davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-12-25
British Take Bengasi
And Press Westward
In Pursuit Of Axis
libyon Port Devastated,
First English to Enter
Foes Stronghold Report
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
British troops have occupied the
devastated seacoast town of Ben
gasi, virtually completing their
cleanup of the eastern section of
Libya, while other columns press on
westward against retreating Axis
forces.
The city, captured once before by
each side, is the most important
center between Tobruk and Tripoli
and is $50 miles west of Tobruk. Its
capture yesterday marked an ad-
vance of $40 miles by road from the
Egyptian frontier or an air distance
of 300 miles from the starting point
of the British offensive.
Royal dragons were the first to
enter and today's ofhcial COM
munique in Cairo: They report the
town devastated"
Observers said all Of Cirenaica
3ould be considered in British hands
Although some pockets of enemy re-
sistance are still being cleaned up.
Meanwhile the r. A. F. announced
that its planes continued attacks on
Axis motorized conveys retreating
westwards into Tripolitania.
Text Of Communique.
The communique text follows:
Our troops yesterday occupied
Bengasi. Royal Dragons were the
first to enter the town. They re-
port the town devastated.
Despite bad weather and heavy
going after the rain our strong
mobile columns are still striking at
the retreating enemy everywhere
in the area between Bengasi and
Agedabia and even further west, in
flicting casualties, taking prisoners
and capturing or destroying guam
(See LIBYA, Page A-3D
Evening star., 1941-12-25

The Japanese subs had az
preached in some attacks withi'
2 miles of the California shore to
attack tankers ana other vessels.
Tersely, the Army communique
said:
AN American bomber from Ger.
De Wits Western defense command
successfully attacked an enemy sub
marine off the California coast. Soon
after the submarine was sighted it
made an emergency dive. A bomb
was dropped and the submarine
emerged and then sank. Two more
bombs were dropped, apparently
scoring direct hits and filling the
air with debris"
Previous successes against Sub
marines had been announced only in
general terms. Secretary of Navy
Evening star., 1941-12-25

nese advices to abondon resistance
in the interests of the safety of
residents of the island"
Although the hour was late on a
holiday night newspapers rushed out
extras which have been reserved for
the biggest war news.
CThe day is not celebrated as
Christmas in pagan Japan, but
rather as the 18th anniversary
of the accession of Emperor Hiro-
hito. Actually the day is the
anniversary of the death of the
old Emperor, Taisho, rather than
the actual accesSion)
Exploitation Declared Ended.
Domei declared that the fall of
Hong Kong marks the banishment
of the last vestige of British i'm
perialism on Chinese soil and brings
to an end century long exploitation" Z"
The last japanese reports OF the
fight for Hong Kong, just before
word of the surrender, said the Jap
anese occupation was proceeding
rapidly with the last British garrl-
son forces bottled up in fortifica-
tions of Stanley Peninsula and the
western district of the island
These reports said the japanese
had captured Tytam Reservoir and
were shelling the British on Noun,
Davis and Brick Hill.
The mainland frontier of the
British crown colony of Hong Kong
on the southeast coast of China
was attacked by the japanese or
the fateful December when the
armed forces of the empire of the
rising sun struck simultaneously al
the United States and Britain.
For only the few first days OF
the fight were hopes harbored thai
the colony's costly defenses coulo
90. yyOAY/~ DnNc Dooo Adl
Evening star., 1941-12-25
Nine Die as Flames
Trap Them in Bus;
II Others Injured
Vehicle Hits Auto and
Crashes Into Apartment
House in st. Louis
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 25.-Trapped in
a flaming bus which exploded after
a collision with a motor car. nine
persons burned to death early to-
day and 81 others were injured, sew
eral seriously.
Not a passenger on the street
railway company bus, loaded with
parishioners of st. Vincents Cath
olic Church, who were returning
home from midnight mass, escaped
uninjured. Solomon George, 33
identified as the driver of the auto
mobile, also was hurt critically.
Two witnesses. Edward James and
Albert Paul Hammer, rescued many
of the panic-stricken passengers
who were attempting to fight their
way from the blazing bus and were
credited with preventing a larger
fatality list.
The bus swerved at the intersec-
ton of Ninth and Allen streets in
an attempt to avoid q collision with
an automobile. 1t struck a parked
car and crashed through the wall
of an apartment house into the
bedroom of Mr.. and Mrs. James
Fowler. The Fowlers were not al
home. Their bed was buried under
the debris from the wall.
Mrs. Margaret Brethold, who was
Evening star., 1941-12-25
Japanese Destroyer
Sunk by Torpedo
From Dutch Sub

