davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-05-18

fallacy OF the old theory was best IL
lustrated in the Yueoslav campaign
when the brave Serbs were defeated in
48 hours by the mechanical forces of the
Reich. AS the war progresses, there is no
question that the nation which is best
equipped induStrially and has the most
adaptable population for mechanical
warfare is bound to win in the end.
In the United States the officers train
ing the men in the existing motorized di-
visions have no trouble whatsoever. No
less than SO per cent of the selectees
or enlisted men know all about automo-
biles, and many can take a motor apart
and put it back together quickly. The
training OF pilots for the military avia-
tion is greatly facilitated by the same
knack OF the young Americans who are
mechanically minded
With this type of manpower at the
disposal OF the military trainers, the for
nation of huge mechanical army is no
problem whatsoever. The main trouble
is the manufacture OF equipment, which
should surpass everything the German
technical mind has so far created While
it is deep secret what new devices are
being prepared at the present moment
by our engineer designers, it can be said
that in relatively short space of time
new things will be developed and they
Will be sensational.
Europe's Problem.
The American industrial coefficient is
greater than that Of the combined Eu-
ropean nations, if you take it for
granted that there can be no sincere
desire for collaboration on the part of
the subjected nations. Hungry people
are but poor workers unless they are
moved by some superficial. The Dutch
and the Czecho-Slovaks and the Belgians
and, up to a certain point, the French,
are all non-co-operative. They are doing
forced labor under the whip of the Ger
man supervisor. There is little likeli-
hood that in the few years to come their
food supplies could be greatly increased; !;
it is equally unlikely that their love for
the German conqueror will be increased.
A sulky, hungry, industrial population
will never work enthusiastically, what
ever the coercion may be. Hence, our
military experts look confidently to the
none too distant future when the Amer
lean equipment will be far superior to
that of the combined forces which may
be facing our country
y 1t is admitted that if we had to send
a large expeditionary force abroad i'm
mediately-say half million men-they
would not be adequately prepared for
such task. Such contingent would
not be better prepared than the men
we sent over in the latter part of 1917.
But there is no question Of sending a
sizable expeditionary corps to Europe or
Africa. Should hemisphere defense re-
quire the occupation of certain islands
on the African coast Of the Atlantic,
there u already Q well prepared, trained
Evening star., 1941-05-18

corps for that purpose. But behind the
shelter of the feet the Army will have
ample time to perfect its present organi-
zation and take care of the selectees and
the enlisted men who are f1ocking to the
battalions of what is stated to be the
best fighting Army in the world. There
is time for that and not minute is
being lost.
AS far as the aviation is concerned,
there are no qualms in the minds of
the American military and naval au-
thorities responsible for the equipping of
that arm and the training of the pilots.
The aviation factories have been slow,
so far. Their production has been
stepped up in the last 10 weeks and by
August the production will be more
than adequate to provide this country
and her associates (active or potentiaD
with all the machines they may need
Evening star., 1941-05-18
GERMANY BECOMES BANKER FOR EUROPE
Advantages by Fact She Is Also Main Customer
By Preston Grover,
Press Foreign Correspondent


