davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-04-29
Pacific Conference

The recent conference between
General Douglas Macarthur and
Admiral Chester w. Nimitz marks
an important milestone on the road
to Tokyo. For the first time in this
war, the two theater commanders
met and deliberated. Indeed, this
initial meeting was held on the eve
of the sensational "leapfrog" op-
GRAFTON against the japanese bases
of Aitape and Hollandia, which ad-
vanced our hold on the northern
coast OF New Guinea by fully 500
miles. This operation was a Joint
affair and its success portends the
outcome of future moves. The off,
cial communique on the conference
states that "plans were completely
integrated so that a maximum CO.
operative effort might be exerted
against the enemy"
Such direct cooperation has been
made possible by the decisive VIC
tories of the past few months.
Previous to that time, the respective
operational fields of Macarthur and
Nimitz were sundered by the broad
wedge of Japanese-held island
studded ocean reaching from Wake
to the Gilberts and thence to the
Northern Solomons and New Brit
ain. MacArthur's American and
Australian land forces, based on
Australia, were supported by the
naval command of Admiral William
s. Halsey, based on New Zealand.
But the breaking of Japan's mid
Pacific front in the Gilberts and
MarshallS has removed the barrier
between Macarthur and our main
Pacific fleet under Admiral Nimitz.
The result of that epochal achieve
ment has been the elimination of
Admiral Halsey's separate command
and its merger with the new and
larger coordination between the
main land and sea forces. The
upshot is that the entire Pacific war
theater has become a tactical as
well as a strategic unity. The in
tensif1cation of our offensive power
Is self-evident.
This intensified and fully co-ordi-
mated striking power clinches our
strategic initiative and enables our
high command to use our superiority
in a wide variety of tactical al
ternatives. Offensives can conceiv-
ably be launched at the Dutch
Indies, the Philippines, the Caroline
and Mariana island groups, the
Kuriles, or even at the approaches
to Japan itself. That very multi
plicity of choices compels the Jap
anese high command to. defensive
strategy entailing precautionary
division of strength and a chronic
state of tension which may be psy-
chologically damaging to so high
strung makeup as the japanese
mentality. Just where and how the
plans concerted at the recent con-
ference Of Macarthur and Ninitz
will be carried out, only the future
can disclose. But we may be sure
that they will be effective and cumu-
lative in their results.
Evening star., 1944-04-29

military policy. It must be worked out
II this country Is to avoid futile unpre-
paredness-an unpreparedness which
has finally engulfed the Nation in two
great wars.
The select committee has tackled first
the third item of its agenda-a study of
the development of unity of command.
This means, If such unity Is to be car
ried out, a single department of defense.
This is not a new idea, any more than
is the proposal for universal military
training. But it is a proposal that
oldsters in the Army and the NAVY
have frowned upon consistently. Indeed,
until the lessons of this war, there was
growing demand for an independent
air service, rather than a demand for
unif1cation of the administration of all
arms of national defense in a single
department. These lessons, from the
day of the attack on Pearl Harbor. have
shown again and again that unity of
command Is essential-and with it unity
Of administration-if the best results
are to pe had.
The select committee, which is for
tunate in having at its head Represent
atlve Woodrum of Virginia, is composed
of % Reresentatives-7 members of the
Military Affairs Committee, 7 members
OF the Naval Affairs Committee and
who are members Of neither of these
committees. It has big job ahead-a
job that should be divorced entirely
from partisan politics. If the members
have their way, that will be it's course.
So far the surface has barely been
scratched. Witnesses from the War
Department have testified in support of
unified department Of defense. The
Navy Department is still to be heard
from, but there is reason to believe that
1t, too, will fall in line with the purpose
OF unified command and administration.
Presumably the hearings of the select
committee will run for considerable
time. Its recommendations for legisla-
ton are not likely to be submitted in
legislative form until after the close of
the political campaign now under way.
The committee has wide field to cover.
Not only must it consider the question
OF universal military training and unity
OF command but 1t plans to consider the
organization, military status and distri-
button of reserve components of the
Army and Navy, including the National
Guard and the Naval Militia. It will
delve also into the problems Of supply,
the continued existence of present facili-
ties and the mobilization of industries
to meet war emergencies. The questions
of Army, Navy and arbases and of the
postwar missions of the armed forces
must be worked out, too
Evening star., 1944-04-29

