davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-08-03
On Fighting Fronts

Throughout most of last week as in
previous fortnight, bitterest fighting has
been in blood-smeared Smolensk sector,
extending through Stain Line proper
along direct approaches to Moscow.
In todays war of rapid movement, Nazi
units whipsaWed their way beyond initial
Russian defenses in this
Pioneers area, then circled back for
StoIIed their familiar tactic of
development, to be fol-
lowed by annihilation or capture of
enemy so surrounded But because Rus
slams have declined to surrender in al
most any circumstance, the cleaning up
of occupied areas has been no picnic for
German forces. Actually, in Smolensk
sector, Red counterattacks against en-
circling Nazi troops left some doubt as
TO who was most dangerously surrounded.
In fact, as this sixth week of war on
q 2,000mile front got we'll under way,
Russ counteractions were not confined
to this central line but were reported
also at southern key city of Zhitomir
and even around Porkhov, commanding
Leningrad.
In midweek, Berlin acknowledged these
offensive maneuvers by Red armies, but
described them as futile and costly"
At this time, German authorities were
making much of complete liberation" of
Bessarabia from Communist occupation,
but it was not until Thursday that high
command began talking eXultantly of
imminent fall of Leningrad, menaced by
Nazi drive northeastward from Estonia
and by Finn attack southwark from
Karelian Isthmus
Fantastic casualty claims were being
made by both sides, and German claims
of losses by Russ air force approached
10000 planes even while Red raiders
continued to harass Nazi troops from air.
Interesting angle of Moscow communique
was that heavy drain on German fuel
supplies had left many Nazi tanks stalled
and with some of them dug into sta
tionary positions for use as pillboxes.
Britains far-hying Royal Air Force
ranged from the Arctic to the Mediter-
ranean last week. blasting
Norwoy at Finnish-held Petsamo in
Roided the north and at italian
Sicily in the south. Harbor
works and German supply ships assert
edly prepatRg for Axis attack on Rus
Evening star., 1941-08-03
Far East Tension Increases Battle for Soviet Russia Develops Into Stall

versations with Josef Stain on Russian
supply purchases here. Red military
mission, meanwhile, conferred with Of
flcialS here.
Nazi influences in Latin America we're
set back during this week by firm coun-
tersteps in Bolivia. Argentina and Mexico,
and Acting Secretary of State Sumner
Welles encouraged this resistance by
barbed reference on Friday to bare
faced impudence Of Hitler government
for meddling in affairs of this hemi-
sphere.
While Congress mulled over bitterly
controversial issue of extending train
ing period for Nations draft army, Presi-
dent Roosevelt asked another piece of
major legislation in form of statutory
authority to control prices.
I'VE face imitation unless we act de-
cisively and without delay" he warned
legislators.
On Thursday, fitting closely into cur
rent economic pressures being exerted
against Japan, President Roosevelt Gre
ated new eight-man cabinet group under
direction of Vice President Wallace for
planning of economic warfare. A large
measure of power to make final decisions
and otherwise expedite program of this
agency was conferred upon Mr.. Wallace.
And just to bring this idea of economic
warfare home to all of us, Oil Gar Ickes
has called for closing of all gasoline
stations from pm. to am, beginning
tonight
Evening star., 1941-08-03

