davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Heavy Bombing of Pogrodetz
By Italians Reported

OHRID, YUGOSLAVIA, Dec. IA
R.-Italian planes heavily bombed
Greek positions in Pogradetz and
on the northern sector of the Greek
advance line in Albania today, caus-
ing heavy explosions, which border
reports said might have been ex-
ploding ammunition dumps.
Reports heard in this frontier
town said damage was heavy in
Pogradetz, which was captured by
the Greeks November 20.
The Greeks we're said to be gaining
some local successes in the northern
front despite the bombings, and
British and Greek planes bombed
the italian supply line on the
Pogradetz- -Elbasani road.
Italian planes again attempted
to bomb Salonika, Greek port on
the Aegean Sea, after giving the
city a rest of several weeks. They
were driven off by Greek pursuit
planes without getting near the
City.)
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Earnest Note Of Unity
Concludes Eveninq
OF Gridiron Fun
Rapid Fire Of Sotire
Directed at All, but
Ends on Harmony

Reunion in America" a crashing
song with a patriotic flavor, con-
cluded the Gridiron Clubs annual
winter dinner at the Willard Hotel
last night.
Turning from its customary sati-
rical vein-which had been in EVIL
dence throughout the evening-the
famous newspaper club sang song
of unity at home, to the great and
the near-great gathered about the
board. The guest list included
members of the cabinet, OF. the
Supreme Court, other high officials
of the Government, and leaders in
every walk of life in the Nation.
The club aimed its first shafts at
itself for the "uncanny provision
with which earlier Gridiron shows
had forecast" the presidential elec-
tion's outcome. Then 1t turned a
rapid fire of satire upon the Demo-
Gratis and Republicans alike. Nor
did it overlook the National Defense
Commission.
Foote'S Administration Ends.
The dinner marked the compile
ton of the presidential term Of
Mark Foote, washington corre-
spondent of the Booth newspapers
of Michigan. Harold Brayman of
the Houston Chronicle had been
elected to the presidency for 1941 at
Continued on Page A-17, Column ID
Evening star., 1940-12-15
By MAI. GEO. FIELDING ELIO

by MAJ. GEO. FIELDING ELIOT.
AS blow after blow, in Albania. in
Africa and at sea, continues to fall
upon Fascist arms, and the word
"armistice" begins to make its ap-
pearance in the rumor sections of
press dispatches, it may be useful
to examine just what is at stake in
the Mediterranean, what advantages
Britain might derive from italian
surrender, and how great loss such
a surrender would be to Germany.
The greatest and most immediate
advantages to Britain would be in
connection with the prosecution of
the war at sea. These may be con-
sidered under three heads: Cd Pos
sible surrender of Italian warships:
ca release of British warships now
operating in the Mediterranean; 90
reopening of the Mediterranean to
British commercial shipping.
1t would be quite likely that in the
event of Italy's asking for an armis-
tice, Italian feelings might be saved
by the British permitting the mere
disarmament and internment of the
heavy units of the italian feet. As
to smaller types, . rather different
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Deer Hunter Slain; 10th
Victim in Pennsylvania

By the Associated Press.
MOUNT JEWETT, Pa, Dec. IA
Three hours before closing of the
two-Week Pennsylvania deer season.
Bartholomew Lombardo, 81, of
Clarion was shot to death today by
a hunter who mistook him for game.
Young Lombardo had bagged a
deer and was filling a jug, with
water from creek near Burning
Well, 6 miles south of here, when hit.
Coroner Thomas r. Clark said the
shot was fired by George Sheakley,
"A, of Petrolia, Pa who was among
a party standing about a campfire
300 yards away. Sheriff George
Calhoun took Mr.. Sheakley to the
Mexican County Jail at Smethport
for hearing Monday.
Mr.. Lombardo was the 18th gun
shot victim of the deer season in
Pennsylvania.
Evening star., 1940-12-15

an aircraft carrier or two and some
heavy cruisers might become avail
able for the Far East, where the ap-
pearance of such a British force,
supplementing the light cruisers, de-
stroyers and submarines of the Meth
erland Navy, would provide a bal
anced fleet based on Singapore and
Surabaya which would, in conjunc-
ton with American pressure from
the eastward, provide sharp check
to japanese eXpansionist designs.
The extent to which British naval
units might be withdrawn from the
Mediterranean will depend, however,
on certain other factors becoming
clarified. One is the position of the
French fleet, which in that area
probably disposes of one new battle
ship, seven or eight cruisers, 40 de-
stroyers and strong submarine
force. The Spanish Navy is not neg
ligible, having six cruisers, 81 de-
stroyers, 16 submarines, six large
minelayers and number of torpedo
boats and escort vessels. Until the
possibility of hostile action by these
forces, or their passage In whole or
(see ELIOT. page A-4.)
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Jackson Suggests
Congress Strengthen
Sabotage Law
PowerIess to Prosecute
In Acts on Armuments
For Foreign Countries
BY ]. A. FOX.

