davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Health Survey Cuts
Housing for Soldiers
On Leave in Capital
Two Agencies Directed
To Restrict Registrations
To Avoid Crowdine

With procurement of adequate
housing facilities for service men
on leave here slowed down by
Federal Security Agency's de-
mands for definite evidence"
before acting on the situation,
the problem was aggravated fur
ther today with disclosure that
more than 200 enlisted men will
be without their customary
weekend accommodations next
Saturday.
A preliminary Health Department
survey into reports of overcrowded
conditions In lov-cost housing agen-
cies made late yesterday has limited
two servicemen's agencies to 220
accommodations Before the check
approximately $50 men had been
taken care Of.
Meantime, any steps toward pro-
viding permanent barracks or other
quarters for soldiers. sailors and
marines visiting the city were de-
layed pending the collection of data
on the actual number of men un-
able to find sleeping quarters. F.
S. A. has asked Hugo Wolter, di-
rector of recreation services for
civilian defense, to supply it with
concrete evidence" housing Short
age exists.
Check Will Continue.
Mr.. Wolter began a preliminary
check last week end. but admits that
at least two more week ends are
necessary before accurate figures
are available.
Raymond Wilson. acting chief Of
the Health Departments sanitary
service, admitted today that health
inspectors found conditions "a little
out of balance" in two agencies
checked yesterday after being in
formed by The Star of excessive
overcrowding at Service Mems Club
No. l. BOG Ninth street NV.
District Health Officer George C.
Rutland described crowded condi-
(see SOLDIER HOUSING, Pg. A-4)
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Summary of Todoy's Star

Japs ordered to leave Los Angeles
harbor district. Page Al
Jury asks jail term in teacher beat
ing case. Page Ali
U-boats expected to intensity raid
ing. Page Ala
Washington and Vicinity,
Health officers survey to crfrtail SOL
dier housing. Page Al
Easter sunrise service at Fort Lin
coin announced. Page AS
Board OF Trade makes suggestions on
new court judges. Page A
Crowds rush for auto tags: deadline
will not be extended. Page B-1
Census Bureau to move to Suitland
about April Is. Page B-1
D. C. to be allowed seven ofiicer
candidates a month. Page B.1
Commissioners approve IL changes
in street parking. Page B-l
sceIIony
Natures children Page BIS
After Dark. Page B-l6
Evening star., 1942-03-31
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CHUNGKING, China. March 81
A Chinese government spokesman
at a press conference today accused
Japan OF starting germ warfare and
said full information on the charges
would be formally transmitted to
United Nations governments.
An investigation by noted foreign
and Chinese medical experts had
established that a Japanese plane
on November dropped infected
material at Changteh in Honan
Province which caused the death
Of six persons by bubonic plague,
the spokesman said.
The findings Of the experts had
been unanimous, he declared.
When the day of reckoning
comes. the United Nations should
give effect 10 the principle Of In
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Botoon Base Hospital Bombed
In Non Stop Aerial Attacks
Ground Fighting in Philippines
Confined to Shurp Patrol Clashes

Continuation of non stop aeri-
al bombardment of United States
forces in the Philippines-in the
course Of which a plainly marked
base hospital in Bataan was hit
by the JapaneSe-was reported
by the War Department today.
The hospital bombing caused "a
number Of casualties" the War De-
partments communique said.
Ground fighting was confined to
sharp clashes between patrols during
the last "a hours, the communique
said. The destruction OF an enemy
launch in Manila Bay by shore
battery at Fort Hughes also was
reported.
The communique said the base
hospital was bombed at noon yester-
day The hospital was plainly
marked. the communique said, and
had been carefully avoided by the
enemy bombers until yesterday"
The aerial attacks were directed
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Rejection by India
Of British Plan for
Freedom Indicated
Opposition Is Strong in
Congress Porty Ranks,
Gondhi's Son Writes
By the Associated Press.

