davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-12-07
BY GEORGE HARRISON.
BY Gable to The Star and North American
Newspaper Alliance.

BY Cable to The Star and North American
Newspaper Alliance.
AT A BRITISH PORT, Dec. g.
Far away in the Atlantic q British
rescue ship. her sickbays crowded
with injured survivors from mer-
chant craft previously sunk by u
boats, was bombed, set on fire and
lost.
I was aboard the convoy escort
ship which raced to her aid that
sunny autumn morning. 1t was
hours before we reached her. Long
before that we could see the tower
ing pail of smoke which reached its
fingers into the sky from her blazing,
doomed hulk.
The sea around her was dotted
with tiny RATS and boats. Each
of them injured We saved them
all-all. that is. of those who sur
vived the first blast OF Hun horror.
the BOMBS: all too. who lived when
the aircraft, sweeping low over the
helpless men, viciouSlV machined-
gunned them as they tried to save
their badly injured mates, as British
seamen always will.
Riddled Boats Sank.
Some of the boats, riddled by
machine-gun bullets. sank when
they were lowered. Burned, shat
tered, agonized men fell into the
sea from them. Their shipmates
went in after them. dragged them
aboard RATS, tied handkerchiefs or
bits of odd cloth round their wounds,
cheered ttem up, told them, "the
navy'u soon be here!'
That was something of the scene
when We tore through the waves to
bring succor.
have seen much of this war at
sea. But. for the first time, I can
not bring myself to face the task
of trying TO describe to you in the
ordinary way the heroism I wit
messed on this Atlantic trip.
Fortunately I kept a diary. record
ing the dav-to-day happenings
Here it is. with only the names of
ships and points affecting our ships
future safety detected from it.
First day-Convoy all serene and
in order. Off we gol
Second daytime sighted floating
just of convoy route. Sunk by rifle
fire
Third day-One of the escorts
reported submarine. Destroyer
ordered to investigate. No luck.
Sight Burning Ship.
Fourth day-Soon after lunch
sighted a burning merchant ship
on the horizon, with another stand
ing by her picking up survivors.
We asked if more help was needed,
but they said they were OK.
Early evening-Patrolling aircraft
spotted submarine about a dozen
miles off. In the dusk escorts tore
off to attack Some time later,
although we were far away. I heard
the bumps of depth charges as I
sat in the Wardroom. Escorts re-
joined us.
Same night-A destroyer reported
torpedo attack on her, or at least
that two torpedoes had narrowly
missed her. We went to help de-
stroyer search for the Boche. Black
night. I could see nothing further
than the ship rail as I stood on
deck. We found no trace of Jerry.
Fifth and sixth days-All quiet.
Captain estimates that about a
dozen U-boats are hunting for us
now.
Go After U-Boat.
Seventh day-Late afternoon.
Aircraft signaled to us that U-boat
had been sighted on the surface
some miles distant. It had crash
Evening star., 1941-12-07
Beun Game Nets Fines

Seventy-four gamblers were fined
at a single court session in Shanghai,
China, for playing Tsah Tan, q
Chinese game in which beans are
used. All were arrested in one hotel
on Avenue Edward VII. Fines ranged
from $40 to $500.
Evening star., 1941-12-07
$4,000 Orders Received
For Christmas Seals

More than $4,000 orders by mail
for Christmas seals have been re-
ceived in the first week of the
seal sale in the District, Paul D
Sleeper. chairman of the sale, an
nounced yesterday Booths in stores
and banks have also made a large
amount Of sales, Mr.. Sleeper said
Among the contributors are busi-
ness houses, clubs, organizations
trade unions, embassies and lega-
tions and many individuals. it was
announced. More than 500 con-
tributors, who have registered as
members of the District of Columbia
tuberculosis Associat ton. are eligible
to vote at the next annual meet
ing for the election Of directors
about April l.
Evening star., 1941-12-07
90-Doy Tanker to Go
Down Ways Dec. 81

A tanker built in 80 days will be
launched on New Year Eve from
the Fore River plant of the Beth
lehem Steel Co.. the Navy an
nounced today. Actually, work is
scheduled to be completed on De-
cenber 81, but the ship will be held
on the ways two days to await fa-
vorable tides.
The ship is known as Hull 1491,
and workers at the launching will
wear buttons bearing the notice:
"91 in 90 days" The speed OF the
construction is a part of the COM
pany's acceptance OF Secretary
Rnox's appeal for competition
among ahipbuilders.
Evening star., 1941-12-07

