davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-05-11

works and Vickers-Armstrong aircraft
plant.
For their part, British continued their
attacks upon French port Of Brest,
claiming direct hits on German battle
ships Scharnhorst anad Gneisenau, and
ranging farther into continent to blast
at important industrial city OF Cologne.
Most interesting and encouraging Of
British claims, however, were those that
night fighters had brought down % Nazi
planes on Wednesday night and that
toll for first nine nights of May totaled
now more than 125 by comparison with
about a score lost by British while on
attack.
Improved night fighting equipment
and technique were credited in major
degree with these successes. Polish
pilots operating in the r. A. F. also were
given a big hand for knocking down
Boche flyers.
On Friday, London reported r. A. F.
had made its greatest raiding foray over
continent cities, hurting
R.A.F. items of thousands" Of in
Roids cendiary bombs and hun
dreds of tons" of high ex-
plosives into Bremen and Hamburg and
blasting incidentally at Berlin, Emden
and Posen
Evening star., 1941-05-11

changes Gin the governmenD until fur
ther advised"
To the House, Churchill revealed that
500 900 imperial soldiers are available to
fight the Axis in the Near East, that they
will defend Crete and Tobruk "to the
DEATH" and that enough American aid
in merchant shipping has been promised
to assure German failure in battle of
Atlantic.
Before he received his complimentary
vote, however, Churchill took harsh
tongue flashing from Britain's leader of
the first World War, David Lloyd George.
Both Churchill and Foreign Secretary
Anthony Eden expressed optimism that
Axis pressure in Near
Churchill East will not be supple
Sustained mented by aid from
Turkey still athWart
Dardanelles and blocking Berlin-to-
Baghdad line.
A second top news break on the diplo-
matte front was action of Joseph Stain
in taking over premiership of Soviet
Russia, actually his first government
Office although as secretary general OF
Communist party he has for years been
recognized as the boss" in Kremlin.
Molotoff, who had been premier and
Evening star., 1941-05-11
on Eastern Front and Shipping Share Weeks Spotlight

foreign commissar, is to remain IN the
latter post.
Significance of this change is not easily
evident, may even be entirely lacking as
Moscow continues its own inscrutable
foreign policy. On Friday Stain ceased
to recognize German occupied Yugo-
slavia, Belgium and Norway-a possible
sign of closer collaboration with Hitler.
Under way throughout this week has
been continued intriguing of Berlin gov
eminent to force Vichy rulers of unoccu-
pied France into active collaboration
with Axis Benefit to latter would be
use of French naval bases on Mediter-
ranean, employment of French naval
and merchant tonnage against Britain,
addition of French North African army
to forces expected eventually to move
against Gibraltar; bait to Vichy is re-
duction of s1O,o0OOOO daily cost of Ger
man army of occupation, relaxation Of
restrictions between occupied and un-
occupied France. and possible freeing OF
some of two million French prisoners.
Evening star., 1941-05-11

In all the troubled panorama of the
Near East, one of the most explosive
spots is Syria. a country about the size
of New England, though with less than
100000 inhabitants. Unrest in Syria Is
nothing new. Ever since France obtained
a League mandate over it at the close
of the Great War, the land has seethed
with discomfort. The reasons are many,
for Syria is complex problem. The
roots of its present troubles run far back
into the past.
From the dawn of history, Syria has
been a meeting place and battle-ground
of races and peoples which have never
fused into a strong, unified nation, but
have always remained distinct and at
local enmity with one another. AS else
where in the east, these differences have
been identified with religion. Today
Syria's relatively small population is
split into over half a dozen forms of
Christianity three brands of Moham-
medans and a couple of strange re-
ligions which are neither
Nat1OnaHSt1c Ideas spread.
Down to the Great War, Syria had
long formed part of the Ottoman En-
pire and gave little trouble, for the sui
tans were tolerant of local differences
which did not endanger Turkish rule.
Still, the Turks were never liked, and
about the turn of the present century
nationalistic ideas imported from Europe
began to spread among the Syrians and
neighboring peoples.
When Turkey Joined Germany in the
Great War, Britain and France did
everything they could to fan discon-
tent in the Arabic provinces of the Otto
man Empire. The British, especially,
made many promises implying indie
pendence for the Arabic lands, and local
rebellions did much to pave the way for
| the Allied victory over the Turkish
armies in Palestine, Syria and Mes
! opotamia.
At the Versailles Peace Conference,
however, those ambiguous pledges were
not redeemed Palestine and Mesopo-
tamia were handed over to Britain as
mandates of the newly-formed League
of Nations, while France got mandate
over Syria. The Arab Nationalist were
furious. In Syria, especially, the decis-
ions of the western powers were openly
defined and an Arab state was set up
under the kingship of the Emir Feisal,
son of the Shereef of Mecca. But this
Arab regime was quickly overthrown by
large French Army which routed King
Feisal after some stiff fighting and forced
him into exile.
French policy in their Syrian mandate
was based on the old maxim: divide and
rule" Deliberately playing upon his
! toric religious and racial differences,
Evening star., 1941-05-11
Bv Constantine BrOWn.

