davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-01-21
Hitler and DuCe
Draft Moves 10
ChelkmdteU.S.
BY PERCY WINNER
In,I News Service star Correspondent

ROME. Jan. Pin the first
authoritative italian disclosure of
the nature of yesterdays confer
ence between Chancellor Hitler
and Premier Mussolini. Virginia
Gayda, II Duce's journalistic
spokesman. today reported that
the two Axis leaders decided on
new military and diplomatic steps
to counter the "bellicose" Ameri-
can attitude to the war.
These steps. Gayda said, will
embrace a CONFERENCE.-The of the
Atlantic, intensification of Ger
man air attacks on the British
Isles, and an increase in the tempo
of warfare in the Mediterranean.
Both dictators were said to have
reached an identity of views" on
these points.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-01-21
AXIS TO STRIKE BACK

Although not mentioning the
United States by name, Gayda de-
clared that the present phase OF
the war was characterized by "em-
bitterment and bellicose currents
from overseas" This situation
will not continue without roper
cussions from the entire military
and political system of the-waF
and the international agreements
of the Axis" he said.
Asserting that the meeting
Comedies with a milestone in
European history" Gayda declared
that il would be dangerous to dis
close the exact details of Musso-
linis and Hitler's plans.
1T would be useless to say
presently what new agreements
have been reached" he de
clared. THE facts will later
talk with concrete substance"
In the future. the Axis will be
broader in scope than in the past,
Gayda said. Both Italy and Ger
many henceforth viii be guided
by the principle of striking the
common enemy wherever he
appears readable and vulner-
ahla -
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-01-21

All italian newspapers gave
prominence TO Berlin dispatches
regarding the meeting. which
Berlin hefaIded as their final talk
before the "ciirnax" of the war.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-01-21
That's what the feet Is for"

was the laconic answer.
Three days later Secretary of
the Navy Knox said the same
thing in the first such expression
to come from any American
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
BRITISH NAVY
 HITS AT 0STEND
World War U=BOat Base Is Smashed Hard With
 Many Shells

London, Feb. 11.-(UP)-The ad- nliralty reported today that British warships steamed up to the famous Belgian World War U-boat base of Ostend under cover of darkness early today and loosed crashing bom- bardment that blasted the harbor works and started many fires"
 The naval attack was the first major naval assault on Ostend since the Germans occupied that port in their sweep through Belgium and northern France last spring.
 The admiralty reported that naval salvoes smashed into the harbor fla cilities and that fires broke out in the city.
 CThe German high command claimed that British naval units shelled Flanders port but were driven of without damage by coast al guns).
 The British warships suffered no damage or casualties, the admiralty reported.
 Ostend has been attacked repeat edly by the Royal Air Force and British fleet units have engaged in light bombardments of the German held coast on previous occasions.
 However, the, admiralty report in- dicated that the Ostend lombard
 Continued on Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
BILL TO ABOLISH
 POST OF CORONER
All Coroners in Fairfield, Hartford, N. Haven COun=
 ties Would Quit

fBy Democrat Legislative RepOrter)
 State Capitol, Feb. 1.-The office of Coroner William B. Hennessy oi Waterbury would be abolished anc his duties taken over by States At torney William B. Fitzgerald, under the terms of bill which the judici- ary committee will set down for 6 hearing. Elimination of the post o1 coroner in Hartford, Fairfield ano New Haven counties of the state i; provided for in the measure.
 The bill was introduced by Sen- ator Thomas P. Curtin of Torring- ton by request. It would consoli- date the offices of states attorney and coronr in the three counties and eliminate the offices of coroner and deputy coroner.
 Another section of the same bill provides for the appointment of 8 chief assistant states attorney anC another assistant states attorney in the three counties.
 The judiciary committee plans tc set down the bill for hearing at the same time as one on a nearlieI measure which would reduce the number of states attorneys by hav- ing one for each congressional dis trict instead of one for each county or special judicial district, and also at the same time as several bills which would ban states attorneys from politics and from the private practice of law. Considerable senti- ment for some kind of a prohibition against states attorneys being irl politics or having private practice has developed in the legislature.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
VIM. M. HARRIS TOLD HURLEY HOMES NEEDED That Is Why Project for 300 Houses Here Was
 Started Said Hurley THOUGHT HARRIS WAS
 APPOINTED BY MAYOR Plans for Departure of Local Guardsmen Were
 Speeded Up Today
BY RAYMOND J. FITZPATRICK Democrat Legislative RepOrter)

