davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20
Intrigue. Greed
Back o! Removal
OF Gen. Weygand
ToDAY'S WAR MOVES
- - a. az
Bv LOUIS ?. kEEMlf
United Press War Analyst

A shift Of power apparently has
occurred in France and q Clique
favorable To fuller collaboration
With Germany IL In the saddle.
That II the Interpretation 10 be
placed ON the removal Of Cen.
Maxine wsygsnd from control OF
the French colonies In Aries. Ger
man pressure alone. although J,
was strong. Was not Responsible,
Back Of II lies a story Of Internal
political intrigue. greed and .
struggle for power
strict censorship has made u
difficult 10 get a clear picture
Of the political situation in siehy.
lcontlnDsd on Page "A. Column 81
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20

"fs nss 10 80 tsss Ts@mye~n
Tssnmsfysk IN s<siew -. I heas
hss quits . football player"
B~so<s tiss eonysssssiow sstt<ne6
10 sss concert stage. neoeeaa Gsvs
ths Psesfie Coast e1Nfeeence .
complete s~vi~w snd ssN1n1e9 ~
<risss that Wsshlnetae - >
ehsncs 20 really guns ~ ~
works. ~ giving ossGea . epHn1
thrsshinx CONS saturday.
Resting bls hs1sds behto1 -
head and strst<hsns ncrs tnee -
feet Of frsms well iato ~ ce&tof
Of thx room. Kobssoa put oreenoN
into the locker anl tsibe1 onpce
th< thing In whIeh some 49, ~
sons who viii hsAr him - -
TsmpIs thsstss tsaight - -
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20
that money ~. Ia b. paid 10
ssysne bat Injured sorkm~a.

that money ~. Ia b. paid 10
ssysse bat injured WORKINGS"
Pas; policies Of Delay IN settling
u claims Of injured nsn. said issf-
lin, have caused DETECTION ~ a
large part a ths funds into pssek-
eta Of persons never intended %
benefit
There are certain attorneys.
said the nes director. who have
been living on the workmsn's COM
pensation fund
lie said - or - pr cent 81
the claims can b. s<ffied In
the department.. hui thai The
notion had grown among work
nen that they could get no
where without hiring attorneys
- represent them
Where claims always have been
Continued on Page 2. Column 81
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20
SOVIET PRESSURE CONTINUES
If Second War Front Not
Opened. Russia Wants Air,
Land Forces From Britain
AN UNCENSORED REPORT
Bv WALLACE CARROLL
UNITED PRESS STAFF WRITER


MANILA-( Incensored) - For five months the Soviet
government has been pressing British
pedtonary the channel and create second
front against Germany to relieve the the Red
army.
Failing this Russia wants British land and air force
he front
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20
Keel of New Sub
Tender to Be Laid

VALLEJO, Cal.-The keel Of the
navy submarine tender hereus,
costing $4,000. 900, Will be laid
at Mare Island navy yard Dec. /.
1912. IL was announced Wsdnss-
day.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20
Paul Robson Talks reeihoI.
Funerals and Folk SonGB

Thus did the worlds srsetsat Negre 49, - q
interview with this reporter iast niobt . - <
ffs wag AfAmsrxaa end st nulasn wbon 49,
Was tearing things Us out here On TIE ceenG - -
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20


Of the defea>es 81 French Africa
NEW YORK = Private ad-
vices received by the United
Press Wednesday from
Europe said the Viehy gov
eminent has ousted Gen
Maxine Weypand from his
post as chief of French de-
lenses in Africa.
Taken at the insistsnee Of Adolf
Hitler. his dismissal was expected
to have far-reachlng repercus.
sions. vichy. II Was said. hopes II
will open the way 10 "ail-out" col,
laboration between France and
Germany.
II also may bring radical
accumulation Of british and
American peiieies toward
French Africa. American sup
plies have b~en going 10 North
Africa under an agreement
which h understood To depend
upon wesEand's guarantees
10 defend French Africa
against axis inoursions.
Dismissal Of Weygand. II Nal
presumed, will lead TO reconsider
alton OF the agreement and slss
TO REORGANIZATION of q more o.
less hands off" policy toward
French Africa by the British.
NO SUCCESSOR WILL
nv NAMED TO POST
The United Press adyioes said
no successor will be appointed te
weygand's post because Of the
special nature Of his African task
and that the future Of the dappsi
little 7f-year-old French miiitar,
leader Ia unknown
There has been no announce
ment of weygand's dismissal 10
vichy. these sdvices said. and there
CONTINUED on Page 10. Column 81
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20
VINES.

