davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18
FRENCH FIGHTING
NAILS in ITALY
Battle Along Side Allies
For First Time Since
November, 1918

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS, Al
giers, Dec. 17.-tR)-For the tlrst
time since Nov. II. 1918, troops OF
the four great Allies of the first
world war - America, Britain
France and Italy -, are fighting
side by side against the Germans
in the rugged mountains OF Italy
Splendidly equipped with the
most modern American weapons
crack French units trained IN
North Africa have been in the bat
tie line for some time and nave
scored outstanding successes, cap
turing several important Nazl NIL
positions and Selling prisoners, the
Allied command announced.
This first appearance OF trench
troops in European mainland fight
ing since the fall of their nome
land in 1910 created a sensation
among the Italian people.
The quick, incisive successes
scored by the highly mobile French
striking force contrasted sharply
with the debacle suffered recent
ly by Italia5, militia in its first Of
fensive gesture in the Mlgnano
area. The French, however, are
much more highly equipped ana
trained than their new Italian al
lies.
Since they fought alongside the
Americans and British in Tunlsla,
Gen. Henri Giraud's men have
learned to use the best American
light and heavy machine-guns,
tanks and tank destroyers and mo-
bile field artillery. Their officers
declare they will prove invaluable
as the drive toward Rome contin-
ues. Their uniforms differ but
slightly from those Of the Amerl-
cans.
"Just give us chance on equal
terms, a French soldier told an
Associated Press correspondent.
II you thought we were good in
Tunlsla just watch us now"
announcement of the presence OF
the reborn French army on the
Continued on Page Five; Col. ~
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18
SO Women Marines
Are Disappointed
With N. E. Weather
IT came South expecting to

"I came South expecting to
see beautiful homes and cotton
fields, and my first sight in
North Carolina was snow
Storm" sa i d one of the
SO women marines who were
marooned in Wilmington We'd
nesday evening and Thursday.
Eighty-five women marines,
who had been recruited only
recently and were on their
way to boot training at Camp
Lejeune, arrived in this city
Wednesday under the direction
of 1t. DOrothea DAILY of New
Orleans, two enlisted marine
women and a marine military
police at 8 p. m. The buses
which were to. have taken
them to their new camp Slip
ped off the road and the girls
had to be taken care of for
the night. Three USO clubs
came to the rescue and short
ly after II p. m. all the girls
were comparatively comfort
able - two to a single bed.
The Third and Grace club took
IA, the Fifth and Orange took
A, and the rest were housed in
the two lounges of the Second
and Orange club. The girls rep
resented Texas, Missouri, Kan
sas, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennes-
see, Arkansas, Florida and
South Carolina. Those of the
Middle West had assembled IN
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18
PRESIDENT TELLS
OF HIS JOURNEY
Says Nazis Had Plot To
Kidnap The Big Three
Leaders At Teheran

WASHINGTON, Dec. IL R -
President Roosevelt said today
that the Russians got wind of a
Nazi plot to kill him, Prime Minis
tel Churchill and Marshal Stain
while they were in Teheran for
their momentous war conferences.
That was why, he explained to
news conference, he took up
lodgings in the Russian embassy
compound where Stain also was
staying. He noted that the British
embassy was next door and the
move meant none of the three
principals would have to go
through the streets to get together
for their talks.
Tanned and looking fit, the Pres
ident leaned back at his desk and
related with evident relish the
bare outline of the story during
nearly an hours exchange of CUES
tons and answers with reporters
which developed these other chief
points:
l. The talks at Teheran and the
Anglo-American-C Chinese discus
SONS at Cairo were success in
every way and he hopes they laid
the foundation fer a postwar era
Of peace which will last at least
through the lives of the present
generation. That hope, he added,
is shared by Churchill, Stain, and
President Chang Kai-shed OF Chi
ra.
2. Important military decisions
were reached but he would not,
ne said in response TO question,
make any predictions that they
will bring the European war to a
close next year. All of us, he said,
are working as hard as we can
to defeat Hitler as early as pos
s;ble.
8. He intends to pack into a
Christmas Eve address, to be
b1 oadcast at 3 pm, Eastern War
Time, over all networks, as full
report as possible on the con,
terences. He will speak from his
home at Hyde Park, N. Y, ano
intends to speod Christmas day
there. Whatever may be left over
in the way of news on the con-
ferences will go into report tc
be made later to Congress.
There may or may not be
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18