been a slight depression among the
masses. This depression might be trans
formed into an acute crisis if the British
armies in Egypt and in the Middle East
suffered major reVerSeS and no antldote
in the shape of some new hope for vic
tory were forthcoming from "other quar-
ters" And "other quarters" can mean
only the United States.
Prime Minister Churchill, his cabinet,
others in high positions and the educated
classes in England realize that the lease
lend assistance is of great Importance,
but this assistance short of war" is too
abstract for the man in the street and
the hundreds of thousands of English
men on the high seas. They cannot diff
ferentiate between gun purchased by
Great Britain for cash and gun given
under the lease-lend bill They can un-
derstand only that they are fighting
alone against the whole of Europe and
we are sitting on the sidelnes applauding
their courage and sacrifices.
Hitler is banking on the possibility that
Britain, finding the odds too great,
will give up. Through his agents he has
already indicated that he is still willing
| to be generous" toward the British peo-
| pie. 1t would pay the Reich to have the
| British as stewards of the colonies which
| would be in fact under the domination
| of the Reich. Further, it would be to the
Fuehrer's advantage to offer such terms
to the people of Great Britain" as to
induce the feet to remain in European
waters under the impression that it still
fulfills the role of guardian of the empire
which would exist in name only.
There are sufficient indications in the
hands of the authorities in Washington
to show what Herr Hitler's next step
would be if he curbed the British and
forced them into a negotiated peace"
It would be negotiated in name only. In
fact it would be dictated with the same
harshness that characterized the drawing
up of the armistice with France.
U. S. Would Be Next on List.
There is increasing evidence that Herr
Hitler will turn toward the United States
then and, with his most pleasant smile,
suggest an agreement which on the sur
face will have all the earmarks OF an ex-
cellent bargain. Europe needs everything
from the United States, the German
Chancellor and his accolytes in this coun-
try will say. Europe has been through
two years of devastating wars and needs
shoes, food, cloth, kitchen pans, electrical
equipment, steel and everything else the
American factories can produce. Europe
must purchase these things from this
country. The method of payment will be
something of a problem, but DR.. Schacht,
the financial wizard OF Germany, is al
ready preparing plans for juicy re-
ciprocal trade agreement.
Evening star., 1941-05-11
GERMAN PLANS TO SAP U. S. REVEALED
Scheme Declared to Require for War Appeosement

We have always declared that Europe's
wars are her own troubles and are OF no
interest to the people of this country.
This argument will be played up for all
1t is worth by the German propaganda.
We will be told that since there is peace
in Europe, why should we waste our ef-
forts and our money to mend situation
which can no longer be mended. We
will be told that the difference of opin-
ion between our democracy and the
European totalitarianism is an unim-
portant factor which should not prevent
two continents from doing remunerative
business with each other. And, further
to convince the people of the United
States that another period of prosperity
is Just around the corner, the Germans
will throw into the bargain the sugges-
ton of limitation of arms program
which would relieve the American tax
payer of the heavy taxes he will have to
pay in the future.
Tariff Reduction in Scheme.
The pressure, in the shape of economic
restriction, would follow only after one or
two years have elapsed. German pres
sure on South America would be in
| creased. A German victory is bound to
revitalize the German forces in the
Southern Hemisphere and it would not
take long to replace the present govern
ments sympathetic to the United States
with governments embracing the totali-
tartan doctrines.
This Is the appeasenent road which
will be opened to us within the next few
months Unless the Nazi leopard can
change his spots-and that is highly un-
likely while he is fed on victories and
triumphs-the consensus of all those
who have made it their business to study
this question thoroughly is that it would
be fatal to the people of this country to
take this road, much more fatal than a
long conflict with the powers which rep
resent the new doctrine.
The answer to this menace-according
to some authorities in Washington-is an
immediate change in our status from
non-b -belligerents to active participation
in the present conflict. Nobody has any
illusions about the consequences of such
a step. 1t will be long and dreary af-
fair in which we will have to pool all our
resources and all our efforts for a,good
many years. Nobody, on the other hand
not even the gloomiest pessimists, has
the slightest doubt that in the long run
we are bound to emerge victorious.
1t is probable that timely interven-
tion-and by timely is meant within the
next few weeks-will save the British
Isles. This would give us starting
point against the Reich. The occupation
Of some important strategic bases such
| q the Azores, the Canary Islands ane
Evening star., 1941-05-11