BY the Associated Press.
BATAVIA. Netherlands In
dies, Dec. 25.-A Japanese de-
stroyer of the 2.l00-ton ANA
girl class was torpedoed and
sunk last night by Dutch sub
marine which escaped depth
charges of another destroyer to
report its success. Aneta, official
Indies news agency, announced
tonight.
Aneta said the Indies naval
commander was informed that
the attack took place in Indies
waters, but the position was
not otherwise identified.
japanese destroyers of the
| Amagiri class carry crews of
| 200.
Evening star., 1941-12-25

The dead at Eastport:
Robert Lee Trasher. 5.
Leo j. Trasher, jr., 4.
William B. Trasher, /.
Their mother, Mrs. Elizabeth
Trasher. was taken to Annapolis
Emergency Hospital unconscious
from shock. The father, night fire.
man at Carvel Hall Hotel. was at
work when the fire occurred. Mother
and children were asleep on the
second floor
An unidentified passerby, seeing
flames shooting from the three story
Trasher house about 4:30 m, was
unable to get in, but went next door
got shutter and placed it over the
rear porches of the adjoining houses
He walked across and brought the
| three boys out, but they were pro-
| nounced dead on arrival at the hos
pital. Brooke Meade, an Anne
Evening star., 1941-12-25
Nv the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
HONOLULU, Dec. 25.-For the
first time in modern history Homo
lulu spent a Christmas eve blacked
out by war.
1t was even without the old was
sail bowl, because authorities en-
forced martial law against all hard
liquor.
With the lightning japanese
thrust at these placid islands on
December 7 still a vivid memory,
service men were not allowed to
leave their posts and stations,
Honolulu remained on the alert, not
to be caught off-guard again.
Instead of fir and spruce trees
which must be imported from the
mainland, Honoluluans improvised
Christmas decorations Of hibiscus
and ironwood stuck into buckets OF
Evening star., 1941-12-25
HonoIu|u's Christmas Eve Dry
As Army Bans All Hard Liquor

sand kept handy to douse incen-
diaries
Many persons had opened their
gifts early. Mrs. John Bays. wife OF
Admiral Claude Bloch's aide, had
opened hers during the heaviest
Japanese raid that fatal Sunday
because there won't be another
Christmas Day for years"
1t was a sharp contrast from last
year, this blacked-out Christmas
eve. Then, large crowds gathered in
front of Iolani Palace to see a pag-
cant of the birth of Christ. Parties
were everywhere, and there was
caroling and great gayety. But
that was before the people here had
realized how long are the tentacles
Of war.
| Many men were spending Christ
mas Day digging bomb shelters.
Evening star., 1941-12-25
Hong Kong Falls Japs Announce;
Bomber Sinks Sub off California;
u. S. Front Holds in PHILIPPINES
Colony Governor
Meets With Foes,
Toxic Declares
- the Associated Press,

- the Assooissed Press,
TOXIC, Dec. Is (Official Broad
east). Imperial headquarters
announced tonight that the Brit
ish crown colony of Hong Kong
had fallen and within the hour
the news, heralded by a fanfare
OF martial music, was flashed to
the Japanese people by radio as
a christmas present" from their
armed forces.
The announcement was brief ::
THE enemy at Hong Kong, no long
er able to withstand our continuous
attacks, surrendered at $50 pm.
$3.50 am, E. S. t., December 25.
Consequently imperial troops were
ordered to cease firing at 7:30 pm.
$3.50 am, E. S. t."
CIne BRUSH colonial once
announced this evening that
Hong Kong's resistance was
ended)
Governor Meets japanese.
Domei reported a short time later
that high representatives Of the
japanese Army and Sir Mark Young,
British Governor of Hong Kong,
were meeting at the Peninsular
Hotel at KoWloon, across Victoria
Harbor from Hong Kong Island.
Domei said that five hours before
the surrender two British nom
combatants brought the japanese a
message from the British Governor
declaring he would not yet give up
resistance.
A Domei broadcast of the sur
render described Hong Kong as "a
glowing Christmas present to the
Japanese nation" and said the cap
ture could have been achieved in
much shorter order had it not been
for the stubborn disregard by the
British garrison for repeated Japa-
Evening star., 1941-12-25
Air-Ruid Watcher Found
Hanged at Post of Duty
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
STONINGTON, Conn, Dec. 25.-
The body of Herbert Thompson, jr.,
A, an AFRAID watcher, was found
hanging at his observation post
here yesterday. Medical Examiner
Thurman P. Maine said he took his
own life.
Mr.. Thompson, a retired New
York banker, was to have gone of
duty a short time before, but he
volunteered to stand the watch of
two women who were to have sue
ceeded him at the post. His family
could advance no reason for his
act,
Evening star., 1941-12-25
Churchill 10 Make
Speech TO Congress
In Senate Chamber
Better Acoustics Enter
Into Officials Decision
To Change From House