Tomorrow We. = free people.
will offer thanks for many
things - among them. free
dom.
We .ss smens the minority On
TN. earth who With res.on can d.
that today
Most II the remaining peoples
II earth are not to-day formed Of
fire. men.
Thy hsse l.ss. NJ never Gaiee<f.
that nay .f life Ne a~em rseeissss
because. merslis. spsvstusii, OF
physically. they fesEhi too nssie-
er the, fought sse nsach.
Tomorrow We will give ex-
preston to our gratitude. Let
US also reflect on what II past,
what is. and what il 10 he.
Since last Thanksgiving NE have
come = long. long way on tho
road 10 war. In fact. ~e have
arrived.
We stand like one singrrly toe
testing the water In = hot tub,
IL IL too hot Shall We climb IN :
Soon the Americas people must
decide n they are 10 wage about.
sacrifsrial war. In IN effort 10
achieve decisive victory.
When man. alone or en-
masse, confronts such crises.
il il well TO anticipate. TO
visualize the worst that could
lie ahead.
staring ~ btncksst b,arkne~s
sometimes arenses wlsdom's hkhs.
80 | quote the following verse.
The hofriuness Of war lsefs
through ia lines. II will touch
you. though ever N lightly per.
haps with the darkness of wars
ehasms of WEAKNESS and woe.
Evea "a. perehssee this CHASTITY
thing must h. horne nv men s1d
the mothers Of mep. n may he
necessary. u may b. the price
h not too high for good things
sfhwnrt the kesi.
At any rate. read on and then
be thankful yet awhile.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20
Extra Ferry Service
Thanksgiving Day

Ferry service from 9th ave. to
PIT. Fosdick will be operated on
g regular Sunday schedule, OFF,
Gals said Wednesday. Two fer
ries will be in operation until
5 .. m. when a third boat will be
added TO accommodate the heavier
traffic.
BANK TRANSACTIONS
Tacoma s., s84 .0Ot
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20

Speakers Al the meeting ~ the
Tacoma Real Estate board Friday
noon ~ Hotel Winthrop ~iil b. Dr.
Lsisnd v Powers. city health NJ
ficsr. snd Albert n. Hooker. Jr.
president Of Tscoma's Planning
Commission. Harry l. Blsngy vii
preside.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20
WeYgand
Fired From
African Post
Repercussions Are
Seen us Result of
Chiefs Dismissal
BULLETIN

RER>E. Switzerland - fss-
eiEn diplomatic sources here
were advised "Wednesday Nv
s'mosf reliable sources that
Maxine We,EAnd has b~en dis
missed from his post If director
Of the d~fea>es 81 French Africa
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20
lG[3llILl
E.||||||1|l 3