MANTEO, N. c., Dec. 17.-R'-
Aviation's 10th birthday was ceie-
brated here today near the spot
where the Wright brothers MADE
their first flight but the elaborate
exercises planned for the occasion
went by the board because OF the
worst snowstorn in this area III
rs years.
Instead of the thousands OF PLAIN
folk and dignitaries who had been
expected to attend, small audi
ence of naval men gathered at
the Nays auxiliary air station
and heard Major General T. j.
Hanley, Jr., commanding the AAF
eastern flying command, pay trib-
Ute to Orville Wright, the surviv-
ing brother, and to Wilbur Wright.
1t had been arranged to hold
the exercises at Kitty Hawk where
On December II. 1908, h two
young men from Dayton first prov
ed that man could fly in a heavier
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18
FIGURES REVISED
Traffic Is Resumed Over
The North And South
Bound Double Lines
TO BE INVESTIGATED
Sibley Issues Statement Ex-
planning How Tragic
Accident Occurred

LUMBERTON, Dec. IT, Up -
While wrecking crews continued to
cut into the mass OF twisted steel
for more bodies, the Red Cross to.
night revised it's figures downward
and placed the death toll in tho
Atlantic Coast Line wreck neal
here yesterday at 70-47 service
men and % civilians.
The tracks were cleared late to.
day of the telescoped cars of the
two streamJiners and traffic was
resumed over the A.C.L.'s north
south double trunk lines. Whether
there were additional bodies in tho
Wreckage moved off the tracks was
not known.
Six More Bodies
Before the tracks were cleared
six more bodies were found-three
sailors, two soldiers and one
WAVE.
The first train to move over thu
rails was noIth-bound passenger
train, and as it passed the door
of a baggage car swung open ano
long rows of casketS were barred
to the view CT wrecking crew.
and onlooKers.
The Wal Department announced
tonight in Washington the manner
of % soldier dead but was unable
to say whether the list was com
plete. The task of identifying thu
civilian dead proceeded slowly.
Investigation Set ..
Meantime, c G. sibiey, general
manager, announced from the rail,
roads general offices in Whining
ton that "a formal investigation
will be held to develop the facts
with respect to the action of the
crews of both trains
Sibley had previously explained
that a broken rail caused the de-
railment of three coaches of the
Florida-bound Tamiami West Coast
Champion at 1880 am. About IS
minutes later, he added, the north
bound Tamiami East Coast Cham
pion smashed into these coaches
which had fallen over upon the
northboupd double track.
Statement Issued
In a. statement today he said
the roads information was that the
fireman of the southbound train
went ahead after the first wreck
to flag the ncrthbourd streamliner,
carrying with him a fuse and a
red lantern. While making his way
through the icy night, the state
ment said, the fireman fell and
broke his fusee, but continued his
effort to stop the other train by
using his lantern.
1.-THE engineer on No. 8 It 9
northbound train) evidently did not
see the firemal's signal" said Sib-
ley's statement. eve understand
that the sleet and snowstorm was
still in progress at that time"
Railroad sources said they be.
Heved only one passenger On the
southbound train met death, First
Lieut.. Roy A. Griffin, who had
just been graduated from Harvard
Continued on Page Two; Col. s.
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18

