davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-02-27
Swedish Minister Contests
Stowe Story on Scandinavia
Bostrom Cites Arms, Munitions and Men
Sent to Aid Firms in War With Russiu

Army, all completely armed,
equipped, uniformed and paid from
Sweden, and all led by Swedish Off
GERS. CAS- a comparison it could be
mentioned that according to official
figures during the whole civil war
in Spain-two and one-half years
not more than 12,545 foreigners from
Sd countries enlisted in the Loyalist
forceSD
About 200 Swedish doctors and
400 nurses worked in Finland dur
Ing the war.
More than 1,200 Swedish laborers
joined the Volunteer Labor Brigades
which from the middle of February
until the beginning of last fall took
part in building new defense works
in Finland.
| In gifts-in money and in kind
the Swedish people raised nearly
16O,O0O000 kronor, equaling some
$4O,OOOO0O. In credits and deliv-
cries of war materials, the Finnish
government actually received from
the Swedish government about 1877
100000 kronor, thus raising the fig
ures of Swedish aid to Finland to
some 36OOOO,0OO kronor, equaling
$9O,OOO,0OO.
Willing to Make Sacrifices.
In order to give a concrete idea
of what these figures mean, beg to
mention that the population of
Sweden is less than per cent of
that of the United States. For a
country the size of the United States
the corresponding figures would be
175000 volunteers, 1000 doctors,
5000 nurses, $4,000 voluntary lab
orerS, $80O,0O0,000 in gifts and ST.
OOO,OO0,OO0 in credits. This would
show the relative extent of Swedish
aid to Finland SO far as statistical
data is concerned.
From the Finnish side it has been
repeatedly recognized that the
Swedish aid was of great impor-
tance and that it probably decisively
enabled Finland to carry out her
heroic fight for her freedom. That
aid to Finland was not given by the
Swedish people hesitatingly or as a
means to escape shedding its own
blood. Every impartial observer
knows that the Swedish people dur
ing those fateful months were will
ing to make every sacrifice and en-
dure every hardship which the gov
ernment could have asked of them
for the cause of Finland and the
freedom of the North.
German Action Threatened.
Mr.. Stowe thinks that two Swedish
divisions sent to Finland would have
resulted in the collapse of the Soviet
Union. I have the greatest respect
for the Swedish Army and I think
it is quite possible that two divi-
sionS of Swedish soldiers could have
considerably strengthened and pro-
longed the Finnish resistance. I
am perfectly convinced, however,
that the political consequences of
such open intervention would have
caused both Finland and Sweden
more harm than the immediate
military advantage of their appear
ance at the Finnish front.
There can be no doubt that
Swedish intervention would have
Evening star., 1941-02-27