by me ASsOClaLeO Hress.
NEW DELHI, March 81
Growing indications that the
British proposal to grant India
dominion status might break
down over the British inSiStence
on retaining control of India's
defense during the war came to-
day from the All-India Congress
Executive Committee and other
sources.
Mohandas Gandhi's son. Devadas,
wrote in the Hindustan Times that
the defense issue might cause the
Congress. dominant political party
of the great subcontinent, to reject
the offer Sir Stafford Cripps brought
from the British government The
younger Gandhi said opposition was
strong in the Congress.
Sir Stafford has stated emphat-
lcally at a press conference that
there would be no revision in
Britain's decision to retain defense
control during the war.
Atmosphere of Gloom.
An atmosphere of depression grew
tonight as a result of a general feel
ing that the conference would prove
unsuccessful.
The feeling extended even to Sir
Stafford. who told his press con-
ference he was holding his remain
ing interviews at an accelerated pace
and that they were becoming
slightly exhausting"
The belief that opponents to the
Cripps plan in the Congress would
prevail grew following reports that
C. r. Rajagopalacharier. former
Congress president. had expressed
disappointment over the defense
formula. He previously had been
reported favoring a compromise.
Attitude Held Bewildering.
The younger Gandhi's article.
which presumably reflected his
fathers views, said the party was
bewildered that one so sensible. so
honest and so oad-minded as Sir
Stafford should have lulled himself
into the false belief that a scheme
based on complete control of India's
defense by the British government
would prove acceptable to Indian
opinion
Other sources said it was under
stood the Congress committee had
told Sir Stafford that 1t opposed the
defense proposal and that this plan
had met such opposition that unless
substantially changed. the whole
dominion plan might be rejected
The president of the All-India
Congress, Maulana Abdul Kalan
Azad, emerged tonight from three
and-a- -half-hou meeting Of the
Congress Committee and said the
group was of one mind" regarding
the Cripps proposals.
Gandhi and Azad presented their
views on the British proposals to the
committee earlier today.
The committee was expected to
draft a resolution in reply to the
proposal announced Sunday by Sir
Stafford, and this fact led observers
to believe the answer would be un-
favorable
If the Congress had decided to
(See INDIA, Page ABB
Evening star., 1942-03-31

both at the lines on Bataan Pc
ninsula and at the harbor defenses.
The communique said that bombs
were dropped on front lines and
rear areas on Bataan and stated:
Both day and night air raids on
our harbor defenseS continue in
termittently. Thus far little dam
age has been inflicted. The day
raids yesterday were accompanied
by fire from enemy shore batteries
In Cavite Province. The guns of
our forts returned the fire A bat
terry firing from Fort Hughes de-
stroyed an enemy launch in Manila
Bay"
The patrol clashes were indicative
of the tense situation on the penin-
sula, where the outnumbered forces
of 1t. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright
awaited momentarily an all-out at
tack by the long stalled Japanese.
The text of War Department COM
munique No. 1859, outlining the mill
Co. pyJIY IDpTNrC p,nn n
Evening star., 1942-03-31
u. :. Newsmen Assured
On British Censor Rules
n the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
LONDON, March 3l.-American
newspaper correspondents were as
sured tonight by Minister OF Infor-
nation Brendan Bracken that the
new censorship regulations on out
going dispatches would not hamper
Irresponsible" writer's wishing to send
an informed picture of Britain at
war.
The new powers are not aimed
at reasoned and responsible COM
ment. however critical 1t may be at
times Mr.. Bracken said in = state
n1ent.
The new rules subject interpreta-
tive dispatches on social, political
and economic phases OF British life
to the same scrutiny A. those deal
ing with military matters.
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Italians Report Daring
Nioht Raid on Tobruk
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
ROME From italian Broadcasts) i.
March 31.-An Italian fighter squad
ron inflicted heavv losses on British
troop encampments at Tobruk and
destroyed 10 vehicles and damaged
more than 100 in daring night raid
IN that British-held Eibyan port, the
Italian high command reported to-
day.
The communique said British
fighters meeting the attackers were
repulsed and all Italian planes re-
turned safely to their bases.
Continued sandstorms again pre-
vented any major operations on the
land front. the high command re-
ported.
Weather Limits Activity.
CAIRO. March 81 (P.-Stormy
weather limited action on the Lib
yam front yesterday to patrol action,
the British communique said today.
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Three Trainmen Killed,
In Locomotive Explosion
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
REDKEY, Ind, March 31.-The
engineer, fireman and brakeman OF
a west-bound Nickle Plate Railroad
freight train were killed today by the
explosion of the locomotive boiler
east of here.
The dead were identified by Cor
oner Donald Spahr as E. L. Benner
engineer, and w. M. Harschberger
fireman, both OF Lima. Ohio, and J
E. Schletter of Frankfort, Ind, the
brakeman.
The coroner said he had reports
the water level In the boiler was low
The engineer was blown 100 feet
from the locomotive. The fireman s
body was found In the locomotive
cab.
Evening star., 1942-03-31
New Guinea Airdrome
Is Blasted by Allies
From $4,000 Feet
Direct Hits Scored on
Hangers and Runwoys,
Buildings Set Afire
Ey The AsSociatec Pres.