10 DuI tt1ey have ilGVeI DSCI do
much as 6.2 inches as the snow
which fell here Wednesday.
The snow this week ranked the
eighth heaviest of all months and
all years since 1871, Mr.. Hess con-
tinued. Following are all the
SHOWS of this area above 81 inches
recorded since Jan. l, 1871 during
all months: 12.1, Feb. 17-18. 1896:
98, Feb. 1o-11, 1912; go, Feb. %,
1901; 8.6, Jan. 1914, 1912; 80,
Feb. 1925, 1912; rs, Dec. 20-21,
1915; 6.5, Jan. 80, 1886; 81. Dec.
Is, 1913; As, Jan. As, 1904; As,
March 2, 1927; AZ, Dec. 1880, 1917;
81, Feb. 21-22. 1886.
With the temperature reaching
10 degrees Thursday night this
proved to be the lowest recorded
since 1884 when the mercury drop
ped to 10 degrees. The low last
night was % degrees which gives
signs of a slight rising in the tenn
perature for Wilmington. The low
est temperature recorded since
1871 was SO degrees On Feb. IA,
1899. The other two low record
ings were So degrees on Dec. 81,
1917 and 90 degrees on Jan. 6,
1884.
The slight rise in temperature
Friday did considerable melting
which made the streets slushy. The
rain and sleet which perceded this
snow caused unusual icy streets,
Mr.. Hess said.
The city had a large numbe'
of men out Friday clearing the
streets and sidewalks, but pedes'
TRANS as well as drivers still were
cautious. Tide Water officials re-
ported that the buses were going
more frequently and more regu-
larly Friday night and they ex-
Continued on Page Five; Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18
YankS On New Britain
Consolidate Positions;
Fires GnaW At Bexlin
Churchill Reported
Directing The War
From His Sick Bed

LONDON, Saturday, Dec. Is.
-P)-Wfth the old tenacity
that lifted Britain from the
brink Of defeat to an assur-
ance of victory, Prime Minis
ter Churchill has insisted on
directing the country's war eff
fort from his sick bed in the
Middle East where he is fight
ing lobar pneumonia, it was
reported today.
The Prime Minister has been
in communication with the war
cabinet since he became ill, the
Daily Mail said, and is keep
ing in closest touch with the
war situation and "transacting
urgent state business"
Mrs. Churchill reached her
husbands bedside after q has
ty flight from England.
Official reports of the prime
minister's improvement cheer
ed everyone, but it is felt here
that it will be a few days be-
fore he passes the crisis.
Churchill was allowed to read
important war dispatches, the
Daily Mail said, and ''is said
to have insisted that nothing
least of all the operation Of
Continued on Page Five; Col. 5
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18
Senate 0kehs
Pay Measure
Acts With Break Neck
Speed To Provide
Christmas Gift
IS SENT TO HOUSE
Approval Comes After
A Little More Than
Hours Debate

WASHINGTON. Dec. IT. Up -
With breakneck speed, the Senate
approved overwhelmingly and sent
to the House today a Christmas
gift measure to provide muster
ing out pay ranging from 5000 to
$500 for men and women in the
armed forces.
The Senate acted after only a
little more than an hours debate
and without the formality of a roll
call vote after Democratic Lead
er Barley KY had urged a
Christmas present to the fight
ing forces.
$500 Is Provided
Under the measure, $500 would
be paid to each man and woman
up to and including the rank of
colonel who had served 10 months
or more overseas OR in Alaska.
One third Of the sum would be
paid on termination OF service
and the remainder in two monthly
installments.
The mastering out pay would be
$500 for II to 13 months overseas
sci vice and $500 for less. Persons
who served mora than q months
in this country would get $500 and
those serving less than that 5000.
AL payments except that of 5000
would be in three equal install
rnents, the latter being paid in two
monthly checks.
Estimates Vary
Estimates of the overall cost Of
this reward for service, recon-
nended in a message to congress
b. President Roosevelt, ranged
from $4,000, 900, COO fixed by Bark
ley to $4,000, 0O0. 900 estimated by
Senator johnson D.-Colo.), who
headed subcommittee which
whipped the boil into shape.
Since the payments will be made
to all persons below the rank of
brigadier genera, who have been
honorably discharged from the
armed forces since Dec. Z, 1941,
Johnson estimated accrued obliga-
tons at $3.50, 900, 1000. The muster
ing out pay, however, would not
be available to persons who OBJ
tanned discharges through their
own initiative Or who are entitled
to retirement pay.
Senator Austin R.-Vt.) brought
out that discharges from the arm
ed forces for disabilities, age and
Continued on Page Two; Col. u
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18
AviatiOn's 10th Birthday
Celebrated Near ManteO