forces in Norway. Having within q
few days after April 8 completed the
mobilization of all her defense forces
Sweden stubbornly maintained hel
neutrality and integrity. How ac-
lively the neutrality was guarded
during the campaign in Norway and
afterward is shown by such a fact
that from April 9 and down to last
November more than 40 foreign wal
airplanes were shot down or forced
to land on Swedish territory.
Mr.. Stowe has a very pessimistic
view of Sweden's present situation
He pictures Sweden as politically
and morally subjugated by its pow
erful southern neighbor. Mr.. Stowe
left Sweden more than nine months
ago and I doubt whether he has
bothered to obtain reliable infor-
nation about Sweden and the other
Scandinavian countries since then
Sweden Now Prepared.
How would he otherwise reconcile
his words describing Sweden's inde-
pendence as a hollow Sepulchre with
the fact that Sweden still maintains
the highest military preparedness?
Does he know that the Swedish
frontiers day and night are guarded
by vigilant armies, we'll trained, and
well equipped, by steadily increas-
ing air force, and by navy which
has grown In absolute and rela-
tive strength for every week that
passes by?
Highest Swedish authorities have
repeatedly stressed that Sweden has
one aim in its foreign policy-to
maintain the independence and
centurles-old democratic freedom of
the country. AS recently as jan
uary 10 the Swedish Foreign Minis
ter warned everybody about specu-
lations concerning the new order In
Europe and Sweden's position there
in.
Without complaint and In a mag
nificent spirit of national unity
and calm determination, the Swed-
ish people have assumed the bur-
denS for the defense OF its 1ndepend-
ence. During the current fiscal year,
for instance, more than 2,400 900 900
kronor. equaling 500 for each man,
woman and child, will be spent for
national defense, and for the next
year, the government has asked the
Riksdag to appropriate similar
amounts for the same purpose.
To Fight Any Aggressor.
have not the slightest doubt that
the Swedish people will fight to the
utmost against every aggressor who
would try to make an attempt on
Sweden's freedom and integrity. An
attack on Sweden now would neces-
sarily become major operation and
every aggressive power will have to
calculate whether the eventual re-
suit will be worth the costs. / should
like to add that at various occasions
the close collaboration with Fin
Evening star., 1941-02-27
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
In yesterdays issue of The Star
Mr.. Leland Stowe painted a picture
of the Swedish people and theil
reaction toward the war, particular
ly during the RuSSo-FinniSh Strug-
gle, that I feel compelled to charac-
terize as highly unjuStified and apt
to mislead the American opinion
about my country.
Although Mr.. Stowe claims to look
upon Swedish and Northern prob
lens without emotion and with
all the restraint that the facts will
permit" his story is, in my opinion
a typical example of emotional
thinking. The main thesis of Mr.
Stowe seems to be that the Swedish
people, having grown soft by ma
terialistic selfishness and short
sighted pacifism, simply refused to
fight when Finland was attacked by
the Soviet Union, that Sweden by
open intervention in Finland could
have brought along the collapse of
Russia, the tying up of Germany
at a north European front and thus
also could have prevented the in
vaSion of the Low Countries and
the defeat of France. 1t is difficult
to argue against a man who thinks
so highly of the capacity of a people
of six million to turn the whole
current of history, and shall there
fore only give some few facts in
order to explain what Sweden
actually has done.
Unable to Intervene Openly.
When Russia attacked Finland on
November 80, 1889, the reorganiza-
ton of Sweden's defense forces, be-
gun in 1886, was not completed.
Confronted with the fact that Ger
many, since the end of August, 1899,
had entered a policy of close COL
laboration with the Soviet Union and
certainly would have with all means
opposed an open Swedish interven-
ton with armed forces in Finland,
the Swedish government felt COM
PEELED to abstain from such action.
At the same time, however, it decided
that all possible aid and assistance
should be given and that every effort
by the Swedish people to support the
Finnish brother nation should be
encouraged.
That assistance, which Mr.. Stowe
apparently finds quite negligible and
worthless, could be characterized
with some dry figures. Since the
outbreak of the hoStilities Sweden
sent to Finland 10000 rifles and light
machine guns, 100000 rounds of
ammunition, rs anti-tank guns, $50
other guns of all caliberS, including
several heavy ones; complete equip
ment for six field artillery battalions
of three batteries each, large quanti-
ties of ammunition and an undis-
closed number of bombing and pur-
suit planes. 1t should be recalled
that more than tWo-thirds Of those
war materiels were delivered during
the first six weeks of the war in
Finland, representing the only sup
plies of war materielS that Finland
got from abroad during those critical
weeks
$500 Swedish Volunteers.
Furthermore, some $500 Swedish
volunteers enlisted in the Finnish
Evening star., 1941-02-27

