davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Askov American., 1941-11-13

America will be that of militarism.
Why give Hitler so much credit?
Other national leaders are getting
jealous of him. He is only the result
of underlying causes. He could not
have gone as far as he has if the
68, 600, 900 Germans had been treated
right after the war of 1914-1918
Without the backing of millions of his
countrymen, wealthy interests of Eng
land and France, and the detest of
Communism on the part of those Eng
lish and French interests, the German
leader might still be paperhanger.
The more Hitler is pictured as a
superman, as one whom the whole
world is to fear, the more other
would-be world leaders envy him.
Let us not think so much about the
individual, but more about the sys-
tenn. Tough as he is, the individual
is but passing phase.
Askov American., 1941-11-13
An Eventuality

Under a system where one nation
dominates the seas, the smaller ma
tions will always be more or less
at the mercy of that big nation. We
can just as well make up our minds
that if We do not want wars to con-
tinue, that system must be changed.
The world is now reaping the re-
suit of the 1914-18 war. The smaller
nations will not be safe between the
large powers until wars cease. The
world is growing smaller through
rapid transportation and commune
cation facilities. Therefore, it ap-
pears that sooner or later, the United
States will be obliged to join up in
a world organization, as we were ex-
pected to do following the World
war when we fought to preserve de-
mocracy. That will be far less ex-
pensive than huge military prepara-
tions or actual warfare. And how
the smaller nations are praying for
it They showed much more actual
and sincere interest in the League
of Nations than the larger powers.
They would welcome a large nation
like the United States into member
ship and support of world peace.
If we are interested in all hu-
manity, that is where we can do the
most good.
Askov American., 1941-11-13
Superman Psychology
Needs Debunking

All true Americans, imbued with
the love of liberty and democracy,
whether for or against war, deplore
the methods of Hitler, his dictator
ship, ruthlessness, and to mention a
recent outrage, the terrible reprisals
in France, as they abhor all dictator
ships. That should be an established
fact without repetition in every
speech or statement made by non-in-
terventionists.
But have you noted how the "me-
too" emotional and bent-on-war fol-
lowers, writing in the press, are con-
tinually criticising non-intervention-
lists for not condemning Hitler in
every utterance made?
Continuous condemnation of Hitler
much as we Americans are against
him, is not getting at the root of the
evil. Ambassador Cudahy refers tc
him as passing phase, and in the
light of history that is about right
If Hitler were shot today there would
still be great economic questions tc
settle-access to raw materials, cut
ting down trade barriers, freedom
of the seas, and the creation of q
world organization to seek justice
among nations, to maintain order and
to preserve peace. The Hitlerism and
domination that we have to fear in
Askov American., 1941-11-13
PINE COUNTY RURAL
SCHOOL NEWS
Expenses.
A. E. GUsTAFSON. County Supt

Expenses.
School officers who attend the coun-
ty school board meeting at Sandstone
Friday, November IA, are entitled to
draw two dollars per member per
day, also five cents per mile both
ways and cost of dinner. The law
reads, necessary expenses including
two dollars per day." sji-
Institute.
Rural teachers are required by law
to attend the institute when held in
the county. Our institute will be
held this year on Monday and Tues
day, November "a and 25. When
school is closed so that teachers may
attend institute, those days are classed
as legal holidays on the records.
District 80.
Birch Creek, district 83, in the ex-
treme northwest corner of Pine coun-
ty, now has the most cozy, attractive
and up-to-date little schoolhouse in
Pine county. Not including the cloak
halls, the interior is only 24x18 and
seats 20 children. Modern jacketed
stove heating and excellent venti-
lation provides health and comfort
in the very warm building. Large
window areas, electric lights installed,
omptons (1937) encyclopedias
(saved from the 1899 fire) are some
of the many good features.
This new building was put up in
July and August as a temporary"
structure after WPA begged down
on account of unavailable skilled
labor. 1t was put up by efficient
local carpenters and mechanics at a
very low cost. Mrs. Hazel Nelson
Molis operates this congenial school
of happy children. The board men,
bers are Mrs. Agnes Selleg, clerk;
Mrs. Geneva Johnson, treasurer; and
Helmer Larson, chairman.
This is one of the outstanding rural
districts previously reported as prac-
tically unanimous in most all de-
cisions, after careful and friendly
discussions at annual and special
meetings.
Askov American., 1941-11-13
WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO
CHECK ON BRITISH
PROPAGANDA?
(Brainerd Journal Press)