On the contrary, we shall frequently
encounter German troops of far in
terlor quality, the so-called defensive"
divisions which are short of infantry,
the hastily-raised new divisions for
which the Germans have scraped the
bottom OF their industrial manpoWer
barrel, and in some cases divisions COM
posed of older men who are pretty sick
and tired of this war.
The Germans have, of course, tried
to impress us in Tunisia and again in
Sicily and Italy by using some of their
most highly efficient units. They
sought token" victory; they sent
their best troops to get it; and they
failed They could not even wipe out
the little Anzio beachhead, with no
seaport behind it. when they were
greatly superior in numbers. 1t is true
that this numerical superiority was not
all composed of the best German troops;
there were two or three inferior di-
visions involved, but there were some of
the best units, too
We should remember that all these
matters of superior weapons and su-
perior training are relative. In every
fighting force, the course of a long
war brings about graduation in arma-
!nentS. The lessons of the war are
embodied in the latest models of
weapons and equipment, but they are
rarely available to every unit. Some
units have the best and newest gadgets,
others have the older ones which still
do well enough. The same is true of
training: Some units are thoroughly
seasoned, attle-eXperienced outfits
others are mere cadres of older men
which have had their shattered ranks
filld up with recruits; still others are as
yet inexperienced.
In the last analysis. it is upon the
basic qualities of its men that an army
must depend for victory.
We have tested the battle-worthi-
ness of our young men. That is why
we may be so we'll assured that in the
end victory will be ours.
Evening star., 1944-04-29
This Changing World
BY Constantine Broacn

Early next week five men, the board
OF directors of the greatest combine in
the world, the British Empire, will be
sitting together in London to discuss
the empires balance sheet up to the
present and to draft the future policies
OF the most widespread commonwealth
IN the world
Field Marshal Jan Christian Smuts,
Prime Minister of South Africa; Win,
ston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great
Britain; William L. Mackenzie King,
Prime Minister of Canada; John Curtin,
Prime Minister of Australia, and Peter
Frazer, Prime Minister of New Zealand,
Will get together in London.
In order to prove the equality in rank
OF the five men,, the chairman of the
meeting will be the senior in age, the
73-year-old Field Marshal Smuts.
There has been little publicity about
this gathering which was decided on
after the Teheran meeting. But it is
admitted in British and American
circles, which are principally interested
IN its outcome, that it unquestionably
Will be the most important conference
ever held between the leaders OF the
dom1nionS and the mother country.
The principal question which un-
doubtedly will be under consideration is
the position of the British Empire in
the world and the best means of holding
together, not as far as the actual unity
IS concerned but in relation to other
world powers.
The views of Field Marshal SHUTS
are well known. He is an advocate of
the balance of power as the best means
to maintain peace in the world and also
to maintain the influence of the British
Empire. He Is an advocate of European
federations Of states and has made his
views clearly known in his past public
utterances. The prime ministers of the
Evening star., 1944-04-29
Yanks Stand Battle Test
By Maj. George Fieldine Eliot