brought along an immediate Ger
man reaction. From German side
1t has been made clear most au-
thoritatively that such intervention
and above all the passage of allied
troops through Sweden to Finland
would have resulted in a German
attack on Sweden. About the final
outcome of such an attack nobody
could have definite idea.
Everybody may admit, I think,
that the prospects of a Swedish
Finnish fight against both Russia
and Germany would not have been
too bright, and that it could hardly
be expected of a nation of 5000, 900
deliberately to provoke such a situ-
alton. One thing is certain-SWeden
would have been compelled to with
draw her aid, and Finland in. all
probability would have obtained no
help at all.
Firms Never Accepted Allied Aid.
In this connection I want to re-
call the fact that Finland never
decided to accept an allied inter-
vention. 1t should also be remem-
bered that although the war in
Finland broke out November 80,
1899, the allied powers did not ask
Norway and Sweden for permission
to transit troops to Finland until
March 2, 1910. I should also like
to quote a statement made by the
then Finnish Prime Minister, the
present President, Mr.. Risto Ryti in
a speech March IA, where he said:
THE first batch of allied troops
would have reached the front, pro-
vided normal transport could have
been maintained, not earlier than
the end of April, and the strength
OF the troops then arriving would
have been so small as to have been
insufficient even to make up for the
casualties our own army would
have suffered in the meantime BY
accepting this help, however, we
would have been drawn into the
world war;
1t could be added that according
to official French and British sources,
the eXpeditionary force would not
have exceeded $4,000 men.
What later happened in Norway
seems to me, furthermore, as suf1-
cient evidence that the allied powers
were not prepared and not in a
position at that time to bring either
Finland or, eventually, Sweden any
substantial military aid. Mr.. Stoves
optimism about Sweden's possibility
to turn the tide of the whole world
war appears to be far from the harsh
realities of those months.
Strict Neutrality Observed.
During the campaign in Norway,
Sweden. having adopted a policy
of strict neutrality in the war be-
tween the great countries, repeatedly
rejected strong German demands for
passage Of troops and war materials
through Sweden to the German
Evening star., 1941-02-27

land has been stressed as a main
feature in Swedish foreign policy.
1t is hard for. me to understand
why the effort of my people to
maintain their independence and
democratic way of life should not
be greeted with sympathy in this
country. At least I think we are
entitled to be judged in the light
of facts. Sweden has nothing to
hide and is quite sure that the
American people, rightly informed,
will not deny us their understanding
w. BOSTROM, Swedish Minister.
Evening star., 1941-02-27
5000 Reds Reported
Ambushed in China
b the Associated Press

b the Associated Press.
SHANGHAI, Feb. 27. - Domei
Japanese news agency reported to-
day that Generalissimo Chang Kai-
shek's 39th Army had ambushed g.
600 Chinese Communist troops yes
terday near Hweihsien, Northern
Honan Province, and disarmed them
after sharp fighting.
Other clashes between Chiangs
forces and Communist units were
said to have taken place in Shansi
and ShenSi Provinces.
Evening star., 1941-02-27
EVENING CLOTHES

1907 $3.50 S. and D. 3. Tuxedos, all
sizes S2i.75
(4) $1,000 Full Dress Suits sizes 40
short, SO ond 40 long, "A stout---Sz5.oo
CD $500 Full Dress Suit, SO stout--Sl5. 90
90 $500 S. B. Tuxedos, "a, IS, 48
reg. o.------------,--.---sIs.oo
(e) $1,000 Single Breasted Tuxedos,
sizes IS reg, IS. SO, 81, SO short,
81, 38, 40 $500
(6) S45.O0 Cutowoy Coots and Vests,
sizes 36, 81, SO ree., 38, 40 long, $3.50
Balance Entire Stock Full Dress Salts.
Were to 5000 -. Nor S2I75 to S387S.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-13
After All These Years

It took years for a Republican-dom- mated Legislature and Republican, con- trolled state offices to set up dlrt-road { fund which earmarked annually money to be used solely in improving roads which might not otherwise receive the attention of local or state aid. The idea was to get the farmer out of the mud and it was on just such slogan as this that ultimately the Legislature set up the dirt-road fund of $3,000,000 to be appor- tioned equally every year among the l69 towns of Connecticut.
 Now it is being proposed that the fund be "upped" from three to four millions annually. And such proposal is to be included in the legislative program that the Republican Party will sponsor this session. It almost is unbelievable, but then great changes have been made i'll the Republican Party of Connecticut since Wilbur L. Cross first administered that coup-de-grace back in 1880. The party evidently finds itself forced to compete with Democrats on parallel plane.
 As to chances of this fund being i1l- creased so that towns might get few more dollars than the $17,000-odd they now receive every year, it's hard to say. There is bound to be lot of discussion about highway expansion in this legisla- tive session. There are big projects ma terializing in Connecticut and the chances are that the dirt-road fund will be relegated to the background, even ii Republican Party sponsorship is an nounced now. The idea is a good one, though, as $17,OOO doesn't enable many farmers to be pulled out of the mud Ill the course of one year.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-13
To Secede Or Not To Secede