The Federal Government cannot
prosecute for. acts of sabotage on
armaments produced for foreign
countries, or private industry, under
existing law, Attorney General Jack
son yesterday told Representative
Voorhis, Democrat, of California in
a letter in which he suggested that
Congress close this loophole.
The Attorney Generals communi-
cation was occasioned by a report
from the House committee on un-
American activities barring reputed
acts of sabotage on an airplane be-
ing manufactured for the British,
at Pacific Coast plant, and rec
ommending prosecutive action. The
case was understood at the Justice
Department to be the same as that
referred to recently in a statement
by Committee Chairman Dies.
Law Has Limitations.
"This case illustrates a limitation
of Federal law which your commit
tee may wish to consider" Mr..
Jackson told Representative Voorhis,
WIN ID a IllClIlOCl VI 1AlC OAOo WILL
mittee, in deploring the inability of
the department to act. Il refer to
the fact that there is no law of Con-
gress now in force under which this
department could obtain, or the
Federal courts could sustain, a con-
viction for an act of sabotage on an
airplane being manufactured under
contract for a foreign country. The
Federal sabotage laws even as ex-
tended by Congress less than a
month ago make sabotage a Federal
crime only when committed on arti-
cles intended for the use of the
United States In connection with the
national Defense upon premises or
plants used for the manufacture Of
(See SABOTAGE. Pare A.l8,)
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Laval Ousted F rom Cabinet;
Reported to Have Plotted
Revolt and War on Britain
Laval Move to Get
French Fleet for
Nozis Reported
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Dec. 14.-MaX
Jordan, N. B. C. correspondent,
in a broadcast from Basel, Swift
zerland, said tonight Pierre La
val was lodged in a Jail at Vichy,
France, and that his resigna-
ton as vice premier resulted
from an unsuccessful attempt
to persuade Marshal Petain to
give Germany the aid of the
French fleet against Britain in
return for liberal Nazi peace
terms.
Two plainclothesmen en-
tered the Hotel du Pare in
Vichy and led M. Laval to Jail
about midnight, he said.
Marshal Petain was quoted
as saying Germany's latest
peace proposal as advocated by
M. Laval came at too high
price, the correspondent said.
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Deposed Petoin Aide
Said to Be Under
Arrest at Home
BY the Associated Press.

BY tne Associated Press.
BERN, Switzerland, Dec. IA
Charges that Pierre Laval plotted to
set up separate government with
himself as head and even lead
France into war against Britain
were behind his dismissal from the
Vichy government, authoritative
sources declared tonight.
Interior Minister Marcel Peyrou-
ton and other ministers, these
sources said, accused M. Laval of
scheming to set himself up as lead
er of an independent regime at Paris
and of using his ministerial rank to
build up his prestige for war on
Britain.
The one man purge which washed
M. Laval out of the Vichy cabinet
left M Peyrouton chief OF police as
we'll as interior minister, as the
strong man under Marshal Petain.
M. Laval, yesterdays crown
prince" is said to be prisoner in
his estate, guarded by soldiers and
"GP" men, strong-arm squads built
up by M. Peyrouton and other
French leaders who distrusted M.
Laval.
Dispute Over Paris Trip.
Diplomatic sources said the straw
which broke the camel's back of
NJ Petain's toleration of his vice
premier and foreign minister was
the simple question of who should
60 to Paris to represent the Vichy
government when the remains of
Napoleon's son are returned from
Germany to the Invalides at Adolf
Hltlers order.
According to these reports, M.
Laval said Marshal Petain himself
should CO. Marshal Petain refused,
they said, and was backed up by
other ministers, but that was only
an incident following the graver
charges against NJ Laval.
The stage was set for his custer
yesterday afternoon.
Here is the sequence of events, &C
cording to authoritative diplomatic
reports:
The other ministers insistence
that Marshal Petain should not go
to Paris for the ceremonies tomor-
row surrounding the return of
Il Aiglon's" remains angered M.
Laval, who made an issue of it.
Stalked From Meeting.
He stalked from the cabinet meet
ing accompanied by several friends,
including Education Minister Gcor-
ges Ripert- also ousted)-and
went to his suite in the Hotel du
Pare where he conferred with his
chief aide, Fernand de Brinon.
M. Peyrouton, War Minister Gen.
eral Charles Huntziger and other
members of the anti-Laval group
continued to talk with Marshal Pc
tain.
Suddenly, during the evening, they
emerged and action began.
AS though by mage. hard boiled
former mobile guardsmen and men,
bers of Jacques Doriots extreme
rightist French Popular Party ap-
peared on the streets They bore
armbands with the letters "GP" on
them and wore leather jackets and
leather motorcyclists helmets.
They were the mysterious "Groupe
de Protection" which had appeared
only once before-to guard Marshal
Petain when ne visited MarSeille
At the same time, about 100
picked soldiers in regular army uni
forms surrounded the Hotel du
(See BERN, Page A-lOD
Evening star., 1940-12-15