BY RAYMOND J. FITZPATRICK
 Democrat Legislative RepOrter)
 State Capitol, Hartford, February II = Governor Robert A. Hurley told The Democrat today that a de- fense housing project for Wa terbury had been decided upon after William M. Harris, Secretary of the Lincoln House Association of Water bury, had reported that 300 dwelling units were needed in Waterbury.
 The governor said that it was his understanding that MT. Harris sub mitted a report as member of the Waterbury Housing Authority. This was formerly fYe-man group. but at the present time the only members are MT. Harris and John J. Driscoll, secretary of the Brass WokerS' Union of Waterbury.
 The governor also stated this morning that he was told by de- fense housing officials that MT. Harris had been named by Mayor Vincent Scully to make a survey of housing conditions in Waterbury. However, this seemed to be in con- tradiction to recent statements of Mayor Scully in which he expressed interest in Waterbury defense hous- ing surveys, but claimed to know little or nothing about them in view of the fact that they were be- ing undertaken by federal officials.
 A meeting was scheduled for Hartford today on the question of defense housing throughout the state. Both local and state officials are confused over what is being done and what is planned and an effort may be made today to CO., ordinate all such efforts in the state and to determine what state and local official shall act as haison officer to secure the best possible local cooperation in the federal governments plans
 Considerable confusions also att taches to the fact that defense housing is a project excluSivly of the federal government in which it bears the entire cost, while projects of the Federal Housing Adminis- tration are quite different and re- quire considerable local support, such as a financial contribution and
 (Continued on Page 4)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
FRENCH COLUMN
 IS MAKING MARCH
Striking Northwestward in Direction of Ghadamer,
 on Way to TripOli
-NEA Cablephoto

Vichy, Feb. II - CU.P9 - Un- confirmed reports here today said that a free French column, which last month raided Italian outposts in the southwestern Libyan desert, had struck northwestward 400 miles to attack and take Ghadames. strong Italian garrison post only 225 miles from Tripon and just across the border from the French post of Fort Saint in Southern TIlnisia.
 The French government said 1t had no knowledge of the attack but persistent reports said that Cha danes had fallen to column of Free Frenchmen commanded by Colonel De Larmipat. This may have been the same column which last month marched .northward from Fort Lamy on Lake Chad, Equatorial Africa, which is in Free French hands.
 Free French forces last month des- troyed the Italian base at Marzuk and occupied the Italian outpost at Fl Gatrun. southeast of Marzuk.
 Confirmation that these forces then had struck northwestward Co the Libyan-Tunisian border would mean that they had advanced an- other 400 miles and now were on an important motor road running only 226 miles northeastward to Tripoli last great Italian strong hold in North Africa.
 Has Swung Westward
 Reports here said that the Free French column had swung westward from Marzik to mop ID an isolated Italian outpost at \ place called Rhat, Then, it was said, the Free French moved northward along the border Of Southern Algeria Co the poltn where the Algerian, Tunihlan and Llbyan borders meet,
 ohadames was said io have been held by c powerful Italian garrison, Prom uhAdameh only Caravan trails lead hoalhwentward Laito Lihsa and westward across tho 11iislasan border loontlnuea ca Page q
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
COLLEGE STUDENT
 SHOT BY ACCIDENT
Roommate Was Showing Him Quick Draw When
 Bullet Struck Him

Cambridge, Mass, Feb. 11.-(UP) A Massachusetts Institute o1 Technology senior remained in crit ical condition at a hospital today with a revolver wound suffered wher his roommate accidentally shot him while demonstrating a quick draw
 A .38-caliber copper-jacketed bull let passed through the abdomen oi Leo Elton Farr Jr., 21, of (1l0 Penn- sylvania Ave) Binghamton, N. Y. Hospital attaches said the wound was just below the ribs on the left side, but no bones had been struck by the bullet.
 The shot was fired last night by Frederick Haddock Jr. q, of Tulsa Okla, also a senior. Haddock told police he had just moved into Farr's suite to share his quarters for the remainder of the school term, and he was unpacking a collection oi small arms when Farr asked him tc demonstrate a quick draw.
 Haddock said he took the revolver and slapped 1t into his palm, not knowing 1t was loaded. Farr was standing only two feet from the gun when he was shot.
 Farr received blood transfusions from Q professional donor and Ia. ter from Haddock. Physicians said he was in Q "very good post-opera- tive night condition" Farr confirmed Haddock's story of the shooting and said "he didn't mean to do t."
 Police held the gun collection for investigation but said no charges would be placed against Haddoek N. !. T, officials said the youth had q permit to keep the guns in his quarters and no action against him was contemplated.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
Former Member Of Russian Secre
 Police Called Victim Of Assassin
Walter G. Kravitsky Found Shot to Death in Hotel
 Room at Washington
By JAMES SHEPLEY United Press Staff Correspondent