Nothing is of more interest in Nichols right now than the subject of forming township separate from that of Trumbull, of which Nichols is now part. Among one cross-section of Nichols residents the topic is a live one, but strangely enough it hasn't yet awakened any response among many others. However, the whole town is expected to turn out shortly when a referendum is held to determine whether or not Nichols will seek permls- sion to become town in it's own name.
 And even if they do vote this, who knows what obstacles may still be placed in Nichols path. It has to get assent from the Town of Trumbull and then the Legislature has to take appropriate action. And if that is done then Connec- ticut will no longer be state composed of 169 separate and distinct towns, but will have 170 Whether or not that appeals to legislators we won't know un- til it is faced with the problem. It means one more taxing district is created, ot course, and some officials like to see this.
 All sorts of arguments for and against the idea are floating around the eastern end of Fairfield County. We feel pretty sure that the residents of Trumbull, Nichols included, can settle this matter very amicably themselves. If they do decide that a division is to the best in- terests of all concerned, then no legisla- tive bars should be imposed
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-13
We Haven't Got It AII-Yet

The United States now has 30 per cent of all the monetary gold in the world. AS long as that condition persists, it is idle to expect that the world can possibly get back to the old ways of trade and commerce. The old-fashioned use of gold in international dealings has been some thing like this: Country A buys $1O,- 100000 worth of goods from Country B; sells it only $9,000,O00 worth. Country A must pay the odd million (unfavorable balance of trade) in money. The only internationally accepted money has been gold or cash measured in terms of gold.
 That game implies that all trading countries must have some gold, or some way to get it, by mining or exchange. With the U. s. in possession of 80 per cent of it, the near-impossibility of settling international balances with gold in the old way becomes clear. The man who can figure out way to distribute some of this gold, getting value received for it at the same time, ought to be given a (gold) medal.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-13

Possibilities of utilizing great quan- titles of Connecticut wood in the event of a fuel shortage throughout the United States is seen by State Forester Austin F. Hawes. MT. HaweS states that con- siderable success has already been at tained in this state in the use of wood as fuel for automotive purposes. Of course this is nothing new and is being utilized quite frequently in Europe where the lack of gasoline and oil for fuel and for automobile motors has been quite prominent for some time past. There are millions of cords of hurricane timber still available in Connecticut. Many homes could be heated in the event that there was coal shortage in the United States or that the federal government decreed that certain amount of coal must be diverted into national defense channels. However, if it were necessary to curtail on oil and coal and substitute wood, there would be the cost of home owners of providing themselves with burners capable of using wood and not requiring the frequent stoking that the average furnace now does when wood is used.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-13

''h0w to conduct yourselves dur ing the current crisis" In his day the 65-year-old Texan was not known as an early-to-bedder.
 "You can't give your full energies to the important prob lens before Congress unless you get plenty of sleep at night" Summers preached sOlemnly. eff you boys want to be successful and do a good job, my advice to you is to stay away from the bright lights"
 Nothing was said about tucking the fledgling pollticos in, but there was a howl when Repre- sentative Dick Kleberg of Texas reminded Summers that he might profit by his own advice. I've seen you more than once trip ping the light fantastic late at night with a pretty blonde, Hat tOn," said Kleberg.
 Bachelor Summers face turned the color of "StOp" signal and he said no more.
 NOTE-On the serious side, the Democrats decided to answer every Republican speech against President Roosevelt. This decision was reached after Representative Alfred Bulwinkle of North Caro- lima pointed out how the COP were "castigating Roosevelt and the Democrats were sitting by and letting them get away with it." MERRY Y-GO-ROUND
 There is no more scorching critic of the New Deal than Gen. eral Hugh Johnson, but this it not preventing the blustery one time MIRA boss from heading columnists' committee to boost the Presidents birthday parties to raise funds for the National Infantile Paralysis Foundation. Assistant Attorney General Norman Littell, head of he Lands Division has installed in his office three magnificent col ored panels of the three great trees of the West Coast, Califor- nia's redwoods, the Douglas fir of Washington, and the white pine of Idaha.
 Copyright, 1941, by United
 Feature Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-13
A New Suit Every Year