and should be made as soon as pos:
sible so the parents can make
purchases in time for the holi-
day. Cash contributions may be
mailed to Christmas House, in care
of The Star, or brought to Christmas
House. Eleventh street and Penn
sylvania avenue NV.
Bearing toy as ticket of ad-
mission, the children who attended
the TOY matinees' gave so gener-
ously that it took Is trucks to haul
all the toys from the theaters to the
Toy Center at Sixteenth and I
streets NV, from which they will be
distributed Each truckload con-
tanned about 1900 toys.
Donors Complimented.
AS she watched the toys being de-
livered, Miss Sibyl Baker, who is
in charge of the Toy Center, said:
The children of Washington have
had tremendous impulse of gener-
osity. These are the finest toys that
have ever come from a toy matt
nee"
The toys filled a large room and
overflowed into others at the Toy
(See CHRISTMAS, Page A-22)
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Greek Steamer Reported
In Distress in Storm

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Dec. 14-The 4,798-
ton Greek steamer Orion sent out
urgent distress signals tonight, inter-
cepted by Mackay Radio which said
she had a broken steering gear in
q North Atlantic storm.
The Orion reported at 1928 pm.
that she needed help Immediately,
Mackay said. The ships position
was about 700 miles northeast of st.
Johns, Newfoundland.
Lloyd's Register lists the Orion's
home port as Piraeus, Greece. Be-
fore the start of the war, the Orion,
built in 1909, traded regularly be-
tween Europe and South America.
Her latest reported port of call
was Galveston, Tex, which she left
last August Is.
Evening star., 1940-12-15
President Indicate.
Wa|ter-Logan Bill
Will Be Vetoed
Returns From Cruise
And Entroins for Brief
Stoy at Warm Springs
picture on Page B-2.)

By the Associated Press.
CHARLESTON, S. c., Dec. IA
President Roosevelt left here by spe-
cial train today for Warm Springs,
Ca. after completing 12-day cruise
in the Caribbean and the Atlantic
aboard the cruiser Tuscaloosa.
President Roosevelt gave a clear
indication he would veto the Walter
Logan bill providing for court re-
views of rulings of various quasi
judicial Government agencies.
Asked at a press conference
whether he had made up his mind
on the legislation he said he had
pretty well,' and that he thought
reporters had been guessing pretty
accurately what he would do.
Numerous news dispatches have
suggested that he probably would
veto the bill. Mr.. Roosevelt said he
had not yet received the bill. but
that he thought he had until We'd
nesday to act on it, He expected to
return to Washington Monday.
The President held a press confer
ence aboard ship, then made tour
of the navy yard, which has Ave de-
stroyers under construction and Or
ders for nine more.
He had little to offer in elabora-
ton on his inspection of the base
sites on the cruise, and said that he
knew nothing besides what he had
seen in the Tuscaloosa radio
newspaper" about difficulties in
reaching an agreement with Britain
on a site in Trinidad.
Silent on Defense Delays.
Nor did he have anything to say
about the kind of report made to
him at Martinique by Capt. Ernest
j. Blankenship of the United States
Navy, a Government observer on the
French island.
Reporters, he said, probably know
more than he does about the subject
Of aid to Britain and the conferences
Secretary Morgenthau has been
having with Sir Frederick Phillips,
q British treasury expert.
A reporter remarked that William
Knudsen Of the National Defense
Commission had said plane produc-
tion was 80 per cent behind sched-
ule and Secretary Stimson had said
construction of barracks for con-
scripts was two months behind And
he was asked whether he planned to
do anything about speeding up the
work.
Mr.. Roosevelt's only reply was
that that was not the way he had
heard about the matters through the
ships newspaper.
Gov. Burnet Maybank of South
Carolina and Rear Admiral William
H. Allen, commandant of the Navy
Yard, had been received aboard the
Tuscaloosa, and Mr.. Roosevelt said
he was pleased to learn of progress
being made in expanding the yards
and its shipbuilding facilities.
As for strengthening coast defense
batteries in the vicinity, the Chief
Executive dismissed that as Spanish
War stuff, out of date, and not the
way to defend the Nation.
To an inquiry whether the South
could play any special part in the
defense program, the President re-
(see PRESIDENT, Page A-3.)
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Alien Registration

