davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-04-19
Britain Closes the Gates

olitdI1S Suooen pan on dlplo-
matte communication with the
outer world is a sensational, inno-
vation. No principle in the code
5of international comfy is better
established than the freedom of
duly accredited diplomats to move
freely and to communicate with
their home governments under the
seal of immunity. Without prior
warning, the British government has
suddenly taken the unprecedented
action of forbidding the representa-
tives of neutral and even of most
Allied nations to leave England, to
dispatch or receive any diplomatic
pouch not subject to censorship,
and to transmit or receive any wire
or radiogram not worded in plain
language. This ends anything re-
sembling diplomatic immunity. The
only exceptions to this unprece-
dented action are the United States
and Soviet Russia, whose diplomatic
privileges remain intact. That,
however, is due to a prior agreement
among the Allied big Three" that
the British government should resort
to so extreme a measure. London's
decision therefore reflects a con-
certed policy on the part of itself
and it's major partners.
This procedure, extraordinary as
it may be in diplomatic practice, is
from another aspect merely
further step in a series of precau-
tionary measures during recent
weeks which include prohibition of
visitors to a barred zone" along
England's southern and eastern
coasts, total stoppage of news on
convoy arrivals and virtually COM
plete ban on travel to neighboring
Fire. And it may well be that still
more drastic restrictions are in store.
The reason for all this is self
evident. The grand "triphibious''
assault on Hitler's continental
fortress is seemingly imminent.
This mightiest and most complex
military operation in all history de-
pends for success largely on the ele-
ment OF at least tactical surprise. Al
though air reconnaissance will prob
ably tip off the German high COM
mand as to the general state of
Allied preparations. the precise mo-
ment of the attack and the appor-
tionment of the forces involved can
be kept secret provided there are no
leaks from the point of departure.
That base is Britain, an island whose
water gates can be firmly closed.
To prevent the egress of even the
most innocent information, no pre-
caution can be neglected. consider
ing the terrific risks involved and
the bloody price which might have
to be paid if Berlin had advance in
formation. So far as human in
genuity can do it, Britain now is,
and will remain, Theoretically sealed
until the supreme tidings of Cd
Day" are flashed to a keyed-up
world.
Evening star., 1944-04-19
Jap Strategy in Burma
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot

AS far as the fighting on the Assam
Burma frontier itself is concerned, the
decisive struggle appears to be taking
place in the vicinity Of Kohima. Here
the Allied forces counterattacked sue
cessfully two days ago, smashing enemy
road blocks on the road between Dina
pur (on the Assam-Bengal railway and
Kohima, though it was not stated that
contact with the garrison Of Kohima
had been reopened. Tuesdays COM
munique Of the Southeast Asia command
states that the enemy pressure against
Kohima itself is increasing, and that the
Japanese have made counterattacks
against the captured road blocks
Meanwhile the Japanese do not seem
to have succeeded in penetrating the
Imphal Plain their attempts to do so
have been stopped cold and they are
being driven back into the hills from
which they descended. South of Imphal,
the situation is confused Gas in all
jungle flghting) but there is suggestion
that the Allied situation is getting a lit
tie better.
Analyzing all this, it would appear
that the main enemy effort was not di-
rected against Imphal, but in the direc-
ton of Kohima- -Dimapur; that Kohima
has been surrounded, but not taken
presumably it is being supplied by air);
that the Allied command has sent re-
Inducements by rail to Dimapur and
that these new forces are now engaging
the enemy between Dimapur and Ko-
hima; and that this is the crucial fight,
with its outcome not yet determined.
AS for Imphal, the enemy does not ap-
pear to have threatened that city in any
strength. The real threat to Imphal
Is in the attack on its communications
at Kohima and Dimapur.
However, the real threat to the jap
anese Army carrying out these opera
tlons is in the growing threat to its own
bases along the Chindwin River and to
the japanese system of supply and COM
munication in Central Burma generally.
This threat comes from the use by the
Allies of air-borne forces One such
force has already for some weeks been
sitting on the rail, river and road lines
between Central and North Burma, cut
ting OF the Japanese in the Myitkyina-
Mogaung- Bhamo area while they are
Evening star., 1944-04-19
On the Record
BY Dorothy Thompson