MELBOURNE, March 31.-NeW
aerial hammer blows on the Jap
aneSe invasion base of Lac, New
Guinea, were announced today
as reports told again of Allied
airmen clearly stamping their
superiority over the enemy.
United States flying fortresses
over New Guinea have been beat
ing off the japanese fighter planes
in combat miles high with the
tail gunner proving especially deadly
against air attacks. advices from
Townsville, Queensland. said.
In a tribute to Gen. Sir Thomas
, Blamey. commander in chief Of
Allied land forces in Australia
Prime Minister John Curtin dis
closed that the return of part of
the Australian imperial force from
the Near East was achieved with
out a single adverse incident"
He also praised the aid of British
naval and other forces.
DhCSt oi -hi vi
In the bombardmenJ yesterday
of the Lac Airdrome from an alti-
tude of 26.000 feet. a communique
said. direct hits were scored on
hangers and runways and buildings
alongside it were set afire. Bad
weather hampered the raiders.
The R. A. F. also bombed an air
drome at Koepang. Dutch Timor,
probably destroying six japanese
planes on the ground, Mr.. Curtin
announced.
Seven japanese bombers dropped
25 to 80 bombs on the Darwin air
drome. the communique said. but
caused neither damage nor casual
ties. 1t said one United Nations
plane was reported missing, but its
crew probably was safe.
At a reception for Gen. Blamey,
Mr.. Curtin declared the British gov
ernment and Prime Minister
Churchill himself had agreed to the
homecoming of portion of the
Australian forces in the Mediter-
ranean basin TO give us the stiff
ening of battle seasoned veterans" :"
Stresses Preparedness.
Gen. Blamey told interviewers
Australians must be prepared to
stand up to anything that comes
and warned the people they must
give their all, in every possible way,
and quickly for 1912 may be the
year which will determine the life
or death of Australia as nation.
Whether or not invasion comes,
he said, the commonwealth must be
prepared.
There is no question" he added.
that we have got to win this war
or die
A pledge that neither the govern
ment nor Parliament would inter-
fere in the military direction Of the
war in Australia was given by Mr.
Curtin.
Military matters are for military
men, he said
The Prime Minister said the gov
ernment had now achieved its four
initial objectives: Association of
Australia in the higher direction Of
the war by establishment Of the
Pacific War Council. return of Aus
tralian imperial force elements. with
the consent of the British govern
ment: intimate association of Amer
lean and Australian forces on Aus
tralian soil; supreme direction of
(See AUSTRALIA. Page A-3J
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Chinese Charge Jops Are Using
Germ as Well as Gas Warfare

dividual criminal responsibility Of
those officers and men who ordered
or carried out such inhuman meth
ods of warfare. as we'll as to the
principle of state responsibility"
said the spokesman.
A Chinese high command COM
munique charged yesterday that
Japanese forces attempting to cap
ture Toungoo had used poison gas
in their attacks.
The Chinese had expected the use
of gas and were not taken by sur
prise, the communique added. The
Chinese reported earlier that they
had captured number of gas masks
after dislodging a Japanese force
from one position.
Japanese use of gas during fight
ing in China has been charged at
least twice before by the Chinese.
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Bark|ey Forecasts
Bitter Fight 10 Save
40-Hour Week
Curb on War Profits
Except Through Toxotion
Also Faces Opposition
Ry the Associated Presa

