davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-05-08
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. TrdceUell.

put down by listeners to the credit
of the mockingbird. so great is the
publicity which the latter has received as
a musician.
There are many respectable observers
who will be willing to say that. bird for
bird, the catbird is the best singer OF
them all
The next time you hear "mocking-
bird" be sure it is a mockingbird.
1t may be catbird.
Take a good look in the branches.
to identify the singer.
This will be all the more important
il you distrust the catbird, for 1t will be
doing justice both to it and to yourself.
In q world where injustice seems to
reign, 1t is vastly important that the
Individual, so long as he may, render
justice to all creatures
Mabel Oseood Wright, in "Birdcraft,"
says: 1T seems strange that there
should be any difference of opinion
about this merry, friendly bird"
Mrs. Wright wrote The Garden of a
Commuters Wife" recommended in
this space recently.
The catbird is favorite of all persons
who take the time to investigate it,
The misconception about this species
is popular one, based upon prior
prejudice and lack of investigation and
understanding
So many popular impressions are
similarly faulty.
1t is impossible. We believe. for any
one to really dislike the catbrd, once
he watches it over a period of time,
and understands that the beautiful wild
song ne is listening to is from the
throat Of this bird
Carefully observed the catbird reg
listers as one of the sleekest. most beauti-
full Of all the summer songsters.
Its combination of black and grays
Is not snowy at first. The observer must
look carefully. and long, perhaps. before
the beauty of the combination sinks in.
Then he will realize that this is.
after all. one of the real beauties of
pHolano, prince IN MS own rlght, ana
a real American.
The catbird is about an inch shorter
than the robin or the mockinebird.
1t nests close to houses, preferring
shrub Of some sort, in which it places
its loose nest, often not more than 4
feet from the ground.
Raisins and ground beef are excellent
foods to put out for them.
The latter is particular acceptable at
nesting time. helping the parents sup
ply the hungry bills awaiting them.
A catbird's mewing cry is not always
an alarm or warning.
Often it is given by way of greeting to
its human friends
There is subtle difference, however,
In this meow and the one which it
gives to warn Of danger to It's nest.
Evening star., 1942-05-08
Blue Heron

Not less part OF evening on this
shore -.
Than dusky rose light ouer dunsn
and sedge o,,
Or lagoard ripples from a distant
oar, -
The great blue heron at the rivera
edge.
A dreamer in the t,oilight, rapt, in
tent,
A bird OF shadoD in the failing
light, y.
He seems to brood on ages old and /.
spent
And ,Datt Nth stole calm the lonely
night.
et
What diSilluSionment! A sudden
gleam, &
A thrust of ,oinos that bear him on
his ,Oay-
The deep philosopher torsakes his
dream,
His long beak closed upon his
,Orithing prey.
A sage unmasked Dhose tranceliks
thoughts conceal
No theme more urgent than his eDe-s
ming meal. =
INEz BARCLAY KIRBY.
Evening star., 1942-05-08
Where Next for Jopun?

There is no use blinking the fact
that the end of organized resistance
in the Philippines with the fall of
Corregidor, coming as it does imme-
diately after the collapse of the
Anglo-Chinese defense in Burma,
gives Japan a two-fold initiative
which presumably it will quickly
exploit.
There are some indications that
the japanese will continue opera
tions against Southern China They
have already penetrated some fifty
miles beyond the Burmese border
along the famous Burma road.
They are thus half way to Yung-
chang, the first important town
in Yunnan Province. BY taking
Yungchang, the japanese would
block all hope Of escape for the
trapped Chinese armies still in
Burma. which are now retreating on
the border town Of Bahmo. From
Bahmo, an ancient caravan route
parallels the Burma road and con-
verges with it at Yungchang Those
Chinese forces. aggregating some
10000, are first-line troops who have
given a good account of themselves.
but they are short on mechanical
equipment and shorter still on
planes. while the japanese are
operating on interior lines SO it is
doubtful whether they can make
good their escape ahead of the Jap
anese drive
The trapping of this large Chinese
force would alone Justify a japanese
advance TO Yungchang as purely
tactical maneuver. However, there
are indications that the japanese
high command has other strategic
ends in view. Japanese bombing
planes are ranging far and wide over
Yunnan. Running. the provincial
capital, has been heavily punished
from the air. A glance at the map
shows that Yunnan can be attacked
not only from Burma on the west but
also from Japanese-occupied French
Indo-China on the south. Such an
invasion could proceed up several
valleys and railroad line. The ter
rain, though mountainous, is similar
to that Of the Shan country of
Burma through which the japanese
mechanical spearheads drove with
ease.
II a large-scale invasion of Yum
nan is not Immediately on the cards.
the japanese have an alternative
towards India. japanese forces are
now pursuing the tired remnants of
the British Imperials up the Chind-
win River Valley toward Assam, the
border provpce of India. This oper-
alton can Be considered merely
tactical unit = it develops into greater
Evening star., 1942-05-08
Civilian Defense Lao

