davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-03-03
By Marx J. Gayn.

Clothes" said another letter eve have
just discovered that the locusts thrive on
the wood pulp out of which our kimonos
are made, especially when it is seasoned
with salty perspiration. What we don't
wear out, the locusts eat"
Suzuki does not blame the army, for
the papers had just announced the de-
mobilization of many units in Japan
proper to permit their men to help the
farmers with field work. The papers
also report that Gen. Toshizo Nishio,
whom Suzuki believes to be the greatest
living general, had sent 10000 bushels
of Chinese rice to Osaka, with promise
of more and an admonition to Use less.
Dangerous Thoughts
Together with millions of his CO.
nationals, Suzuki wonders if the huge
military appropriations could be respon-
sible for his difficulties. He knows that
in the current fiscal year, 68 sen of every
yen spent by the government were taken
by the fighting services. He also knows
that in the budget year starting next
April the services share will be cut to IS
sen. but In absolute figures the army and
navy will get more than ever.
But these suspicious Suzuki keeps to
himself, for they are dangerous
thoughts" punishment for which is
prompt and severe. 1t is much easier to
emulate the newspapers and politicians
and lambast the cabinet for its inefi-
cheney and skulduggery and foreign
powers-such as the United States and
Great Britain-for their intrigues.
The bankers, also wary of attacking
the armed forces speak ominously of next
years Y. 10000, 100000 (s2,400,00 ,000)
budget, of currency imitation, of the soar
ing prices and Of the dangerous disloca-
tion between supply and demand.
The politicians-from cautious bour-
geois parliamentarians to rabid ultra
nationalists-f1nd fault with tn. rev
cabinets fiscal and foreign policies. In
private meetings. at mass rallies or
through the publications they control,
these elements are clamoring for re
forms" in the hope OF furthering their
own ends.
Abe'S Fate Noted.
Suzuki has read former Premier Gen.
Abe's somber warning to the nation that
1t might take another decade to clear
China Of -Nipponism. But he has
also noted the Premier's fate-the general
was very unceremoniously replaced by
an admiral not long ago-and has taken
this as personal warning to himself.
Rather than blame the army for his
woes, Suzuki today criticizes the admirals
cabinet for keeping the price Of rice up,
for the IA per cent tax on his cheap to-
bacco. for its failure to refill the empty
shelves of department stores, and for
its inability to win the friendship of the
United States.
Suzuki will find more grounds for dis
content in the months to come, for in
April the government will begin to tax
his green tea, his soap and tooth paste,
the cakes his children eat and the pets
dogs, cats, birds and even the goldfish
in the glass bowl-his children play with.
suzukis wife will also be unhappy, for
the two potted dwarf trees in the minia-
turr garden to which she has given 30
Evening star., 1940-03-03
Pope Greets
Taylor
Domestic Front

Congress finally completed its pain
fully slow enactment of legislation by
which new, even though restricted. aid
to Finland might be extended.
Adopting rule which limited general
oeoate to four hours, House approved bill
late Wednesday to
Finnish Loon increase by 100000
Approved 600 lending authority
of Export Import
Bank. Embodied in legislation was per-
missive provision which opens way for
Finland (and China) to borrow addi-
tional $20,000000 each. Unless bank
changes its own rigid policy, however.
loan must be restricted to non-military
purchases.
On Thursday, Senate concurred speed.
lily in House version of bill; sent it to
President for signature.
On Friday, Loan Administrator Jesse
Jones disclosed that S15O0O,0O0 of new
funds had been promised to Sweden and
that $10,000000 will be extended to Nor.
way-as previously announced.
Making no secret of their urgent need
ana OF their lmpatience, Finn spokesmen
here disclosed that their government,
using other resources, has placed s1,l0o,-
600 infantry ammunition orders in this
country in recent weeks Some of this
as well as "A fighting airplanes, already
has been delivered.
But in Helsinki, Foreign Minister
Tanner remarked sadly that his country
feels "a certain disappointment" both
at slowness and restrictions of American
aid.
In line Of American assistance to Eu-
ropes war-disturbed populations, former
President Hoover ap-
Hoover For peared before House
Polish Aid Foreign Affairs Com
| mittee on Thursday
to estimate that from 10 to 20 mill
lion dollars of our foodstuffs will be
essential to bar serious destitution from
some 100000 Poles in spring. Legis-
lative authorization should be speeded,
I he indicated.
Evening star., 1940-03-03
By David Lloyd George.