Washington, Feb. 11-CUP)- Friends of the late Walter G. Krivit- sky insisted today that he had been assassinated by an agent of the So- viet Russian secret police and clamored for an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
 Krivitsky's story of his past as head of the western European divi- sion of the Russian secret police, a director of Soviet spies and assassins was SO well documented and de- tailed that few doubted it. He was found with a bullet in his head in his room in 8 Washington hotel yesterday.
 All evidence pointed to suicide, but Krivitsky Himself had described the methods of GPU assassins who had often made their victims appear to be suicides. And only last week he saw in New York city, a man he recognized, through previous asso- citations, as one of the GPU'S most clever assassins. That eman was trailing him.
 This information came from Kri- vitsky's attorney, Louis Wadman, of New York city, who today formally asks the FBI to take over the case because "it is another Trotsky case Leon TrotSky, associate of Lenin and a power in Russia until eXiled
 (Continued on Page 4l
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
Germany After Bases
 In Spanish Territory
Wants Better Chance to His British Mediterranean Also to Strike Smashing Blow at Fortress
 of Gibraltar
By RALPH HEINZEN Iuifed PreSS Staff CorreSD0ndent|

tOH1kCu kCSS 0g1AA SVAACSPVAAUShsI
 Vichy, Feb. 11-(UP)-Germany it was reported unofhcially today seeks Spanish bases to intensity op- erations against the British in the Mediterranean Gibraltar - and against British sea routes in the south Atlantic.
 Reports which circulated here without confirmation said that these German proposals were the princi- pal object of the mysterious trip which has been undertaken by Gen Francisco Franco and the Spanish foreign minister, Ramon Serrano Suner, Franco's brother-in-law.
 The Spanish discussions, it was understood, will be held in Italy. Premier Benito Mussolini and, pr- hapS, Adolf Hitler, will meet with the Spanish chiefs of state.
 En route to the Axis conference the Spaniards are passing through France and are expected to meet on the Riviera Thursday with Mar shal Henri Philippe Petain.
 Demands In Africa
 The purpose of the Petain-Francc conferences was not clear but there was some belief that it might deal with Spanish territorial demands in Africa. Spain would like to improve her status ill North Africa at the expense of the French possessions of Morocco and Algeria.
 It may be that Admiral Francois Darlan. the new vice-premier and foreign minister, sill participate in the Spanish discussions.
 Petain is understood to be leaving Vichy tonight by special train foI his estate at Villeneuve Loubet near Cannes. The conversations with Franco may take place there or ct Montpelier, near by.
 (Continued on Page E
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
ASCOT GOLD CUP
 IS JUST SILVER
England's Famous Racing Trophy Is Found to Be
 Off Gold Standard

Providence, R. l.. Feb. 1l-UP)- Rhode Islands buffers and chauf- feurs were disappointed today to learn that England'S famous racing trophy, the Ascot "gold" cup = scheduled to be auctioned at their ball Friday for British war relief was of the gold standard.
 The bloody old mug was made of silver.
 When the carefully wrapped chaliee arrived yesterday, officials of the local British War Relief so- ciety believed they had been duped since the cup supposedly worth several thousand dollars" was ap- praised by a local jeweler at only $6O or $70.
 A series of telephone calls elicited this story: Each year the Worship ful Company of Goldsmiths, by royal command, organizes com- petition to design a cup as prize for the winner of the race on Ascot Heath.
 However, in 1889, c. J. Sinner, one of England's outstanding silver smiths. won the competition. But war forced cancellation of the race and the cup was not made immedi. ately. Later 1t was decided to make the cup and ship 1t to America to be auctioned-the money to be used for war relief purposes.
 But as an economy measure, shiner made tho cup of silver and the donors failed to notify the American recipients, The Rhode Is. land group, which had sent invita- tons 10 scores Of American sl)oFtks men to Do present Friday and bid for the "extremely valuable" cup, today were bufy explaining the change,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
GRANDPA, TWO
 CHILDREN DIED
Were Burned to Death in Fire Which Gutted Home
 at Bennington