In dispatch from Naples this week,
I read that King Victor Emmanuel III
had discussed with Allied diplomats the
question of his throne. He fears that
his resignation might prejudice the
House Of Savoy. "He has certain pride
after many years as King"
wondered, reading, in what he had
pride. What in his life has been kingly?
Was he kingly when Matteoti was mur-
dered? Was he kingly when, under Hit
ler's orders, his Jewish subjects were
deprived of their constitutional rights?
Was he kingly when, with the fail Of
Mussolini, he ordered the balcony Of the
Palazzo Venetia lowered, the better to
adjust to his diminutive height the rail
from which the Dictator had addressed
the masses?
Kingship, in its origins, derives from
warriors, the essence Of kingship is
courage. Only courage justifles pride.
But the King Of italy barters for his
throne, and by bartering is no longer
a King. An empty vessel; q meaning
less tradition.
am reminded this week of 10000
kings. Narneless. Uncelebrated. And
dead. But the manner of their death?
1t Is just a year since the Schultz
Staffel in Warsaw decided to liquidate
them-on Hitler's birthday; as q present
for him, perhaps.
There had been 100000 of them to
start with. Wretched little men and
women, for the most part. The Gestapo
in Poland had rounded them up, and
imprisoned them in q section of the
capital city, behind eight-foot walls.
Within the walls the German Army en-
ployed some Of them. mostly as tailors,
for making and repairing German uni
forms. They were crowded into tene-
ments, score to room. A mere sub
Sistence of food rations passed daily
through the walls. They were dirty,
for the sanitation was wretched. They
had lice, yes, and typhus. Perhaps you
would have doubted whether this teem-
ing mass were really human.
They were not proud before their con-
querors-not at first. Their conquerors
posted notices, announcing that they
would be deported, families kept to-
gether, settled elsewhere on land, for
peaceful work. Tens of thousands
grasped at the straw, not trustfully, but
hopefully. In the end there were 10000
left-the youngest and bravest, who had
sent the weakest out first, to safety.
Then the news trickled back. The
deportees had not been resettled. They
had been masSacred. Massacres in the
midst OF Warsaw were not q good idea.
They had been lured elsewhere to
their doom.
The 10000 prepared to fight. Ennis
Evening star., 1944-04-19
Boy With q Match

hneel'ng, the small boy reperently slins
For the first time match across a
stone,
Watches it blossom at his tinoertips.
For hin, the ,Dorld Is not. He is alons
Upon enchanted ground. There In his
hand
In his o,or hand-the flaming petals
start,
Unturl or t0it7ter, as he may command.
And something ancient rooted in his
heart
Bids him betD1re OF his immortal fotper.
Whose seeds impartial scatter life and
death
Daring the penalty to gain the po,per,
He oulps, and grasps its stem, and
holds his breath,
HIS face yedrning Donder OF desire.
Pr9metfe&s again dtscorers fire.
e YETzA GILLESPIE. I
Evening star., 1944-04-19

being directly attacked by land from the
north
The land attacks are making steady
progress; should they break into
Myitkyina and Mogaung, they might
very well push on south and link up with
the air-borne forces In the Katha-
Indaw area. If this should happen, the
threat to the focal center of Manda-
lay, and to the whole Chindwin River
line, would be grave, If not decisive.
But this system of attack is being
extended. We now hear of Allied air
borne troops operating around Shwebo,
which Is on the main line of the Burma
railway about two-thirds OF the way
from Katha to Mandalay. Also we hear
of them at You, from which road and
branch railway lead to Monywa, on the
lower course of the Chindwin River a
short distance above its junction with
the Irrawaddy, branch railway from
Mandalay
Should air-borne troops succeed in
reaching Monywa there would be no
more supplies going up the Chindwin to
replenish the four river bases from
which the japanese troops around Ko-
hima and Imphal took off.
This may mean that an attempt to
establish them there has failed: but it
Is rather more likely to mean that the
whole plan for air-borne attack on
Burma is being worked out on a very
wide scale and that 1t Is not desired to
have too much premature discussion.
This is implied in the sudden move of
Lord Louis Mountbatten's headquarters
to Ceylon; something which would be
unlikely in the last degree unless the
situation in North and Central Burma
was considered satisfactory.
The move to Ceylon, Of course, brings
the commander in chief In closer con-
tact with his naval forces, and possibly
the bombing attack on the Andaman
Islands indicates the direction which
the next move is going to take. This
would be particularly embarrassing to
the Japanese, because the recapture of
the AndamanS would definitely cut
their sea lanes to Rangoon and Moul-
moin. at a moment when they must be
anxious to bring In all the help they
can for tbeir forces In Burma.
~ tcopyrtshts 1e44)
Evening star., 1944-04-19
imperative Agreement

