by Carrier-City and Suburban.
REGULAR Edition.
Evening and Sunday 75c per mo- OF lsc per week
The Evening Star 45c per mo- 10c per week
The Sunday Star - 10c per copy
Night Final Edition.
Eieht Final and Sunday Star s5c per month
NiRht FINAL Star soc per month
Rural Tube Delivery.
The Evening and Sunday Star S5c per month
The Evening Star 65c per month
1he sunday Star r--------------10c 0c per copy
Collection made at the end Of each month or
each week. Orders may be sent by mail or tele-
phone National 5000.t
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
Daily and Sunday VI. $l2 90; | mo, 81. 90
Daiy only -------l yr. $500: mo. 75o
Sunday only-------1 yr. $500: / mo- 5Oc
Evening star., 1940-05-31

u. Please give some information about
the famous old Warner House in Ports
mouth, N. H.?-L. S. c.
A. The house was begun in 17l8 and
completed in 1928 by Capt. Archibald
Macpheadris, wealthy iron merchant.
who married Sarah Wentworth, .
daughter of Gov. John Wentworth.
Built of brick, with walls 18 inches
thick, the house has been restored grad
ually by the Warner House Association.
Recently, under the direction of Will
liam G. Perry, architect for the res
toration at Williamsburg, Va, further
work has been done and it will be opened
to the public on June 10.
O. Is there building at the Univer-
sity of Virginia designed by Stanford
White?-W. w.
A. Cabell Hall at University of vir-
ginia was designed by Stanford White
to harmonize with the original 'Jeffer-
sonian buildings. 1t was completed in
1888.
@. Has Nine Chang Kai-shek written
any books?-K. H. D.
A. She is the author of "This is Our
China"
@. Who is the patron saint of cabinet
makers?-R. II.
A. st. Anne, the mother Of the Ma.
donna.
@. What were Neros last words?-R.
&. D.
A. At the approach Of horsemen who
came to drag him to execution Nero
commanded an attendant to stab him to
death, exclaiming. what an artist dies
In met
Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-11-08

Duplex Apartment Occupied
by Negro Families De-
stroyed by Flames

A duplex apartment. occupied by
Ann Bullock and Sarah Ch">tham,
both Negroes. en- John street. WaS dc
stroyed by fire this morning around
II 80 O'clock
Fhcmen were handicapped III
fighting the blaze by having to lay
a long line OF hose to q fire hydrani
at ellis store. some distance from In,
scene Of the fire.
The blaze was Il hard enc for tnC
Gircmcn To- fight. and much OF the
house had 10 be torn away in uIdC:
to reach the ulaZc.
A strong wind was blowing. but
efforts IF the iircNcn kept tn" bltZc
from cnGHngcrIng nearby property.
The house j., the property Of Mrs
J. K. Rankin, and is said L. have some
insurance cUVcraGc.
Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-11-08
DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY.

In police court Thursday VITGini5
Durham, colorcd, was charged VIII
aSsaulting Lille May Carroll, but was
adiudgcd not guilty and discharged
Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-11-08
Injuries Foot.

Assistant Fire Chief J. ". Hav":.
.Ir Injured his left foot recently while
fighting fire in South Henderson. He
Is able Ia be up and about with the
aid Of CrutChCS.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-09-05
We re Stepping Close TO War

Whether like II not the national administration is
apparently heading the United States into direct partcpa
ton IN the European the side of Great Britain The
last doubt that fingered many minds was removed with
the formal announcement yesterday that America was
trading 90 torpedo boat desroyers England for
eight naval and air bases British territory the western
hemisphere Many legal lights in congress interpret this
action as warike act against Germany, ustfying that
nation IN breaking off relations with us.
There is hardly but believes that America has
cast aside all preensions to neutrality despite our egsa
ton on the subject And there those who would hur
OH into the deep all pretensons of neutrality and go
reservedy into the fray the side of Britain Whatever
the outcome of the European conflict would appear that
not already in to necks il is but matter of time
that We will be in there
Military preparedness-navy. army and air corps-is
Splendid We waking to that rather beatey How
ever Is questionable should plunge deeper into the
European situation by sales of warshps one of the in
VOWED parties until have reached that of prepared
ness which will protect against all eyentualities
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-09-05

partment Is usually said to be
the cause of it all. and this. as
a matter of fact, does not happen
to be true.
The police department Of no
city on earth is at fault for the
immortality of the citizenry. That
Is a matter which rests with the
citizens themselves.
Deploring immortality and
wickedness in all its forms. we
are confronted with certain spe-
cific facts in the matter. Ex-
tremists place magnifying glass
over a fly speck and behold they
see dunghill. But. dunghill or
fly speck no police department
contributes to these things.
It is the general moral atti-
tude which determines them. II
people would behave themselves
as they should, there would be
no occasion even for the exist
ence of a police department at
all, anywhere.
With the prevailing state of
the public mind. if any police
department succeeds in clamp
ing down upon any particular
fostering spot it is only to have
the same thing spring up and
spread the trouble.
This city has particularly
efficient and capable police de-
partment at this time. 1t will
compare favorably with any 9TH
er anywhere. When the dominat-
ing thought of the community
wants better moral conditions
il will have them and the police
will help secure them.
ROBERT s. DOUBLEDAY.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-09-05
PULSE OF THE PUBLIC

Editor The Times: Would like
to say a few words in response
TO the letter by Fred n. Robin
Of Chehalis headed, Pictures
Roosevelt as Double Crosser."
This America. and also the
newspapers published here. must
surely be free when citizens can
call the president of the coun-
try double crosser." and
worse, write to a newspaper and
have 1t published.
The very fact that the news
paper viii publish the letter.
although against Mr.. Roosevelt.
should show that this is a real
country.
You say the presidents fight
against old age pensions is d.
rected by Wall St. the Town.
send plan would force money
into circulation and Wall st.
doesn't want that.
The more money in circula-
ton. the more Wall ST. makes.
I'd certainly hate TO think what
would happen TO me IL ever
sent a letter such as that to a
paper in Moscow, Russia. even
though it were printed in Eng
ish. I mean If I were in Russia.
]. II. DICKSON.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-09-05

property. ~ long as it's In my
name only. How will I 20 about
getting this In both names.
OWNER.
That isn't strictly true. Your
wife would have a claim on the
property. regardless Of its be-
ing in your name only. but prob
ably would get II all. n 1t were
in both names. You can get
lawyer to draw up a quit claim
deed To your wife Of an undivided
one-haf of the property.
Mr.. Ffxit: Would YOU ten ~
II the boys In the navy or army
have n right to vote for presI-
dent: Why: I have an argu-
ment. Where could I get the life
story Of Mary Picl<ford.
MRS. BROWN.
Since IT seems to puzzle SO
many persons. well repeat that
soldiers or sailors do not lose
their civil rights when they en-
list and can vote, unless the
states in which they have resi-
dence specifically prohibit them
from voting. A few states do.
but the state OF Washington
places no restrictions upon them.
As long as the man is registered
in his home community. he can
cast his vote there. II he is out
Of the state. he can cast 1t by
absentee ballot.
The public library should be
able TO find you some magazine
stories of Mary Pickford's life.
Mr.. Fixit; Please let me know
how long II takes for . feed hin
thay and grain) TO be outlawed.
b. Il. c.
II wouldn't be any different
from other bills debts for mer-
chandise. Where there il a writ
ten contract they become out
lawed after six years; where
there is an oral agreement. In
three years.