davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1943-04-04
United Policy Is Lacking

things slide, which we know will bring
friction at the green table in London
or wherever the European peace confer
ence is held
Some criticism is expressed in certain
Washington quarters that our leaders do
not speak with the authority which the
tremendous contribution this country is
making to the Allied cause entities them.
1t is not that they lack the courage or
conviction that we have a right to speak.
But they actually do not know what to
say. They realize, for instance, that
ideologies such as those expressed by
Vice President Wallace do not dovetail
with the shape of things to come.
But they do not know which track to
choose for their run toward the goal of a
just peace. They fear that firm policy
might offend our associates or may not
meet with the approval of the people in
the United States.
Evening star., 1943-04-04
RussionFront

There was considerable heavy fighting
all along the Russian front but very little
change in position. What advantages
were gained were in favor of the Red
Armies which made some slight progress
toward Smolensk on the northern front
and toward Novorossisk on the Caucasian
front.
Strong German units struck at the Red
defenses along the Donets line but were
repulsed with heavy losses.
The Russian Army reported, as the
week ended, on a summary of German
losses before Stalingrad where the Axis
Army suffered the most disastrous defeat
in military history. According to the
Soviet statement, the Axis, between No
vember 10 and March 81, lost 1,193,525
men, of who approximately 850,000 were
killed, the rest being taken prisoner.
During the same period the Axis lost
20360 guns 9,19O tanks and 5000 planes
either captured or destroyed.
Evening star., 1943-04-04
A Belgian Patriot
Paws the Price

The full story of the execution of
Belgian patriot, Georges Deckers, who
10 times faced German firing squad
and 10 times heard the order lower
rifles is told in a recent issue of La
Libre Belgique, Belgian underground
newspaper. Seized for "endangering ths
security of the German Army and for es-
pionage," Deckers underwent 18 months
of mental torture while the Nazis tried
to wrench details of the Belgian under.
ground movement from him.
For reasons best known to themselves
the Germans did not beat Deckers, as
they did other prisoners. But the mental
torture was even more exquisite. He lost
weight, could mot sleep. In his last
months, his wife told friends, he did
not seem to recognize her at times when
she visited him.
Evening star., 1943-04-04
MUCH WORK MUST PRECEDE INVASION
Victory Africa Encouraging Display Of United Nations Teamwork

reduced by bombing alone, though on the
scale now practiced this form of attack
will doubtless affect morale and to some
extent curtail production. Much of Ger
many's vital industry. however, has al
ready been moved to remote centers
which it is very difficult to bomb effec-
lively.
Outright invasion-the second front"
which the Russians inaccurately but in
slstently demands probably the only
way in which continent under the iron
heel of German military and police des-
potism can be liberated by measures of
physical force alone
No Easy Path.
Nothing is gained by pretending that
this liberation will be easily accom-
plished, or that it can be measured in
terms less grim than the appalling casu-
alties and universal sacrifice of which
We are properly warned.
The first line of German defense, we
must remember, is not Europes coastal
Notifications but the submarine Here,
as in other lines the pronounced change
in German strategy has become clear
The U-boat is no longer used pri-
marily as an aggressive raider, on iso-
lated forays, but as an organized patrol
designed to prevent any regular delivery
OF the huge quantity of supplies needed
to make an overseas invasion effective.
We know that the time won by Rommel
has seen development of the most in
tensive submarine production in Ger
many. And with lengthening daylight an
increasing toll in shipping losses is all
but inevitable.
Behind the U-boat screen lies the de-
veloping network of Notifications which
bombs may dent, and commando raids
momentarily penetrate, but for the re-
duction Of which a large-scale invasion
far greater than that successfully man.
aged in North Africa will be necessary
The hazards ahead, so easily ignored
precisely because they are so formidable
would seem to encourage consideration of
every procedure calculated to undermine
the fortress of Europe from within. And
such consideration seems the more ap-
the banners Of the United Nations. Anglo
American cooperation in planning a
better postwar world is good. But such
cooperation to exploit the joint victory
in Africa, by encouraging defeatism in
Italy and Germany, should logically come
first.
Admittedly it is difficult to suggest
realistic formula which would encourage
the Axis to sue for peace before, rather
than after, the holocaust which all too
clearly looms over the horizon for this
summer. But difficulties should not be
allowed to impede the effort, when hum
dreds of thousands of lives and, indeed,
the basic stability of our civilization are
issues at stake.
Man is a thinking as we'll as a fighting
animal. Throughout his checkered his
tory the former process has won him far
more advancement than the latter. Even
in wartime 1t Is advisable to remember
and act upon that truth.
Evening star., 1943-04-04
Crunmer
Continued From Page BID