Washington non-citizen resi-
dents must register at the City
Post Office, Massachusetts, ave-
nue. and North Capitol street,
before December 26.
Failure to comply with the
Alien Registration Act of 1910
involves penalties up to fine
Of 81, 1000 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 may
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
physical disability.
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Enemy Crushed
All Along Front,
Greeks Report
Mountointop Defenses
Declared TumbIed
Despite Shows
BY the Associated Press.

ATHENS, Dec. IS (Sunday). -
Greek troops slogging through heavy
snowfalls have crushed fierce Italian
mountaintop defenses all along the
Albanian front, capturing more
prisoners and armament, the Greeks
declared officially early today.
Italian resistance was said to be
especially stiff in the Northern
Pogradetz area on the route lead
ing to Elbasani, but a government
spokesman said it was not holding
up the Greek advance.
Other Greek units were battling
their way northward along the Ad-
riatic coast line toward Chimara en-
route to Valona, and also cutting
toward those ports from inland
trails in the Tepeleni region, reports
here said.
The Greeks already have claimed
a total of 1880 troops captured and
the high command said additional
prisoners were taken in yesterdays
fighting, along with 60 automatic
weapons.
News Called Satisfactory.
THE news from the front is high
ly satisfactory, the spokesman said
In some place we are making the
usual advances, whereas in others
the Italians are putting up stiff
resistance, but everywhere it has
been crushed despite the fact that
snow is very heavy in the fighting
regions"
(Yueoslav border dispatches
from the Northern Lake Ochrid
region said Italian planes were
active there, heavily bombing
Greek positions in the Pogradetz
area)
The Ministry of Home Security
said Italian planes attacked some
villages, but that no civilian casual
ties were reported
1t also said that according to a
supplementary telegram from ap-
propriate police authorities. among
those abducted as hostages by Ital-
ians when they retreated from
Greek territory were four more
Greek notables from the Igoumen-
lisa district"
Official sources in Athens said
small Greek forces met and put to
fight early in the war large Italian
forces deployed along the Greek
Albanian border when Italy issued
her ultimatum to Greece in October.
These sources said they spoke III
order to put a stop to Italian allie
cations that when Greece received
the ultimatum Greece was entirely
prepared for war and mobilized.
They added the Italian attack was
made after many months OF prep
aration" and that Italian armament
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Broken Italian Army
on Border
In Defense Of Libya
Battling Inside Country
Already Is Going On,
British Indicate
By the Associated Press.

CAIRO, Egypt. Dec. l4.-The
italian African Army. broken into
bits. harassed by unending air attack
and declared here to have been effec-
lively driven from Egypt, fought "on
and about" its own colonial frontier
of Libya tonight in an action that
had become a defense of Fascist
soil.
The term ION and about" was used
by the British command itself in an
official communique which did not
add the obvious implication that
something very near to a counter
invasion was developing with the
apparent purpose of trying to destroy
the entire Fascist force.
While no military authority would
discuss future British plans, it was
indicated that at some points fight
ing already was going on within
Libya.
May Restrict Fighting.
One informant pointed out the
question of supplies and particularly
water was dominant one and said
a continual ton of the British often
sive probably would involve an effort
to try to restrict the fighting gener-
ally to the hill regions beyond the
Libyan borders.
An aspect of the future situation,
he declared, was that the Italians
would be seriously hampered by the
loss of huge amounts of equipment
which British control of the Medi-
terranean would make exceedingly
difficult of replacement.
A military spokesman would not
confirm rumors that Salum, just
within Libya, had fallen to the
British.
The action in Egypt itself, as sum-
married. by general headquarters,
was simply one of "clearance"-a
process of rounding up the stray
Fascist units still in the country.
The Italian defeat was called a
"rout' by the British command.
AS always, there was no definite
figure as to the number of prison.
ers captured, but an incomplete Of
flclal estimate put it at $4,000. to-
gether with vast quantities of guns,
tanks, arms and equipment of all
sorts.
This estimate, which the British
said was conservative, placed in ac-
tual custody more than one fourth
OF the Fascist army which invaded
Egypt in the early autumn and now
has been driven back to the point
where it started-an army which
at its peak strength had been esti-
mated by the British at 10000.
The troops which had escaped
capture in the flight into Libya
Continued on Page AT, Column ~
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Schoolgirl Plays
Her Role, Then Dies
OF Fractured Skull
Ry the Associated Press,

