davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-07-15
The Political Mill
BY Gould Lincoln

VIII the selection OF a Democratic
candidate for Vice President be con-
sumated in a smoke-f filled room or be
left to final determination of the party's
national convention, with every aspir-
ant permitted to make his race? It's
an awkward problem for the Democrats
anyway you look at it. 1t grows largely
out OF two circumstances. The first is
the division of the party itself into
right and left wings-New Dealers and
anti-New Dealers. The second is the
lack of personal popularity of Vice
President Wallace with a very consid-
erable number of Democrats.
Whether Mr.. Wallace has the blessing
of President Roosevelt for another
nomination or whether he does not; !;
whether Mr.. Wallace decides, for the
sake Of party harmony, to withdraw.
or whether he determines to make a
fight, the vice presidential nomination
of the Democratic party holds far more
interest than it has since the days Of
Martin Van Buren,, the choice of An
drew jackson for the place. Van Buren,
ultimately succeeded to the presidency
by election after Jackson had COM
pleted his two terms in the White
House.
Under the long tenure OF office of
President Roosevelt, no other Democrat
has been built into the presidential pic
ture. Indeed, it is freely admitted by
Democrats that If the President had
decided not to be a candidate for a
fourth term they would not have known
where to turn for presidential nomi-
nee-with the slightest chance of vic
tory at the polls. It is an unhealthy
condition for any political party.
The President has had nearly IL
srueling years in Office. He has set at
rest any suspicion that, If reelected next
November, he might not serve another
four years, but retire and turn the job
over to other hands. Nevertheless. there
is in the minds of many people the
thought that something might prevent
his completion Of another four-year
term.
1t behooves the Democratic National
Convention, therefore, to select as its
vice presidential nominee man to
whom the voters may turn with conf
dence. No nominee in all probability
would add strength to President Roose-
velt's chances of reelection. But, under
the conditions described. a nominee
might detract from the Presidents
Evening star., 1944-07-15
Not Always Helpful

The CLOS latest foray into poll
tics-in observation-disclosures not al
together successful. 1t is true that
the CLOS Political Action Committee
gave its Endorsement to two winners,
Mayor Maurice j. Tobin of Boston,
for the Democratic gubernatorial
nomination, and Representative
John w. Mccormack, Democratic
House leader. Both are strong sup
porters of the Roosevelt administra-
ton. Both would have won with
or without CIO Endorsement. Mayor
Tobin's opponent was State Treas
urer Francis x. Hurley anti-Roose-
welt leader among the Democrats.
A more significant study of CIO
Endorsements would lie in the elec-
tion returns in three congressional
districts. Former Representative
Thomas H. Eliot, high in esteem
among the New Dealers while he
was in Washington, sought the
Democratic nomination for the
House in the Eleventh district
against Representative James M.
Curley. He had the backing of the
CIO and he lost. Representative
Philip ]. Philbin. Democrat. most
bitterly opposed by the Political
Action Committee, defeated former
State Senator p. Eugene Casey in
the Third district. In the Tenth
district. now held by Representative
Christian A. Herter, Republican, the
CIO-indorsed Democratic candidate,
Edward o. Mullowney, was defeated
whelmingly by william A. Carey.
Evening star., 1944-07-15
Supports Gen. de Gaulle

Supports Gen. de Gaulle
To the Editor of The Star:
Possibly the reason why 17-gun
salute was fired for Gen. Charles de
Gaulle rather than 2l-gun salute was
that President Roosevelt considers him.
self to be at the head OF the French
government.
The logical thing, without doubt.
would have been to have recognized the
De Gaulle Committee of French Liberia
ton Immediately after it was set up.
when World War II started. instead of
the Vichy government that Hitler.
backed. However, since the recognition
then by the United States Government
went to the Vichy government, that
mistake should have been corrected to-
day by the full recognition Of Gen.
de Gaulle as the head of the French
government.
What benefit will flow to the people
of France or the people of the United
States for this Nation to withhold full
recognition from man, who. in most
heroic and statesman-like way, in her
darkest hours, saved his country from
being completely annihilated?
WILLIAM H. HARGROVE.
California, Mo.
Evening star., 1944-07-15
A Fiqhtinq Soldier