into channels of justice and legality by
announcing that they will hold account
able those guilty of crimes during the
enemy occupation. The governments in
exile have been active in compiling evi-
dence and documents against their own
Quislings and the occupation authori-
ties responsible for brutality, with the
object Of bringing those accused to trial
after the war. But the promptness with
which the machinery of justice is set in
motion may have much to do with
whether riotous violence is avoided.
8. Stolen goods department. Unravel-
ing the tangle of stolen stocks, bonds, de-
partment stores, mines, factories and
farms apparently will be task of years.
Some of the untangling probably will
devolve upon occupation authorities as
soon as they begin trying to get industry
and commerce in working order The
Allied governments have announced that
fake deals by which the Nazis seized
control of property during their occupe-
ton will not be recognized at law This
means an attempt will be made to un-
scramble the egg.
Evening star., 1943-04-04

porary shelter of the Mareth Line, Mar
shal Rommel not merely preserved most
of his army intact, but also preserved it
as an efficient and formidable fighting
force If that we're not the case there
would be little credit in the Anglo
American victory now achieved.
In the current retreat from the Mareth
Line, moreover, the Desert Fox" is again
demonstrating his ability to extricate
himself from disaster. Evidently the
Axis resistance in Tunisia will not cave
beaten Rommel once again. There must
be further heavy fighting, perhaps some
weeks of 1t, before Tunisia and Bizerte
can be taken and the Afrika Korps faced
with another Dunkirk in which the Ger
mans will this time be evacuating a
continent.
Eventually, 1t now seems certain,
Rommel will lose his army, or at least
very large part thereof. The swastika
will be driven from Africa and the road
to an invasion of Europe will be opened.
But in losing Africa the Germans, by
.
have already gained long months of time
for defensive preparations. There is, un-
fortunately, no doubt that they have
been using this time intelligently.
Hitler Changes Strategy.
Last November, when the Russians
struck for the relief of Stalingrad and
when the British drove Rommel out of
Egypt, Hitler perforce accepted defen-
sive strategy. 1t became clear then that
Germany could not possibly defeat Rus
sia. 1t had earlier become clear that
there could be no successful invasion
across the English Channel and there
fore no defeat of Great Britain.
With the evidence that Germany could
not win the war came the not unnatural
conclusion that Germany must eventually
lose the war. That, of course, is prob
ability. But it is not yet certainty.
The estimate that Germany cannot
this time be beaten in defensive war is
now obviously the basis of Nazi policy.
The character of Marshal Rommels re-
sistance, after Germany lost the initia-
tive in Africa, is indication that the Ger
man general staff believes this policy
may succeed. The generals, indeed, have
probably shelved Hitler for good and are
preparing henceforth to fight a carefully
articulated defensive war Their lead in,
this direction is attested by the new note
in DR.. Goebbel's propaganda which now
continuously refers to Europe as a be-
leaguered but unconquerable fortress.
That the European fortress" will be
difficult to conquer goes without saying.
The task will be the harder for the
precious time which Rommel is still
winning in Africa, every day of which is
being used by the Germans for methodi-
cal defensive preparations. In Russia,
also, something that looks very much like
a permanent defensive line is being or
ganized. 1t is obviously designed to in
clude the fabulously rich Ukraine, as an
inexhaustible storehouse of both food and
minerals for the besieged continent.
This European fortress" can never be
Evening star., 1943-04-04