Now in complete possession of Greclan
peninsula, German and Italian forces
last week occupied additional islands in
Aegean and nearby waters to provide
potential bases for anticipated vigorous
air assault upon Crete, now the home
of Greek government and lying Strategl-
cally across pathway to Egypt.
No British naval interference to Axis
operations was reported, but New
Zealander was put in command OF
Greek British garrisons on Crete and
defending air units there claimed repulSe
of German raiders before scoring of
bombing damage.
On Thursday, however, British head
quarters in Cairo admitted that Nazi
flyers had blasted at canal works for
two hours on previous night, damaging
railroad facilities.
Meanwhile. hot desert winds raised
mile-high sandstorms in North Africa
to confine fighting in Tobruk and Salum
sectors to occasional air raids or patrol
skirmishes. Both British and Axis COM
muniques claimed successes and heavy
losses by enemy but British garrison
was still holding Tobruk, even though
under siege, and Axis penetration OF
Egypt had not passed Salum as week
ended
Evening star., 1941-05-11

The world war is developing with a
speed which exceeds all expectations.
Within the next few weeks we shall be
called on to make momentous decisions.
There are only two possibilities open to
rs: One is to become active belhger-
ents. The other is the long and decelVlng
road to "appeasement." Those VINO
have analyzed the present situation with
the utmost care are convinced that there
Is no third road to choose. 1t is either
a long war, which we are bound to win
In the end or the acceptance OF German
domination, at first concealed under a
velvet glove, but later seen in its full
terror.
Germany is powerful-there is no
question about it. She is, furthermore,
In a position to wage long war. her
strategy has been remarkable. At first
she took advantage of the faults OF the
cumbersome and slow-moving demo-
cratic machinery to defeat Europe and
deprive Britain of her last allies on that
continent. After having smashed through
the mountains of Macedonia ana
Rhodope in a much shorter time than
the most .pessimistic observers consid-
cred possible, she is now attempting 10
dismember the British Empire by at
tacking it in Africa and in the East.
Mediterranean Problem.
Although the fight is still in progress,
The probabilities are that the German
leeions will be able to conquer the
British in that section OF the world.
The Irao battle-Which will, in all likeh-
hood spread to the rest of Arabia-may
place Germany in the possession OF the
important oil fields of Mosul and deprive
the British Mediterranean naval force
of the oil supplies it had been getting,
since the outbreak of the war, from
Haifa-the pipeline head OF the Mosul
wells. The possible loss of Egypt would,
In the end, force Great Britain to With
draw its feet from the Mediterranean
whose shores are already, In one form OF
another. under German domination.
The Reich would be in position then
tn pounce on the British Isles with all
its military might.
Whether the Isles will be able to re-
sist the German onslaught, and for
how long. are matters which only the
future will tell The power OF resistance
of the British is being increased daily
by shipments from the United States
Towns are destroyed. factories are
bombed out of existence, airfields are
damaged, but as long as the British be-
lieve that they can win, they will stano
the brunt unflinchingly. And here comes
the question of the morale OF the popu'
lation.
Up to now 1t has been excellent. Blu
Il must be said in all candor that since
the debacle In the Balkans there ha'
Evening star., 1941-05-11