Whatever his new job abroad may
be, one may be sure that it will be
a big one. For Lieutenant General
Lesley ]. McNair is one OF the big
men of our Army. General Marshall
once referred to him as "the brains
Of the Army" For he helped plan
our Army on paper long before the
imminence of war furnished the
men to give it life. Having planned
it, he took major part in training
it, toughening it, building it into
fighting team for shipment overseas.
In the fall of 1912. lecturing at
Fort Leavenworth, he seemed a bit
skeptical Of what he. as head of
the ground forces, had in hand
then. His soldiers were not FIRST
line troops" They were capable of
fighting creditably. but with ex-
cessive losses and with less than
full effectiveness" They needed
more training. But last Christmas,
announcing that a third of the
Army was overseas, he told the SOL
diers that each one of them could
be proud "of being a fighter in the
biggest and finest Army we ever had.
''' My admiration for the Amer
lean soldier increases all the time.
I believe in him, and know that led
properly, he is invincible in battle"
He became invincible largely as
the result Of the tough training un-
der General McNair. The major
part of that training job now is
over. II General McNair, turning
over his command of the ground
forces to fit successor-Lieutenan
General Ben Lear-can be given the
privilege of leading into battle some
Of the men he trained, he will
merely be claiming an honor fully
deserved.
Evening star., 1944-07-15
Not q Little Bow

Although Senator Taft insists
that he did not intend it to be so
sweeping, his amendment to the
Federal Voting Law has led the War
Department to make very sure that
official Army libraries keep their
shelves closed to such books as 1.-The
Republic" distinguished history
OF the Nation by Charles A. Beard.
The amendment forbids any
agency OF the Government to dis
tribute to the armed forces any
literature containing political ar
gument or political propaganda of
any kind designed or calculated to
affect the result of any election for
President" Politicians may argue
until they are blue in the face over
the virtues and vices of this
measure, and lawyers can feverishly
split hairs over the rigid interpreta-
ton put upon it by the military, and
excited commentators can cry out
In their intellectual pain over the
wrong being done by the thing to
our "G1 Joes." But still it all seems
rather ridiculous-the whole busi-
ness, the amendment, the legalistic
Interpretation, and the dour view
ing with-alarm.
Some people have strange notions
about the American soldier. AS far
as politics go, they seem to envision
creature so impressionable, so
pliable, so easily swayed that unless
he is fed equal doses Of Democratic
and Republican campaign "litera-
ture," he will support the side that
sends more than the other. As If
he were a weather vane. AS if he
were actually going to spend his
free time poring over stacks of cleo
tloneerlng pamphlets. AS if his
mind were not already pretty we'll
made up about how he intends to
vote If he can get around to it.
And when it comes to reading fine
books like The Republic" by
and large, that will probably have
to wait until he returns home, be-
cause right now he is either busy
on the battle front, resting up be-
hind the lines, or going on a one
day leave, after a hard week of
soldering, to have fun in town.
A plague on the amendment and
on the silly midsummer to-do over
1t! "GI Joe"-which, incidentally, is
getting to be tiresomely hackneyed
and overs -sentimentalized nickname
for our mature and intelligent fight
Ing mems neither a mouse nor a
piece OF putty nor a little boy who
needs to be handled as If he did not
know what makes the world tick.
He can take care of himself-politi-
cally, quite as much as when he
comes in contact with the Nazis or
the little brown men of Nippon. No
one has to worry about that.
Evening star., 1944-07-15
Spring Comes to ItoIy

Spring comes again to Italy! Soft blue,
The counterpdne OF sky Is spread BY
day,
Tutted tOith candle-,pick of clouds; the
gray
OF meadows slo,Dly turns to green; and
to
The olire trees the thickening sap
brings ne,D
Young leoDes and buds. Beside each
country tDdy
The buttercups and piolets are qdy
Pdstels OF PATCHWORK, scum with siluer
deU.
Spring comes again to Italyi And filings
Her gift of life tpith prodiedl delight
Through field and Dood:: and breathes
her fragrant breath
into all buds and Ieapes, and brilliant
tDings::
Only for youth the frost stiH fingers.
Unite;
The bough nnsti,red, the bleak skies
-. raining death.
JESSIE WnMORE MURTON.
Nag. 1874.
Evening star., 1944-07-15