Washington political observers are
puzzled. They can't quite understand the
policies of the British and American
governments toward Japan. The atti-
tude of the directors of our foreign
relations has so much behind it that the
ordinary individual cannot entirely COM
prehend it.
When Japan prematurely entered
IndoChina and prepared to extend her
control over the southern tip of the
Asiatic mainland by the occupation of
Thailand, the American Government
froze all Japanese funds in this country.
This resulted in virtual embargo on all
trade with the Nipponese Empire. The
example of Washington was followed
within less than "a hours by London and
Batavia. From the reaction in Toxic
1t was evident that these economic meas
ures hit Japan severely.
There were conversations between
Washington and the South American
republics which forecast the application
of the same stern measures against
Japan by the countries south of the Rio
IL WdS d SQuCCHC Ploy WlllCil
was guaranteed to hurt Japan more
than couple of military defeats But
1t seems now that the governments of
the United States and Britain are opti-
mistically humanitarian. They don't
want to hurt little Japan too much. At
the time Of the writing of this article
there are measures under consideration
to relax somewhat" the drastic economic
regulations and permit some limited
trade between Japan and the United
States and Great Britain under a new
license system. The basic reason behind
this policy appears to be hope that by
trading with Japan we shall prevent her
from further aggression.
Exports Have Helped Japan.
For the past "a months we have been
sending to Japan shipload after shlpload
of raw materials which have been used
exclusively for the production of war
materials. We have practically enabled
the japanese feet-or at least the Japa-
nese transports-to circulate on the high
seas by our exports of oil. In certain
quarters it is said that besides the low
test gas which was officially permitted
to go to Japan without license, we have
also allowed certain high-octane gas to
be smuggled out of the country for jap
anese aviation. When this writer asked
one of the policy trainers whether it was
true that we were sending aviation gas
to Japan the answer was that was not
exactly the case, but that some of the
gasoline could be used in a pinch for
aviation. The President now has acted
to embargo aviation gasoline and reduce
other oil exports.
1t Is fact beyond dispute that with
out American ordinary gasoline, fuel
oil, scrap iron, scrap steel and cotton,
the japanese, who are isolated from the
rest of the world, would have had diff
ficult job to plan for further expansion
In the south.
Our benign attitude was due, according
to our policy trainers, to desire to pre-
vent the hot heads in Toxic from going
further south and eventually taking by
force the Netherlands East Indies, where
basic raw materials such as OIL tin, rub
Der, etc, can be found in inexhaustible
quantities.
Ths arguments of the military and
Evening star., 1941-08-03
THE PROBLEM OF RELATIONS WITH JAPAN
AnqoAmeicon Attitude Complicated Puzzle

for thought and if the Germans are
compelled to fight an old-fashioned
trench and position war on the eastern
front. the japanese feel that it might
be wise to wait and see before they rush
into another expansioniSt adventure.
Furthermore, the organization of the
newly annexed territories would require
some time and energy. Hence they have
been willing to whisper to the American
and British governments that this would
be the "last" move they would make in
that direction.
This may be so if the Germans exhaust
themselves in Russia to such a point
as to bring about complications on the
western front which might end with their
defeat. But, judging the japanese by
their performances since 1881, when they
first entered the Asiatic mainland in
Manchuria as soon as the Germans
manage to re-eStablish the situation, the
Japanese will find some polite" excuse
to obtain a wedge in the islands of the
Southern Pacific.
According to information received in
responsible quarters in Washington, the
Japanese do not intend to attack Singa-
pore, Java or Sumatra in the near future.
They are heavily defended and the Jap
anese are not sure at this time that
they could crack such tough nuts. But
they intend to go to Borneo and the
Celebes Islands, where they can find
ample of and a good strategic position
for their light craft with which they
will eventually intercept communications
between the Indian Ocean and the
Philippines and Australia.
Softer Attitude Expected.
AS long as the Germans are fighting
hard and no definite decision is in the
offing, there is no question that the
Japanese will make no further move.
If, while they are organizing themselves
in the newly conquered territories they
can continue to receive oil and other
important materials for their war indus
try from its potential enemies Holland,
Britain and the United States-so much
the better.
The realistic military and naval OBJ
servers in Washington don't believe that
such policy of appeasement will pre-
vent Japan from putting into effect its
expansionist plans Quite the contrary.
They know that the Japanese will laugh
at our Simple Simonism" and strengthen
themselves for further adventures.
These men believe that if we apply a
stringent embargo the consequences in
Japan will be far reaching. AS to the
threats that they would attack Java,
Sumatra and possibly Singapore imme-
diately, these are completely discounted.
These key points are strongly fortified
and an attempt to capture them now
would mean major war for Japan. Men
who know the Japanese naval and air
strength and also know what the demo-
cratic countries possess in the Pacific
are definitely of the opinion that the
Japanese will not even attempt such an
attack in the immediate future. 1t will
take them months of preparations before
they can start war against the British
and the Dutch. In the meantime, If
the economic sanctions against Nippon
are applied fully and relentlessly, the
offensive coef1icient Of the Japanese will
diminish rapidly.
There Is every indication here, how
Evening star., 1941-08-03
By Marquis ". Chlds.