The first progress report" OF
Civilian Defense Director Lands
under provisions of the $lO0 100000
Appropriation Act of last February is
far from encouraging to commune
ties which have been awaiting
delivery of gas masks, fire hose and
other afraid protective facilities.
The report discloses that much
equipment is ION order" but little
has been distributed. Nor is there
any Immediate prospect of early
fulfllment Of orders already placed.
Mr.. Lands attributes the begging
down of the air-raid protection
program to priority difficulties
encountered by the o. c. D. in seek
ing supplies authorized by Congress.
1t is disturbing to learn of this lag
in the civilian defense effort, but 1t
is not clear under the circumstances,
how it could have been avoided.
Since there is growing shortage
OF strategic and critical materials.
it has become necessary for the War
Production Board to make the best
possible use of supplies which may be
available. That involves weighing
of needs of our forces on worldwide
fighting fronts against the needs of
civilians on the home front. At the
moment there can be little doubt
that the needs Of soldiers and sailors
on combat duty are of paramount
Importance AS the requirements OF
the fighting men are satisfied, the
allotment of materials for civilian
defense needs can be increased.
Part OF the delay in the gas mask
field is ascribed to a restudy by the
new Civilian Defense Board of the
whole gas mask program, with view
to ascertaining specific needs of the
civilian population. Although $19,-
100000 already has been turned over
to the Chemical Warfare Service for
gas mask production, $4,000, 900 is
being withheld pending completion
of the boards study. 1t is to be
hoped that this inquiry will be expe-
dited, so that this important phase
Of civilian defense can go forward at
top speed. The job of manufacturing
millions Of masks is big one, requir-
Ing development of greatly expanded
production facilities. No time should
be lost in achieving this expansion.
Evening star., 1942-05-08
Peruvian Guest

The President of Peru is doubly
welcome in the Capital of the United
States. DR.. Manuel Prado represents
country whose traditions of civil
ization trace back to date long
anterior to the discovery of America
His people are the descendants Of the
Incas of remote antiquity. In the
veins of many of them also runs the
blood of the companions of PiZarro
and Almagro, the intrepid pioneers
who laid the foundations of the most
important viceroyalty of Spain in
the Southern Hemisphere. The in
dependence of their country was
achieved by San Martin and Bolivar
and has been maintained with gal
liant courage since 1921. In the pre-
vailing world crisis they recognize
"the supreme duty to safeguard the
moral patrimony of our young ma
tionalities" including the right to
think, to feel and to labor in accord
ance with legitimate requirements
and with collective aspirations"
Washington's honored guest like
wise is esteemed for his own qualities
and achievements. Endowed by in
heritance with talehts of the highest
order, he is scientist, a soldier and
a statesman. His family has been
eminent in Peru for generations. He
was trained for public service by his
father, one Of his predecessors in the
presidency. Conservative in the
character of his mind, he personifies
what properly may be regarded ~ q
Evening star., 1942-05-08
EAST FALLS CHURCH, Va.