ME Briggs, incumbents, vice presi.
dents; Mrs. Hale Sehorn, secretary,
and Mrs. Carlton Browning, treas
urer.
Evening star., 1941-12-07
British Seomen Display Incredible Heroism
As Nuzis Bomb and Sink Rescue Ship

This dramatic story OF the sink
ing OF British rescue ship in the
North Atlantic By a German sub
marine 1raS ,Uritten by corre-
Spondent of the London Sunday
paper. the NelCS OF The World,
in Which it 1UaS published.
Evening star., 1941-12-07
Exhibits Cheap Fuel

An Exhibition in Buenos Aires.
Argentina, demonstrated how to use
wood, bran, Indian corn and other
cheap products as fuel
Evening star., 1941-12-07
Go After U-Boat.

Seventh day-Late afternoon.
Aircraft signaled to us that U-boat
had been sighted on the surface
some miles distant. 1t had crash
Evening star., 1941-12-30
The Test BIuckout

The success or failure of the test
blackout which will be held in the
District tonight will be determined in
large measure by the extent to which
the residents cooperate with the au-
thorities, and it is to be hoped that
each member of the community will
assume a personal responsibility for
making the experiment a success.
The purpose underlying this test is
a vital one. Only by the trial and
error method can defects in the
blackout system be discovered and
corrected in advance of an actual air
raid. To discover defects, however,
it Is essential that the test blackout
be conducted in realistic fashion,
with every participant performing
as he or she would perform If the
city actually we're attacked.
1t is for this reason that the au-
thorities have asked for the fullest
cooperation from the public. BY
responding to this appeal without
reservation, the people of Washing
ton can do their bit toward perfect
ing their city's afraid defenses and
insuring their own safety if enemy
bombers should ever reach the Ma
tion's Capital.
Evening star., 1941-12-30
War Metals

In urging the need for seeking new
sources of strategic metals in this
country, Kirtley F. Mather of Har-
ward has sounded a warning that is
particularly timely in view of Japan's
attempt to conquer the Philippines,
the Dutch East Indies and British
Malaga. The United States is de-
pendent upon imports for large
proportion of some of these metals,
he pointed out in an interview at the
meeting of the Geological Society Of
America. If the war is long one,
more and more of our outside sources
will probably be cut off and the
United States will thus face short
age of essential materials.
Nearly two-thirds of the worlds
tin is mined in British Malaga and
the Netherlands East Indies. Because
of the war in the Far East, the
United States no longer can count
with any assurance on future imports
from this area. Though arrange
ments have been made to secure
some tin ore from Bolivia. to be
smelted here, these shipments VIII
Evening star., 1941-12-30

His studies, he declares, make 1t ap-
parent that in some mountains the
glaciers of closely adjoining peak regions
can advance or retreat either with
general increase or general decrease of
the temperature Of the earth'S atmos-
phere."
A great deal, he points out, depends
on local conditions of cloudineSs, pre-
vailing winds, etc With an increase in
precipitation due to an increasing tenn
perature, ice certainly would pile up on
the high mountains even In temperate
climates. But, under appropriate con-
ditions, the total cloudiness would pre-
vent melting and glaciers would over
whelm the lowlands.
Certain southern regions such as West
Patagonia, Fuego and New Zealand, he
points out, are characterized by cool
summers and warm winters. AT the
mouth of the Straits of Magellan today
snowfall at sea level is rare exc Dtion
and the average annual temperature is
considerably above freezing.
However, glaciers descend from the
mountains to the sea. Some of the
glacier tongues lie in the middle of
nearby tropical forests of tree ferns,
bamboo grasses and evergreen beeches.
This situation might well be exaggerated
with an increase Of temperature.
Evening star., 1941-12-30
Too Late