Hsiio. reiks' We ~ hv ~
paper that national defeaee
demands have caused . short
sgv II diapers.
Arshow. there are sesii pseety
~ pt,.uty application hssrss ~
hard In cover ne hare n>eeen1tiee
q the kiss vAs sss1 shsss.ses-
refsS rsnss
fssss = shsssss~sd . she<ssos -
stove In. s'se. ~ as'~ . ss<e~~s
lcst AZ css osc<ssy eai. = ScsAssS
sell rssS or ssc~s ~,~h ls~sss.
lDsSos DsNssessai 4 smart IN
" one ~he hpc~s hcw 10 vefssue
. sIss without h<srs Deprived - q.
rhun. according - ns<st pe~o,e
Il seems. 10 . yssrttesi vsrtsse enly
when a zee employed ny snees.
tass.
ueess No. ~ 10y
~ 1ne@ns eesoos.
ai11s1 ~ s~~eeos
Ahsss ~ wsGoee
Then fhsrs ~ss Inc f~llow wke
Was ~ sbsensminded that whsn ~
hid ne fscs N he HAMS No af(es-
ward eouldnt vememhss whsss -
find n.
', s.Asv
W bsslsss go - ~ osteesv.
ss1 sksss ~ ss@esss lesses1 60
bss1essss sssvs ~ @eev seoegoA 49,
~ ks~s ed . oss6bsA eseoos =
vsssss ssshst sesss ~ AAsslooe ~.
~ ~ p1sss sso1sw spme - =
NJ sls@s. 80 . ~ ~ , - =
sSpev sssw~s sve. tGoos - ~.
ise ~ ts@OslsAs - m,.s ms~s-
ssstpss. 80 vss essssaeGv Iressssoeo<
sAssstvs~ ~ ~ ''Ss1soAs~s" ~.
ess's s~sss~s i~vssssss, ~ , ~
sssvs - ~ @sas ~ 49, as>Aes.
vAsss vssss tseA sese1 vse11oss
sisss ssess - ~ ~ @sev 49,
tss< @slss swsvi ~ tssss ~
1svsss w. ss@ste1ss - ~ svee1eo
~ @s1sstsss 800 ssts~esonsA ~
ssss ss6 NJ sessstsee ssesee1enees
- kset n ~ @s<sss - ~ -
ks~bls sssssss - I. - - . ~
ksss - tsl.---c. q ,.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20

Fair fenighf and FRIDAY
Temps. Nigh 81. iou ~. b1s
rtses III, sses AL
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-20

Then tksre ~ss mo f~ilow whe
Was ~ sbsensminded that vhsn ~
hid nss fsrs N he han9s ~ af(es-
ward couldn't svns>mhss whsss -
find H.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-12
Marriage Applications

The following have applied to the
clerk of district court of Pine county
for marriage licenses the past two
weeks:
Elmer F. Mecl of Wisconsin, to
Margaret L. Will of Finlayson.
Lawrence G. Bultman to Alyce
Ruth Forncrook, both of Hinckley.
Howard Klienepier of Duluth, to
Annabelle c. Erickson of Sturgeon
Lake.
Leon N. Stoffel to Elma l. Points,
both of Pokegama township.
Kenneth c. Nystrom to Myrtle E.
Overland, both of Sturgeon Lake.
Robert j. Haug to Lucille j.
Jewell, both of Pine City.
Emanuel E. Pangerl of Braham,
to Margaret Swanson of Grasston.
Richard L. Hyska to Frances V.
Price, both of Willow River.
Milo A. Babolik of Pine City, to
Viola Workman of Pokegama.
Stanley E. Tomscak of Finlayson,
to Inez A. Greiger of Rutledge.
Abner E. johnson to Lucille R.
Holler, both of Pine City.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-12
North Pine Holds
First Annual Meet

The first annual meeting of the
North Pine Electric Cooperative, Inc,
was held in Finlayson Saturday morn
ing at 10 o'clock. Nearly $50 men,
bers, patrons and others were in at
tendance.
Comprehensive reports of the past
years business were given by Fred
Polivka, president; Leonard Goran-
son, secretary; John Osladil, treas
urer and Howard Shaw, manager.
Directors elected at the meeting to
serve the coming year were Louis
Brabec, Ben j. Erickson, Leonard
Goranson, Otto GRADER. Harold
Mack, John Osladil and Julius Valet
zko. Following the meeting the
board organized with Harold Mack
as president; Julius Waletzko, vice
president; Leonard Goranson, secre-
tary; and John Osladil, treasurer.
On the program as speakers were
R. B. Hugus, REA representative;
Steve Gadler of the State Department
of Agriculture; Max Mcmillan, Pine
county agent, and Matt Wilson, Ket-
tie River REA manager. Music for
the meeting was supplied by the Sand
stone school band, the Finlayson Glee
club and the Laska orchestra. DR.. w.
T. Pearson spoke in behalf of the viii
lage of Finlayson.
Attendance prizes given at the
meeting were an electric rooster hot
plate, waffle iron, fan and floor lamp
and were won by Wenfield Wenholz,
Charles Hendrickson, John Stepan
Math Geisen and Louis Brabec re-
spectively.
At noon a delicious lunch was
served by the Peace Lutheran Ladies
Aid. A complete display of electrical
appliances was furnished by the
Pine Coop Oil Association of Askov
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-12
AskOv Man Weds
City Girl
Harold Stottrup and Miss
Stella Fisher Exchange
Vows Sunday Afternoon.