possibly a foothold in West Africa at
Dakar would further facilitate our future
task. But even if our intervention could
not save the isles, we could rely on the
British Fleets coming to the United
States and continuing to operate from
the bases in the Western Hemisphere.
Fleet Depends on Belligerency.
In spite of Premier Churchill's promise
that the fleet would come over here If
the worst should happen, the promises
of a political man these days have only
a relative value. Whether the crews of
the British men-of-war would be willing
to come to America depends more on
the fighting men themselves than on
their political leaders. 1t is doubtful
whether they would agree to leave Eng
land and come as refugees or merce-
naries to a country which is not at war
with their enemy. But there is no doubt
whatsoever in the minds of those who
know the spirit of the British Navy that
there will not be single detection in its
ranks if we are their associates in arms
should England be submerged.
This does not mean that the admins
tration has given up hope that the isles
can survive But such possibilities must
be taken into consideration when grave
decisions are being faced. While the
support short of war" cannot infame
the imagination Of the British tar, q
definite state of war on the side Of Great
Britain would unquestionably dispose o1
all the doubts which some have regard
ing the future attitude of the British
Navy. And there is no doubt that, avoid
ing the road to appeasement, we shall
need the British Navy badly to accom-
plish the operation the European de-
| mocracies 30 far have failed to perform
Evening star., 1941-05-11
On Home Front

In this country the progressive steps
toward greater and more vigorous aid
for Britain. perhaps to be climaxed by
o.. outrIs.- participation in the conflict,
were reflected in uu,.. ~-Ir and actions
First of the words were those Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt at Staunton last Sunday
when he described American faith in
democracy as the kind of faith for
which we have fought before and for
which we are ever ready to fight again"
While Mr.. Roosevelts words were gen.
eral in nature, more specific were his
instructions to Secretary of War Slim
son on Monday night that American pro-
duction of heavy airplane bombers be
stepped up by 10 times, to 500 per month,
in order that 'the democratic superiority
in the air be made absolute"
On Tuesday came one of the most out
spoken of series of cabinet pronounce
ments implying use of
Mr.. Stimson American armed forces
Speaks Out as Secretary Stimson
declared, IF today the
Navy should make secure the seas for
the delivery of our munitions TO Great
Britain, it will render as great a service
as it has ever rendered in all its
glorious history"
The Navy is always ready-readier
now than ever" Secretary of Navy Knox
remarked curtly the next day, announc-
ing at same time that all seagoing activi-
ties of Coast Guard are being taken
over by his feet.
On Capitol Hill, House rejected all
qualifications to legislation empowering
President to requisition foreign ships in
American ports, following administration
wishes that no strings be attached Sem
ate was reported considering restriction
against transfer of vessels to Britain.
Berlin protested seizure of Nazi ships.
Whole issue of American participation
in convoy protection was confused some-
what by figures given Senate by Mari.
time Commission Chairman Emory S.
Land that only eight out of 2O5 ships
F, clearing United States ports for England
! this year had been sunk. Later. as con-
voy foes seized upon these figures as in
| dicating no need of American feet pro-
lection, chairman explained his figures
were press reports, not official.
Cracking down on home front, JUS
tice Department began round up on
Wednesday of deportable aliens. starting
with 160 German sailors who have been
in this country since war began. And
on following day, first batch of Axis sea.
men found guilty of sabotaging ships in
American ports were sentenced to Jail.
Evening star., 1941-05-11
Fighting Sectors

Hardly more than guerrilla warfare,
but vitality important to British pros
poets for holding Suez and the entire
Mediterranean, is that under way in
Iraq as anti-British native forces be-
siesed empire air base at Habbaniyah
and temporarily at least cut oil pipe lines
to Palestine port of Haifa.
Directed by pro-German Premier Ras-
child Ali Al Gallant, Iraq artillery units
first attacked Habbaniyah 10 days ago
from commanding heights on all sides of
the port, 60 miles west of capital city
Of Baghdad.
AS this past week began, British base
was still under intermittent fire, but
aviation reinforcements
Jroo flown up from Basra, at head
Battle of Persian Gulf, were begin
ming to cut effectiveness Of
this assault. Countering, Royal Air
Force flyers also claimed destruction of
most of Iraq aviation strength.
At same time, Baghdad government
reported seizure of pipe line stations at
Rutba and consequent cutting of flow
to British supply base at Haifa, from
which most of Mediterranean fleet is
fueled. Rich oil fields of Northern Iraq
In Mosul section and of neighboring Iran
are vital to British in Mediterranean
and in somewhat lesser degree in Indian
Ocean. Perhaps to even greater degree,
however, their loss by British would be
of positive value to Axis-now dependent
Do1lI oh LOT ifol
small quantities which Soviet govern
ment will permit to be exported.
Mediation proffers were made to both
sides of conflict early in week by
Egyptian and Turk governments, but
there was no immediate official reaction
as each side insisted informally on re-
moval of opposing troops.
BY Wednesday British headquarters
claimed siege of Habbaniyah had been
broken by forced withdrawal of 1raq
artillery from some of its commanding
positions under counterfire of British
howitzers flown in from Basra. On same
day it was further claimed that pipe
line control had been regained and fuel
flow resumed.
Although Nazi influence was credited
largely with instigating Iraq attack upon
British, no German as
British sistance to Baghdad fight
Victory ing forces was reporleo
throughout week and Brit
ish were said to be plotting return of
friendly political regime to control. Re-
ports of such political turn were fire.
ouent but unconfrmed near end of week.
Fitting into grand strategy, OF which
1raq intriguing is part, is Axis squeeze
on Suez Canal and Alexandria, capture
or destruction of which would force Brit
ish out of eastern end of Mediterranean
and probably out of entire sea.
Evening star., 1941-05-11