than-air machine Governor J. M.
Broughton, members OF Congress,
end other notab]es were to have
been on hand, had the wintry
weather not interviewed, hating al
most all traffic and nearly all COM
munications. A planned great air
show also was cancelled.
Gen. Hanley and his party flew
from Elizabeth City to Manteo.
The plan to continue the trip to
Kitty Hawk was called OFF, and
the general made his brief ad-
dress.
He declared the dreams OF the
yyriohts could be realized.
The future of The world and the
mace of its citizens, he added,
r.;11 he guaranteed in great meas
,,re by the instrument they de-
weed and developed.
In 40 years. he said, "orvllle
Continued on Page Two; Col. ~
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18
Walter Lippmann Says:
u. S. Becoming Interested
In New Parts Of World

gion, the more sure-footed and ac-
ceptable will be oul policy.
Our greatest concern must be
to see to it that the complicated
in thes. lands do not
confuse our minds and then divert
us from our paramount object,
which is that this war shall be the
last great Wharf.-The last global war
in which We are involved for
many generations to come.
There is some danger of our be-
ing confused ard div erted. For the
main inss of our policy have new
err yet been well defined, and we
are highly susceptible, therefore,
to sentimental and theological
propaganda from abroad, and to
Continued on Page Two; Col. y
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18
WEATHER

FORECAST
NORTH CAROLINA: Fair and slightly
warmer Saturday Not quite so cold Sat-
urday night, with temperature "a to
% in west, % to 80 in east portion. Sun
day fair to partly cloudy and warmer,
eastern Standard Iime)
(By U. S. Weather Burcan
Meteorological data for the "a hour
ending 1880 pm, yesterday.
Temperature
1 80 am, 20, 1880 am, 10, 80 pm, 81
7:3O pm, 30.
Maximum IS, Minimum ID, Mean, rs
Normal 40.
Humidity
/ 80 an, "a, Z 80 am, so, l 30 pm. 81
1880 PM, 46.
Precipitation
Total for the "a hours ending 1880 pm
600 inches.
Total since the first of the month
1874 inches
Tides for Today
{From the Tide Tables published b,
U. 8. Coast and Geodetic Survey
Wilmington ---------- 2:13a 0:26s
Masonboro Inlet - II :58a 5:sf2
6:3lp
Sunrise, 7:12 am, Sunset, 500 pm,
Moonrise, II 81 pm, Moonset, II :55 am
Cape Fear River stage At Fayette-
vile, 1910 feet.
Continued on Page Five; Col. ~
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18
MINERS, LEWIS
SIGN WAGE PACT
Two Year, No Strik e
Agreement Is Submit
ted To WLB

WASHINGTON, Dec. IT, tR
President john l.. Lewis of the
United Mine Workers signed a two
year. no-strike agreement today
with more than tWo.thirds Of the
soft coal industry and submitted it
to the War Labor Board.
Lewis signed the document at
his home, where he is i'll with a
cold. after a Joint conference of
the union and operators had APP
proved it. Il provides that no
strike shall be called Or maintain
ed during tie period Of the agree
ment. The base date is last April
l.. which means that the agree
ment may be opened on March 81
next. the end of the first year, If
either party wishes to negotiate
general wage terms. It also may
be reopened if "a significant
change" occurs in the government
wage policy
The terms tor the miners are
substantially the same as those
now in force under the agreement
between Interior Secretary Ickes
as federal custodian OF the mines
and John L. Lewis: UNIV presi-
dent, plus $40 individual retro
active payment for underground
travel time
It will become a binding con-
tract between private operators.
and the mine union with the gov
eminent re1inqdishing con tro u
when. and if, the WLB approves
it and the Office o: Price Admin
istration grants price increases sat-
isfying the operators.
Continued on Page Two; Col. u
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18
nv WALTER LIPPMANN