national value of the goods, both to
stimulate movement of raw materials to
Germany and to increase purchase of
manufactured goods from the Reich)
The change will not be effected sud-
denly, DR.. Publ explained, because that
would upset the entire economy of the
Balkan states. They have been trading
with Germany on a premium basis for
some time.
Rumania Warns OF Revolution.
Already Rumanian authorities have
cautioned German officials that an ab-
rupt change in the exchange basis would
work an economic revolution" in Ru-
mania.
The net effect of the proposed change
in currency relationships between Ger
many and the Balkans-when put into
efect-would be to permit Germany to
buy the Balkans produce at lower prices
and to require Balkan countries to pay
higher price for German goods.
Germany was able to grant premiums
for Balkan food and other supplies by
the simple expedient of delivering marks
to the Balkans at low prices. In other
words, the Bulgarian farmer who would
get only marks for haunch of NUT
ton at the historic gold value" of the
mark. was able to get rs per cent pre-
MUM or 10 marks for the haunch.
Slowly, under the plan of the Reichs-
bank and the German officials, he would
be led again to accept only eight.
Balkans Already Hooked Now.
Premiums were offered to the Bal
kans during period when it was diplo-
matically and economically necessary to
coax them into the German sphere of
influence and induce them to sell to
Germany instead of England, who was
buying in an effort to drain away raw
material and supplies from Germany.
Now these countries main bargaining
opportunity has been lost.
France already has had experience
with the Reichs currency operations.
Before the war started, one German
mark was worth about IL French francs.
When German soliiers marched into
France and occupied Paris, however,
Germany fixed the rate as / mark to
20 francs
The net result was that raw materials
In France-those which were not war
booty-were made available to Germany
at surprisingly low prices. German pur-
chaSers could buy 20 francs worth of
goods with one mark where before they
could buy only about IL francs worth.
That was especially rich booty for
Germany, because the French price scale
was particularly low. German soldiers
were among the first to notice it, and
bought lavishly of French goods to
bring home to their families.
Even though prices in France at pres
ent are tending to rise, prices for many
things still are low In contrast to the
cost Of similar things in Germany.
Evening star., 1941-05-18
AMERICAS MILITARY MEN ARE CONFIDENT
Navy Ready for Action, Army Force Will Be Soon
By Constantine Bro,cn

ally with the utmost care. Naval officers
who have been engaged in the produc-
tion of men-of-war for years are
amazed at the speed with which our
workmen are producing ships.
There is no lack of manpower or Off
GERS for the newly constructed ships
when they are put in commission. Young
men from colleges have been given in
tensive training and the Navy has today
a sufficient number of ensigns and
junior-grade ieutenants on the Reserve
list to take care of all its needs.
Two-Ocean Setup.
The feet is divided into two main
groups. One. the striking force, is in the
Pacific. Without any f1ag-waving or
superpatriotism, it can be said that it
is the most powerful striking body in
the world. This fleet is based in Pearl
Harbor-in Hawaii-but where the vari-
GUS detachments are is secret that
very few, even among naval officers,
know. A whole group may leave Pearl
Harpor without any one knowing what
its destination is. Sealed orders are
OpClCO ny lllC al Ill COIIiIIldIlu anu
the squadron may be out for tactical ex-
ercises for three days or it may be away
for many weeks, directing its course
according to orders which are being
opened from time to time as the cruise
progresses
The Atlantic Fleet mas more diff
cult task because of the role it plays. For
the time being the role assigned to this
fleet is mostly one of patrolling and
defending the huge Atlantic coast.
The Atlantic Fleet is composed of
heterogeneous units; some new types Of
cruisers and destroyers but mostly obso-
lescent ships which are serviceable and
adequate for patrolling or conveying
duty-if there were many more of them.
This fleet is, however, rapidly being re-
inforced with new men-of-war which
are leaving the ways ard are being COM
missioned. In the event of war, this por-
ton of the United States Navy will CO.
operate with the British and its strength
will be determined by the strength of
the British fleet in the Atlantic and the
collaboration of the South American
naVleS lot nemlSpnerlc 0efenSe.
Army Makes Progress.
The Army, it is freely admitted by
those officers who have watched it grow
from nucleus of 250O00 men to its pres
ent size, is far above expectation OF
course, there are still many vacuums in
the Army, as far as equipment is con-
cerned. But the factories are beginning
10 deliver up to expectations sometimes
ahead OF schedule-and as soon as the
tools" are delivered it takes far less time
for the American doughboy to learn their
handling than the soldiers of any other
nation.
This is mechanical war. The old team
work between artillery and infantry has
been replaced by the teamwork between
air force and mechanical units. The pre-
vious operations made the peasant SOL
diers among the best in the world. The
Evening star., 1941-05-18