Dear Sir:
This morning I actually saw some
thing I have often heard Of but never
hoped to see An albino robin!
My young son has been telling me
about a white robin he has seen several
times since the robins came, but like a
lot Of other wise parents thought 1t
was figment of his ina agination because
I hadn't seen it,
But this morning I saw it with my
own two eyes on my neighbors lawn.
just as busily engaged in looking for
worms as any other regular robin.
He is not pure white, rather dirty
white, I would say. but his breast is
distinctly red.
II had imagined that TO be real
albino he would be white all over.
I'VE live about miles out Of the
city limits of Washington in quite a
wooded section and we have all the
native birds in large numbers.
"An of our neighbors are bird lovers
too, and We do everything We can to
attract and keep our birds
1T seems to me that all OF the birds
have arrived for the summer except the
yellow billed cuckoo Il know he hasn't
come because of the great numbers of
undisturbed fuzzy caterpillar nests in
the wild cherry and apple trees) and
our beloved catbirds
Il wonder why the catbirds are so
late knnu- coma folke do pot Gke
the catbird, but he is one OF our favor
ties.
He is such q friendly, inquisitive
fellow and 1 don't even mind his cat
call, because I think his song makes
up for that. Usually his cat call means
danger OF some sort. anyway.
This part OF our world is ringing
with song this morning as the birds
are so appreciative Of an April shower,
even If it is only sprinkle.
Il enjoy This and That so much and
could not resist the temptation OF writ
ing you my particular bird thrill
Very truly yours, z. P. R."
Our correspondents favorite, the cat
bird will have arrived by this time.
The first one in our yard came on
April 30. He gave q few plaintive news,
but did not sing.
1t is too bad that many persons never
60 any farther in listening to the cat
bird
They never hear, in other words, any,
thing except the meowing sound which
gives the bird its popular name
They never realize that the masnifi-
cient song they hear from the tree Is
the catbird singing
They think 1t is mockingbird!
-
The mocker too often gets the credit
for the catbird's musical efforts.
The brown thrasher also sings in the
same way. and his song. too. is often
Evening star., 1942-05-08

makeshift field hospitals, casualty clear
ing stations, and finally in base hospitals,
they would be only too glad to acquiesce
in an effort to have their boys physical
ly fitted at the earliest possible moment.
Readers who love their sons, broth
ers and sweethearts must realize that
the greatest help they can give them
and the greatest chance they can pro-
vide for them to survive is to see that
they are In the best possible condition,
so that when they are called to combat,
there will be much more probability of
their returning home physically tough,
disciplined and healthy, none the worse
for their service. Though it Is an un-
doubted hardship to interrupt the edu-
cation OF youth, We never must forget
that II We lose this war no education
in the world will be worth having, nor
will any Of our lives be worth living.
COL STANLEY WASHBURN.
Lakewood, N, ].
Evening star., 1942-05-08
Scrap Rubber

The disclosure by E. G. Holt, in an
article in Domestic Commerce, that
there is a vast reservoir of scrap
rubber in the United States that has
not yet been tapped directs attention
to the need for a Nationwide sal
vaging campaign and an intensiflca-
tion of efforts to recover, for use in
the war program, every pound of
scrap that can be collected. Though
old rubber is now being gathered in
the more thickly populated parts Of
the country for treatment by recla-
nation plants, no thoroughgoing
campaign to salvage worn-out rubber
products has yet been instituted in
the Mountain and West North Gen.
trail sections, and in an inland belt
extending across the country north
of the Gulf of Mexico.
This area, it is estimated, contains
from 100000 to 100000 tons of scrap
rubber Even if the lower figure is
the correct one, the supply available
would be large enough to take care
of the country's normal needs for
nearly a year. Due to the long dis
tances between population centers
and the resulting high transporta-
ton costs, the expense of collection,
in the past. has prevented a sys-
tenatic salvaging campaign. In
view of the present shortage of rub
Der and the need for increasing the
reserves available for the armed
forces, whatever expenditures are
necessary to tap the scrap rubber
reserves in this area would seem to
be fully justified.
Collection of rubber scrap is an
important part of the war program,
and it is one to which most Ameri-
cans can make some contribution.
For diligent search will reveal scrap
in nearly every household Efficient
collection drives in every community
will greatly increase our rubber
stock pile, and thus strengthen the
military frontiers of the United Ma
tions as they prepare to take the
offensive against the Axis.
Evening star., 1942-05-08