Champenoise on September 9. What
consequences might have ensued!"
In other words the Germans and not
the Allies might have won the first
battle of the Marine, Paris might have
been lost, and French resistance might
have collapsed in 1914 as swiftly and
terribly as it did in 1940 Yet the troops
which we're so fatally withdrawn and
rushed to the east did not arrive there
in time to do any good for the Russian
invasion had already been defeated at
Tannenberg before they arrived.
***
I'm order to understand how this error,
fatal for the Germans, could have come
about" Gen. Gelovine continues, 1T is
necessary to venture into the realm of
psychology. War is before all else
drama, says Jomini. This drama is
played out not only on the battlefield
but also in the council chambers whence
1t is directed Kaiser Wilhelm. whose
military talents were below average,
rapidly succumbed to those political
motives which are invariably to be
found as factor in the decisions OF
higher strategy. When the panic
outcry, which is the invariable accom-
paniment Of an enemy invasion, began
to reach the ears of wilhelm, when
numerous deputations began to present
themselves beseeching him not to aban-
don to the foe the ancient lands of
Prussia the Kaiser no longer held out.
1t Is difficult to realize, writes Napoleon,
what strength of will one must have in
order to win great battle. Wilhelm
had no such strength of will 9 Un-
doubtedly influenced by the Kaiser, the
German general staff also lost its mental
equilibrium and committed an elemen-
tary strategical blunder"
These words are worthy of very care
full thought as we find once again Rus
sian armies standing poised in the area
Of Kaunas and Grodno, facing the from
tiers of East Prlssia-armies far stronger
and far better commanded and supplied
than the armies of Samsonov and Rem
nenkampn and faced by German armies
immeasurably weaker (proportionately)
than those which Hindenburg com.
manded in East Prussia in 1914. What
will the reaction be in the German high
command and in Germanys highest
council chambers today to an invasion
Of German soil?
tcopyrisht. 1914, the Tribune cs.)
Evening star., 1944-07-15
Turkey Reconsiders

Much closer cooperation" may
be expected from Turkey by the
Allies That is the statement made
here In Washington by our AM
bassador to Ankara, Laurence A.
steinhardt, who recently returned
home to make detailed report on
the Turkish situation. So specific
and authoritative a statement is
a factual peg on which to hang
the sheaf of rumors and conjectures
that have been emanating from
Ankara and other Near Eastern
listening posts concerning pro-
spective changes in Turkeys attitude
and policy.
Since the start of the war, Tur-
keys position has been one of
intelligent realism. Bitter lessons
of an unfortunate past had taught
the Turks, leaders and people alike,
to distrust ideologies and discount
promises. Present-day Turkey
risen like the tabled phoenix from
the ashes of the old Ottoman
Empire, is satisfied" country,
engrossed in the task of nation
building and with no imperialistic
aspirations. AS such, it has had no
temptation to enter the war, and
has thus been a stanch neutral in
the class of Sweden and Switzer-
land. Like those other neutrals. it
has been ready to fight any ag-
greSsion on its sovereignty. How
ever, the predatory nature of the
Berlin-Ro Axis caused the Turks
to see in it potential menace. To
guard against Axis aggression in
the Near East, Turkey even before
the war made defensive diplomatic
agreements with Britain and
France. French collapse and Brit
ish weakness in 1910 caused Turkey
to withdraw into a cautious aloof-
ness, but it stood stanchly against
Axis pressure for special privileges
and thus served as bulwark
against Axis penetration of the Near
East, which was eminently salts
factory to Britain at the time. Z.
With the turn of the tide two
years ago, Allied diplomacy began
to suggest an attitude more posi-
lively favorable to the United Ma
tions. Ankara did not reject these
advances on principle. What 1t did
was to ask for specific guarantees
Evening star., 1944-07-15
1914 and 1914 in Russia
BY Maj. George Fielding Eliot

