davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-05-14

his offensive into something very
dangerous, irrespective of the beat
ing he is taking far to the south in
Burma. The Chinese have been at
war long time. and it is no secret
that great numbers of them are
weary, so that If they should suffer
grave defeat, their capacity for
continued resistance might conceiv-
ably be broken. in which case it
would be difficult indeed for our
American and British forces, in con-
cert with Generalissimo Chiang's
armies, to use China as the major
base for the defeat of Japan.
Unquestionably, the Allied COM
mand is wide-awake to this posi-
bility and will spare no effort to
check the Japanese before the threat
can become a reality. Nevertheless,
1t is something to keep in mind
whenever the news from Burma and
the islands of the Pacific tempts us
to become over-optimistic. 1t Is at
least SOLDERING, especially when we
couple it with the fact that our
forces up to now have met and de-
stroyed only a fraction of Tojo's
land strength perhaps no more
than five per cent. Plainly enough,
the war against Japan is as yet far
from won.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-05-14
Threat in Chino

Continuing good news from the
India-Burma theater, where our
Allied troops have slain at least
$4,000 of the enemy since February
l, Is counterbalanced by potentially
bad news from China There, while
stepping up pressure against the
strategic city Of Loyang in Honan
Province, the japanese have won
control of the full length of the
Peiping-Hankow railroad and have
thus linked their northern and CEN
trail forces. In addition, since the
start Of their offensive-the most
successful staged against the Chin
csc since 1938-they have occupied
about $4,000 more square miles of
territory valuable not only in mill
tary sense but as wheat-producing
area as we'll
Reports from Chungking indicate
that these japanese gains have filled
the Chinese with considerable worry,
if not alarm. The capture of the
Peiping HankoW railroad means
that the enemy forces now can con-
solidate themselves in a solid front
through Northeast and Central
China and perhaps move on from
there SO as to threaten Chungking
itself or strengthen their isolated
positions along the South China
coast At the very least, they seem
to be making a serious effort to en-
trench themselves in preparation for
any future Allied attempt to launch
a full-scale offensive in this part of
the vast Asiatic theater. In the cir
cumstances, since it shows signs of
unusual strength, the present Japa-
nese drive cannot be dismissed as
insignificant, even though similar
advances have been wiped out in
the past by Chinese troops counter
attacking with American air sup
port.
The Chungking reports suggest
that the enemy is too strong to be
stopped at this time. but unless he
is stopped, he may be able to expand
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-05-14
Mr.. Dies Bows Out

Martin Dies announcement that
he will not seek reelection to the
House presumably ends a political
career that has few if any parallels.
Six years ago he was virtually
unknown Congressman from Texas.
But today he is something of ma
tional figure. For better or worse,
there are few households in the
United States where the name of
Martin Dies is not known, and
detested or admired, according to
the beliefs and predictions of the
individual.
Opportunity, in the political sense,
knocked at his door during the sit
down strikes of 1887. Over the
determined opposition of admin
istration leaders in the House, he
succeeded in having a special COM
mittee set up, with himself as chair
men, to investigate un-American
activities. That was his chance, and
he was quick to make the most of it.
1t can hardly be denied that the
special committee, under the prod
ding of the chairman, brought to
public attention the activities of
many undesirable characters who
might otherwise have escaped
notice. But the useful aspect of
this work was undercut and over
Swallowed by the committees reck-
less and indiscriminate "smearing"
Of other individuals whose loyalty
to this country was not open to
question, and who, in many in
stances, were guilty of no greater
offense than to be on the mailing
lists of organizations whose political
theories did not happen to coincide
with those Of the committee chair
man.
There has been no evidence, how
ever, that Mr.. Dies ever was troubled
by the lack of balance in the work
of his committee. If sensationalism
was often permitted to outweigh
regard for fact, there was never any
indication that the chairman was
averse to the publicity that attends
sensation. Yet through it all he
was able to command the over
whelming support of his colleagues
in the House and, undeniably, he
had substantial following through
out the country.
To err on the side of understate-
ment, his public career has been
an exceptional one. Our political
system has not, and will not,
produce many like him.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-05-14
The Satellites Warned

Hungary, Romania, Finland and
Bulgaria have had their notice
served on them. The longer they
continue In the war on Hitlers side,
the more disastrous will be the
consequences to them and the more
rigorous will be our terms when
they finally sue for peace.
This warning-an ultimatum, in
effect-has been addressed to the
peoples of the four satellites and not
to their government. 1t has been
issued jointly by Britain, Russia and
the United States, and it makes
neither exception nor reservation,
even though Russia and Bulgaria are
not formally at war and though
peace technically exists between US
and the Firms.
1t is too late in the day. too near
the fateful and crucial climax of the
war in Europe, to draw fine distinc-
tons between one and another of
the satellites or to debate the pros
and cons, say, Of Finland's refusal
to make peace with Russia. Such
issues will have to wait. The grim
necessities of pressing and critical
military developments are immedi-
ate, are overriding in their import
ance, and must be served first. We
have to follow a rule-of thumb
now-the simple rule of doing the
thing best calculated to speed up
Hitler's downfall and save the lives
of as many as possible of our Allied
troops
AS our warning states, the fact is
that the satellites, however half
heartedly or reluctantly, are con-
tributing materially to the strength
Of Hitlers war machine. The fact
Is that they know we are going to
smash that machine sooner or later.
The fact is that they have it within
their power to break WITH the Nazis,
shorten the European struggle and
help their own future by thus help
ing us. It is up to them to decide;
If they decide to continue as in the
past, then they must expect no spe-
cial Allied consideration when they
finally go down in utter defeat with
the Nazis
The Hungarians. the RomanianS.
the Firms and the Bulgars-the peo-
pies themSelves-noW know how the
situation stands. If their govern
ments persist in their present hope
less and calamitous policy" per-
haps popular pressure will be able
to effect change.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-05-14
Amazon Riches