Prime Minister Winston Churchill
will make his speech tomorrow to
members of Congress, the cabinet
and Justices of the Supreme Court
in the Senate chamber instead of in
the House where joint sessions GUS
tomarily are held, it was decided
today at a conference of Capitol
officials and Senate Majority Leader
Barkley.
Plans also were made at the hur-
edly-called holiday conference to
tighten the wartime guard around
the Capitol grounds and the building
itself. 1t is expected that President
Roosevelt will accompany the Brit
ish Prime Minister.
Decision to hold the joint session,
which will be informal in character,
in the Senate chamber was based
primarily on the fact that only
comparatively few members of Con-
RIcSS dIC Ill washington oiiN Viio'
acoustics in the Senate chamber
are superior to those in the House
chamber. Chairs for House mem
bers, the Supreme Court Justices
and the Presidents cabinet will be
placed on the Senate floor among
the Sc desks of the Senators.
The general public will be barred
from the history making ceremonies
because of the limited accommoda-
tions. Only persons having special
cards will be admitted to the Sem
ate galleries. These cards will be
issued to members of Congress, Gov
ernment officials and the diplomatic
corps.
Despite the holiday, Senator Bark
ley called the Capitol officials into
conference at IL O'Clock this morn
ing to make arrangements for Prime
Minister Churchill's first appear
ance before the American Congress.
Evening star., 1941-12-25
Free French Take
St. Pierre and
Mique|on Islands
Immediate PIebiscite
Called in Territory
OFF Newfoundland
BY the Associated Press.

BY The Associated Press.
LONDON Dec. 25.-Warship-
landed forces of the Free French
have taken over the tiny fishing
islands of ST. Pierre and Miquelon
off the southern coast of New
foundland and have called the
population to a plebiscite today on
allegiance to Free French as op-
posed to Vichy.
The occupation was carried out
Yesterday. An announcement at
Free French headquarters here said
Vice Admiral Emile Muselier, COM
mander of the Free French forces,
took possession of the islands in the
Evening star., 1941-12-25
Summary Of odoy's Star

NotionoI.
Nine die as flames trap them in
bus. Page Al
New anti-strike legislation discussed
in Congress. Page Az
Family of Wake hero awaits word at
Chevy Chase home. Page AS
Washington and Vicinity.
Five burned to death in Hillside
Md0 fire. Page Al
Roosevelt, Churchill attend Christ
mas church services. Page Al
5-year-old girl killed in traffic acci-
dent here. Page B-l
Sons and daughters talk to Army
officers via radio. Page B-1
MisceIlony
Army Orders. Page b.4
Vital Statistics. Page BIS
Natures Children. Page BIS
Evening star., 1941-12-25

name of the Free French Commit
tee lin answer to the wishes OF the
population"
1t was revealed that Muselier left
England for Canada some weeks ago
to prepare the operation. 1t was
not announced how many or what
ships took part.
No Axis Threat to Islands.
Free French officials stressed that
there had been no threat to the
islands by the Axis and declared
that the occupation was dictated
only by the desire of the inhabitants.
Gen. Charles de Gaulle, leader
of the Free French, messaged Ad-
miral Muselier my most sincere
congratulation for the way in
which you rallied this island to our
cause with discipline and dignity"
The Free French headquarters
announcement said:
I'm answer to the wishes of the
population, Vice Admiral Emile
Muselier, commander of the Free
French naval forces, took possession
of St. Pierre and Miquelon in the
name of the Free French Commit
tee.
"He Immediately organized plebi-
scite which will take place today"
De Gaulle's telegram to Admiral
Muselier said: please convey to the
population of st. Pierre, so precious
and so loyal to France, the great
happiness which the nation eXpe-
riences at its liberation.
st. Pierre is valiantly taking up
again with us and our brave allies
struggle for liberation of our country
and the liberty of the world.
ITO you personally in my name
and that of the French National
Committee my most sincere con-
gratulations for the way in which
YOU rallied this island to our cause
with discipline and dignity.
Long live France"
Authoritative British quarters with
held comment on the Free French
action. The opinion prevailed in
political circles, however, that the
occupation was prompted by strategic
considerations and did not neces-
sarily betoken any general change
of attitude by the anti-Axis powers
toward Vichy or her other colonies.
Some quarters believed the islands
had been regarded as dangerous
particularly as possible avenues OF
information which might reach the
Axis. This danger, it was said,
seemed enhanced by the proximity
of the islands to sea and air routes
across the North Atlantic to Britain.
st. Pierre and Miquelon, the larg-
est islands of two tiny groups lying
Is miles off the southern coast of
Newfoundland, are French New
4
Evening star., 1941-12-25
Late Bulletin
5000 on Wake, Say Jops