north as Kiska, as far east as Nauru, an
important air base in the Gilbert group:
as far south as New Guinea and as far
west as Burma.
During the week, also, the Navy an
nounced the first engagement of surface
craft in many weeks, which occurred
near Kiska on March rs.
There was something thought -provok-
ing about this engagement because of
the strength of the Japanese force in
VolVed. Japan has lost heavily in the
cruiser category and reports of the
presence of Japanese cruisers. especially
of the heavy type, have been rare re-.
Gently. Yet conveying two cargo ships
toward Kiska were two heavy cruisers.
two light cruisers and four destroyers.
Ihe cargo in those ships must have
been highly important to risk what
must be substantial percentage of
Japans remaining cruisers. At any rate.
the convoy was intercepted by an Ameri-
can light force which engaged the enemv
at about 6-mile range and after a
short but sharp encounter, the Japs sped
away, perhaps to prevent closer.
ranged action in which the cargo ships
might have been sunk Damage to the
Jap force was admitted by Toxic which
claimed serious damage to the American
shlps. In Washington the NAVY De-
partment said that no details would be
given out so long as the information
might be of use to the enemy,
During March, Kiska was bombed %
times.
IN the Southwest Pacific, the air raids
were constant and the week witnessed
tne nrst serious show of japanese Of
1enslVe strength when 40 Japanese
oomoers covered by a heavy fighter
escort attacked the important American
oase at ORC Bay in New Guinea. The
oomolng fleet, composed of 25 medium
oombers, which worked at high level
ana 10 dive bombers, was intercepted bv
american P-4Os and l3 enemy planes
were definitely shot down and IL others
are believed to have been desroved
damage from the raid was slight. one
small merchantmen having been s,,nk
and one damaged. American air losses
were small.
Wednesday night one American Flvino
fortress discovered four destrovers at
tempting to reinforce japanese New
Guinea forces and gle-handedlv rout-
ca the enemy after dropping flares to
light the sea-
On the same night five destroyers were
discovered by Catalina bomber south
OF kolombangara Island, which attacked
at once. Later Army Liberator planes
arrived on the scene for a low-level at
tack. The results were not determined.
New Britain, New Guinea. Boueain-
vile, the Shorthand Islands and other
Jap-held islands all underwent air attack
during the week. Most impressive, how
ever was the raid on Nauru, which lies
about $50 miles northeast of Guadal-
canal. There were some hints that
Henderson Field might have been the
source of the planes, which did heavv
damage to barracks supply sheds and
runWays A number of planes were
damaged on the ground.
Jap planes shot down during the week
IN the Solomons area brought to 902
the number known to have been de-
stroyed since the start of the fighting
in these vital islands.
Evening star., 1943-04-04

on German-controlled industries. The
Norwegian government in exile, while
declining to discuss the authenticity of
these reports, declared that there is no
doubling the truth that Quisling and his
German masters are deeply concerned
over the possibility that such a center
of resistance exists and that an invasion
effort may be made.
Some observers in London hint that
the report of parachutists is merely
blind to explain the activity of native
Norwegian saboteurs.
In Lithuania there were also stories
of attacks by thousands of peasants who
are increasingly resentful of the presence
of the invaders. They are said to be
aided by inhltrations of Russian regu-
lars who have worked their way through
the German lines.
A German broadcast. picked up Fri
day. stated that British parachutists
aided by Danes, have been committing
acts of sabotage in industrial plants in
Copenhagen, forcing their way into fac
tories and keeping the guards quiet while
bombs are planted.
In Greece there have been many re-
cent outbreaks against the Axis forces,
Evening star., 1943-04-04
Continued From Page BID