American naval and military profess
sionals look to the prospects of conflict
with the Axis powers without misgivings.
They realize that the struggle would be
bitter and long but have not the Slight
est hesitation in diagnosing the outcome
as a definite victory for the powers of
the Western Hemisphere. The opinion
of these men is not based on wishful
thinking, nor is it pep talk.
Professional soldiers and sailors don't
give interviews; neither do they talk
about war for publication. They have
nothing to do with the political end of
the present situation. They don't ad-
wise the executive branch of the Gov
ernment. They don't urge the COM
mander in chief to fight or to stay out.
They examine the situation purely from
the strategical, tactical and prepared
ness angles.
Several months ago, when asked what
the situation of the Navy was, its leaders
were aole to reply to the Commander in
Chief: Ready, SIR" The Army is not
ready yet, but the progress made in a
few months is such that they look at the
future with the utmost confidence.
Finally, the two branches of the air force
which are watching production of the
factories feel that they, too, can report
q readiness which they could not have
reported six months ago.
Navy Morale High.
The Navy is far better prepared than
It was in 1917. The morale-and thai
counts in that branch Of national defense
almost as much as the materiel-is
higher than ever in the history of the
United States. The men are well
trained; the officers are efficient and en-
Joy the full confidence of the ratings.
Whatever unsatisfactory elements there
have been af1oat or on land have been
weeded out and more wedding is eX-
pected shortly. There is neither fifth
column nor any other insidious influence
among the crews and the men of the
shore establishments of the United
States Navy.
The production of the private and
Government yards has been more salts
factory than the most optimistic OBJ
servers have dared to hope. BY Janu-
ary, 1943, there will be five new battle
ships in commission. The end of this
year will see two new additions and in
the course of the next year three. .addi-
tional capital ships will be added to the
United States battle fleet. They will be
the most modern and powerful units in
the world. These vessels will be COM
pleted in record time, almost a year be-
fore they were scheduled.
The tempo of production has been
speeded up in all other branches of
naval construction. Cruisers-heavy and
hght-destroyers, submarines and tor
pedo speed boats are being completed
with such speed that one would think
that the American yards have found
some device for the mass production of
ships which are, IN fact, built individu-
Evening star., 1941-05-18
Scotch Front

At 6 pm. Saturday, week ago yester-
day, Rudolf Hess, whom Hitler had
named his second choice as his successor,
after Reichsmarshal Goering, took off
from Augsburg, Bavaria, in his Messer-
schmitt no He few four hours in al
most straight fine 300 miles to Western
Scotland, carrying an extra gasoline tank
on his plane in order to insure the COM
pletion of his journey. Near Glasgow,
his plane failed him and crashed in a
blaze while Hess foated to earth by
parachute. He broke his leg in landing,
but he greeted pleasantly the Scotch
farmer, David Mclean, who, armed with
n pitchfork ran to capture him.
The parachutist was placed under
guard and removed to a hospital in
Glasgow, where at
Mystery first he gave his
OF the Moors name as Horn, but
later said, and proved
by pictures, that he was Hess. Forty
eight hours after his arrival on the
Scottish moor, Prime Minister Churchill
announced to the press that the British
had the august prisoner. The announce
ment aroused more energetic specula-
ton by all people everywhere than any
event since the wars beginning. The
Nazis officially said he was crazy. The
British began by welcoming his arrival
as sign of Nazi internal disintegration;
ended the week by wondering aloud
whether he was not a dangerous fifth
columnist.
One fact became clear. Hess went to
Scotland in hopes of seeing the Duke of
Hamilton, British sportsman whom he
had met during the 1896 Olympic games
in Berlin. The map which Hess carried
showed the dukes estate at Dungavel,
Scotland, ringed in blue pencil. Hess
bailed out of his damaged Messerschmitt
only Is miles from Dungavel and Pitch
fork Mclean was tenant of the duke.
Even had he landed at Dungavel, how
ever, he would have found the duke abb
sent. He saw the duke in the Glasgow
hospital while guards watched.
The authoritative British Press Asso-
citation reported that Hess wrote to the
duke several months ago, but the duke
turned the letter over to British security
Evening star., 1941-05-18