BY tfe Associated Press.
CINCINNATI, Ia, Dec. IA
The shadow of death lay across
the high school auditorium
stage here last night as Is
year-old Shirley Joan Hall
walked on, but she played out
her role in the age-old tradi-
ton of the theater.
Just before first curtain at
the school play, Shirley, who
had a leading part, fell down a
flight of nine steps leading to
the girls dressing room. Laid
tenderly on a cot by fellow
thespiars, she cried little,
but when her call came she
went on and played her role
we'll.
At home, she developed Sc
we're headache, then lapsed into
Inconsistencies. Her parents
rushed her to a hospital, where
she died of skull fracture.
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Sontu Saved From Roof

ROCHESTER, N. H, Dec IA (R.-
The fire department had to be
called out when Santa Claus ar
rived in this city.
. Descending in a parachute from
an airplane, the good St. Nick made
an unscheduled landing on the roof
OF a business block. Firemen,
cheered by thousands of school
children, brought him down over
an extension ladder.
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Chino, Soviet Reported
Making Teo-Arms Deal
By the Associated Press.

NEW YORK, Dec. 1.-THE British
radio reported tonight that China
and the Soviet Union have signed an
agreement under which China is to
sell $10O, O,000, 900 worth of tea to the
U. 8. s.. r., making it possible for
the Chinese government to buy war
material from Russia which 1t needs
for the war against Japan" G. B. S.
recorded the report here.
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Three Injured by BomhD

HAVANA, Dec. IA R.-Three per-
sons were slightly injured today
when a small bomb exploded in q
restroom Of Havana's Municipal
Building. Little property damage
was caused, and police said no ar
rests were made nor were they able
to discover q motive.
Evening star., 1940-12-15

needy children here will hnd toys in their Christ
mas stockings and girls thousands OF them
attended II toy matnee yesterday
To possible for parents to
gifts necessary
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Christmas House
Broudcosts

If you're in the vicinity OF
Christmas House, at Eleventh
street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue. NV. at any of the WMAL
broadcasting periods. stop by to
make a contribution and take
part. Representatives of organi-
cations can arrange to appear
on one of the broadcasts by
calling National 5000 and ask
ing for Christmas House.
Today
No broadcasts. Christmas
House closed till $3.50 am. to-
morrow. Come tomorrow or
mail your gift.
Tomorrow
9:45 to 10 AM.
4:20 to 4:45 PM.
. 1880 to 7:45 PM.
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Bul!itt Leaves Florida

HOBE SOUND, Fla, Dec. IA R.-
William C. Bullitt. former United
States Ambassador to France, con-
cluded a two-week vacation here
today and left for Washington.
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Generous Children DeIuge
Toy Motinees' With Gifts
10000 Needy D. c. Youngsters to Share
YuIe Joy; Gosh Donations Needed

full pace of pictures Sar-N. B. C-Warner Bros
TOY matinecs" A-9.
Evening star., 1940-12-15
$1,000 Reward

To protect The Star
Carrier Service from
newspaper thievery, The
Evening Star offers a re-
ward Of $1,000 for the ar
rest and conviction of any
person or persons stealing
The Star Newspaper from
carrier packs at the point
Of delivery, or from door,
ways or apartments after
delivery. Any one detect
ing newspaper thieves
should notify the police
Immediately.
Thr Eurntng Star
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Weather Forecast

From the United States Weather Bureau report
Full Details on Page Az.
Cloudy today: tomorrow cloudy, not quite
so cold, followed by rain; gentle to mod
crate northeast and east winds. Tenn
peratures yesterday-Highest, 38, at mid
night; lowest, "a at am.
Evening star., 1940-12-15

The Evening and Sunday Star is
delivered in the city and suburbs at
75c per month. The Night Final
Edition and Sunday Morning Star at
85c per month.
Evening star., 1940-12-15

tsee ELIOT. Page A-40
Evening star., 1940-12-15

(See PRESIDENT, Page A-3)