Two chickens in every pot, two cars in every garage, have vanished into history. Perhaps we can now set ourselves new goal and measure of our national wei fare: A new suit for every man every year
 It doesn't sound excessive Yet the aver age man bought only third of suit in 1940, New England clothier recently told convention of his associates. In reverse English. MT. Average Man buys suit of clothes only once in three years. This doesn't mean that the American standard of living is not still the highest in the world. It simply means that there is still plenty of room for improvement.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-13
No Course Without Danger

From the Presidents recent defense speech, one phrase keeps coming back to mind. It was to the effect that today no course is open to the country that is without danger. Everybody wants to be safe. In fact, some of the most desper- ately daring deeds of personal bravery have been done in the effort to become safe. That is how precious safety is to man = so precious that he will often risk his life on hairs turn in the hope of attaining it.
 So with every course faced by our country today. Our mounting debt = a terrible risk, of course. Our foreign policy = what can it be but frightful passage between Scylla and Charybdis? Reforms and social pioneering - gam ble. Why take these chances, then? Why not withdraw, ostrichlike, from the world, in the hope that the storm will pass? Because most of us feel instinc- lively that this is the most dangerous course of all.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-13
Lambs and Wolves

Innocence is lovely virtue. It implies a certain purity and simplicity of mind that is in itself thing of beauty In lamb it is an admirable quality. A nation. however, cannot afford innocence, espec- ially in world in which most nations are more akin to the wolf than to the lamb. Only few years ago, wire-tapping in the Department of Justice was bitterly resented, and when it was abolished, people sighed with relief, content that ancient liberties had been preserved.
 < Now Attorney General Robert H. Jack son is compelled to ask Congress for spe- cial permission to tap telephone wires in cases involving espionage and other grave
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-13
Selected Poem
SCOTTISH SCENE

(Albert w. St. Clair in the Poets Column,
 Hartford Times) Night raiders, cold breasted, Over moor and Scottish countryside And over tiny village sleeping there Humble and unassuming as its people are, resolute
 and brave They do not go alone; Out of the darkness of night, hawk-feet In swift pursuance Chaser fighters roar, Splitting orange flames against back-drop of stars Escape-desperate escape, By jettison of leaden death achieved, By destruction and agony of soul for those below In the early brightness of new day, Amid the ruin and rubble the splintered timbers,
 the walls smashed in, Sad-faced women and grim, determined men Putter about and salvage what they can. And vet while in tragic sorrow their elders search
 about, Chldren-nttle tots with scarce whits less laughter Play in the brick -hecked snow
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-13
GOVERNOR AS CHAIRMAN (Bridgeport Telegram)

Some of the national political commentators have awakened to the fact that tkere is a strong move afoot to draft Connecticut's Governor Raymond E. Baldwin after he becomes eX-Governor Baldwin, and to make him the new chairman of the Republican Ma tional committee.
 If the call comes to Governor Baldwin for this position we hope he will accept it. To be chairman of the National committee of either of the two great parties is to hold a position of great honor and re- sponsibility.
 That other leaders of the Re- publican party should turn to Gov ernor Baldwin for this is a great tribute to Connecticut's retiring chief executive. It means that he has been marked as a man of ex- ceptional ability in public affairs. And we think the G. o. P. will be lucky if it gets him. He has the personality, the fairmindednesS and the broad judgment to administer the affairs of the G. O. P. impar- tially and fairly, for the welfare of the party as a whole and not for the promotion of the fortunes of any private group.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-13

Mayor George Coyle of New Britain be- lieves in finishing a job once he has started it. His name was recently con- nected with a court appointment in the Hardware City, but when questioned the mayor said that he wanted to put through his program of municipal en- deavor before retiring and that might also include another try at being elected. in his program that yet remain to be achieved, notably a municipal electric light plant for New Britain. What with Gov. Robert A. Hurley committed to re- forms in our public utilities laws it may be that next year will find the New Bri- tain mayor really coming into his own.