There seems no reason to doubt
the report that Russia, Britain and
the United States have agreed in
principle upon a plan for the post
war occupation of defeated Ger
many and of any of Germany's
satellites who elect to keep on fight
ing to the bitter end. Not to have
such an agreement at this time
would be not only surprising but
highly disturbing, for the struggle
in Europe is moving so rapidly
toward a climax that an Allied
understanding of this sort is almost
as imperative as an understanding
on joint military strategy.
Though as yet not officially con-
flrmed and though still in the stage
of formulation, the plan apparently
would divide the task of control
between the Russians on one hand
and the British and Americans on
the other, the Russians functioning
In enemy areas occupied by the Red
Army, and the British and Ameri-
cans-under the supreme authority
of General Eisenhower - in the
enemy areas occupied by them.
Presumably, the military govern
ment set up under this division of
responsibility would follow single
overall policy under direction of
the European Advisory Council in
which other members of the United
Nations would have some measure
of influence.
1t is worth emphasizing that cur
rent reports limit the plan to Ger
many and to Hitler's uncompro-
missing satellites. The implication is
that if countries like Finland, Ro-
mania or Hungary should promptly
break away from Berlin and make
separate peace, they would receive
different treatment. AS for Poland,
Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, France,
Norway and other Nazi victims on
the European continent, it appears
that they would each handle their
own affairs. through their own gov
ernmentS in liaiSon with the Rus
sian, British and American govern
ments and subject only to military
necessities as seen by the supreme
Allied commanders.
In due Atime. undoubtedly, there
Evening star., 1944-04-19
This Changing World
By Constantine Bro,cn

washington diplomatic circles are still
puzzled over the unprecedented embargo
placed by the British on all diplomatic
communications and the movements In
London Of representatives Of the various
neutral countries and minor members
OF the United Nations.
The explanation Of the British Foreign
Once that such ban was necessary
on the eve Of the cross-channel attack
because Britain is the principal invasion
base Is plausible. Everything the Allies
are prepared to pour on Western Europe
will proceed from the British Isles.
And while the British government has
been careful to point out that it does
not suspect the diplomats in London
of wanton betrayal of our plans, it is
only natural that 1t should be afraid Of
indiscretion. Diplomats are known to be
discreet, but, like many reporters, are
anxious to show their employers that
they have good contacts and know what
is going on behind the scenes.
Aside from this very logical explana-
ton. there are other interpretations.
For instance, at the end Of this month,
OA4C VI tllC ulOot UlOIuGQCOuS conferences
IN Britain's history will take place In
London. The four prime ministers of
the Dominions will meet with Prime
Minister Churchill to discuss not only
imperial but world problems. The war
has emphasized world problems as they
concern the Dominions and no less
subject than the ultimate fate of the
empire is going to have priority on the
London agenda.
Many things are taking place in the
world today which will have a vital
effect on the structure of the entire
empire. Premier Marshal Jan Christian
SHUTS of South Africa is said to have
been selected as chairman Of the forth
coming super-council meeting. Premier
Smuts already is on record as being
keenly interested not only in the role
OF his country in the postwar world
but also in the fabric which is keeping
the dominions, the colonies and the
mother country together.
The decisions to be taken in London
may effect the war and particularly
Evening star., 1944-04-19
Like q Dream