\0TdlneTQ journal freSS)
A few days ago a news release
from London told about member OF
the British ministry, speaking before
parliament, deploring what he termed
insufficient funds for propaganda
work in America. According to him,
the America First committee was
making great progress in this coun-
try-had gained five million in men,
bership in a short space of time
while interventionist sentiment was
gravely ebbing.
Just how much truth there was
in the cabinet members complaint is
neither here nor there. The deplor-
able thing, as far as America is con-
cerned, is the fact that foreign
power, desperate, and insistent on
involving us in war, is allowed to
spread its un-American influence in
this county in any way, shape or
manner it sees fit, without so much as
a mild admonition from the national
administration.
Just why England rates this special
privilege of coming over here and
practically debating our foreign poll
cy is a mystery historians of the fu-
ture will never be able to solve. Why
Welcher Nation No. One, following
the first World war, should now be
entrusted with the purse strings of
this nation is proposition that
doesn't make sense. And the most
amazing thing about it is that despite
the fact that we've mortgaged our
country about all it can stand and
jeopardized our own security to pro-
vide munitions for Britain, England's
prime minister says we aren't doing
enough and other British big wigs
are wondering when we're going to
send over an expeditionary force.
Some day sadder but wiser Amer
ica will look back on the stupid folly
of its politicians and realize that the
British propaganda we fell for was
just as un-American as Nazi propa-
ganda-every bit as deceitful and far
more destructive of American ideals,
economy and government. And what
will be worse will be the CALLING
realization that while Nazi propa-
ganda was almost entirely paid for
by the German government, British
propaganda and its results will be
paid for by Americans living and
generations of Americans yet unborn,
through degrading taxation and a
lower standard of living.
Askov American., 1941-11-13
FOREIGN RELATIONS
From WashingtOn's Farewell Address.
September II, 1896.

So, likewise, a passionate attach
ment of one nation for another pro-
duces a variety of evils. Sympathy
for the favorite nation, facilitating the
illusion of an imaginary common
interest in cases where no real COM
mon interest exists, and infusing into
one the enmities of the other, be-
trays the former into a participation
in the quarrels and wars of the lat
ter, without adequate inducement or
justification. It leads also to con-
cessions to the favorite nation of
privileges denied to others which is
apt doubly to injure the nation max
ing the concessions by unnecessarily
parting with what ought to have been
retained and by exciting jealousy, ill
will, and a disposition to retaliate in
the parties from whom equal privil-
eges are withheld; and it gives to
ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citi-
zens (who devote themselves to the
favorite nation) facility to betray or
sacrifice the interests of their own
country without odium, sometimes
even with popularity, gliding with
the appearances of a virtuous sense
of obligation, commendable defer
ence for public opinion, or a laudable
zeal for public good the base or
foolish compliances of ambition, cor
ruption, or infatuation.
AS avenues to foreign influence in
innumerable ways, such attachments
are particularly alarming to the tru-
ly enlightened and Independent patri-
OF. How many opportunities do they
afford to tamper with domestic fac
tions, to practice the arts of seduc-
ton, to mislead public opinion, to
influence OF awe the public councils!
Such an attachment of small or
weak nation toward a great and
powerful nation doomS the former
to be the satellite of the latter. Against
the insidious wiles of foreign influ-
ence q conjure you to believe me,
fellow -citizens) the jealousy of a free
people ought to be CONSTANTLY
awake, since history and experience
prove that foreign influence is one
OF the most baneful foes of republi-
can government. But that jealousy,
to be useful, must be impartial, else
it becomes the instrument of the
very influence to be avoided, instead
of defense against it. Excessive
partiality for one foreign nation and
excessive dislike of another cause
those whom they actuate to see dan
ger only on one side, and serve to veil
and even second the arts of influence
on the other. Real patriots who may
resist the intrigues of the favorite
are liable to become suspected and
odious, while its tools and dupes
usurp the applause and confidence
of the people to surrender their inter-
ests.
Askov American., 1941-11-13
Poultry Leaders
Continued from Page ~