Mr.. Harold o. Stottrup, son of Mrs.
Mari Stottrup of Askov, and Miss
Stella Fisher, daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. Ernest Fisher of Minneapolis,
exchanged wedding vows Sunday
afternoon at $3.50 o'clock in cere-
mony at the home of the bride. The
rites were read by Rev. Theo. H.
Schroedel, pastor of the Mount Olive
Lutheran church of Minneapolis.
Miss Edna Mae Fisher, sister of
the bride, was bridesmaid, with Mr..
Hedge Stottrup, brother of the groom,
serving as best man. A reception was
held after the ceremony for friends
and relatives. Among those from away
were Hedge, Svend and Sigurd Stott-
rup of Waterloo, brothers of the
groom and Mrs. Mari Stottrup and
Otto Jensen of Askov.
The newlyweds came to Askov
Tuesday afternoon and have gone to
housekeeping on the Stottrup farm
northeast of the village where Harold
has spent most of his life He is an in
dustrious and ambitious young man,
helping to build a fine farm home,
besides being in charge of opera
tons there number of years.
His bride, although as yet not well
known here, will be made welcome to
the Askov community. She is grad
uate of high school and business col
lege in the Cities and has been en-
gagged in office work since completing
her education.
Sincere wishes for success and hap
piness are extended to Mr.. and Mrs.
Stottrup by their friends.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-12
Coal Cars Pile Up In
Wreck At HinckIey

Seventeen cars of a South-bound
Northern Pacific through freight were
piled up about midnight Satur-
day in a wreck at the switch
about a mile north of Hinckley
which tore up 100 yards of road
bed, demolishing both the main
line and side track. Officials Of
the railroad stated that the derail-
ment of the cars, most of which con-
tanned stoker coal, was caused by a
broken journal.
One railway employee, o. w. john
son of Two Harbors, fireman on an
engine on the switch track, who
jumped when the cars left the rails,
suffered a broken collar bone. A
switchman narrowly escaped death
as the wreckage piled up near him.
Wrecking crews were set to work
at once to clear the main line for
traffic, the Northern Pacific trains
in the meantime being sent over other
routes to the Twin Cities and the
Twin Ports. BY early Tuesday most
of the damaged cars had been taken
to Hinckley or Superior and the
work of salvaging the coal well under
way. Temporary repairs to the road
bed were made Sunday so that travel
could be resumed over that point
late that night.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-12
New Registration
Day Set For July I

The Pine County Selective Service
board, in line with other boards in
the nation, is making preparations
for the registration of young men who
will be 81 on or before registration
day, July l. of this year. This applies
only to those who did not register
on October 16, last year,
It has been recommended by the
national headquarters that registra-
ton take place in the local board
headquarters. In Pine county tentative
plans have been made to have regis
tration places at Pine City, Hinckley,
Sandstone and possibly Sturgeon Lake
but final details will be given later
Pine county is to furnish II men
for selective service during June,
three going June 6, eight to report
June 10 and six June 26. Those re-
porting June were as follows: War
rem w. Hammer and Lancer Otto
Wernowsky of Bruno, Paul Robert
Beherndt of Pine City and George
Baran (transfer) Hinckley.
Registrars who have been requested
to report June 10 are Raymond Clyde
Caroon, Rock Creek; John Bernard
Suding and Carl Merlin Sandberg
Sandstone; Harry Erwin Andersen
Danbury; Peter Phillip Guss, Rut-
/ ledge; George Henry Kryzer Beroun;
Carl Wilmar Strum, Sturgeon Lake
and Leonard Thomas Gay of Finlay-
son.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-12
F0ur-H Members
Receive Awards
On Camping Trip
Medals, Pins and Trophies
Given For Excellence In
Work And Sports.