BERLIN P).-Japanese forces,
completing occupation of Wake
Island, have taken 1,400 prison.
ers, the Toxic radio said today.
The broadcast sought to correct
the imperial headquarters an
nouncement of Wednesday by
saying that the attackers found
5000 United States marines-not
300-had been defending the tiny
United States outpost and air
station in the Pacific.
The Navy Department yester-
day said the island was defended
by 378 officers and men.
Evening star., 1941-12-25

Foreign.
so towns recaptured in Kalinin Sec
tor, Russians declare. Page Al
Free French take over islands Of st.
Pierre and Miquelon. Page Al
Navy admits Wake Island probably
lost. Page AS
Japanese execute fresh landings in
Sarawak. Page AS
Peace further OF than ever, Petain
says in broadcast. Page A
Evening star., 1941-12-25
American Planes Hit Back
After Sub Attacks Ship

LONG BEACH, Calf, Dec. 25 up.
Striking once again almost to the
western shoreline of the United
States, a submarine has torpedoed
an American freighter. causing one
death, and there were reports of
two other possible attacks.
Rising just off the California coast
Continued on Page AS, Column II
Evening star., 1941-12-25
Relief Shipments Heavy

Red Cross volunteers have made
and shipped more than $4,000, 900
garments and bandages for relief
in Europe and China.
Evening star., 1941-12-25
~. S. Planes Direct Hits Filled
Air With Debris, Army Says
American Flyers Success Avenges
Increasing Attacks on Shipping


Bombs which scored direct hits and filled he air with debris
Japanese California
nounced today thus serving at least in attacks
American merchantmen in that vicinity.
Evening star., 1941-12-25

Knox revealed Sunday that up to
then the Navy aid probably sum-
or damaged at least IA enemy sur
marines" in the Atlantic and had
effectively dealt with several jap
anese submarines" in the Pacific.
Evening star., 1941-12-25
NoLate Editions Today

The Star observes Christmas az
usual today by dispensing with the
$50, Night Final and Night Final
Sports editions. Subscribers to
these editions will receive the
regular home edition.
Evening star., 1941-12-25

st. Pierre and Miquelon, the larg-
est islands of two tiny groups lying
Is miles off the southern coast of
Newfoundland, are French New
(See ST. PIERRE, Page A-4)
Evening star., 1941-12-25

(See FIRE, Page AID
Evening star., 1941-12-25

(See HONG KONG, Page A-40
Evening star., 1941-12-25

(See ROOSEVELT, Page A-50
Evening star., 1941-12-25

(See BUS WRECK, Page A-5D
Evening star., 1941-12-25
Weather Forecast

Fair with temperature above freezing
tonight; gentle winds. Temperatures
today-Highest, SO, at pm; lowest.
As, at $50 am.
From the United States Weather Bureau report
Full Details Page Az.
Evening star., 1941-08-24
"THE MARINES
HAVE LANDED >"
Continued from poss -four

superiority of the Marines in rife
shooting through the years since his
second lieutenancy.
When he was sent to China in 1905,
as first lieutenant on duty with the
Legation Guard at Peking, it gave him
a chance to use his craftsmanship in
another way - on hunting trips into
the interior. 1t also gave him chance
to be in on the beginning of another
of today's Marine Corps accomplish
ments.
We hear a great deal today about
the way the more militaristic ma
tions have been preparing for all
contingencies, right down to the
smallest details. Does it surprise you
that one of the things the Marine
Corps has been doing for years, to be
prepared for situations that might
arise, is to detail young officers to
Evening star., 1941-08-24

torious Service Citation by the Com
mander in Chief of the A.E.F., and
three Citations in General Orders.
1t was in December, 1896, that
Holcomb was appointed Major Cen
eral Commandant. He had only been
a brigadier general little more than
a year, and several Others were senior
to him. There had been times in
Marine Corps history when that sort
of thing had caused bitter explosions
and dramatic retirements. There were
none when General Holcomb was
chosen. Even those who would have
liked the honor for themselves ap-
plauded. As one of his fellow generals
put it to me recently: Tommy Hol-
comb is a grand person. fine officer
- and all Marine"
Evening star., 1941-08-24