so much. Nevertheless, there is much
more confusion as to ultimate issues than
prevailed in the great war of 1914.
There the Teutonic hordes had tram
pied down the land of Belgium, marched
into France, devastated some of its fair
provinces. The realities of the quarrel
were then much more clearly defined.
and killing
Real Views of Leaders.
Mr.. Welles' contacts are necessarily
largely, if not entirely, official and the
opinions he gathers will be tabulated in
the now familiar phrases of contending
orators on both sides. But what matters
is that he should get behind the conven-
tional phraseology of the leaders and as
certain their real views as to a possible
settlement.
He is better able to determine what are
the realities in this gigantic conflict than
those who are engaged in it, whose
thoughts are concentrated upon the de-
tails of carrying through their share in
the conflict to triumphant termination.
He is able to clarity an obscure situation
and help the combatants themselves to
realize what are the possibilities and
prospects OF reaching settlement which
will avoid an exhausting and desolating
conflict that may last for years.
1t Is far too early yet for him or for
any one else to make any prediction as to
the measure of success attending his
mission. It was wise move on his part
to seek his first interview with some one
who is not actually engaged as a COM
batant and whose fortunes are not di-
rectly involved in the issue of the battle.
The Italian Duce is man of great
dlscernment and clear vision. I am con-
vlnced that his concern is almost exclu-
slvely with the effect which the war will
nave upon the future of his own country.
should say he is not very worried about
what would happen to Poland or Czecho-
Slovakla or to mankind in general. His
mind is concentrated almost entirely
upon what will emanate for Italy out of
this struggle.
Mussolini's Desires.
He probably has a better knowledge
OF the forces arrayed against each other
on both sides, their respective resources,
their chances, than any other European
statesman. He is still in close touch
with Germany; he is more friendly with
Britain and with France than he has
been for years; he has intelligent agents
on both sides who will inform him; he
is, therefore, in better position than
any prominent statesman in Europe to
estimate the prospects. On the whole
he would prefer peaceable solution to
a struggle that will exhaust and desolate
Europe.
There is, of course, an advantage in
being neutral who is fairly removed
from the scene of the conflict. Italy is
not like Scandinavia, Holland and Bel
gium, who cannot go outside their front
doors without getting mixed up in the
scrimmage. They are right in the way
of the combatants and suffering the at
tacks and counterattacks which each Of
them level against the other.
Italy Is probably able to trade profit
ably with both sides: she is gradually
Evening star., 1940-03-03
Hoover For
Polish Aid

much loving care, and the few treasured
cloisonne vases in the house, will also be
taxed.
Through most of His adult life, Suzuki
has been in the habit of going to tea
house two or three evenings week to sip
sake Tice wiht and to exchange political
gossip with friends.
Last year, with his cash running short
and with the spiritual mobilization"
orators attacking frivolity, Suzuki sadly
cut his visits to the tea house to one
week.
Like wool, pure cotton goods have long
been absent from the market. Two years
ago the government decreed the mixing
Of cotton with brittle staple fiber. BY
last year the ratio of cotton in so-called
cotton goods" fell to as low as 10 per
cent.
When Mrs. eSuzuki discovered that
socks, shirts, kimonos and towels made
of the new emergency cloth" wore out
in couple Of days or simply disintegrat.
ed in the wash-tub, she-together with
millions of other housewives-went on a
consumer strike.
The strike was unorganized but effec.
tive. For many months fiber goods gath.
cred dust on the shelves of city and
country stores. Mrs. Suzuki shifted to
silk, which, while more expensive. was
still unadulterated. But the government
promptly raised the price of silk textiles
by 40 per cent and ordered the manufac-
turers to mix 1t up with fiber.
Fuel Famine, Too.
When Suzuki and his wife do not talk
OF food and clothes, they talk of fuel, for
Japan today is going through one of the
worst fuel famines in her modern history.
The supply of coal. Suzukis papers
say, runs 70 per cent below demand.
The reasons are many. Japan's war in
dustries, running full blast, are greedily
eating up her slender supplies Of fuel.
Manchurias heavy industries are using
up most of her own output of coal. In
North China, guerrillas are successfully
checking the flow of coal to Japan.
This shortage has led to a drastic cut
in the supply Of coal to non-essential"
enterprises.
Fighting to keep his rice bowl filled,
his body clothed and his house warm.
Suzuki finds little time or desire now
adays to listen to patriotic speeches. Hs
has become gruff and non-committal.
To officials who come to his house to ask
him to save more, for the nation needs
more than ever, he gives curt, unfriendly
replies.
And in the evening. sitting next to tho
cool charcoal burner, he reads a letter
from his son, serving the Emperor in
South China:
I'VE are having a difficult time here,
We have been in Canton for a year now,
but there are still 100000 Chinese guer-
rillas around the city and we all feel that
the real war is still to come.
I'VE do not eat well-only vegetables
and potatoes. We are also getting few
comfort bags from home-not half a.
many Of we did year ago. Have our
men forgotten us, or is it really as bad
In Japan a. the papers hints"
Evening star., 1940-03-03