Five marks will buy one relatively
second-rate meal in Berlin, whereas 5
marks or 100 francs will get German
soldiers dinner with wines in some of
the best cafes in Paris. Simple soldiers
whose 20 or 80 marks of holiday money
wouldn't mean much in Berlin have
been able to have more than an average
celebration in Paris and still bring back
silken goodies for wife or sweetheart.
Denmark, Belgium and the Nether-
lands had similar experience when the
mark was fixed at a rate which was de-
signed to permit the Reich to buy
cheaply there.
Some Hitches, Of Course.
But all has not been beer and skittles
for the German banking system in this
connection.
While trade between Germany and
other European countries has been ar
ranged largely to Germanys advantage,
the Reichsbank had to facilitate a sys-
tenn whereby the Netherlands, for in
stance, could buy goods from Sweden.
The currency problems were tremen-
dous, but the Reichsbank has been work
ing out system which would permit
these countries and others to trade with
one another provided they have credits
available in Berlin. This means that
every transaction must be worked out
through the Berlin Reichsbank.
However, Publ explained, this Is being
done as expeditiouSly as possible, con.
sidering war difficulties.
Moreover, while the rate of exchange
fixed by Germany was profitable for the
Reich in buying goods, it was not too
satisfactory when Germany was at
tempting to sell her goods. The high
rate Of the mark in contrast to the lower
rate of other European currencies made
German goods costly.
Steps Taken in France.
This fact already is noticeable In
France, where Germany has been trying
to devise some trade arrangement.
Publ said the rate of ! mark to 20
French francs was established largely
to make exchange easy for soldiers at
the time they moved in. He said the
present rate should really be about $50
marks to the hundred francs, or slightly
less than 18 francs to the mark.
Publ declared that an overall adjust
ment of currencies could be made after
the war which would stabilize exchange
and make international trade easier than
at present or before the war.
"It. must be remembered" he asserted.
"that much being done at present is
necessitated by the war. This is often
forgotten"
He said that only necessity forced
Germany to go on the blocked-mark
trading basis before the war, and he
expressed hope that currency treaties
could eliminate much of the difficulty
when peace comes.
Evening star., 1941-05-18
Review of Eighty-Ninth Week of War
BY Blair BOHes.

landed Scottish fedRudolf Hess the
England? he fleeing spying? Was he
Did he bring suggestion for udings of
cannot
Germany Scotland then nobody except Hess himself
little either
the human touch machines.
unfolded Middle British
against North Africa The Nazis
country the
prospect diplomatic victory that would greatly strengthen
Mediterranean Vchy
this United States
reply
armisce of
American harbos The second
imminent
Evening star., 1941-05-18

democratic world as step turning over
the French resources to Hitler. What
of the French fleet? OF African bases?
OF American colonies? These questions
arose at once in Britain and America.
Apparently the first evidence of "col-
liberation was the French permission
to Germany to use the French geographic
cal resource of the country of Syria, at
the eastern end of the Mediterranean,
contiguous to Iraq, where the Germans
would like to get control of the oil fields
that supply in large measure the British
Evening star., 1941-05-18
Mediterranean Front

Early Monday morning Marshal Henri
Philippe Petain, the chief of state of
unoccupied France, left the blue shores
of the Mediterranean after a six-day
vacation at his Riviera home. The seas
soothing waters lap gently at the
Riviera's sands and rocks but in another
quarter the same sea is a great battle
field. And what Marshal Petain did
when in Vichy, his capital, whittier he
proceeded from the Riviera, may have
great effect on the course of war over
that watery battlefield.
In Vichy, Marshal Petain got his head
together with the head of the Vice
Premier and Foreign
Vichy Minister of Vichy, Ad-
CoIIoborotes miral Jean Darlan,
who reached Vichy
from Paris Tuesday. Since May he
had been comforting in Paris with the
Germans, and he had gone, it was
learned Wednesday, to Berchtesgaden
to see Hitler. On Wednesday the French
were told that their government in Vichy
and the Germans were agreed that Vichy
should 'collaborate" Cto what extent was
not stated with Germany. Further
more, the negotiations were still in
progress, it was said On Thursday,
Marshal Petain went on the radio.
'Frenchmen!' he said You have
learned that Admiral Darlan recently
had an interview with the Chancellor in
Germany. had approved the idea of
such meeting. This new interview per-
mits us to light up the pathway to the
future and continue discussions under
taken with the German government. To-
day it is no longer up to public opinion,
often worried because ill-informed. to
Evening star., 1941-05-18
Home Front