contain the seeds of another, as was the
case in 1919.
We are in this war for no material
gains whatsoever.
The same cannot be said about our
other Allies, large and small. The minor
nations, particularly in Central and
Southern Europe, have scores to settle
with Hitlers satellites and are looking
for better strategic frontiers. They fig
ure on avoiding future wars by strategic
boundaries rather than theological argu-
ments.
Our major Allies, Russia and Great
Britain. are looking somewhat in the
same direction. Russia intends to rein
tegrate the empire as it was in 1914 and
possibly obtain a better access to the
main waterways of the World-the Med
iterranean or the Indian Ocean. Britain,
in case she faces an impossible situation
in Asia, is looking toward another en-
pire containing the raw materials with
out which the existence of her 46,O00000
inhabitants in the United Kingdom
mlgnt become very pTecdTlOuS.
Claims Well-Founded.
Fundamentally, there cannot be any
logical criticism of the aims of both our
major associates. Their eventual claims
necessarily will be well-founded. They
have a definite concrete aim. They
know exactly what they want to do after
the war is over, although they are telling
us about their aims only by innuendo.
Because their. aims are so concrete,
their foreign policies are definite and I'M
swerving. Whether Prime Minister
Churchill or Anthony Eden or some lead
ing Laborite will preside over the des-
TIMES of Great Britain at the end of the
war is immaterial. Britains foreign pol
icy follows definite lines in which ideal
ism is only second string to realism.
The Russians are in the same position.
They know they want to defeat the en-
emy. who has threatened their country
for the second time since 1914. They
want great Russia in which its people
can develop themselves freely and live
happily. The Russian theology is in
cluded in their political system.
At the peace conference the Soviet's
delegates will be surprisingly realistic and
will fight principally for Mother Rus
sia' So will the British fight for Britain.
Their foreign policies will dovetail as
much as possible with the keynote of our
representatives. peace-but
will not put in the background the prac-
tical necessities of their empires.
Because we want nothing but the in
tangible: because we are somewhat be-
wildered over the problem of how to
reconcile the fundamental but loose
principles set out in the Atlantic Char
ter with the concrete requirements of our
associates, our foreign policy is uncer-
tain at its best and inexistent at its
worst.
There have been instances quite re-
Gently when some of our many policy
trainers wanted to speak out bluntly but
were worried least they might jeopar-
die the whole war effort by saying
something which might offend some Of
cur associates. And we have to let
Evening star., 1943-04-04
Continued From Page BID

officers refres her courses in their
branches. Engineer officers, the medical
component, chaplain component and di-
vision postal officer are at comparable
schools, also being trained for the new
jobs in the new division.
The division commander returns to
Fort LeavenWorth for the last two weeks
of the refresher course here, fighting
battles on paper with his new division
staff, writing orders for combat and
supply, going through all the motions in
preparation for the real thing He and
his staff have a conference with an Off
GER from the Command and General
Staff School who, some time before, had
left for an inspection of the camp where
the new division will train. He comes
back with maps and detailed information
about everything that can be known
regarding the new camp-the layout, the
railroad service, bus service training aids
and recreation facilities, the local liquor
and venereal problems, the strength and
foibles of the local civilian authorities,
the demands on the general by the
Chamber of Commerce for patriotic
speeches, the difficulties experienced by
other divisions which trained at the same
place, etc.
On D-45, 45 days before the new divi-
sion is to be activated, the division COM
mander and his staff having bid an en-
thusiastic farewell to Fort Leavenworth.
arrive at their division training camp.
Things begin to liven up Immediately.
Six days later, on D-39 the regimental
officers who have been training at Ben
ming and Sill, arrive-187 of them, in all.
Six days later, D-37, 1900 enlisted men,
the enlisted cadre from the parent divi-
sion, reaches the camp And a week
later the junior officers, All of them ar
rive from the Replacement pools" from
which they have been drawn throughout
the country.
Busy Days at Camp.
There are busy days now at the new
camp getting ready for reception of the
men. Teams are formed and trained in
meeting trains, feeding and conducting
men to the centers for assignment to
units on the basis of their qualifications.
Schedules are whipped into shape with
the railroads, in order to prevent the
arrival of thousands of men by several
trains at the same time. Everything is
rehearsed and checked up in advance.
And finally, beginning four days before
D day and continuing for about II days,
the enlisted men, 1000 of them, pile into
camp on special trains from some of the
81 reception centers throughout the coun-
try, where they have been classified,
uniformed, partially equipped and, if
possible, taught some of the rudiments
OF military courtesy and how to tell
brigadier general from a second lieu
tenant by looking to see what he wears
on his shoulder. Most of them are raw
recruits, and the salt of the earth.
Here begins the real training of the
whole division as team. The division
is given an initial excess strength of 5 per
cent, for it is now parent division and
must release the cadre for . new division
Evening star., 1943-04-04
Bv Felix Morley.