A little more than year ago The
Star published on this page letter
to William Allen White which had
been written by General Douglas
Macarthur who was then engaged
in organizing the defenses of the
Philippine Islands. The letter, as
subsequent events have shown, was
both a warning and prophecy. To
a large extent the warning was ig-
nored, with the result that much of
the disastrous consequence which
General Macarthur foresaw has
come to pass.
Thus, the advantage which might
have been ours has been permitted
to slip away, but the burden OF the
message still has for us most vital
significance-a significance which
has grown with adversely 1t is late,
but not too late to salvage our missed
opportunity, provided we are pre-
pared now to take to heart the warn
ing in the following reproduction OF
General MacArthur's letter:
"You have asked my military opin-
ion as to whether the time has come
for America to give continued and
further aid to England in the fight
for civilization. The history of fail
ure in war can almost be summed up
in two words: Too late. Too late in
comprehending the deadly purpose
of a potential enemy; too late in
realizing the mortal danger; too late
in preparedness; too late,in uniting
all possible forces for resistance; too
late in standing with ones friends.
Victory in war results from no mys-
terious alchemy or wizardry but de-
pends entirely upon the concentra-
ton Of superior force at the critical
points of combat. To face an ad-
versary In detail has been the prayer
Of every conqueror in history. 1t is
the secret of the past successes of
the Axis powers in this war. 1t is
their main hope for continued and
ultimate victory. The greatest stra-
tegical mistake in all history will be
made if America fails to recognize
the vital moment, If she permits
again the writing of that fatal epi-
taph: Too late. Such co-ordinated
help as may be regarded as proper
by our leaders should be synchronized
with the British effort so that the
English-speaking peoples of the
world will not be broken in detail
The vulnerability of singleness will
disappear before unity of effort. Not
too late, not tomorrow, but today"
Evening star., 1941-12-30
Medical Note

Physicians-and others-recently
have taken note of peculiar malady
in Europe which for want of better
title may be called the Nazi blues.
1t seems to be of general distribution,
or, to put it more clearly, generals are
the main victims. Four or five OF
the most prominent ones have been
knocked out by it. No real cure is in
sight, but these officers obtain tenn
porary and partial relief by outright
dismissal, or dismissal not too clever
ly camouflaged as resignation.
There are two forms of the disease,
the arctic and the tropic. In the
arctic variety, prevalent in Russia,
the spirits follow the temperature
below zero, and a blank white waste
appears before the eyes, with annoy
ing spots which later turn out to be
hordes of Red soldiers, inducing the
distressing symptoms OF cold feet
and retreats. In the tropic variety,
prevalent in Libya, the sufferers get
all hot and bothered and are in even
greater distress because they cannot
get the comparative relief of re-
treats, due to the fact that wherever
they try to go they are heading to-
ward, and not away from, the cause
of their difficulty.
Evening star., 1941-12-30

fall far short Of meeting our normal
requirements. Domestic production
of tin, at present, is practically
negligible. With scientific prospect
ing, Mr.. Mather believes, new sources
of tin can be uncovered. In view OF
the possible shortage, such an effort
seems we'll worth while.
In the past Spain has been large
supplier of mercury, metal used in
depth charges and demolition bombs.
This country produces some mer-
curry, and the Geological Survey is
now seeking to develop additional
supplies in the mountains Of Cali
fornia and Nevada. BY putting un-
used mines to work, and prospecting
for new deposits, there is good reason
to believe that the United States can
be made less dependent on imports
for other metals, such as manganese,
of vital Importance to the success of
the war effort.
A greater measure Of self-suf1-
cheney in strategic metals would
strengthen the war potential Of the
United States and remove one vul-
nerable point in our defensive armor.
1t is to be hoped, therefore, that
Federal agencies will intensity and
widen their search for additional
domestic sources of war metals.
Evening star., 1941-12-30

Japanese schools, Japanese stores
and even Japanese flags proclaiming
its nationality and practically con-
trolled the supply of hemp for the
United States Navy.
The Philippine government occa-
sionally promised to do something
about the situation and the Filipino
politicians often debated the Davao
issue pro and con-but without doing
anything to get rid of the japanese.
The fear frankly was expressed that
to attempt to take away illegally held
lands from the japanese might pre-
cipitate an incident" with Japan
which it was considered best to avoid
Philippine government officials would
privately shake their heads with
foreboding, but publicly they would
discount the menace" in Davao.
People have been saying for long
time that the day would come when
the Japs would take over Mindanao.
Certainly no one can say now that
their coming was unexpected.
Evening star., 1941-12-30
National Proyer