Continued from Page -
Pine City-Pokegama; Hans Myr-
void, Sandstone and Mr.. and Mrs. A.
M. Price, Hinckley-Dell Grove; John
E. Norkoli, Finlayson-Finlayson;
j. B. VonRueden, Hinckley-Hinck-
ley; Edward J. Armstrong, Sturgeon
Lake-Kerrick; Chester j. Waletzko,
Willow River-Kettle River; Fred
Ausmus, Hinckley-Mission Creek,
Munich; Chris Frederiksen, Askov,
Mrs. Chas. Krantz, Askov, Almer Eek
lund, Askov and Arid Frederiksen,
Askov-Partridge; L. F. Appleby,
Pine City and Mike A. Volta, Pine
City-Pine City; George Heino, Fin
layson and Edward j. Hautala, Fin
layson-Pine Lake; H. Habeck, Stur-
geon Lake-Windemere Emil Erick-
son, Pine City-Rock Creek; liner
Carlson, Sandstone-Sandstone, Dam
forth.
Askov American., 1941-11-13
The Senator Speaks Up

A resolution introduced in Congress
by Senator Henrik Shipstead asks the
State Department to cease putting
pressure on Finland to stop warring
against Russia until the matter has
been discussed in Congress. Some
sense to that. What do we have a
Congress for if everything is to be
handled by the President and his
cabinet? Also, telling Finland to stop
now when two years ago We were
applauding her courage against Com
munists seems inconsistent and out OF
order.
Askov American., 1941-11-13
AN AIR OF UNHEALTHY
Editor ASkOv American:

Editor Askov American:
This letter is being written after
reading Senator Balls column this
week in local papers. November g.
To those of you who have Balls
article, I want you to read it again
and compare it carefully with this
letter and facts that I will give you
from time to time hereafter if you
wish them. A copy of this is being
sent to Mr.. Ball and copy to local
papers that may give it space.
Senator Ball states that an air of
unreality permeates the present lease
lend hearings in Congress. Does he
mean that the loud-mouthed minority
have stacked the cards and are cata-
putting this democracy into Europe's
family troubles? Does he mean when
the seats are empty that they are
empty because, when the final vote
is taken, that the administration
knows, nearly to a man, how the vote
will be cast? Does part of this air
of unreality come from the thought
full mein of the thinking men there,
who appreciate the carnage and
starvation and plaques in store for
us if we get into this war? Do some
of them remember the mistreatment,
the deceit, and the double crossing
after our last attempt to raise Eur
ope's living and moral standards to
our own? Do they hear the same
ballyhoo, the same rumbling of class
hatred, of religious intolerance, of
torture, and then the awakening and
return of sanity after the last Armis-
tice? The last war was settled %
years ago this week, in a railroad
coach, by about 80 men. What plans
are on foot to settle this? What are
they fighting for? How will they
settle if either side wins? What
reprisals. what boundary lines, what
freedoms? There has not been a
constructive peace plan put forward
yet, even by the Fortune" round
table. Think.
Our emotions are being appealed
to; our religions are being exploited;
our judgment is being numbed by a
controlled press, radio, and movies.
People who sincerely wish to defend
America are labeled traitors and pro-
Nazis. They do not receive the pro-
portionate share of publicity they are
entitled to. Think.
Askov American., 1941-11-13
SHOULD PRACTICE DEMOCRACY

Editor Askov American:
Democracy, like table manners, is
something that should be practiced
and not advertised or talked about.
Much of the talk about democracy is
nothing but a bunch of prattle to
cover up some other thing.
Usually, when people are planning
or have done some evil deed, they
throw out smoke screen to cover it
up and give their evil motive cloak
of virtue. This has been greatly over
done the past 20 years. Every time
some meritorious legislation has been
throttled the opponents always claim
that they were afraid that it would
jeopardize our liberties and the demo-
cratic form of government. They of
course never say that they were
afraid it would jeopardize theirs or
their clients interests.
1t is well to be suspicious of people
who sprout too much democracy.
Usually on a little examination the
real motive can be ascertained, which
is nearly always selfish one. Peo-
pie who up to now have taken no
interest whatsoever in democracy and
what it stands for all of a sudden
have become very democratic. All
the royal foreign parasites who have
taken over the limelight in this coun-
try, now sprout democracy. Ameri-
cans who have taken no interest in
this country and its people and have
lived in seclusion in Europe on good
American earned money now are the
greatest advocates of democracy and
war.
These people sometimes conde-
scended to make a trip to America,
probably to marry rich heiress or
to collect their interest, but they al
ways sneezed at democracy and en-
phasized the superiority of European
aristocracy. When this riff-raff
from Europe came to our shores those
who now pirate so much about de-
mocracy practically fell over each
other to show their humility and re-
spect for those they aped and in
wardly envied. ,
S. J. SIMONSEN.
Pease, MINI.
October 20, 1941.
Askov American., 1941-11-13
Government Issues
The Plight Of The
Neutrals
By Hjalmar Petersen,