We are technically or perhaps one
should say a mechanically minded
people. American lads, from the time
they can toddle, are accustomed to play
With mechanical toys. They grow up
IN an atmosphere of radio, automobiles,
aviation and other mechanical or cleo
trlcal wonders. This is a great military
asset In building a modern mechanical
Army.
These same lads, having attained
military age, take to the gadgets of the
armed forces as ducks to water. What
the Japanese recruit and to some extent
the European recruit, must be laborious-
ly taught, the American recruit takes in
his stride. The results have shown on
every battlefield where he has served.
But in the field of public opinion, so
vitally important in the successful
prosecution of this war. the effect of
this technical and mechanical slant is
not always so happy. The public mind
tends to put its faith in the tools of
war rather than in men 1t tends to be
overimpreSsed by statements to the
effect that the enemy has a certain
model of tank which has heavier arma-
ment and armor than a given model of
SNA
impressed by statements to the effect
that we have certain model of fighter
plane Of longer range and greater fire
power than the average of the enemyS
fighters.
1heSe things are important of course,
but they are of propOrtionate impor-
tance. They must be weighed in ac-
cordanCe with their real value as con-
S1HprpG
factors of which they are a part. For
eXample-When new models are deVel-
oped by either side, that does not mean
that the whole of the forces of that
side is Immediately, by some sort of
magic, fully equipped with the new
weapon.
Because the Germans have a remark
able heavy tank called by the fearSome
name of Tiger, it does not follow that
every German tank is a Tiger. AS a
matter of fact, the vast majority are of
older and inferior design, as the Rus
slams can testify. Because we have a
line long-range fighter which can escort
bombers over long distances, that does
not mean that our invasion forces can
nave every long-range mission thus es-
corted; far from it, for of the available
hghters a large number are still the
ShOrt-range British Spitfires.
The same reasoning applies to the
quality of troops. Because the Ger
mans have made magnificent defense
81 little Italian town called Casino,
by using picked outfit of their best
troops, the 1st Parachute Division, that
does not mean that our invading in
1antry will run into the 1st Parachute
Division on every beach and road in
Western Europe.
Evening star., 1944-04-29
Letters to The Star
IVA Praised for Giving People
Chance to Live.

To the Editor of The STAR
A new world breaks out of the shell
of greed and unrighteousness through
the convincing pen of Lowell Mellett in
his Illuminating article in The Star of
April q. concerning TWAS elevation of
the standard of living among the rural
people in the Tennessee Valley.
The maintenance of our national honor
and the perpetuity of democratic in
stitutions depend upon the everlasting
determination of the thinking people
OF the United States to keep politics out
OF civic progress as regards the affairs
OF the people of one part of what
Chauncey Depew termed as a whole,
''the new South.'
Recalling many weeks spent several
years ago in preparation of an illustrated
serial on the natural resources and in
oustrial activity of the Southern Appa-
lachlan region, my minds eye reviews
the incompatible benefits which have
ensued from the vision and ingenuity of
men bringing to the people of this great
valley of opportunities a chance to live
like human beings.
Truly, 1t may be said that those who
foresaw the possibilities of the Tennessee
Valley are like Jason of old who took
the Greeks on his ship Argonaut to
search for the Golden Fleece of Colchis.
David L. Lilienthal in his TWAS DEM
ocracy on the March," gave compelling
facts, accurately and valuably set forth.
surely the people of the Tennessee
Valley have come into their own, their
lives to be henceforth strengthened by
clean and healthy living.
The writer saw the deplorable living
conditions, waste, poverty, sickness and
woe, to say nothing of soil destruction
and out-dated methods of agricultural
development and procedure, characteris
tic of the past.
Today veritable utopia greets the
eye-an active, happy and vigorous
citizenry, toiling without back breaking
drudgery-all because Government
project was carried on with a completely
harnessed organization void of personal
aggrandizement.
The iva now is doing it's full share in
the acid test of civilization-the con-
sevation of human life.
Let us make it our business to keen
politics out of the IVA.
Those of us who have seen what the
people of the Tennessee Valley are doing
would hesitate to question the psalmist
when he said: why leap We, ye high
hills?"
MARY DARBY FITZHUGH
Evening star., 1944-04-29