If we OF America are fighting a true
war for freedom. 1t must be for free
dom Of all peoples everywhere on earth
II India were made to feel that like the
Chinese, she is fighting as a free country
OF free men in a common cause for free
dom, the United Nations will have no
stancher ally. So long as India-pas-
slonately aware of her growing unity
and nationalism-cries out for freedom
and Is denied freedom-the detectives
OF our global war are mere phantoms
India Is the test case; the problem of
India is the crux of what America Is
fighting for in this global war.
We OF the West must alter our con-
cepts OF ruler" peoples and subject"
peoples We must realize without eoui-
vocation that the day of imperialism
that is, the exploitation of the masses
in Asia-is at an end
CONSTANCE TRUELL.
To the Editor of The Star:
Those who really know something
about India and the atrociouslv brutal
mlsrule forced upon her by her British
landlords may well ask your editorial
sta1 just what the Hindus are supposed
to use for weapons in the face of ageres-
sion? Their rulers do not allow them to
possess even wooden staffs-perish the
thought that they might be allowed the
use OF firearms!
In the First World War the Indian
people were promised dominion status If
tney co-operated with the Allies They
co-operated and after the war were
double e-crossed in the most heinous
manner, the Hindus being subjected to
the most horrible brutalties, individual
and collective; that the mind of man
could invent. The famous Amritsar
massacre is one example among manv.
and / feel sure, after making a COM
prehensive study of India's problems
for over IL years. that no aggressor
besides Britain could make India more
miserable than she has already been
made by her original aggressor-Britain.
l am excluding Mohammedan aggres-
sion because the Moslem aggressors
MADE India their home and did not rule
from afar and draw the hearts blood
of the people for their own benefit. am
sure that by now the old hypocritical
chestnut about English rule in India
being necessary for the good of the
natives" is recognized for what it really
Is.
We all know what a valuable Jewel
India has been in the British crown.
Were Indias riches and resources-as
yet practically untapped-to vanish
overnight, it does not take an over
intelligent mind to surmise that Britain
gladly would relinquish the white mans
burden" without murmur of protest.
She no longer would mention, with
crocodile tears. the many problems" in
India, the untouchables, the deep
religious gulfs,' the "minorities" and
the myriad other things mentioned as an
excuse for her imperialism
But as long as the wealth of the
Indies" is there for the grabbing, the
British are going to grab while the
grabbing is good And as far As the
Indian masses are concerned, slavery
is slavery, and to q slave, the identity
Of the master is of no great import.
MARGARET WRAGG.>
Evening star., 1942-05-08
Readers Discuss India's Claims
For FREEDOM From "Imperialism..

For freedom From "Imper1AllSm.
Your recent editorial in regard to India
refers somewhat ambiguously to the
"weasel-worded" resolution OF India to
resist aggression by non-violent non-co-
operation. For IS years I lived in India,
working as missionary in various prov
inces and thus had opportunity to OBJ
serve at first hand conditions under
which Gandhis satyagraha policy de-
veloped, beginning with Amritsar.
In the first place, the "pacinst fanati-
cism' Of the Mahatma is the one thing
the British raj has to thank for the
fact that for the past 20 years British
authorities have not had an armed revo-
luton on their hands in India. The
English in India know this and value
the Bapu.
In the second place, your reference
to the revolt of the untouchables is mis-
leading. Gandhi Is the greatest friend
of the untouchables, is himself their
stanchest defender. calls their present
status rotten eXcrescence" on Hindu
ism and has stated, Il would far rather
that Hinduism died than untouchablism
lived" Gandhi's great mission is to help
these unfortunateS; at present he lives
in mud hut in the midst Of an un-
touchable settlement and devotes his
whole life to raising their state. He
calls them Harijads, or Children of
God" The daily newspaper published
at his community is the Harijad. Gandhi
works increasingly in their behalf.
Your statement that the "all-India
Congress party had the efIrontery to
blame Britain for breakdown of neeoti-
ations" Is also open to challenge. Let
Us rather blame the clay feet of laiSsez-
faire imperialism which-in its own way
as vicious as the militant Facist imper-
ialism of the Axis powers-for l80 years
has kept India in political bondage, a
victim of economic exploitation. The
facts are accessible to any one who wishes
10 go to a public library and gather
statistics
India today has the same psychology
as Ireland. Tremendous dynamic forces
which will not be stemmed are rising in
the Nationalist movement Gandhi,
Nehru and c. R.-as we'll as the Con-
gress leaders-are aware of this rising
tide. To accuse these men OF being
members OF "Brahmin oligarchy with
uncompromising ambition" is silly. No
serious person can accuse any of the
leaders Of the Congress party today on
minute examination of facts OF their
lives, of anything but the same passion
ate and burning desire for Indias ma
tional unity and freedom as stirred the
farmer patriots of America in 1776.
Evening star., 1942-05-08