The transcontinental crossing of
the Lockheed Constellation in
little less than seven hours marks
a new, but not the last, chapter
in the story of mans conquest of
space.
AS we read of this huge luxury
liner cruising over mountains and
rivers, prairies and deserts, at a
speed that shames the wind, it is
hard to believe that there are men
still alive who were living when the
Oregon Trail and the Platte, and
Fort Bridger and South Pass, were
Just beginning to find their way into
the American vocabulary.
That was but scant hundred
years ago, when the crossing of the
continent was an ordeal that took
a heavy toll in covered wagons and
human lives. In those not-so-
distant days the frontier town of
independence was the jumping off
place for the emigrantS-the hardy
men, women and children who were
to claim the West for the United
States. At Independence, they were
already across the Mississippi, but
even SO, there was no time to be lost.
The trip which lay ahead of these
pioneers was a matter of months,
and he who foolishly started late in
the spring could fully expect to be
caught and to die in the winter
SHOWS OF the Western mountains.
But those days of Manifest Des-
tiny" OF hostile indians, and thirst,
Evening star., 1944-04-19

saries sneaking out in the dark estab-
lished contact with the Polish under
ground and begged for weapons Bit
by bit the weapons came in-under car
loads Of potatoes-ri machine guns,
even few antitank guns.
All was quiet. Another transport Of
5000 was taken away without resistance.
A second was to follow on Hitler's birth
day, April 20, 1943 When the Nazis
came for the second transport the bat
tie began.
Six Mani tanks had entered the
ghetto, to find every house plastered
with call to resistance. Every street
had been assigned . command. Every
house was . fortress. A young girl
threw the first grenade.
The kitchens were commissariats, the
army cooks old women. The children
were couriers. From the houses flew
the blue-and-white nag Of Zion and
the Polish colors.
And the uniforms tailored for the
Germans were on the bodies Of the de-
tenders and Nazis could not tell who
was German and who were not,
In German uniforms they passed out
and In, bringing support The 8. S. had
to pause and ask for army aid. But
the army refused 1t, awaiting orders
from Berlin.
The orders came, of course, and the
fortress was bombarded. But suicide
squads, in German uniforms, broke
through the lines with hand grenades,
and blew up German tanks and them
selves with them.
Now the German command ordered
the whole fortress destroyed by in
cendiary bombs. Inferno descended.
and thousands perished. The survivors
concentrated all in the center. There
in few houses they fought the fires.
And here the Germans had to contest
every house. They drove the captured
before them; they hanged men to the
posts of ruins.
On the forty-second day one house
was left. The blue-and- white nag waved
from its roof top. It took eight hours
to capture that single house. Every
stairstep was contested. BY nightfalI
every defender was a corpse All but
one. He stood on the roof holding the
flag he had guarded for a days and
nights. His last act was to wrap him
self In 1t, and hurl himself head-fore-
most to the street. He was 16 years
old.
Forty thousand, fought against q
world. Not to be saved, but to be re-
membered. Not for a dynasty but for
a race. Not only for a race-for hui
manity.
The boy with the nag, Victor Emman-
uel-he was a king.
released by the Bell Syndicate. Inc.)
Evening star., 1944-04-19
Cold Shivers


last has secret weapon that will
send cold chills down the spines of
the Allies. It is a projectile contain
ing chemical guaranteed to freeze
everything with 500 yards, by drop
ping the temperature to 1872 degrees
below zero, or quite bit colder than
temperatures prevailing last winter
in many American homes. He is not
content with orthodox methods of
liquidating the foe; he would solidify
them at one fell swoop. To coun-
teract certain mysterious unpatriotic
rumors filtering through the Reich
that there are occasional intervals
when Goebbels deyiates slightly from
the strict truth, he has taken the
trouble to prove his statement this
time. Large experimental icebergs
have been manufactured in the
English Channel, he says, with great
success and secrecy. To the latter
part of his claim the United Nations
subscribe wholeheartedly; so secret
are these mysterious icebergs that
no member of the United Nations
has yet seen one.
Possibly prisoners taken in this
fashion can be held in storage for
the duration as frozen assets and
thawed out after victory to serve as
slaves for the master race. The
opium in Joe's pipe is running low,
and the world must wait for fresh
supply for the answer to that one.
Meanwhile, he is providing cold
comfort for Germans.
Evening star., 1944-04-19