Each week the home front of the
United States becomes more and more
part of the world-war front, whether
we are in the war or not.
In response to Marshal Petain's speech
about Franco German cooperation,
President Roosevelt, Just
Roosevelt up from a stay in bed for
To Petoin 10 days on account of
illness, on Thursday night
issued a statement of his own to the
French people. 1T is inconceivable"
he said, that the French people will
willingly accept any agreement for So
called collaboration which in reality
will imply their alliance with a military
power whose central and fundamental
policy calls for the utter destruction of
liberty, freedom and popular institutions
everywhere
More to the point, Coast Guardsmen
were ordered to take IA French ships
into protective custody. The greatest
of these was the Normandie, 84423 tons,
docked in New York since five days
after the wars outbreak.
A central factor in American appre-
hension about the collaboration is that
German control of the French port Of
Dakar on the hump of the African coast
commanding South Atlantic sealane5
would provide the Nazis with a base
from which U-boats and bombers could
attack American shipping and British
interested shipping moving via the Cape
of Good Hope.
Obviously in rejoinder to the German
declaration of blockade of the Red Sea.
Mr.. Roosevelt on Friday at his press
conference recalled two items from his
tory: /. The United States in the past
has used its Navy in quasi-war to clear
the Mediterranean and the West Indies
Of pirates. 2. The United States gives
no recognition to paper blockades. Fur
thermore, Mr.. Roosevelt said, the United
States upholds the doctrine of the free
dom of the seas.
Evening star., 1941-05-18

Mediterranean feet and the British
African mechanical army.
Reports came Thursday that four large
German planes landed on Syrian bases
the day before Petain left
Action the Riviera, and that
In Syrio French fighter planes es-
corted the first Nazi planes
that passed from the air over Syria to
the air over Iraq. On Friday Cairo
British headquarters reported that the
British air power was smashing at the
Germans in French-ruled Syria; there
Evening star., 1941-05-18
Battle for Britain

The British during the week an
nounced officially in London that British
shipping losses during April
Ships were the lowest in II months
Sunk 301,070 consolidating that
the effectiveness of counter
measures against Hitlers air, surface
and undersea weapons is telling How
Evening star., 1941-05-18

weigh our chances, measure our risks,
judge our actions
1T is up to you, the French, to follow
me without mental reservation on the
road of honor and of national interest.
If IN the strict discipline of our public
mentality, we are able successfully to
carry on 'the negotiations under way,
France will be able to rise above her
defeat and maintain her world rank as
a European and colonial power. That,
my friends, is all have to tell you to-
day"
The French move was accented in the
Evening star., 1941-05-18

authorities and on those authorities ad-
vice, refrained from answering. The
Duke of Hamilton, who in 1886 was the
Marques of Clydesdale, is now a squad
ron leader with the r. A. F. What Hess
had to say to Hamilton we do not know.
What should be done with Herr Hess?
That problem now plaques England. Is
he valuable or is he a Greek gift? Per-
haps it is significant that his wife and
children remain in Germany.
Kodiak mirror., 1941-11-08
Lot and Building Bought
 As Site of New Bushes:

Announcement was made this week of the purchase of the pro- perty on Brooklyn avenue locat- ed next to the site of the new bottllng works. The sale involv- es the lot and building.
 The buyers are J. W. Johnson and w, J. Mcleod. The site VII be the location of a new cleaning establishment they plan to open as soon as the property is avail able. The building will be enlar- ged by an addition built on the front. Equipment belonging to the owners IS on the way to Kodiak now, and the new plant will offer complete cleaning and laundering facilities. including tailoring and hat block ing. The company will be known as The Red Devil Cleaners.
 Until all arrangements are made and the plant can be op- ened, the Red Devil Cleaners are ava Table for tailoring and altera- tions only in their temporary To- cation at the Helsel residence, Erskine addition.
Kodiak mirror., 1941-11-08
diak Listed For
 Home Priorities

r
 D tractors planning. 10 build A for defense workers in
 around the cities Kodiak, LOrage, Ketchikan and s tka o send their applications fo. ,rence priority ratings for ling materials to the Alaska
 office of the Federal Hous- administration in Juneau.
 nder a recent order issued )onald M Nelson, priorities
 in the OPM, field offices of FILA have been designated .eeive applications for pre- zee ratings under the priol- a-der affecting home build reference ratings for critical nse materials may be obtain 0E proposed homes for defen orkers in the four specified lka areas, if the total value ae property will not exceed %, if for sale, and if the es sted rental shall not exceed per month.
 his service on the part of the A offices is not being carried n connection with their own vities, but is merely a cooper e service in the interests of
 defense program. Property receive a preference rating ] not be covered by an insur- mortgage.