At sea, German submarines and tor
pedo-carrying planes continued to tear
at Britains North Atlantic supply lines
to this hemisphere but figures on ton
mage lost were conflicting and overlap
ping.
Largest single attack upon British
shipping, however, was claimed by Rome
after Mediterranean encounter in which
Fascist planes reported hits on two bat
tleShips an aircraft carrier, two cruisers
and three merchantmen under convoy.
The British fatty denied damage.
Important to British movements at sea
was Friday report that German surface
raider had been caught and destroyed
in Indian Ocean.
Evening star., 1941-05-11
Wars 18Th Week
Bv John G.. Henry

Savage fighting was under way
last week on several far-flung
fronts-in the air over Britain, in
North Africa, in Iraq-but there
seemed no developments more i'm
portant and momentous than the
deepening war-mindedness discern
ible in utterances and activities on
this side of the Atlantic. About all
the fighting and the words there
was an overtone of flnality, impli-
cations that a climax of this world
war Is not far off.
Evening star., 1941-05-11
Behind the Lines

Three major political developments oc-
Cured or were under way during past
week
Appearing in dark hour before House
of Commons, Britaln's Churchill won
convincing vote of confidence for his
government by count of 447 to 3-1is op-
ponents consisting of one Communist,
one Socialist and one Laborite. On
strength of this vote, Prime Minister
asserted "I do not propose to make any
Evening star., 1941-05-11

seaborne trade Apay in the past Russia has reacted NO
of this gateway untendly poDer
Baltic Black Sea- Russia has common oorder
that
the future OF their friendship
poWer seized by Rashid al
moued quickly defend
the oil for her Mediterranean fleet The
Iraoi turned guns positions
-Map Associated
Evening star., 1941-05-11

Gibraltar, key Mediterranean. EUen Britain
based Gibraltar could prevent
ported from reaching Germany MarSelle.
key to the East Mediterranean Bans
based here has harad the Ar everywhere the ater in this
area Continued domination
UeStern UOrld In Ger
The Daily Alaska empire., 1941-07-07
LEAVES ON DENALI

eaving on the Denali Saturday, Mrs Pauline Petrich went to Ket- chikan where she will visit friends. She expects to remain for about two weeks
The Daily Alaska empire., 1941-07-07
DENIAL BRINGS 15FR0M WISH:
 8 LEAVE HERE

Decking in Juneau Saturday af- ternoon at o'clock the Denali, southbound, had aboard IS passen- gers for Juneau, as follows:
 From Seward-Mr. and Mrs. P. F. Clarean, E. G. Easterly, M. C.. James, William Harvey, Peter Jor- donoff, John McCay.
 From Skagway-Elinor Dusenbury, Lynn Gemmill, Lucille Gemill, Mrs. E. V. Jenny, George Lockman, Mrs. George A. Lockman.
 From Haines-Roy Brendible, Miss L. B. Horner.
 The Denali sailed south at o'clock with 39 Juneau passengers for Se- attle. Ketchikan, and Petersburg, as follows:
 Fer Seattle Doris McEachran, Mrs. V. J. Newell, Virgil Newell, Gerold Mclaughlin. Gilbert Moi, Billy McCann, George Milbo, H. J. Armstrong, Peggy A. Dick, Mrs F. c. Huebnor, Mrs. Corrine Call, Henry tO7aWa, Mrs. Jchn Clark. John H. Clark, B. L. Kerns, Harold Becker, Dorothy Heil, Orah Dee Clark, Will liam McLaren, MT. and Mrs. William J. Markle, Marjorie Johnson, Will liam Harvey, Peter Jordanoff, Sally