British postwar planning. It Is essen
tial that the plans drawn must be
kept very confidential. for . while at
least, 20 as to give the British Prime
Minister ample opportunity to present
his non-British associates with facts
which may have been given to him. Any
premature leak might jeopardize the
entire situation and render the meeting
fruitless. 1t is, Of course. certain that
none Of the prime ministers will speak
out OF turn because too many vital mat
ters viii be involved But there is q
remote danger that some member of
the encourage Of the flve leaders might
commit an indiscretion and that some
half truths will find their way to the
ears OF the representatives Of the neu-
tral countries and small allies of Britain.
These would be communicated imme-
diately as important news outside of
England.
Military considerations, other than
Information about invasion dates, troop
movements, equipment, morale and
other such important factors pertain
ing to the actual assault on Western
Europe, also may have come into play
had the curb not been placed on diplo-
matte activity. A number Of stories
about political matters within Great
Britain have been spread recently from
London. For instance, the reports of
Mr.. Cnurchill's possible resignation and
the impending resignation Of Foreign
Secretary Anthony Eden were known in
London diplomatic circles long before
they found their way into print.
A change in the Foreign Once is not
necessarily indicative Of major change
in British policy. But decision of
Mr.. Churchill to hand over the reins
OF the Empire to some one else would
be considered as q -orientatien OF
Britains national and internal policies.
Whether Mr.. Churchill viii step down
after the Imperial conference Is mat
ter of speculation. But there is no
question that q premature disclosure
Of his plans and intentions would cause
military as well as q political reper-
c,ssion all over the world.
Evening star., 1944-04-19
Bod Housekeeping

Throughout the excellent report
to Commissioner Mason by a COM
mittee of citizens which, at his
request, made an inspection of the
District Jail, there run such items
as: Features built into the prison
which are not being operated be-
cause of Inadequate paid personnel"
"the number of guards actually
serving . is entirely inadequate, :"
"the guards are underpaid," "the
per capita allowance per man per
day (for food) = is inadequate, :"
lacking is the needed medical
and nursing staff" "the employed
personnel is underpaid and the
matron is in need of more assist
ants" etc.
The jail is under joint Jurisdiction
of the Board of Public Welfare and
the Commissioners. The report pays
high tribute to the work of the
members of the board and to the
caliber and spirit of the Jail en-
ployes. The chief fault found is
parsimonious budgeting policy.
Comparable conditions were re-
ported to the Commissioners by the
committee of doctors which investi-
gated the psychopathic department
of Gallinger Hospital. The trouble
there was lack of personnel and
poorly designed plant. Gallinger is
under Jurisdiction of the Commits
sioners. Medical and other person.
mel at the hospital were praised for
what has been done under diff
culties. Again, the fundamental
trouble was unwise budgeting policy.
Yesterdays hearing before the
D'Alesandro subcommittee brought
testimony from the superintendents
OF several municipal institutions
under Joint jurisdiction of the Board
of Public Welfare and the Commits
sioners. The superintendent of the
industrial Home School said condi-
tions there were "horriblen-condi-
tons chiefly due to the rundown
condition of the old buildings and
lack Of adequate personnel. The
superintendent of the District Train
Ing School for Feeble Minded. a
relatively new institution, COM
planned about lack of facilities for a
capacity population and the diff
Guilty of getting adequate equipment.
1t is a good thing to focus public
attention on these conditions, for
the characteristic flaw seems to be
a lack of funds and the House Sub
committee on District Appropria-
tions will begin hearings soon on the
next appropriation bill. The Com
missioners, who are responsible for
submission OF estimates, will have an
opportunity to argue their case. But
1t is wholly unrealistic for the Com
mlSsloners to attempt to link this
showing of unsatisfactory conditions
In municipal institutions with argu-
ments in behalf of their superficial
and short-sighted bill to destroy the
usefulness of the Board of Public
Welfare.
Conditions which are being shown
up now have no relation whatsoever
to the deficiencies, and there NAV
be some, in the Welfare Act Passage
of the Commissioners bill would
accomplish no reform. On the other
hand, it would rob the people of the
District of the volunteer services of
citizens who are largely responsible
for the best things that have been
done in the past fifteen years to
Improve institutional care in the
District.
Evening star., 1944-04-19
Regrets Washed Out Airmen

Regrets Washed Out Airmen
To the Editor Of The Star:
I read your editorial on the present
policies of the Army Air Forces, 1T
Needs Looking Into," with general praise
for you in keeping abreast of present
conditions in this particular training
branch.
Just lately, discussed this very thing
with a trainee, now at gunnery in
Texas: '"Boys come in there washed out
with only one or two more hours needed
before they get their wings. Ordinarily
they would have received them but now
everybody is being washed out. You
can bet these boys are heartsick. They
are good material and would have
joined the Navy Air Forces, had they
suspected any policy as unfair to them
as this" K.