The reports of Russian armies ap-
preaching Kaunas and fighting in the
streets of Grcdno must ring ominously
in German ears.
In 1914, Kaunas (called by the Rus
slams Kovno) and Grodno were the two
principal fortresses and military points
of support for the Russian armies over
against the frontier of East Prussia. 1t
was on Kaunas that the right flank of
the Russian 1st Army rested as it pre-
pared for the invasion of East Prussia
in August. 1914 It was on Grodno that
the right flank of the Russian End Army
rested as it prepared to take its part in
that operation. From those, positions,
the invasion was launched. It was not
a longlived invasion. The Russian SOL
dier Of that day was a tough fighter, but
the Russian generals and the Russian
supply system were not up to the stand
ards of the Russian armies Of 1914. The
Germans rolled back the invading Rus
sian armies in less than month OF
heavy fighting and mastery maneuver.
in which the team Observation-Disclosures
dorff Hoffman, proved vastly superior
to the Russian Army Commanders SAM
sonov and Rennenkampd.
But the invasion of East Prussia by
Russian troops had, nevertheless, a
profound effect on the course of the war
This effect is dramatically described by
a Russian military writer, 1t. Gen. N. N.
Gelovine, in his book, 'The Russian
Campaign of 1914" He says:
Cen Moltke (the German chief of
staff could not help being influenced
by the pessimism which the battle Of
Gumbinnen had engendered in the staff
of the 9th Army He became convinced
that 1t was necessary to reinforce the
9th Army from the troops that were
fighting in France. The words of Gen.
Dupont, one of Joffre's collaborators,
illustrate the strategic effect Of this
decision on operations in France: Two
corps were taken from the French front
the Guards Reserve Corps from the
army Of Won Bulow and the XII Corps
and the 9th Cavalry Division from the
army of Won Hausen. These measures,
possibly, were our salvation. Suppose
that the Guards Reserve had been in its
place on September Z between Won
Bulow and Won Kluck. and that the XI
Corps with the 9th Calvary Division had
been in the army Of Won Hausen at Fere
Evening star., 1944-07-15

South Africa, Russia. Canada, the United
States. Approximately three-1ifths Of
the annual production Of gold originates
from within the Commonwealth Of Brit
ish Nations, not much under one-fifth
from the Soviet Union, about one-tenth
from mines In the United States.
When the United States In 1033-34,
reduced the amount of gold represented
by the dollar by 10 per cent and the
price of gold arrived at $35 an ounce.
economic interests of Britain and Rus
sia prof1ted even II American foreign
business did not.
- ~
Foreign gold, sold to the American
Treasury, created mounting balances in
dollars in this country and increased
the excess reserves Of the banks, which
the Treasury tapped with its accelerated
borrowing program. Meanwhile, what
the Treasury borrowed gave 1t the funds
to buy more foreign gold. Although this
square dance" was improvised rather
than planned that way, 1t bade fair to
tie all currencies in the world to the
dollar. Thus grew the process by which
the Treasury wanted sterilization OF
world currencies on its own terms, for
its own purposes. Other countries ma
turally were not enthusiastic over this
currency imperialism"
Last April II, 30 countries in memo
randum Of agreement decided to discuss
forming an institution to promote none
tary cooperation, exchange stability,
and equilibrium in the balance of pay
ments. as well as a high level of en-
ployment, real income, and the expan-
sion Of trade. However, the Chancellor
of the Exchequer in London, Sir John
Anderson, on May 10 announced the
British government would not accept
the gold standard as formerly existent,
nor allow any exchange ratio for the
pound to be imposed on her.
This coolness toward the memoran-
dunn on which the Breton Woods con-
terence is based is further reflected in
Moscow's expressed intention to pre-
serve her freedom of action-under-
standable in view of her profitable gold
production. Naturally, many delegations
OF countries sorely in need, like the
Chinese. are playing along with the
United States. But other delegations
are marking time, making speeches.
exploring alternatives, and suggesting
that later on the discussion should be
resumed. The war, they feel, had bet
ter be brought to a conclusion first.
Evening star., 1944-07-15
This Changing World
By Constantine Broscn

Observers looking critically at the
Breton Woods monetary conference are
comparing 1t with one OF the disarma-
ment conferences held in Geneva in the
late 1920s when an Afghan Delegation
showed up and stated that the Kabul
government had heard the great world
powers had decided to disarm and
wanted to purchase whatever might be
available after the conference had COM
pleted its work.
Some outstanding financial and eco
nomic experts in Washington regard It
as significant that of all the delegations
only the one representing Canada
mas received instructions permitting 1t
70 make definite commitments without
nrst consulting higher authority.
Inat this Is proving deterrent to
the progress Of the conference was
SHOWN this week when a misunderstand-
ing developed between the American
ana Russian representatives over
reduction IN the Soviet's contribution
TO the proposed monetary fund. It ap-
pears that before the meeting opened
the Russians thought the United States
mad agreed that other nations, includ-
Ing Russia, were entitled to reduce their
share by Is per cent.
When 1t developed that WASHINGTON
had agreed to no such thing, the RUS
slams were told to communicate with
Moscow at once to settle the matter.
\ X
A conference spokesman has ex-
planned that the devastated countries,
for whom the Soviet had spoken, felt
they would have more than ordinary
need for gold after the war and did
not want to put too much into the fund.
The total is set at $4,000 ,000, 900, in
cluding an $4,000, 900, 900 monetary pool
aimed at stabilizing postwar currencies
and a $4,000, 100000 world bank in
tended to stimulate the flow of money
needed to repair wreckage caused by
the war and for agricultural and in
dustrial development.
The Breton Woods meeting is by no
means the opening of a new interna-
tional story. 1t is but one more round
in a complex game which the United
States, Great Britain. Russia and other
powers have been playing since 1888.
Gold plays the major role in this
contest. But while gold holdings-like
those at Fort Knox-are of great i'm
portance. gold production also assumes
big role. The principal gold-produc-
ing countries in order of Importance are:
Evening star., 1944-07-15
People as Mad Hatters