1t is to be hoped that the whole
people of the United States will
heed President Roosevelt's request
for the observance of January l "as
a day of prayer, of asking forgive
ness for our shortcomings of the
past, of conservation to the tasks
of the present, of asking Gods help
in days to come"
The Nation never has been strong
save when its citizens have been
reverent. For such an affirmation
there is ample evidence In the writ
ten chronicles of America from the
moment Of it's discovery up to the
contemporary hour. Mr.. Roosevelt
had the mandate of noble tradition
for his proclamation. 1t is plainly
evident, as he said, that "the New
Year of 1912 calls for the courage
and resolution of young and old to
help win a world struggle in order
that we may preserve all we hold
dear" His predecessors in seasons
of bitter trial called upon the null
titudes to petition for Divine mercy.
Had he wished, he might have quoted
the humble confession Of Abraham
Lincoln who, when the Union was
threatened with dissolution, told his
friends: II have been driven many
times to my knees, by the over
whelming conviction that I had
nowhere else to CO." A similar in
stinct sustained George Washington
at Valley Forge in the desperate
winter Of 1777. The same hope and
confidence had prompted Captain
John Smith to build a church at
Jamestown in 1907 and moved the
Mayflower passengers to bind them
selves In a compact "for the general
good Of the colony" and 1.-The glory
OF God and the advancement Of the
Christian faith" in 1920.
It is but the simple truth that
civilization in the Western Hemi-
sphere has been established and
maintained in religion from its start.
II it is to survive, it must be by the
power Of Providence working through
individuals devotedly and coura-
geously working together. AS Guizot,
the great French statesman and
historian, declared, che who believes
in God cannot but have recourse to
Him and to pray to Him" The logic
of the President is clear when he
reminds the millions who look to
him for leadership in the prevailing
crisis that the intervention of the
Deity is needed that this people
may be humble in spirit but strong
in the conviction Of the right; stead
fast to endure sacrifices, and brave
to achieve victory OF liberty and
peace"
The City Of Washington especially
should set an example to the country
at large in the act of worship to
which Mr.. Roosevelt refers. In an
ticipation Of the eventual triumph
of freedom and justice, the Nations
Capital-every patriot soul in it
should join in prayer at the opening
of year which is ominous Of fateful
happenings unless the appeal to the
Almighty Father of the universe be
heard and deservedly granted.
Evening star., 1941-12-30
A Reasonable Request

In asking the President to defer
the removal from Washington Of
any Federal agency until more
complete investigation can be made
of the necessity for such a step, the
joint congressional committee con-
cerned with this matter has made
what seems to be a wholly reasonable
request.
The joint committee, through
Senator McCarran and Representa-
tive Randolph, has pointed out that
all efforts to get at the facts under
lying the proposed transfers have
been unavailing. When the commit
tee met last week to consider the
matter, the witness representing the
executive branch of the Govern
ment proved unwilling or unable to
supply facts which the committee
deemed essential to an intelligent
appraisal of the necessity for or the
wisdom of the proposed moves.
Following this unsuccessful hear
ing, the committee asked William E.
Reynolds, commissioner Of public
buildings, for information relevant
to the transfers. But, as Senator
McCarran and Representative Ran
dolph pointed out in their letter
requesting postponement of action,
the information has not been forth
coming, and the subcommittee ap-
pointed to take the matter up with
the President has been denied facts
essential to the taking of IAN in
telligent approach" to the problem.
Whatever the validity of the as
serted need for space occupied by
non-defense agencies, 1t does not
appear that there is any justification
for the arbitrary and secretive man
ner in which their eviction is being
sought. 1t is to be hoped that the
President, in the light of the joint
committees complaint, will instruct
his subordinates to make the facts
available so that the joint commit
tee and others with a legitimate
interest in the matter may at least
be given an opportunity to advance
intelligent suggestions for some
alternative solution of the space
problem.
Evening star., 1941-12-30
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. TraceUeH.