Two Pine City youths, Donald
Nemitz and Chester Johnson, have
been awarded medals for their work
in farm and home accounting, the
former receiving his award for farm
accounts and Chester for home &C
counts. The medals, rectangular in
shape, are of 10-karat gold, and have
embossed figures of the All clover,
account book, pens and bottle of ink
on the face. The medals were present.
ed at the All Club camp held at the
st. Croix recreational area last week.
Win Guernsey Pins.
Other awards given out at the camp
were All Guernsey pins, presented
by the American Guernsey Cattle
club, to the following All members
who showed Guernseys at the county
fair last fall: Russell Pangerl, Robert
Peters, Leo Thirty, Jerome Peters,
Lorraine Peters, Clarence Pierce, Rus
sell Peterson and Charles Zemek of
Pine City; Donald White, Robert
Zaudtke and Lester Kath, Hinckley;
and Robert Pearson of ASkov.
County dress revue pins were pre-
sented to Peggy Billman, Bruno; De
Elite Krantz and Muriel Koed, Askov;
Betty Robinson and Geraldine Grow
er, Pine City; Alice Derby and Lor-
raine Greenley, Sandstone; Darlene
Gerdes and Gladys Zaudtke, Hinck-
ley; Lois Johnson, Duquette, and Flor
ence Haglin, Groningen.
Farmer" Gives Awards.
The county potato champion, Ruth
Won Rueden of Hinckley, and Gordon
CONTINUED on Page -
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-12
Bremen Couple
Married Saturday

A wedding of interest to people in
Bremen township took place Satur-
day, June 7, when two young folks
from that community, MIR. Elmer
Mecl and Miss Margaret Will, be-
came man and wife at ceremony
in Pine City. The groom is the
youngest son of Mr.. and Mrs. James
Mecl and the bride the youngest
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Will.
They were attended by cousin
of the bride and a nephew of the
groom. A wedding dinner was served
at the brides parental home and a
wedding dance was given that evening
at the Riverview Pavilion, Rutledge.
The newlyweds are well known in
northwestern Pine county, having
spent most of their lives at their
homes there. They will make their
new home in Milwaukee, Wis, jour-
neying there Sunday to take up
housekeeping. The groom is an en-
ploye at the Allis-Chalmers plant in
West Allis.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-12
Sandstone Girl To
Live In California

With nuptial rites read by District
Judge George Marshall, Mr.. Howard
Star of Los Angeles, Calf, and Miss
Hazel Troolin of Sandstone, became
man and wife at Las Vegas, New,
Saturday morning, May 81. They were
attended by close friends, Miss Mar
garet Hinson and Mr.. Dean Swenson,
both of Los Angeles.
Immediately after the ceremony the
bridal couple left for honeymoon
trip through several of the southwest
ern states, after which they will be at
home at 1881 Cleveland Ave-, Monte
bello, Calf.
Friends of the bride and groom join
in extending congratulations and
best wishes.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-12
Contract Let For
North Pine Lines
Extension Work
Askov Project To Start At
Once; $lll,OOO Allotted
For Fall Construction.

Official word has been received
from REA headquarters in Washing
ton, D. c., that the bid of Franzen
Bros, Palisade, for the construction
of the North Pine extension south
and east of Askov has been approved.
Work on the new lines will be started
Immediately. The project will furnish
current as far south as Cloverdale
and east to the st. Croix recreational
area. There are about Is to II miles
of line to be staked out and some
clearing yet to be done.
To Use Copper Conductors.
Western cedar poles will be used
and all conductors are to be of "copper"
Aluminium had been used in the past
instead of copper but because of the
defense program is no longer avail
able. Due to preferred orders on cop
per wire, there may be slight delay
in the completion of the new extern
sion, but the material will be used
as rapidly as it can be obtained.
Monday of this week the board of
directors of the North Pine Coop
and Howard Shaw, the manager, at
tended regional meeting at Grand
Rapids, the purpose of which was to
help the various projects in getting
field contracts. The cooperatives were
also informed of the amounts of their
allotments and what they could ex-
pect. Eleven projects were represent
ed at the meeting and officials from
Washington were also there to explain
details.
Allotted Sill 900 For Fall Work.
The North Pine Coop has been al
lotted S111,000 for fall construction
work, this amount not being included
in projects already under way here.
Manager Shaw stated that providing
the cost of line building does not adj
vance too much they expect to build
$50 miles of line with that sum.
Points where the new lines would
reach may include territory adjacent
to Bruno, Hinckley, Brook Park, Isle,
Mora, Knife Lake, McGrath and
others, which, together with lines al
ready completed or under contract,
will bring the total coverage of the
North Pine up to about 700 miles.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-12
AskOv Girl Will
Live At Evanston