Two distant and unsettled re-
gions of the world have come with
in the range Of our diplomacy, and
in respect to each of them the
formation of an American policy
is necessary. One region is that
broad belt of territory which
stretches from the Baltic Sea to
the Mediterranean and lies be-
tween Russia and Germany. The
second comprises the lands, pre-
dominantly Moslem IN religion and
culture, which extend a cro S S
northern Africa and the Middle
East to the borders of India.
The more clearly we can define
the American interest in each re-
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18
Snow Fall Here Heaviest
SinceBureau Established

The 62 inch which fell here Dec Is proved to be
the earliest heaviest the weather bureau
tabshed here in 1871 Paul Hess weather bureau official
said Friday The heaviest recorded 12 inches
Feb 1718 1896 There have been earlier than Dec
The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-18

80 BOMBERS MISSING
Governmental District Also
Reported To Have
Been Blasted

LONDON, Dec. II - tR - Fires
which spread black choking smoke
through many qua' tiers of Berlin
gnawed at Germany's crumbling
capital tonight in the wake of the
latest Raj assault which stunned
Berliners with 1,50o long tons of
explosives, including about 20 two
ton bombs.
The strong force Of Lancasters
that hit the city last night in the
sixth major attack since the Bat
tie of Berlin" began less than a
month ago swept over the cloud
covered capital at III e earliest
hour they have yet attacked the
city-shcrtly before 7 pm.
20 BOmbers Lost
Thirty borlbers about average
for a mission of its size-failed
to return. at least five Nazi fight
ers were shot from the fame-red-
dened skies.
The German copmunique ac-
knowledged that considerable dam
age had been done the city scar
red and blacked by 40 previous
raids this seal
The Spandau district. named in
reports TO neutral capitals as one
area particularly well plastered, is
the site of the immense Branden-
burg aero-engine works as well as
other important war industries.
Earlier reports to Stockholm said
fires were still raging many hours
after the attack, and that tele-
phone connection with the Ger
man capital was irregular.
Government Area Hit
The city's governmental district
-Germany's nerve center-was
also reported 10 have been h t
hard. One report reaching Stock
holm said train loaded with war
prisoners was hit. resulting in 60
killed.
The latest cargo of high explo-
sives and incendiaries boosted to
$4,000 tons the weight of bombs
dumped On the worlds most bat
tered city this year.
For last nights attack the bomb
er command must have sent its
four-engined aircraft into the skies
shortly before nightfall, as most
of them Lad returned by midnight.
Dinnertime Raid -.
Stockholm, reports said the din
nertime raid appeared to h v e
caught the city's defenses by sur
prise for Berliners haG only a few
short minutes IN which to race for
shelters before the first explosives
shook the city. ......
Unable longer tc soothe the shat
tered nerves Of millions of bomb
dazed Germans with talk of an
impending and fearful revenge on
England, Propaganda Minister
Paul Joseph Goe5bels again ad-
mitted at a meeting of his prop
Uganda chieftains that the relent-
less bombing of Germany w a
causing more anxiety than tn e
Russian campaign CT threats OF
invasion.
Virtually admitting the Nazi in
ability to stem the growing attacks
through Hitler's roofless European
fortress, Gcebbels declared In a
speech later broadcast by the Ber-
lin radio:
''In principle, the problems pre-
scented by the Russian campaign
and the invasion were solved in
advance The bomhings G
much greater anxiety"
Emphasizing this implied admis-
sion of Germany's aerial defense
weakness was the success OF the
night attack.
The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1943-12-23
FACING THE FACTS
With PHILIP PEARL