aide, and the next day somebody else
was - and Holcomb was in command
of a battalion about to leave for
France. But Holcomb knew. He had
engineered it. And so when the ia
nous Sixth Regiment moved up to
the Western Front, Holcomb was
with it, first as a battalion comman-
der, later as second in command of
the regiment. He fought at Chateau
Thierry, Scissors, Marbache, St.
Mihiel, Champagne, the Argonne
Forest.
Those were telling days in the war,
for American Marines were disabus-
ing the Germans of the naughty idea
that the Americans would be no match
for them. The German Intelligence
was changing its rating of our Marines
from a low one to it's highest rating:
Shock units" And when it was all
over, Holcomb himself came home
with enough decorations to satisfy
Goering: the French Cross of the
Legion of Honor, three Croix de
Guerre with Palm, the Navy Cross,
the Silver Star with three Oak Leaf
Clusters, the Purple Heart, Meri-
Evening star., 1941-08-24
Growing Fost

WHEN he took command, there were
about 1900 enlisted men under his
command. Today there are nearly
$4,000. and the President has been
authorized to increase the strength
to $4,000 if the emergency requires
- the peak strength in World War l
was $4,000. Every week the ranks are
increasing, with enlistments both in
the regular service and in the reserve
- all going at once to active duty.
A new base, the biggest ever to be
built for the Marines, is under construc-
ton in North Carolina. 1t was picked
partly because of its miles of beaches
for battle practice - beaches with
rolling surf where landing is not easy,
even with amphibious tanks and snub-
nosed boats. It means duckings and
the ensuing discomfort of drenched
clothes, weary muscles and lame bod
les.
But says General Holcomb: THE
Marine Corps has never been an easy
service for soft men. 1t may be that
we today face more trying times than
Marines have ever faced. Fashions in
warfare change like everything human
changes. But the principles of warfare
never change, and the old soldierly
virtues are the same that they have
always been: courage, and discipline,
and loyalty"
The same old Devil-dogs - with
new tricks.
Tke End
Evening star., 1941-08-24

learn the difficult Chinese and Japa-
nese languages? 1t is fact. and the
first one assigned to study Chinese
was Thomas Holcomb, then Tin 1910
a captain. He mastered vocabulary
of 4,5OO words, approximately five
times that of the average Chinese
coolie and not much smaller than that
of a well-educated Chinese.
Evening star., 1941-08-24
Engineered on Escape

WHEN the First World War came,
he was major and aide to the COM
mandant in Washington. Then. as
now, the commandments Office was a
busy place. But down at Quantico,
Virginia. the first regiments of Marines
were getting ready to sail for France.
The legend is that the commandant
never quite knew how it happened
that one day Major Holcomb was his
Evening star., 1941-10-05
Roosevelt Awaits
Report Of Taylor on
Talks al Vatican
Personal Envoy to
Pope Plus Returns
On Atlantic Clipper
Rv The Associated Press


HYDE PARK, N. Y. Oct. A.
President Roosevelt arrived here by
motor tonight to spend the week
end at his country estate and per-
haps receive reports on the chances
for survival of religious freedom in
warning Europe.
White House officials would not
deny there was a possibility that
Myfon c. Taylor. Americas envoy
to the Vatican, might see the Chief
Executive here some time in the
next two days. Mr.. Taylor arrived
in New York by trans Atlantic clip
per today bringing. he said, reports
of the utmost Importance.
The Chief Executive had brushed
aside-without a denial-a press con-
ference question yesterday whether
Mr.. Taylor had taken up with Pope
Plus XII the issue of religious free
dom in Russia
He disclosed at the same time that
he had instructed w. Averell Harri-
man. head of an American mission
to Moscow. to discuss freedom of
religion with the Soviet government.
There was no indication whether this
| issue was linked in any direct man.
ner with Mr. Harrimans task of
ascertaining Russia's military needs,
but some speculation developed that
Mr.. Roosevelt might want aSsur-
ances that the Soviet Union would
guarantee freedom of worship in
exchange for American aid.
White House officials looked for
prompt statement from Mr.. Harri-
man on the results of his overtures
to the Russian government, either
in the form of a confidential COM
munication to Mr.. Roosevelt or a
public pronouncement in Moscow.
From various sources. severe
criticism has been directed at the
President for declaring last Tuesday
that the Russian constitution pro-
vlded for freedom of religion in much
the same manner as is the rule in
this country.
Mr.. Roosevelt's original remark
CSee ROOSEVELT, Page A-lO)