she told her listeners they would do bet
ter to pay attention to experts rather
than to amateurs> on military affairs.
This was interpreted as a dig at Mr..
Collins.
1--WE try to retain sense of humor,"
Gen. Marshall said in his statement, but
it is difficult to continue to accept grace
fully comments that We are building
man power army on an outmoded pat
tern, or that We are training nothing but
infantry in a mechanical area. State
ments of this nature indicate complete
misconception of fundamentals.
1T is natural but unfortunate, that the
dramatic or spectacular aspects of mod
ern warfare-tanks, dive bombers, ct
cetera-should capture public attention.
The fact is that each individual soldier
must receive the basic training of an
infantryman no matter in what branch
he will ultimately serve. 1t is this basic
training that makes man soldier and
that enables him to develop quickly into
the trained specialist. Without it he
can never pull his weight in the combat
team, however great his individual tall
ents."
Now Holds His Fire.
Mr. Collins thought the rumpus his
article stirred up was a hopeful sign
of aroused public interest. But he took it
philosophically, chuckling a little. Now
he is holding his fire .since he believes
the Army is at least making every effort
to mechanic 1t will take two or three
years to assemble the necessary weapons,
critical years when the country's fate
will hang in the balance. There is one
point, however, that Mr.. Collins will not
allow to 60 unchallenged and that is the
Armys principal alibi that Congress
would not vote sufficient funds to mecha-
nize.
"Listen!" he says, almost sharply.
I'VE gave the ordnance division every
cent they asked for. Every cent! And it's
the ordnance division that develops the
new weapons. Let me tell you something
else. Once we approved half million
dollars for development of five or six
types of tanks.
"We figured you'd find out which was
the best type that way. But do you
know they didn't spend the money. They
only tried out one type of tank and took
that one"
You would never pick Ross Collins for
a military expert. He might have sat
for Clarence Burlington Kelland's char
acter, Scattergood Bains. There is about
him the same generous ease of manner.
His Southern accent is so broad you
could cut it with knife. In dress he
runs to seersuckers that fit tightly over
his paunch.
Efforts Made Progress.
Beneath this easy Southern exterior
is large fund of horse sense and a
penetrating shrewdness. You have to
be smart to get along in the game of
politics as played in Mississippi, where
the salaries attached to public Office
are about the biggest prizes a man can
try for.
In 1922 he was first elected to Con-
gress For six terms thereafter with
little difficulty he was returned. That
happens to many q man. From safe
district they come back to comfortable
obscurity In washington. But there
Evening star., 1941-08-03

ever, that if the Japanese give us only
half chance, these sanctions which are
governed exclusively by the freezing of
the funds, will be softened. The old
slogan of not irking the hungry wolf
seems to be in full force once more. The
democratic governments have done a
daring thing. They took measures to
prevent Japan from being provided with
raw materials from the only available
sources. Now they appear to be fright
ened at their daring and are preparing
the ground to interpret" their own ac-
ton. This, in view of the sluggishness
of the German operations in Russia
an unexpected bonanza-is puzzling
Washington political observers.
Evening star., 1941-08-03

In this troubled Capital is one man
who has not been surprised by anything
that has happened in the war from the
fall of Norway and France to the Nazis'
unprecedented sweep across the plains of
Russia. This is Representative Collins
of Mississippi, who for nearly 20 years
has been preaching the need for a mech
anized army. In Congress and out he
has talked necessarily. and with the
shrewd common sense that is so much
part of him, about modernization of
Americas armed forces.
Now he has seen all his prophecies
come true. But he can take only cold
comfort in I-told-you-so since the
modern weapons are today being used
by Hitler to conquer Europe and as much
of the rest of the world as he can en-
compass.
There isn't anything mysterious about
this military business" Mr.. Collins said.
Look out there, look out that window.
You don't see any horses out there on
the street, do you? You don't even see
many folks on the sidewalk, do you?
Nice, broad sidewalk, twice as big as
needed, but nobody on it.
Now what do you see in the street?
You see lot of automobiles. That's
what it comes down to. The foot soldier
at best can do miles an hour. The
soldier in motorcar can do 80 miles,
or 40 miles, or so miles
And it's the same way with guns.
The soldier carries rife because that's
what he's always carried. But with
modern weapon you can increase his
firepower $500 times.
Mobility and surprise, plus firepower
That's what wins in modern warfare"
Sly Digs at BRASS Hats"
Mr.. Collins is forever taking digs at the
"brass hats" who run the Army and the
Navy. He says they're all gentlemen,
they're as fine set of gentlemen as he's
ever met. But now and then with the
deep chuckle that wells out of him he
can't resist cracking at their foibles and
frailties.
'Why, I've seen men in Congress when
a general walked into committee ROOM
they'd purr like pussy cat. Never
thought they'd get on such close terms
with general. Just like to walk under
his legs. But it's easy to understand.
Maybe they've served in the forces. And
they were way down and the general he's
way up there"
For 16 years on the military subcom-
mittee of the House Appropriations
Committee, four years as chairman, Mr..
Collins met the generals and talked
their language. He argued moderniza-
tion until sometimes they agreed with
him just to keep him quiet. But he has
never let up. His latest blast was an
article in Readers Digest, do We Want
a Mass Army?" which caused a tre-
mendous stir in Washington Mr.. Collins
charged that the War Department was
wasting time, energy and money building
an outmoded mass Army to fight the war
of 1918. One result was a flood of
1900 letters and whole file full Of
editorials.
Another result was q cry of outraged
injury from the military departments
Gen George G. Marshall, Chief of Staff,
issued hve-page statement which was,
In effect, his rebuttal. Even Mrs Roose-
velt chipped Ia with Q speech In which
Evening star., 1941-08-03