To the Editor Of The Star:
In Alice in Wonderland" a con-
tented dormouse, which was sleeping
serenely, refused to awaken until the
Mad Halter poured some hot tea on his
nose.
Dreamy-eyed New Dealers continue to
slumber on, mesmerized with lovely vi
sions of large portions of patronage pie
and golden gravy to be served for still
another four years.
But something far stronger than tea
shortly will be used to dispel the mirage.
The wine Of wrath will be poured over
them by indignant voters, fed up with
crackpot schemes, squandermania and
regimentation. AS a result they will be
washed from office
EDMUND X. GOLDsBoRoUGH.
Evening star., 1944-07-15
Praise for Polish Letters

To the Editor Of The Star:
Congratulations on the publication of
two fine letters In The Star for July IL,
in response to q letter from DR.. Otto
Stein concerning Poland. I was much
impressed by their temperateness, OBJ
jectivity and adherence to facts. just as
was impressed by the lack of these
qualities in DR.. Stems letter.
If men Of DR.. STEMS type are in po-
litical control of the major nations after
the war, we well may fear for the future
Of world peace. VIGLANT.
Evening star., 1944-07-15
Defends Mr.. Wallace's Arms

DSASiAS Wiz
To the Editor OF The Star:
Cartoon Henry Wallace as you will,
but do not libel him with skinny arms.
I have seen Mr. Wallace only once
or twice and never without his coat,
but I am sure that a man who will
pull OF his shirt to play a stiff game
OF handball with the boys in China and
come home in torrid summer to play
couple of sets of tennis every after
noon has arms of different caliber than
the cartoonist without malice, I am
sure, depicted him as having I would
plead for Mr.. Wallace's arms just as I
would for those of Jesse Jones, with
whose anatomy also have no acquaint-
ance, but who, understand, put in so
many hours Of hard manual labor as a
boy and young man, fortified by years
of healthy activity since then, that he
surely still has plenty Of good muscle
to show for it,
l respect both these gentlemen for
the good health they have maintained
through the years and for the good
examples they set for those who are
so wise as to follow. OPTIMIST.
Evening star., 1944-08-27
Late Summer Trauel P0bular
With Diplomats at CAPITAL

The Cuban Ambassador, DR.. Au-
relic F. Concheso, will leave tomor-
row for Miami to meet the Presi-
dent-elect of his country, Senor
Ramon Grau San Martin and his
party. The future Chief Executive
i,of the Island Republic is expected
to reach Miami Tuesday and will
come at once to Washington. Senor
Grau San Martin will be accom-
panied by Senor Guillermo Belt
Senor Gustavo Morino, Senor Ger
man Alvarez and Senor Francisco
Grau Alsena and Senor Ramon
Grau Alsena, nephews of the Presi-
dent-elect.
Sonora de Concheso, who has
been in Cuba through the summer
returned the first of last week in
preparation for the visit of the
incoming President. The inau.
guration will be held in Havana
October 10 and many of the heads
OF foreign missions in Washington
also accredited to Cuba will attend
the ceremonies.
The usual crowded schedule has
been arranged, the very large ano
formal reception given by the Am
bassador and Sonora de Conchesc
Saturday evening being the climax
OF his short visit The reception
will follow the dinner party which
the Ambassador will give that eve.
ming.
The Norwegian Ambassador, M
Wilhelm Munthe de Morgenstierne
is with his family at Bluemont over
Sunday, Nine. de Morgenstierne anc
her daughter Marjorie having re-