UOTld " peace mODeS jail.
A. P. Photo.
tions, and from the DEGREES issued by the
German governor general in Poland
for the teaching of the Polish Ian
guage in undoubtedly Polish territory,
the Fuehrer contemplates something In
the nature of an independent Polish
state. Whether the conditions will be
such as to deprive that independence
and freedom of any reality, has yet to
be seen.
Mr.. Welles will probably find much
greater reluctance on the part of the
Nazis to restore the independence OF
Czecho-S -Slovakia, and the demand for
the restoration of all German colonies
will certainly interpose difficulties which
may well turn out to be insuperable,
especially If they are accompanied by
the demand for the surrender of some
of the older French colonies to Italy.
Pledges as to disarmament will be
given glibly. The experience of the
disarmament clauses Of the Treaty Of
Versailles shows how easily they can
be evaded by any power which is not
prepared to surrender its military su-
periority.
(Copyrtehk 194O.)
Evening star., 1940-03-03
Discomfort GRIPS JAPAN OVER SINO WAR
Public Weary the Conflict and Appeals ordshp
Arouse Enthusiasm of

This article, BY an American neus-
paper Drtter Uho returned recently
iron, the Orient, is based in part on
his frst-hand obserpattors and in
part on reports tn JapnAese ne1Us-
papers he is receiuing.
After 81 months of sanguinary fight
ing, Ken Suzuki-the John Doe of Japan
is weary of war and of the ever-grow-
ing appeals for new sacrifices. Today,
Suzuki refuses to think of Nippon's great
mission to establish lasting peace in East
Asia and chastise the Chang Kai-shek
regime. Nor is he willing to follow
blndly those who clamor for firm steps
against the scheming Uncle Sam and
John Bull.
Suzuki's thoughts today are of his
family, of his half-empty rice bowl, the
cold charcoal burner, holes in his socks,
the soaring prices and tomorrow's un-
certainties.
One OF Suzuki's two sons was among
the quarter-million youths killed in
action in China. Another one is serv-
ing in Canton. His 16-year daughter
works in a textile plant, which had
discharged its more expensive male
hands. Under the provisions of the
national mobilization law, Suzuki him
self has been arbitrarily transferred
from toy to munitions factory, where
he gets more money but works IL to IA
hours a day.
With more yen jingling in his pockets
on pay day, Suzuki daily discovers in
panied surprise that he can buy an
increasingly smaller amount of goods
OF steadily deteriorating quality.
Costs on Plateau.
Today. Suzuki pays per cent more
for his scanty ration of rice and raw fish
than he did a month ago. and nearly
fourth more than year earlier. His
threadbare clothes and footware cost
him nearly a fifth more than in the be-
ginning of 1899.
Since last fall, Suzuki has been fear
fully watching the growing scarcity of
rice. In November, the government
stepped in and boosted the official rice
quotation by yen GA cents) a bushel
There has been large-scale boarding
Of rice supplies by spectators, whispered
rumors Of serious riots at isolated points
throughout the country and semi -oficial
hints Of plans for food rationing.
Suzuki does not know whom to blame
for the shortage Of food. The govern.
ment placed responsibility on the farm
ers, who were said to be boarding rice
in the hope Of higher official quotations.
But Suzuki's brother Takeshi, who is a
farmer, has been complaining Of insufn-
cient manpower to work In the fields and
Of shortage Of fertilizer, tools, gloves
and kerosene.
Cotton Footwear Scarce.
His village, Takeshi says, received this
winter but Is pairs of pure cotton foot
wear. Pleas to the provincial authorities
brought stern replies that under the
present emergency all the cotton Is
needed for export and the army, and
that the farmers would have to get along
with fiber footwear. Fiber shoes, said
the letter bitterly, wear out after two or
three days Of work In the muddy fields.
I'VE are having trouble with our dber
Evening star., 1940-03-03
On Land