By the Associated Press.
The administration gave clear
indication today that it would
fight to the last ditch against
any moves to suspend the 40
hour-Week law or to curb war
profits except through taxation.
Senate Democratic Leader Bark
lev told reporters before scheduled
White House conference on the leg
islative program that he was op-
posed TO enactment now Of any re-
Strictive labor measures.
Moreover, Senator Barkley said
he favored attempting to recapture
excessive war profits by high taxa
ton such as the Treasury has sug-
gested rather than through a fat
limitation of per cent. a method
the House approved when it so
amended a pending $4,000, 900 900
military appropriation bill.
Fears Chaos" in Industry.
Senator Barkley said suspension
of the 40-hour week law was likely
to cause chaos" in war industries.
He added that he would continue to
oppose efforts by Senator Connally,
Democrat, OF Texas. to obtain Sen
ate consideration of the Texans
measure freezing working conditions
in strike-bouno plants taken over
by the Government ,
Contending that most war indus
tries were operating far in excess of
40 hours week, Senator Barkley
said the only question involved was
whether employees were to receive
time and a half for work over that
period
This time and half he said. rep
resented about a 10 per cent in
crease in pay over normal wages.
He added that there had been an
approximate increase of IS per cent
in the cost of living.
Readjustment Demands Likely.
IF you take away that pay in
crease" he declared. you are going
to have demands all over the coun-
try for readjustment of wage scales.
That is likely to bring chaos into a
management-labor situation that
has become relatively quiet in the
last few months"
He said further that war contracts
had been made by the Government
on the basis of overtime payments
to obtain needed production speed
If labor loses its overtime pay. con-
tractors are likely to profit that
much more. Senator Barkley said
The Democratic leader told the
Senate yesterday there already had
been "scandalous" profits made by
(See LABOR. Page A-4D
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Air Forces Revomped
Because of Conveys
To Russia, Nozis Say
- the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
ZURICH, Switzerland, March
3i.-The Berlin correspondent
OF the newspaper La Suisse said
today the German fleet and air
force were facing serious prob
lens OF the Norwegian coast
where a United States British
CONVOY had been able to con-
tinue its voyage despite German
air attacks.
The increased protection Of
these conveys" the Berlin &C
count said, has immobilized .
large number OF the German
air units In Norway and has
necessitated the reinforcement
OF the army of occupation In
Norway and the air force in
Finland"
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Swift Nipponese
Advance Swings
Around Flank
By the Associated Press.

0y tHe AsoOSlhtcu TIcsb.
NEW DELHI, India, March 81
British forces in Burma were
in a difficult plight today, fight-
ing with inadequate air support,
amid. hostile people and, appar-
emily, with their motorized van
guards cut off by a swift, deep
Japanese advance around their
flank.
At the same time the Chinese
defending the eastern anchor Of the
United Nations line guarding the
road to Mandalay and to the rich
oil fields of inner Burma, were
fighting to hold the Toungoo strong
hold against another driving enemy
column.
(The Rome radio, quoting jap
aneSe reports. said today the Jap
anese had carried out heavy raids
on Mandalay and several other
important strategic sectors on the
Toungoo- Mandalay road.
"a Chinese Army spokesman in
Chungking said that reinforce
ments for the outnumbered de-
tenders of Toungoo have recap
tured the railroad town of Kyun-
gon, 10 miles north of Toungoo)
Japs Deep Behind British.
The British communique said a
mixed force of japanese and Bur-
mese had penetrated to Shwedaung,
about 10 miles south of Prone, deep
behind British mobile units in the
Paungde area, 20 miles farther south
The enemy gain, made by force
which crossed the IrraWaddy River
at Tonbo and established roadblocks
at Shwedaung was made despite
fierce resistance in which an Indian
frontier force inflicted 300 casualties
and captured 10 Burmese prisoners,
the communique said.
This may prove only temporary
nique said a counterattack had been
launched to reopen the roads and
"as yet there is no report Of this
action"
Our operations in this area are
considerably hindered by lack of
air reconnaissance and by the fact
that the local population as whole
appears actively in support of the
enemy the communique observed
A Chinese headquarters communi-
que made public in New Delhi said
Chinese forces in Toungoo have
joined with other forces to the north
and east and have readjusted
their positions in that area"
Paungde Outcome Unclear.
The outcome OF fight by British
80 miles south of Prone. which had
been reported in yesterdays COM
munique, still was not made clear
in the latest report.
The communique said reconnois-
sance forces were heavily engaged
but that difficulties of terrain pre-
vented .he full use of our mobile
forces"
However a Reuters dispatch
from Maymyo. Burma, said the
British tanks attacked the Japa-
nese and inflicted heavy casual
ties on them yesterday
The British said another small
mobile force moved south to clear
up An enemy center of resistance
which had held out at Padigon. on
the Irrawaddy front. Padigon is
miles northwest of Paungde.
The communique did not mention
Toungoo, eastern anchor of the Al
lied line. where the Chinese were
last reported stoutly resisting the
Japanese.
British observers in London called
the f1areup of activity from the
1rrs waddy to Toungoo the heaviest
(See BURMA. PAGE A-3)
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Convoy Attacked East
Of CeyIon, Jops Claim
Nv the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON. March 3l.-The Rome
radio in a broadcast heard by Ex-
change Telegraph reported a jap
anese official announcement of a
japanese submarine attack on a
British convoy sailing from Alden
The attack occurred east of Cey-
lon. the report said, but other de-
tails were lacking.
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Sumatra Fight Completed
March II, Japs Claim
BY the Associated Press.