other dominions have been less explicit
on such international matters.
The most interesting figure at the
conference will be Prime Minister
Churchill, who, as the head of the
government of Great Britain, has under
taken a number of commitments to the
Allies Of the empire Many Of them
are, of course, agreeable to his colleagues
but there may be some which will not
meet with the unrestricted approval
Of the other prime ministers.
The question Of postwar naval and
air bases Is of real Importance to Aus
tralia and New Zealand, as was demon
strated in the little-publicized treaty Of
alliance between the two dominions
signed last January at Canberra. The
treaty provides that there can be no
transfer of sovereignty of any islands in
the Pacific without the express consent
of the two countries. This treaty binds
Australia and New Zealand together in
this matter. But it would have a much
greater significance if it were incorpo-
rated as an expression of policies of the
whole empire. This might bring to the
fore the relations between the British
Empire and the United States, where
an increasing number of men in pub
lie life desire adequate naval and air
bases for this country in the Pacific.
A truly realistic view, which Is so
different from the views taken by states
men in office in public speeches, re-
garding the future relations of the
British Empire with its present associ-
stes, will form the most important part
of the London discussions, which will
last probably 10 days. Some observers
in London describe the gathering of the
five prime ministers as the most i'm
portant ever held because the question
OF the survival of the empire will be
the underlying topic which will govern
all discussions.
Evening star., 1944-04-29
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

Passage of bill for a permanent
system of universal military training of
American youth before the close of the
present war Is the aim of some, If not
all, of the members of the House Select
Committee on Postwar Military Policy.
The committee has first on it's agenda
the procurement and training of per-
sonnel, officers and men for military
service" for the regular services and for
reserve components of both services.
The principal question raised is
whether recruitment shall be voluntary
or through universal military training,
or both. In time of war this country
mas resorted to both voluntary enlist
ments and to the military draft. In
time OF peace 1t should do the same
The Nation must be prepared to defend
itself. Fortunately, while America was
still at peace, the Selective Service Act
was passed. It gave the country a year
IN which to start training men for the
conflict.
The reason that advocates of uni
versal military training are anxious to
have law enacted before the peace is
clear enough. Once we have won the
war, the. same demand for throwing
everything warlike out of the window
will set in that set in after the First
World War. Particularly will this be
true If, as Is now expected, some kind
OF international organization is set up
to preserve peace. Yet, had universal
military training system for all the
young men of this country been estab-
nshed In 1920, as was proposed at the
time, the present world war might have
been avoided. The Congress and the
country turned its back on the proposal.
The war to end all wars had been
fought and won. In the light of what
has happened, could anything be more
ridiculous?
Representative Wadsworth of New
York, author of the resolution creating
the select committee, has for years been
a strong advocate of universal military
training. He has bill before the House
Military Affairs Committee now which
provides for a years training for all
young men. 1t is a flexible proposal,
for it allows the men to take their train
ing from Is to 81 years of age Chair
man May of the Military Affairs Com
mittee has g. similar bill for a years
training, but specifying the training
shall take place in the 17th year. Pre-
sumably the bill which will finally be
presented to the House for action will
follow the recommendations of the Sc
lect committee.
Mr. Wadsworth, author of the Selec-
tive Service Act, is heart and soul back
OF the present effort of the select COM
mlttee to work out sound postwar
Evening star., 1944-04-29
This and That
By Charles E. TraceDelI.