Finland's wearied defenders drew
farther back from embattled Karelian
1sthmus positions last week, abandon
ing great batteries and coastal area
around Koivisto-anchor of western end
Of Mannerheim Line.
Evacuation of Koivisto islands proper
brought to light another saga of gal
lantry in history of Finn resistance
story of how hardly more than 100
relentlessly accurate Finnish artillery
men conducted defense of key fortifica-
tions against vastly superior Red army
manpower, finally accepting stern orders
OF their commanders to destroy own
batteries and withdraw by night to Fin
nish mainland.
But day by day as defenders gave way
stubbornly and hardly more than yards
at time, Bolo air
VIpuri squadrons roared over
Deserted Viipuri, strategically
located objective city
on gulf coast. Once home of some 3d.
600 persons, bomb -blackened community
was ghostly shambles of desertion by
Friday with every civilian inhabitant
gone to safer parts of country and only
mobile rear guard units of sappers and
snipers left to implement nests of mines,
massed artillery and other devices CAL
culated to obstruct actual Russian oc-
cupation.
But even as they retreat, Firms in
sist that secondary positions in bottle
neck portion of isthmus will prove
stronger; that sudden thaws due in that
latitude in March will present new ad-
vantages to small, defending army un-
burdened by supply and communica-
ton problems of invading Russians.
In first news from Arctic front in
several weeks Firms likewise were re-
ported withdrawn to
Firms Fight Nautsi, close to Nor
Desperately wegian border and
IS miles south of Pet
samo. At Taipale, northeast of Lake
Ladoga, Films reported their only posi-
tive successes of week-claiming costly
repulse of Red attacks, capture of con-
siderable mechanical equipment, and
shooting down of half-dozen planes.
On Maginot-siegfried front, approach
ing spring brought uneasiness but pat
tern of spasmodic patrol skirmishes and
occasional bursts of artillery fire con-
tinued as for months past. Observers
reported appearance of new barracks
Evening star., 1940-03-03
LLOYD GEORGE PRAISES WELLES' PEACE ROLE
Declares American Undesecreto State Able
Are Prospects Of Ending Conflict

LONDON.-The significance and the
Importance of Sumner Welles' tour Of
the belligerent capitals is gradually
perlneating the bewildered chaos of the
European mind. I predict that this
feeling will grow.
When his visit was first announced
there was no shout of welcome, although
there was certainly no outburst of hos
tility or resentment. Quite frankly, the
European mentality toward this war is
one OF person who is so stunned by
an event that he does not know quite
what to expect, what to fear or even
quite what is happening.
Occasionally ask a question of the
ordinary man in the street, or more
often the man in the fields, what he
thinks about the war. I am impressed
not so much with the vagueness of the
answer, but with its hesitancy and with
the failure to comprehend what exactly
Is taking place. In England they know
that we are fighting the Germans and
they naturally are eager that their side
should win; they are proud of every
record of gallantry displayed by our
sailors and airmen; they take for granted
that everything the Germans do is
wrong-either wicked or mischievous-
and that they deserve the worst that
we can inf1ict upon them.
No Clear Conception of Events.
They assume that, just as in the long
past, we are bound to win in the end
but they have only muddled concep-
ton as to the merits of the quarrel, as
to the balance of the forces, or as to
the ultimate settlement of Europe that
will emanate from it. Hitler is a dam
gerous villain, as Napoleon was; Stain
is even worse. They are not excited
about the Poles; they have almost for
partisanship is reserved for the magnifl-
cent Firms.
They read with admiring wonder and
enthusiasm the story of their exploits;
but they have no clear conception in
their minds as to what is to be done
about helping them, and they are not
hankering after war with Russia. They
have tackled Germany and all they are
concerned about is that whatever hap
pens, however long the struggle may
take, Britain must and somehow will
win in the end.
They are taking sides definitely with
their own country in the greatest fight
1t has ever entered into, and they will
stand by that right up to the end. They
will rejoice when peace is made, but
there is no peace movement.
know little about the general senti-
ment in France, but from what hear
from those who are we'll acquainted with
the views of the ordinary French citizen,
my description of opinion in Britain is,
on the whole, fairly applicable to the
general attitude of mind in France.
The French are one of the great fight
ing races of the world. They have fought
for untold centuries against the Ger
manic tribes across the Rhine; they are
now fighting the same old racial feud
again. 1t is always for the honor of the
land they love so passionately and for
which they and their fathers sacrificed
Evening star., 1940-03-03
In Air