At ceremony at Evanston, ILL.,,
Monday afternoon of this week, Miss
Esther Hansen, daughter of Mrs.
N. K. Hansen of Askov, became the
bride of Mr.. Bert Sjoquist' son of Mr..
and Mrs. Charles Sjoquist of Bayfield,,
Wis.
The bride, a graduate of the Askov
high school, class of 1887, has been
working in st. Paul the past four
years and the groom is employed at
the Georgian hotel in Evanston. They
will make their home in the latter
city.
The bride-to-be was visitor at
her parental home northwest OF
Askov last week from Sunday until
Thursday, leaving Thursday afternoon
for the Illinois city. Friends here will
join in wishing her and Mr.. Sjoquist
long life of happiness and prosper
ity together.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-12
international News Review

more definitely makes it clear that
it will 60 along with Germany, with
the apparent exception that General
Weygand, in charge of the French
armies in Africa, refuses to abide by
the decisions of the heads of the
government, Petain and Darlan.
From Washington have come
some sharply wOrded warnings to
Vichy that the French govern
ment had better not involve itself
too deeply with Hitler-it might
have most unfortunate effects on
the friendly relations between
Vichy and Washington.
At the same time, it is understood
or should be-that Vichy is in a
most ticklish dilemma, for tremendous
pressure is being exerted by the
Germans on one, by the British and
the Americans on the other, side. And
it's the Germans who have the guns
and the bombs in readiness for i'm
mediate action against Vichy if
there is too much listening to Lon
don and Washington.
Echoes of the Past.
While the world was preparing
itself for new chapters of the bloody
history of the war, few paused to
recall the memory of former Emperor
William the Second, who died at
Doom, Holland, and who was buried
there early this week. To many he
was the actual instigator of the first
World war and therefore, indirectly,
of the second. But that earlier view of
him had changed with the years, for
in the light of history it was realized
that while he had plenty of respon-
sibility for the catastrophe that set
back the clock hand of civilization,
he was by no means the only one.
You cannot talk about war respon-
sibility in connection with the late ex-
CONTINUED on page ~
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-12
Bv GEORG STRANDVOLD

Dark and confused rumors about
the situation in Syria have finally
crystalized in a report to the effect
that the long-expected war has &C
tually begun, and what is important
that the British took the initiative.
But although there is little more
clarity than before, the picture re-
mains blurred by reason of the fact
that it is difficult to find out who
fights whom, and for what. AS far
as one can discover, the British
are attacking the French pro-
tectors of SYRIA inundated coun-
try-under orders from the govern
ment at Vichy, and at the same time
whatever German detatchments may
have arrived.
Supporting the British seem to be
the troops of General Charles de
Gaulle's Free France army, so that
French are fighting French, and
French are also fighting Germans and
British.
If anything has ever graphical
ly illustrated the utter insanity
of war, this remarkable incident
sets new records in sheer crazi-
ness.
Of course, one purpose is clear,
and that is that Germany wants to
90 through Syria on the way to the
Suez canal While that intention is
plain enough, its carrying out most
certainly is beset with all kinds of
bewildering complexities.
But, at the time of writing too lit
tie is known about the Syrian war
to dwell on details.
Political Problems.
Coincident with the development OF
the Syrian war situation, political
conflict between unoccupied France
and the United States is in progress
for the Vichy government more and