@. What causes hair 10 stand on
end"?-M. N. C.
A. This is sensation produced by
the contraction of tiny muscles that
run out in slanting direction from the
hair follicles. These muscles contract
when sudden fright or shock are expert.
enced
@. Is honey less fattening than other
sugars?-T. RI
A. Honey is said to be less fattening
than most other sugars. Because of the
strong flavor, a smaller amount satisfies.
The ancients considered honey an excel
lent remedy for obesity.
O. How did Shakespeare spell his own
name?-B. l.. w.
A. The name Shakespeare is spelt In
an astonishing variety of ways, the
number being 1000 according to one au-
thority The author himself generally
wrote "Shakspere" in full or In an alb
breviated form.
@. Who Is the author of the hymn,
Stand Up. Stand Up for Jesus" ?-D. D.
A. 1t was written by DIR. George Duff
field Qs1s-1888), and based upon the
dying words of his young friend Rev.
Dudley Tying. Tell them, Let us all
stand up for Jesus"
@. How does pretzel get its shape'-
B. B.
A. The dough comes from the machine
in a long thin strip to women who
quickly snatch up the length of dough,
tie it into the conventional knot and
place 1t on tray.
@. Are there any underground streams
in the Sahara Desert?-C. I. G.
A. There are numerous underground
streams in the Sahara and fresh fish
may be obtained by digging down to
these subterranean waters.
@. What was the name of the group
Of islands that did not hear OF the end
of the First World War until years after
ward?-M. w.
A. The inhabitants of Tristan da
Cunha, lying in the south Atlantic mid
way between AITlCa ana SOuCn America,
received no word of the wars end until
1922. The islands have no regular COM
munication or steamship service and
often cannot be approached because of
foes, fierce gales and mountainous seas.
@. Did Joyce Kilmer write any poems
while he was in France?-B. C. D. Z.
A. Kilmer wrote five poems in France,
the first being Rough Bouquet and
the last The Peacemaker." He was
killed in 1918.
@. Is Montecristo a real or imaginary
place?-M. v. w.
A. 1t Is an island about 40 miles west
of Italy. Montecristo Is the private
property of the King of Italy who has
a shooting lodge there.
@. Who was the first composer OF
operaS?-A. D. N. =
A. Christoph Gluck, German composer
Q714-l78D, established the principles of
present operate form in his operas Of :
which Alceste, 1766; Iphigenie en- Aulide,
1774; and Orphee, 1852. are the finest.
Evening star., 1942-05-08

proportions. Any estimate of future
Japanese plans must be sheer guess
work, however, until the true signifi-
canoe Of the great battle now being
fought in the Coral Sea becomes
clear.
Evening star., 1942-05-08
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
By Frederic J. Husktr

A reader con get the dnsiper to amp
question o. TACT bv iprit,nq The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Hdsktn. director. Washington,
d. c. Please inclose stamp for return
postage.
@. How many nsturalized members
OF Congress are there At the present
timers. T. S.
A. Thirteen members Of the present
Congress are naturalized citizens.
O. Is the rank OF sergeant ma ior still
used In the Army?-G. o.
A. The War Department says that
there Is no so-called grade Of sergeant
major in the United States Army at the
present time. The term sergeant ma
jor' is a descriptive one applied to a
non commissioned staff oficer in the
grade OF master sergeant, technical
sergeant. or sta1 sergeant who performs
clerical duties.
@. Which is the largest of the con-
stellations?-H. M
A. Hydra is the largest constellatio
In ancient mythology 1t was a mon
strous serpent with many heads.
Evening star., 1942-05-08
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the 10riter, although the use of
a pseudonyn for publication is
permissible. The Star reserues
the right to edit all letters ,Dith
Die10 to condensation.
Evening star., 1942-05-08

Slip Covers for Furniture
Dress up your home for summer
with fresh. light-colored slip
covers. Make it cool. restful and
inviting by covering that dark,
warmlooking upholstery with a
bright, cheerful color. Slip
Covers for Furniture, Govern
ment publication, includes chap
ters on uses OF slip covers,
choosing fabrics for service. dec
orative features. estimating yard
age and construction. To secure
your copy of this practical book
let inclose 10 cents in coin,
wrapped in this clipping. and
mail to The Star Information
Bureau.
Name
-------------------
Address
Evening star., 1942-05-08
Member of the Associated Pres

Entered rs second-class matter post once,
Washington. D. c.