AS all know by this time, the World
war of 1914-18 was supposedly fought
to make the world safe for democra-
cy and it was heralded as war to
end all wars. That naturally meant
that we were to have League of Ma
tions, World Court, or some such
body representing all, or nearly all
of the nations to gradually diminish
the size of armed forces and to i'm
pose economic sanctions.
The League of Nations was set up
but did not function as was intended
because England turned down Wood
row Wilson's desire and hope for
freedom of the seas, and the United
States did not join the League. There
will be no freedom of the seas if one
nation is to dictate.
Let us hope that the present war
will soon be over, and that follow
ing this war there will be a de-
termined and positive effort toward
a real world organization, so that
people of the various countries will
not be called forth to battle every
quarter century. Let us hope that
there may be no American blood
spilled on the battlefelds of Europe
in this or any future war, if wars
are to continue. We can be more
helpful out of peace.
The people of overrun and occu-
pied countries are not in a happy
state today, but what can America
do about it from this distance? They
are deplorably situated over there
in Europe, with one nationality pitted
against another, religious hatreds
border disputes, and all that. None OF
the great powers have ever acted
like meek lambs. The leaders with
imperialistic lust for conquest and
more power are not much concerned
about whom they overrun when they
set out on their goals.
The Scandinavian countries, Hol-
land, Belgium, and other small
European nations got their warning
way back in February, 1910, to forget
about neutrality and get on the side
of Great Britain. The speech in which
that demand was brought to the at
tention of the world was made by
Prime Minister Churchill in Parlia-
ment.
Instead of talking so much about
what the neutrals should do, Ger
many, which was then prepared and
out to even up the score of 1918,
simply went to work and occupied
some of those neutral countries. Nor
way was an example. The long and
the short of it is that England, ruler
of the seas with domination of small
countries, tried to tell the neutrals
how to act, but Germany got to Nor
way first and thus beat England to
the punch.
The way it looks it will continue
to be tough for the small countries
until the day of a real functioning
world organization.
Askov American., 1941-11-13
THE COMING GENERATION
(Bemidji Pioneer)

One of the questions which ought
to be carefully studied is the effect
of war on the next generation. For
instance, to what extent are Europe's
troubles today due to the fact that
the best, healthiest, potentially most
able of the generation now mature
were killed off in 1914-18? How
many statesmen, poets and artists,
economic and social pioneers what
sheer weight of human brains was
dumped into the graves that blos-
somed from Picardy to Kiev in those
years? And what has that loss meant
to the world today? Because all of
those things are intangible, pertain
to the spirit, no one will ever know.
Askov American., 1941-11-13
Fact And Opinion
THE ICELAND EMERGENCY
By E. C. Stengelsen.