Here is novel idea for bird lovers.
Some friends OF mine are rejoicing
over cardinals nest in a rose vine
outside their porch" writes A.
"One of the eggs Cat my request)
has been named Alice for me.
1.-THE others are Eglantine and Egbert.
I am not joking"
What more glorious fun in the spring.
time than to have a beautiful bird fly
ing around bearing your namel
Some might prefer to put their name
on blue jay.
The robin would have host of SYM
pathizers, and the catbird and mock
ingbird might draw their hundreds Of
friends, young and old.
The woodthrush, which arrived here
April %, instead Of April % as in most
years, surely would be selected by many.
1t is interesting to note that the wood
thrush was Audubon's favorite of all
Americas birds.
1t is also the official bird of the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Name a bird, therefore, for yourself.
It won't hurt anything, even If you
cannot keep track of your namesake
after it matches out
Your name, although unknown, will
be flying around, enjoying life.
In some occult way, we may believe,
this will give a lift to the spirit, in days
when we all need encouragement.
We would not advise any one to try
to mark in any tangible way the speci-
men bearing ones name. This would
not be playing fair.
Birds are free creatures, and should
remain free. They wear no mans halter,
if they can help it. They are advo-
Gates Of freedom whose inmost wishes
should be respected.
1t will be enough for the person in
terested in bird life to know that he
has dubbed some bird Tom, or Bill, or
Mary, or whatever the case may be.
Then let the name go flying, breath
ing the fresh air. sampling the foods
spread out by nature, hearing the sounds
of life, and seeing everything.
People sometimes wonder If birds
have ears and noses.
Yes, they have both.
The "ears," or hearing organs, are
beneath in the feathers, whose light
fabric does not interfere in the Slight
est with their function.
The nose" or smelling organ, is To-
Gated on the bill
The ears are located little below and
behind the eyes.
There is an oil organ at the base of
the tail. Birds do not perspire but
oil their feathers, thus enabling water
to run off them.
AS we watch the birds on a rainy
day, or in the Sleet and snow, we see
their great need for this oil. Water
birds, OF course, use more of it.
Observers often wonder why birds dc
not freeze to death.
One reason is their high temperature
1t ranges from 103 to 10 degrees, &C
cOrdlng to the species
Another reason is their marvellous
metabolism, which converts food into
heat and energy faster than any other
eating mechanism.
Did you ever wonder why birds don't
fall OF their perches while sleeping?
This is taken care of by nature. She
has given birds certain foot and leg
muscles which tighten automatically as
the bird slumps down slightly in sleep
| AS long as it sleeps, it is locked in place
| When 1t aWakenS, the tendons relax, anC
| 1t is ready to fly away.
II you name a birds egg for yourself
DO not write on the she'll but let the
| letters be invisible, made from two parts
| admiration and two parts wonder.
Evening star., 1944-04-29
Secretary Knox

Frank Knox would have made an
efficient Secretary of the Navy
under any conditions. His forceful,
vigorous personality and sound
judgment equipped him as an execu-
tive. But the circumstances in
which he assumed the post in the
summer of 1910 and the Navy's
splendid performance under his di-
rection will make him remembered
not merely as great Secretary but
as a great American.
If the Presidents choice of this
distinguished Republican leader for
his war cabinet was a political
gesture, in the best sense of the
term, Mr.. Knox reciprocated it in
full and gave to that gesture high
symbolism. In his thinking as
citizen and in his personal predilec-
tions he never ceased to be a Re-
publican. But when he entered the
wartime service of his country, he
left his politics outside. With his
colleague. Mr.. Stimson. he set an
example which was needed at the
time. And despite the strains and
stresses of divergent political
thought. that example has come to
typify the sort of disinterested serv-
ice, by patriotic men, which has
been one of the shining marks in
our conduct of this war.
His career and the things he
stood for fitted him for his post.
He had served as a soldier in two
wars. AS a newspaperman, who
pulled himself up by his own
ability from the lowest to the
highest ranks in American journal
ism. he made himself known for the
vigor Of his editorial expressions
and the capability of his business
management. AS a politician, his
race on the Landon ticket left him,
while defeated. higher in the estl-
nation of his countryrnen than
when he began. And long before he
was called to Washington, he had
made himself and his newspaper
outstanding champions of the do
nestic and foreign policies which
were inevitable with the creeping
tides of war.
He was honest and frank in his
dealings with people and he loved
his country. A casualty of this war,
for he drove himself mercilessly, his
death is a heavy loss.
Evening star., 1944-04-29
To Tschuikowsky

(After hearing the Fifth Symphony
The music 10as here, demanding to be
born,
InSiStent, Knocking at the gates of
life;
And used you. breaking through to string
and horn,
It's anguish cutting like slender knife
RemorseleSSly into your lonely heart,
Making you strangely intimate tDith
pain,
Driving you reStlesSly to paths apart,
From earth to heaven and back, and
back in Uain.
Cleauing the night of darkness comes q
strain
So sad, so StDeet and lovely that the
sound
Is like the healing of the tender rain
Upon the deSolGte, the thirsty ground.
You tDere the instrument; your tortured
soul
Has t0ritten into life dedthless scroll.
HELEN ROWE HENzE.