The conquest Of the Mareth Line by
Con. Montgomery's now forever famous
9th Army is the most decisive Allied VIC
tory of the war to date. And it is vic
tory in which, as the British will be quick
to agree, the American forces under Gen.
Patton get good share of the credit,
The line of former French Notifications
where Marshal Rommel had held Gen.
Montgomery for some weeks was not
preached by direct frontal assault.
1t was rendered untenable by a bril-
liant British fanking movement across
what the French engineers who built the
Mareth Line regarded as impenetrable
desert. But the German defenses were
also jeopardized by the American drive
toward the Gulf of Gabes at a point
well to the north Of the little port which
gives that gulf its name This drive
threatened Rommels army with capture
as well as defeat.
Until this most famous of German gen.
erals writes his memoirs, and it is hoped
that captivity will soon give him plenty
OF opportunity for that literary exercise,
we shall not know whether the British or
the American attack was more instru-
mental in forcing his latest withdrawal.
Very likely Marshal Rommel would admit
that the coordination between the forces
opposing him was too perfect to draw
distinctions as to which element menaced
him the more.
That would be in keeping with the
whole conduct of the North African cam
paign. The strategy first discussed by
Prime Minister Churchill and President
Roosevelt at Casablanca, and then
worked out with infinite care by Gen.
Eisenhower and his British assistants,
has throughout emphasized a perfect
Anglo American coordination, on land,
at sea and in the air. 1t is the success
full fruition of this joint strategy, as much
as the magnitude of the military victory,
which gives the penetration of the Ma
reth Line its full Importance.
This joint Anglo American success is
welcome portent for a continued CO.
ordination of policy by the two nations
In the waging of war, in the making of
peace and in the construction of a just
and stable International order
Disaster Foreshadowed.
Winston Churchill is wise, however, in
advising us not to let natural enthusiasm
over the victory in Tunisia obscure the
magnitude of the task that lies ahead.
Eventual disaster for Marshal Rom
mels "Afrika Korps" was foreshadowed
when Gen. Montgomery successfully
| cracked the German lines at Ell Alamein
and when the Anglo-American expedi-
tionary forces by careful timing landed
almost simultaneously in West Africa. 1t
is now almost five months since these
great events transpired.
During that period the Germans in
Africa have been fighting delaying bat
tie, and fighting it with what every mill
tary commentator agrees is mastery
skill. Throughout a retreat of 1,400 miles,
from the gates Of Alexandria to the TEN.
Evening star., 1943-04-04

In Bulgaria a new army is being as
sembled, composed of Germans, Italians,
Hungarians, Bulgarians and Croats, un-
der command of 1t. Gen. Harrde or an
other general identified only as Maen-
stein, to defend Bulgaria's rugged shores
from invasion.
Last week the Germans learned of the
success of new invasion tactics tried out
by the British in large-scale maneu-
vers This week they may have learned
that Britain has set up restricted zone
10 miles deep all along the eastern and
southern coasts from which an invasion
force might be launched. Berlins radio
states that huge armada is being as
sembled at Gibraltar, with three battle
ships, carrier and other naval units in
attendance upon the other vessels. Be-
cause the present Allied personnel is do
ing nicely in Africa, Germany fears
that this new force may have other
unpleasant objectives in mind