reversal of this appeasement policy, even
as strong japanese forces
Far Eost were moving through South
Tension China Sea to occupy stra-
tegic bases in French Indo-
China. Evidently resigned to this
penetration but apparently determined
that it should mark the end of Japanese
movement southwark United States and
Britain simultaneously imposed economic
structures on vulnerable island empire
through freezing of credits, defense forces
of Philippines were mobilized and ma
tionalized into American command AUS
tralian militia was called up for service.
At beginning of this week came action
which may hurt Japan most, and may
precipitate actual conflict, namely, sus-
pension by Dutch East Indies govern
ment of trade agreement whereby Toxic
government has been acquiring 100000
tons annually of vital military oil.
And in case Japanese are prompted
to instigate naval or air action against
rich oil deposits shown on accompany
ing map in Sumatra, Java and Borneo.
explicit Dutch governmental instructions
have been issued for all-out defense, to
be followed if necessary by total de-
struction of wells.
1t is the opinion of many strategists,
however, that defensive strength of Brit
ish-Dutch- American front against jap
anese spearhead will dissuade Toxic
from authorizing any extreme action. In
stead, and late reports Of Japanese pres
sure for base privileges in Thailand bear
out this theory, it is believed Nipponese
attention will next be directed at flank
attack on Burma road, last major lifeline
for Chungking Chinese government.
An incident which might have ex-
ploded the feeling between Washington
and Toxic occurred on Wednesday when
United States gunboat Tutuila was dam
aged by japanese bombs while anchored
across Yangtze River from Chungking.
Quickly, Washington protested to
TOXIC and within "a hours had received
humble apologies of Far
Jopon's Eastern government. For
AnoIoov most of Thursday, Toxic
was allowed to worry about
whether excuses for incident would be
accepted, but that night State Depart
ment said explanation of Japanese gov
eminent was adequate.
Meanwhile, Washington gave copdi-
tional assurances to Japanese line for
entry of II ,000-ton Tatuta Maru into San
Francisco for debarking of passengers,
Once in, disposition of ships valuable
cargo became subject of court action and
initial refusal was directed at request of
line for more than normal quantity of
fuel oil.
On Friday night, President Roosevelt
directed strict regulation of petroleum
exports to destinations outside Western
Hemisphere, British Empire or active
foes of Axis. Pre-war purchases were
proposed as basis for determining future
oil shipment licenses. Although Japan
was not mentioned specifically in this
Evening star., 1941-08-03
Behind the Lines

Building up to explosive pressure last
week was the tension over control of rich
natural resources on the South Pacific.
For years past, western nations have
permitted and even abetted japanese
aggrandizement in this area, obstructing
only to extent of providing nominal aid
To China
Evening star., 1941-08-03
Review of Tooth Week of War
By John G.. Henry.