great sparrow clans) are not overpartlal
to seeds and grains, as used in bird
feeding mixtures, they will eat them,
| of course.
They are somewhat shy about coming
to feeding stations. Often they do not
like to dispute the perches with other
birds But if there are common spar
rows present, as there often are, these
make them feel entirely at home.
A male or female cardinal, too, will
help along this line, since they also be-
long to the tribe.
The purple finches will come wherever
|. there are cardinals.
They usually will not stay very long.
| The observer must not expect them to
hang around for days. They have busi-
ness in the far North
Il
| Suburban residents interested in wild
life should pay particular attention dur
ing the winter to the possibility of having
quail on snowy days
Often snow is not necessary to bring
them out of the woods and fields toward
inhabited areas, where they like to browse
around beneath shrubs and along hedges.
Usually they are wary. They come
into yard in a single line, often as
many as a dozen, and go out of it in
the same way, like Indians. This is a
sight very much worth while, but it may
be missed unless one keeps a weather
eye open for such happenings. 1t is not
very likely that the quail will come to
the regular bird feeding station. Evil
IDENTIFY they do not feel secure there. A
handful Of grain and corn sprinkled
vided the small birds have not eaten
1t all up beforehand.
Sometimes these roaming bands of
quail seem quite perverse in going into
the wrong yard. They will shy away
from the garden where feeding is going
on, to enter the yard where never a
crumb is put out. This cannot be helped
The mere sight of the quail will have
to do for the bird lover.
Winter days also bring wild rabbits
which are always welcomed by the
persons who believe that natures sight:
are we'll worth noting.
Surely no one would begrudge the
rabbits the little bark they eat at thi!
time. They seldom do any real damage
We have tried putting out specia
rabbit food" for them, but have never
had a one Of them pay any attention Il
it. although it contained alfalfa meal
We deducted from this, not that th,
rabbit food" was not good but that tht
animals had sources of food which the,
liked better, even when snow lay on th'
ground.
The main concern of the animal frienc
should be the birds. Even small hand
outs of bread, from time to time ar
greatly welcomed.
In catering to their wants. one shoult
be sure to put out shallow pans of waite
in the afternoon. preferably in the sur
and try to place sand or other grit.
material (ashes are better than nothing
where it is accessible to the wildbird
which winter with us.
Evening star., 1941-12-30
Return to Base

(To Pilot Officer John G. Magee, jr., c.
A: r, killed in action over Britain, De-. r
II, 1941)
You turned your plane into TIE
SilUered blue
OF endless daWn, and as you sped
along,
AboUe the clouds Uhere neUer eagle
feW,
You heard ,Uith bursting heart the
crystal song
The morning stars first sang, beheld
the glO1O
OF riSed light that bade the dark
ness flee;
You passed each starry outpost,
Skirred the fOlD
OF silent seas of lapiS ldsuH,;
On, on beyond the amethyStine peaks
Before the 1Uhite shores OF the time
less land,
Came in upon the beam that each
soul seeks,
And knelt, and bowed your head
beneath His hand.
ANN WOOD MURRAY.
Evening star., 1941-12-30
Duvuo

While the dispatches do not make
clear the situation in Davao, a city
in a province of the same name IN
Southeastern Mindanao, 1t may be
taken for granted that the japanese
will use every available means at
their disposal to gain possession OF
this highly important base for future
opera tions. An attempt to subdue
the American post and garrison OF
Zamboanga, on the other side OF
Mindanao, naturally would begin
here. And Davao is strategically
important, not only as 1t relates to
the Philippines, but because OF its
proximity to the Dutch and British
possessions.
The attempt at military occupa-
ton of Davao is in its initial stages
and will be stubbornly resisted. But
the fact Is that japanese civilian
occupation of the city and province
was completed years ago. The city
was. in effect, a japanese city; Japa-
nese infltration was permitted
through a policy Of appeasement,
under American and later Philippine
sovereignty, that began long before
Munich gave the word new signifi-
canoe. The policy was dictated, IN
the main, by the same reluctance to
ruffle the feelings of the japanese
that resulted in the failure ade-
quately to fortify Guam.
When the fierce Moros of Mindanao
finally were subdued after the Span
ish-American War, many American
soldiers were encouraged to remain
in the islands by grants of homestead
sites in lush and bountiful Mindanao
-southernmost and second largest
of the group Partially to get away
from the Moros, these American
pioneers settled around the Gulf OF
Davao. They carved plantations
from the wilderness and began the
cultivation of abaca, or hemp, finest
fiber for rope-making, which seems
to grow better in the Philippines thar
anywhere else in the world.
When the first World War shot the
price of hemp to new high levels II
1916, the japanese, with plenty o1
cash, began to arrive and gradually
to acquire ownership or control OF the
land, despite Philippine land law:
which prohibit ownership of land b!
any except Americans and FlllplnoS
or to corporations in which the ma
jority stock is not held by these ma,
tionals. The laws were evaded ane
violated by the industrious, hard
working Japanese through conniv
ance with the lawful but less am
bilious land owners. The japanese
poured money and colonistS into th'
region until they achieved It's eco
nomic domination, building f1n'
highways and railroads over which
they hauled hardwood from the for
ests for shipment to Japan. The!
made a japanese city Of Davao, Will