las tten
grand ballroom ROO of the wao AstotIa St Hotel invited opening
invited % S sS leaders 1S Sn s % FOR % @ dn @ discuss @ in % p"S the 5 N "
T a r " SO wn o m on c s1w" Of Ss q % with m NM @ Leaders was dis
% the ] aor ] M eD that at tine tine n tnd union % Go mf @ esI.4 % M
anxious controls lifted
Green % ] "n NJ N M%s ] tine 1ss of the audience could be cut with knife
get rid of osid' laws the delighted .
e st % f NM as rtey % M cudeS % % ] M da tS % ego IN
NOT YET CONVINCED
cooperation constructive solution of postwar
s gn, ae @ " by o amy SS of n the By n M % e . that S n %
time has come for Amen industry quit fighting unions and learn how
Perhaps a MS @ @ % WAS % implied in the Invitations the he labor
nui" M Is'TG M aId tn,nkns business ] leader himself find @ @
Grr an m 'Sr @ spe couple broad rrion of the right to collective
% T cHcs "%, q" % @ i . Ses " % n " Y," 's, , 81 ]
] nor Of its sincerity plugging for aSormmagemnt That
rival By ] " ; me %u 1n @ .o S% c%r " of 60 NM ahead
of businessmen believe
" "o s@ I ' " T o,"S uiey i' n ae ns' h ] a M d: %
% % %n % cs @ % ., S NJ Sa" d with labor might have had something "
any my @ ] it is h,s a,en % 'l" t, the ,, fPos impact
dors 5 a exceedingly healthy development
AREAS OF AGREEMENT
In recent series of speeches Eric Johnston
able h' an ALLIANCE between manaseent and labor is the best in
it bad business for Industry to continue fighting unions; that grwage
welfare; that Industry @ must learn depend profits
agree whoensartcdS When Johnston opposes GOV
as org"riz'"n has cIy opposed ANTI
@n n" 3 mI M @ @ "T m M Is "an , t" 4 W,nl interests of labor
When Mr. Johnston discusses questions such taxes
point il" and industry cam agree even on tax but when industry
which fails heaviest on those least able But Mr. Jonsos
If there is rivalry between the lnmter Commerce, and
a % " 81 All % tIs " % % IF % l a even % fn%1s% hui ] 1" a n ,f
t" Fiz" that tn" public mes the employer much te workers
desire by industry right with the
The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1943-12-23
CHURCH COUNCIL CONDEMNS
RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

New York City ULNS).-The Fed
cral Council of Churches, representa-
tive body of - million Professionals, has
called upon Christian people 10 be
"unpreiudiced and wise enough to
bridge and cross the ChaSmS of racial
isolation and segregation"
I'm its annual Race Relations mes
sage, the council also urged church
people TO vigorously oppose" all
policies and practices of racial dis
criminatiun in the armed forces and in
employment in industry.
Among the most pointed official
statements on race discrimination ever
issued by the council, the message de
clHred that "thc growing resentment
by dark skinned peoples against white
domination and their feeling that they
are deprived of the position properly
belonging TO free men in Il democratic
society makes it mandatory for Chris
tians to speak with prophetic voice and
apostolic conviction"
The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1943-12-23
UNION LEADER HEADS
BRITISH SUPPLY MISSION

Washington, -. C.-Britain is send
ing Il new kind of diplomat To Wash
ington. Ben Smith, who, as IL labor
member of Parliament, represents one
of the poorest districts in London, has
been given IL $2O,OOO-a-year job as
chief of the British Supply Mission in
this country. He also gets the rank
of minister.
Smith started as Il cab driver, de
vcIoped some ability as Il boxer, went
TO sea as Il common sailor and cam"
home 10 help organize the Transport
and General Workers Union.
In 1923, he was elected to Parlia-
mcnt and has been there most of tn"
time since. When the war brought
about Il coalition government, Church.
i'll made Smith member of his cab
met. He has an extended acquaintance
among American labor leaders, having
recently toured this country and
Canada.