Bennington, Vt, Feb. 11-(UP)- A grandfather and two smal lchil- dren were burned to death in a fire which destroyed their home early today after the children's par ents thwarted from rescue attempts by flames, were forced to jump from second-story window to save themselves.
 Leslie Becker, 55, and Judith Lee Becker, four weeks old, died in a downstairs bedroom where the grandfather apparently had been overcome by smoke when he rec turned after running outdoors and attempted to save the baby. The child's body was found in Q baby carriage.
 The body of the other victim, i8.month old Eleanor Becker, was found in the cellar where. firemen said, 1t had fallen from an upstairs bedroom when the floors of the house collapsed.
 The parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clar- enee Becker. both 2i, were injured slightly when they jumped from q window. They were treated at the nearby home of Prank Woodward, father Of Mrs. Becker.
 PIremen said the home was los eated on the outskirts Of town and the flames, which apparently spread rom defective chimney, had gained considerable headwAy before they were dIseoYefed by the parents,
 Decker kAid hH and his wife rushed from their seebndsflooF beds room Co the nearby room Of the elder child but were driven back by ttle naahsss .,,s.slsl .l ,,s,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
French Invasion Coast Is Pounded By BOmbers
 for Three Day FOUR BRITISH PLANES
 WERE LOST IN RAID Germany Claims British Attackers Were Turned
 Back By Batteries
BY SIDNEY J. WILLIAMS United Press Staff COrrespOndent).

D1 SAD1NE1 Js "AAAAA4NAC United Press Staff CorrespOndentI
 London, February II. - (UP) - The Royal Air Force, which last night staged heavy raids against Germany and German-occupied terri tory, attacked the French in vasion coast for the third successive day today. An air ministry communique said that bomberS made very heavy attacks on the industrial area of Hanover last night. For six hours heavy high explosive bombs were rained on the target area, which was left "a mass of raging fire"
 Renewal of raids today was irdi- cated by heavy explosions heard from the direction of the Belgian coast. The explosions were heard in southeast England
 Telling of last nights raids the air ministry said that while Han- over was under attack smaller bomber forces caused large fires and explosions in oil installations and docks at Rotterdam. Other RAT planes successfully attacked" Bou- logne harbor, two airdromes in Holland and other targets in north. west Germany.
 Berlin Admits Raid
 CThe German high command ad- mitted in Berlin today that British planes last night and attacked nine points in Germany)
 Planes of the RAF coastal com. mand were said to have caused large fires at Cherbourg and Ostend. The British said they lost four planes in the course of last nights attacks.
 The air ministry said that 90 per cent of the raiding force reached Hanover.
 |" In the opening stages of the raid fires were started north, south and west of the target area" com~ munique said. '"These showed later arrivals where to drop their heavy caliber high explosive bombs. By the time the last of our aircraft left the fires were too numerous to be counted. They ragged throughout the bombed area"
 The night raids, by British long range bombing planes, were de- scribed as part of a steadily devei- oping British air offensive.
 It was said officially that high proportion of the planes which ate tackled the Hanover industrial area reached their objectives and that the attack was heavy, concentrated and most successful.
 Air C0mmunigue
 An air ministry communique said:
 Hanover was the main objective of last nights raid on Germany. Full reports are not yet available but are expected to show that the attack was concentrated and slIc. cesSful."
 A concentrated" attack means
 (Continued on Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
Royal Air Force Kept Hammering Away Through Hours Of Last Night
PRESIDENT OF HARVARD TALKS James B. COnant Would GO to War to Defeat
 Axis Powers
By WILLIAM H. LAWRENCE