Failure of the German armies from the heavily
grim defending of featured actual fighting
developments World
bzkreg
and Odessa skepticim
Pacific accumulation
Japanese ships French China while
British Dutch
alton
these three
fullest severity aggression proceeds farther
Evening star., 1941-08-03

announcement, there was no question
that order was directed primarily against
Asiatic partner of Axis
There were wordy developments on
lease-lend front during this past week
In 92-minute torrent of words, Brit
aims Churchill told his empire on Tues
Evening star., 1941-08-03

day that America is now furnishing aid
ION gigantic scale and that the battle
of the Atlantic is being won because of
American intervention"
There were those who were displeased,
however, at Mr.. Churchill's further re-
marks that the United States "is ad-
Evening star., 1941-08-03
ROSS COLLINS SEES PR OPHECIES COME TRUE
Misssippion Hos Fought for Meehonzed Army for 20 Years

was no obscurity for Ross Collins. He
stepped into the military situation and
his active, fertile mind looked forward
to the time when we might need an
armed force that was something more
than a Fourth of July display.
Hammering away in long drawn out
committee meetings, hammering away
on the floor of the House, working with
Army officers friendly to his ideas. Mr..
Collins made progress. Army conserva-
tives clinging to traditional methods
were disturbed. The report was spread
that Mr.. Collins was a paciflst. He
didn't want to see the military get any
money.
A little later that same year Mr.. Col
Inns decided to run for the Senate II
seemed to be good chance and. like
every other member of the House, he
believed he could be more useful on
the other side of the Capitol. His prin-
cipal opponent was Theodore G. (The
Nam Bilbo, who had just begun to i'm
press the Nation with his remarkable
insigniflcance. But Mr.. Bilbo controlled
the machine in Mississippi. And Bilbo
won.
Mr.. Collins wss out of Congress for
two years. The movement he had
started toward modernization was al
lowed to lapse since the goad was gone
the gadfy from Mississippi. When he
came back to the House two years later
he had lost his seniority on the Appro-
priation Subcommittee for Military Al
fairs and his influence was lessened.
He says, in all modesty, that if he had
stayed on in the House he might have
pushed it through.
Running for Senate.
Now Mr.. Collins is running for the
Senate again 10 fill the vacancy left
by the death of Pat Harrison. This
being an of year anu special election,
he will not have to give up his House
seat if he loses. He thinks he'll win,
even though once again The Man Bilbo
is opposing him and throwing the weight
of what is left of the Bilbo rachine
behind younger man. Wall Doxey. who
also sits in the House from Mississippi.
A great deal of his criticism Mr.. Col
Inns has aimed at the ordnance division.
There, in his opinion, is the most in
treuched conservatism. He has fought
with ordnance on a number of issues,
one being the feasibility of putting tail
guns in airplanes. Year after year he
talked about the need for tail guns, and
year after year the ordnance division
resisted him.
Would Discard H0witEers.
Another line of attack on the War
Department is on the continued use Of
howltzer-type guns, which send projec-
tile at slow speed high into the air to
come down in a trench. Mr.. Collins
advocates a complete changeover to
weapons with far greater projectile
velocity. Recently he has urged that
the entire ordance division be turned
over to industrialists and industrial en-.
gineers, who would release the Nations
inventive genius.
No matter how the special election
comes out in September Mr.. Collins
will come back to Washington and most
people will concede that that will b .
pretty good thing for the Nation.
Sunday Chicago bee. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1925-19??, 1941-06-29
MA CONDUCTS
6th BIRTHDAY
FETE THURSDAY

The sixth anniversary Of the Ma
tional Youth Administration was
celebrated in 80 work experience
and 18 resident centers sponsored
by the administration in the state
Thursday.
Mayor Kelly issued a special
proclamation designating Thurs
day as National Youth Admins
tration Day in the city. Aubrey
Williams, national administrator,
who spoke at the summer confer
ence Of the University Of Illinois
on the relationship of the NYA
program to vocational education in
public schools, was guest Of hon
or in the state during the day.
Approximately 5000 young men
and women participated in an Op-
en- house at the Chicago work e2z-
perience center, 153 West Huron
street, at 10 am. Among the
speakers were Miss Regina O'Con-
nell, director Of social service of
the Catholic Youth Organization;
Frank D. Finlay, director of social
service Of the Chicago Church
Federation, and A. l.. Foster, ex-
ecutive secretary of the Chicago
Urban League. A similar program
was held at pm. at Davis Square
Park, with the NYA symphony
orchestra presenting a concert.