BY me ASS0cIatto PreSy,
TOXIC from japanese broad
casts, March 31-The Dutch island
of Sumatra came under Japanese
control March q when 200 Neither
lands Indies troops led by major
general and colonel surrendered.
Domei reported today. The news
agency said more than half the cap
tured enemy troops we're British
and Dutch.
Evening star., 1942-03-31
China Requests Vatican
To Exchange ENJOYS

BY the Associated Press.
CHUNGKING, March 31.-China
has made request to the Vatican
for an exchange Of diplomatic rep
resentatives and the request has
been favorably received" a govern
ment spokesman said today.
Japan announced last week the
appointment of Ken Harada to be
special minister to the Holy See.
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Allies Blast Subs and Destroyer
In Beating off Attack on Convoy;
Burma Japs Cut Off English Units
3 Arctic U-Bouts
Severely Damaged
In Sunday Bottle
~ the Associated Press.

1y the Associated Press.
LONDON, March Sherman
naval attacks on a convoy carry
ing British and American sup
plies to Murmansk have been
beaten of by British and Russian
forces with one large German
destroyer crippled and three
U-boats severely damaged. if not
sunk. the Admiralty announced
today.
The first British account of the
northern sea battle. about which the
Germans have been boasting, said
two British ships were damaged, the
new s.OOO-ton cruiser Trinidad and
the I 1.375-ton destroyer Eclipse. Both
returned to their port, however, q
communique said.
Today's British communique said
one large German destroyer was
"crippled and set on fire" and an
other stopped" Then IT recalled
that the Germans themselves have
admitted the sinking of one OF their
destroyers, implying that one OF the
two damaged went down.
The British and Russians engaged
the enemy Sunday as the convoy was
plowing through heavy seas. Visl-
bility. reduced by frequent snow
storms. hindered the operations.
Opened Fire on Destroyer.
The Trinidad opened fire on one
large enemy destroyer which she
crippled aid set on fire, the Admir-
atty comnhunique said. The Eclipse
scored a direct hit on German
DESTROYER but the arrival OF two
more German destroyers forced her
to break of the engagement.
The Germans. in four days OF
continued reports Of naval sue
cesses against the convoy, have
claimed the sinking OF three
transports, fourth probably
sunk, one British cruiser tor
pedoed and another convoy vessel
damaged by bombsD
Two additional destroyers escaped
the Trinidad after she had started
to chase them.
The British said the United Ma
tions' forces. in addition to engae-
Ing In the surface battles, discovered
the presence Of U-boats. and three
OF them were severely damaged If
not sunk
Text Of CommuniqUe.
The Admiralty communique said:
Attacks by enemy surface craft
and U-boats to prevent a CONVOY
with British and American supplies
from reaching Russia were beaten
OF by British and Russian forces.
preliminary reports show that
on the morning of March 20 light
forces Of the enemy were sighted.
Visibility was poor with frequent
snowstorms
H. M. S. Trinidad Capt. L. S.
Saunders, r. NJ engaged one large
enemy destroyer which she crippled
and set on fire.
"She then gave chase to two
other destroyers which escaped.
Another Attack Develops.
"A few hours later another attack
developed.
During the ensuing engagement
Il. M. S. Eclipse LIT. Comdr. E.
Mack. D. S. c.. r. NJ hit and
stopped one destroyer, but the ar
rival of two more enemy destroyers
compelled her to break of the en-
eagement.
The loss of one destroyer has
already been admitted by the enemy.
H. M. S. Trinidad and H. M. s.
Eclipse suffered some damage. but
both ships have returned to harbor
safely.
There were a few casualties Next
Of kin will be informed as soon as
possible.
During the passage Of the con-
voy. the presence of U-boats was
discovered and successful attacks by
- ~@lYYy~Ty
Evening star., 1942-03-31

(See AUSTRALIA, Page A-3D
Evening star., 1942-03-31

tSee PHILIPPINES. Page A-4)
Evening star., 1942-03-31

(See CONVOY, Page A-6)
Evening star., 1942-03-31
Readers Prefer The Star

The Stars afternoon and evening
circulation Is more than double that
Of any other Washington newspaper.
It's total circulation in Washington
far exceeds that OF any Of its conteri-
poraries in the morning or on Sunday.
Evening star., 1942-03-31

tSee BURMA, Page A-3D
Evening star., 1942-03-31

(See RUSSIA. Page A-4D
Evening star., 1942-03-31

Late news and sports are covered on
Pages TX and Ak Of this edition OF
The Star, experimenting the news OF
the regular home delivered edition.
Evening star., 1942-03-31

(See LABOR. Page A-4D