(UnltrdePeSS Stan COrreSpOndent)
 Washington, Feb. 11-(UP)-Pres- ident James B. Conant of Harvard university told the Senate foreign relations committee today that the United States should assure Great Britain that it will go to war against the Axis powers if there is no other way to defeat Germany and Italy
 Conant, appearing in support of the administrations British-aid bill gave his views in response to a ques- tion by Senator Arthur H. Vanden- berg, R., Mich.
 "Is it your view that Congress should assure the British people that if necessary it will go to wal to insure the defeat of the Axis powers?" Vandenberg asked.
 "Yes, sir, that is my vieW," Conani replied.
 Referring to Conant's forma statement, in which he had said tha- its efforts to defeat the Axis powers Vandenberg asked:
 Suppose we would have to go t. the United States should pledge al war to attain that end. Would yol go that far?"
 q would if that were the very las step possible" Conant replied.
 What do you mean by defeat O the Axis powers?" the Michigan senator asked.
 q mean putting the Axis powers in such a position that they cannot threaten the free way of life in this country" Conant said.
 Could that be done by a stale mater" Vandenberg asked.
 "No."
 LaGuardia. Next
 Conant was called before the com- mittee as the first of the admins tration's three rebuttal witnesses who will be heard before close of heardings tonight He was to be fol- lowed this morning by Mayor Flo rello H. LaGuardia of New York This afternoon Wendell L. Willkee 1940 Republican presidential nomi- nee who returned from England Sunday, will appear as the final wit ness to tell what he saw and learned in Britain.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
WAR IN EUROPE A YEAR AGO,
 FEB. n, l040

By United Press
 Eleven inlaFned OfIleerS and sailors Of the seultled German pocket battlenhip OFaf Spec ess caped from Uruguay,
 Finnish Foreign Mlni6tsF v. A. Tanner deelmFedi Peace cannot be dictated Co Finland. .. Since the League of NailenS' decision and lhe large foreign aid prem. ised, war mateFlaln and teluns leeIa, tinlAna haa eveFy chance ef helaima ei1 aalaakaS
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
RUMANIA TAKES
 ALL PRECAUTIONS
Nation Is Considered to Be German Base; Bulgaria
 Is Not Excited
BY r. E. STEVENS (Unlted Press Staff COFresp0ndent)

Bucharest. Rumania, Feb. ii,-- (UP)--Rumani is tightening mili- tRry precautions throughout the country, eolncidentally with Great Britaiils severance of diplomatic relations because of the presence in Rumania Of German troops, t was revealed today.
 Blackout regulations have been extended 10 all important cities, Oll fields and port areas All railroads arc busy handling troop nioyemenls,
 1 came lo Bucharest last night from the southern lDulgarianl fF0nielr in A liehiloss railroad coach, ] tFAveFsed the 0ll field region this morning in eonpleie dArknefs. Ny o0neh was attached Goontinusa ca Page q
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
HEED AT HARTFORD

Willlamsport, Fa., Feb. ii--fUPl-. Tie iD4i National r. M, c, A, bass kelbali tournament wifi Dc held ai Hartford, Conn, Il was announced today by National Chairman !. M, Good, Heading viii defend tho lille la tlle tournament, tentatively Belleds uled iTo April 2, { and ., Good salA.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11

 for survivors when another explos- ion shattered the structure.
 The other dead were identified tentatively as Mrs. Angelina Ire rotola, 49, and her two daughters Lena, 21, and Maria, 15. The father Carminio, 51, and son, Rocco, 16 a deaf mute, were among those critically injured.
 No Fifth Body
 Reports that fifth body, that oi A child, was found, proved false Tue body of one of the Trerotola girls was found upright in a bed with wire clutched in the hands Bremen said she apparently had grabbed light cord.
 All available hospital ambulances in the city. were summoned to take the injured to hospitals. Those less seriously hurt were given first aid treatment at the scene.
 The second and third explosions came after rescue crews had reach ed the scene. The blasted homes be. came a mass-ef flames several mo- ments later.
 Utility company trouble-shooters immediately turned of all gas mains in the area, fearing that the fire might spread and cause additional explosions.
 People Still In Bed
 The first blast occurred as most of the residents in the area still were in their beds. Most of them had not left their homes when the second explosion occurred.
 fNontin1ied m Page Al
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
Three Explosions Destroy Almost Block Of Houses
First Blast Came Before People Had Left Their Beds; Policeman Helping in Disaster Met Death
 By Second Explosion

Philadelphia, February Il. = CUP) = Four persons were killed 40 injured 10 seriously today when three gas main explosions destroyed almost block of homes in South Philadelphia Italian section. Police said little likelihood that other bodies would be found the debris and that all persons reported missing had been accounted for patroman hero James Clark 54, was one of those killed He had gone into to look
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-11
STRIP POKER GAME

Revere, Mass, Feb, ii-tupt-- Three gllilmen turned q poker gaitll Into strip poker when they enlreee 6 holise and robbed % plnlefa ol tb0o after forcing them to doif tlseli trousers,