The publication "Newsweek" spoke
of the barely thwarted Nazi occu-
patton of Iceland and Greenland"
BY this language, it represented as
fact that a German invasion of the
western hemisphere had been immi-
nent when we moved in. The term
barely" can hardly have any other
connotation.
Mr.. Roosevelt himself spoke more
guardedly; but the tenor of his re-
marks left no room for doubt that
he urged, as an excuse for his &C
ton, an emergency with which he
had been compelled to deal swiftly.
II the emergency was sufficiently
grave to justify projecting us into the
middle of the battle of the Atlantic,
as Mr.. Roosevelt did, Americans are
reasonably entitled to answers to
certain questions:
What dependable information did
Mr.. Roosevelt possess that the Nazis
were, in fact, about to take over the
two islands? It can doubtless be
taken for granted that in pushing us
into the orbit of war, he did not take
this serious step on mere hunch or
suspicion.
How had the Nazis planned to effect
the invasion? Was it by sea? If so.
what comes of the oft-repeated as
sertion that Britain is maintaining
an effective" blockade? The Ad-
ministration takes the position that
the blockade by Germany is not eff
fective and may therefore be disre-
garded, but that Britain's is effec-
tive and must hence be respected.
Or were the Nazis planning to
come via air, as in Crete? It would
not be impossible. Norway is only
$50 miles away. 1t would probably
not have required a larger invading
force than planes and gliders could
have carried. British garrisons in
Iceland were said to have been small.
But no small Nazi force would
have sufficed to hold the island
against British attempts to dislodge
them which would doubtless quickly
have followed. It would have had to
be large perhaps equal to or great
er than Iceland's entire population
and well equipped with tanks, ar
tillery, etc.
But even if we assume that SOL
diers, tanks and guns could have been
brought by air, how would the in
vaders have maintained themselves
after they were in possession? How
would they have kept themselves pro-
vided with food, ammunition, gaso-
Askov American., 1941-11-13

Inc present Russian government
did not exist until after the revolu-
tion in Russia. Then comes E. E. S.
in the issue of July "a stating that l
asked: what has Russia done COM
parable to what Hitler has done to
Europe?" That is not as said.
Take notice of how E. E. S. changed
my question so it goes back to what
Russia has done in any length of
time and up to the present time, in
stead of only the present Russian
governments time. But E. E. S. is
not ashamed of coming with the fol-
lowing claim against Russia: "Even
before the present war, Russia en-
gagged in aggression IL times in the
past two decades" Can E. E. S. tell
us which IL nations Russia made
! aggressive wars on during the last 20
years? In the war against Finland,
Russia was the defender. Every
thing indicated that that war was
instigated by some of the people in
some of the capitalist governed coun-
tries, to down the communistic gov
ernment in Russia; and when the help
from such other countries ceased
Finland lost.
There was a faint hope that Hitler
would cease the war he was at, and
help to down communism, as he had
said so many times should be done;
but he had a different plan. He
wanted the whole world. Then there
was no danger of communism or de-
mocracy.
Now, when neither E. E. S., nor any
other, has proved that the Russian
communistic government has done
any material harm to any other ma
ton, I ask them to do so, so we can
know why we should hate Russia.
1t can not be denied that Russia
has made progress so as to better
her own conditions, by building the
much needed railroads, factories and
many other useful things; and pro-
vided for an education for her peo-
pie; and for freedom of religion, so
the people shall not be forced to be
members of certain religion, and
others to be driven out of the country.
E. E. S. is trying to ridicule me for
what wrote in the issue of Sep
tember 18 when said: "We can. not
blame the people living now for what
their ancestors have done, but if they
are doing the like things, then we can
blame them for following it up as a
national rule, such, as when the Ger
mans started their aggressive wars,
with the war against Denmark in
1864, and now are in the sixth ag-
gresSive war. 1t shows that it is a
national habit and desire to rob other
nations. Then they are to blame for
following that habit Don't forget
that the present Russian government
was not, until after the revolution,
and that time is the only time that
government can be held responsible
for
Russia voted together with the
small nations for disarmament, and
used all her energy for building up
industry, until Hitler made it plain
that he would do war on Russia, but
that was too late for Russia to start
militarism for defense against Ger
many, when she had used all her
energy in preparing for robbery war,
during so many years.
1t is plain that our government is
not so much afraid of Russian COM
munism as of German dictatorship of
the world.
This is my last article about what
E. E. S. has written.
ANDREW RASMUSSON.
5000 West River Blvd,
Minneapolis.
Askov American., 1941-11-13
DEFENDS PRESENT RUSSIA
Editor ASkov American:

When one hides behind an anony-
nous mark or otherwise, most any
thing can be expected from such :
person. I found that out by E. E. S
I wrote in my article July II: "But
what has the present Russian govern
ment done against other nations, to be
compared with that which Germany
has done to Europe?"
Askov American., 1941-11-13
Opinions OF Others

(Short timely letters on topics of
public interest are welcome whether
or not the writer's opinions con.
form with those of the American.
All letters must be signed with the
writer's name for our information.
Signed articles always are more eff
fective, but If the writer does not
wish to have his name used. it Will
be withheld).