Spring fever lured belligerent flyers
into numerous adventures.
Most impressive was apparently safe
flight of several large German squadrons
over suburban quarters of Paris on Mon
day night. No bombs were dropped, but
French anti-aircraft fire counted six
victims-Parisian civilians wounded by
shell which dropped in city's populous
Latin Quarter.
Ominous and calling for fuller ex-
planation was Belgian communique yes
terday that Nazi bomber had shot down
Belgian patrol plane over neutral ter
ritory.
Berlin reported Nazi planes "for a
Evening star., 1940-03-03

close to fortified lines and deepening of
networks OF distractions not only within
French German borders, but close to
frontiers OF nervous neutrals, Belgium
and Netherlands.
At Sea
War at sea followed its customary
course, with most spectacular Develop
ment being disclosure by Britain's
Churchill that Royal Navy had aban-
doned Scapa Flow base after Nazi sink
ing OF Royal Oak last October, that
battleships Nelson and Barham had
been damaged late last year, but are
nearly ready for return to action, and
that five new 35000-ton ships are ap-
preaching completion.
One of mightiest fighting ships afloat,
33,950-ton Nelson, was damaged by mag
netic mine in De-
Two Worships cember, head of Lon
Damaged don admiralty told
Commons, but its
mlshap, as well as torpedo-wounding of
31,000-ton Barham, only recently had
become known to any but official
British naval circles.
Declaring that 1000 British merchant
men are now armed and equipped to aid
In own defense (Nazi air attacks on 1873
unarmed ships have been formally
charged, navy spokesman estimated
net British commercial shipping loss at
less than 100000 tons after allowance
is made for newly built and purchased
vessels.
Meanwhile, all sides claimed further
destruction Of tonnage.
On Friday midnight British officially
imposed their blockade ban against
German coal Ship
Cool Blockade ments to Italy-step
Affects ItoIy which may precipi-
tate important de-
velopments in battle of economic pres
sures under way behind scenes of ac-
tual warfare. Normally, Italy purchases
about 100000 tons of German coal
yearly. nearly half being shipped by
sea. Its confiscation or barriers to it's
transportation would be serious obstruc-
ton to Italys industrial economy.
Although announcement of British
policy is thoroughly consistent with al
lied interception of German exports, it
has been strangely timed to follow close
upon breakdown of British Italian trade
negotiations over reluctance of latter to
furnish certain military products
Evening star., 1940-03-03

One reflection of new British policy
was report of tentative Italian soundings
on prospects of getting American coal.
Slightly embarrassed by Japanese in
dignation at seizure of 81 Germans from
Jap liner, British last week surrendered
nine of this group to Toxic government.
And Britishers may have been slightly
embarrassed also at announcement that
Pan-American Airways will discontinue
its Bermuda stop on eastbound trans
Atlantic flights-after acid controversy
over British arch-and-seizure policy
with respect to United States mails.
Evening star., 1940-03-03
Review of Twenty-Sixth Week of War
By John C.. Henry.

Just grave Parliament
that we are at with Germany
past ntns OF conflict have brought
less slaughter
theless those
penean
@
of
been
Evening star., 1940-03-03

zecho-slovakia, and dropping of bomb
ing flares but no bombs over famed
munitions works at Skoda.
Evening star., 1940-03-03

close to fortified lines and deepening of
networks of distractions, not only within
French German borders. but close to
frontiers of nervous neutrals, Belgium
and Netherlands.