When at last the war is over, there
is certain to be an energetic search
for new sources of wealth equal to
the needs of the peoples of all ma
lions. 1t was poverty which made
possible the relationships in re-
sistance to which the prevailing
struggle is being waged, and if peace
is to be secured for the years after
victory it must be predicated upon
a general prosperity based in turn
upon the exploitation of the natural
riches of the globe.
A pamphlet recently published by
the Pan-American Union points to
Northern Brazil as a zone for study
in relation to the economy of the
future. The author is Albert F.
Kunze, and it is his considered
opinion that the Amazon Basin,
representing drainage area more
than twice as large as that of the
Mississippi and it's tributaries, still
is "a vast region of undiscovered
treasure"
Mr.. Kunze mentions the already
ascertained values of the territory,
referring to its hydroelectric poten-
tlalltleS, the plants indigenous to
the region, minerals and other
assets. Yet, in many particulars,
he suggests, the river remains as
much a mystery as when it was
found by Vincente Pinzon in 1900.
What has been learned about the
terrain through which it moves
traces back especially to the en-
beavers Of Francisco de Orellana. a
trusted friend of the Pizarros, who
went in quest of the fabulous Ell
Dorado in the spring of 1541 and
hnally reached the Atlantic by way
OF the -Napo system in the
summer of 1912.
The achievement thus summar-
zeo, however, gained Orellana
nothing but trouble 1t cost him
the good will of his patrons, the
V1ceroy and the Governor. and
brought upon his name all manner
OF most unkind and uncompli-
mentary asperSions." Even now he
is remembered officially as a
traitor" But in Spain he tempo
rarlly was faVored-at least to the
extent OF being given permission
to undertake the conquest of the
country through which he had
passed in his journey across the
continent. The venture failed, and
its designated leader, sent to in
vestigate a difficulty in Colombia
was imprisoned there and died less
than five years after the completion
OF his famous voyage.
Rubber and quinine thus far have
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-05-14
Get Rouqh on Rats

WaShington's rat population is said
by the Health Department to be
about equal in size to the human
population and is growing even
faster. A great many residents, as
well as the Health Department, are
concerned over the visual evidence
of rat invasion and the fear of
disease so apt to accompany it. But
unless enough people are concerned,
it is going to be very difficult to do
anything about it.
The Health Department is Offer
ing some supervision and advice in
rat control, but it's force of eight
men is not large enough to accom-
plish a great deal without a very
effective sort of cooperation from
the residents themselves. There is.
under study now a proposed regulas
ton which would enable the mu-
nicipality to ratproof buildings, and
charge the cost to the owner who
refuses or is unable to do so him
self. The Health Department places
ratproofing as the first essential of
its four-point program of rat elini-
nation, the others being fumigation
after ratproofng, elimination of all
rubbish and litter from the prem
Uses, followed by systematic poison
ing and trapping of rats. Inspec-
tors of food establishments are in
Sisiting on these steps wherever rats
are found.
The homeowner's problem is COM
plicated by the fact that unless his
neighbor works with him, rat in
festation is more difficult to combat.
This is what makes the problem one
for solution by communities, under
community leadership, rather than
by the municipal officials and new
regulations. The officials should sup
ply the force of prosecution for vio-
lation of existing regulations against
accommodations of trash and other
rubbish, and the Health Depart
ment can take charge of certain
areas-as they did at Union Sta
ton some time ago-where other
means are not available. But the
main responsibility rests with the
homeowners.
There has been no indication re-
Gently of any typhus fever, some
times communicated by rat-borne
fleas, nor of any alarming outbreak
of other disease attributed to rats.
But the menace is here as long as
the rats are around and becomes
greater as they increase.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-05-14
There Will Al1Vavs Be Mothers
By the Reu. Carroll C.. Roberts,
Minister of the Ninth Street Christian Church.

In the May issue of The Link. Roy
l.. Smith, editor of The Christian
Advocate, recalls scene from what
is generally conceded to be one of the
greatest moving pictures produced
In recent years-"Mrs. Miniver."
During the terrible 'blitz" to which
England was subjected, the heroine
is discovered talking to the old sta
ton master about his flowers. Her
heart is bleeding from the wounds of
war. AS they discuss the world
shaking tragedy, Mrs Miniver, in
spite of her brave spirit, seems bit
doubtful. With voice in which re-
ligion and patriotism are blended in
a. fine symphony of sentiment, the
old man reverently holds one of his
loveliest roses and says, There will
always be roses" Just so, There
will always be mothers
That we adequately might extend
loves tribute to our mothers-those
whom we cherish in sacred memory
and those who are still governing
their households well"-every day,
in truth, should be Mothers Day."
However, as in other matters of the
soul, we too often are inclined to
overlook any spontaneous expression
until it is brought to our attention
through some special observance.
So especially today we would offer
our first tribute to those mothers
who have known the glory of full
fillment, the joy of a completed mis-
sion and now, having passed on the
torch, are awaiting the summons to
join that ever-increasing throng who
hear the Master say, well done!"
We next offer tribute to those
mothers who in the full glory of
their mission in many homes are
the true and actual heads of their
families. They are the ones who rise
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-05-14

been the most publicized commod-
tiles which the Amazon Basin has
produced for the world market. Mr..
KunZe, at the end of his booklet
illustrated with reproductions of
postage stamps of Peru and Ecuador
stresses the availability of timber
of a wide variety, manganese and
tin. He also emphasizes the worth
of the carnauba palm from which
food, drink, medicine, fiber and wax
for photograph records are obtained.
The touch of science, it is argued,
will make the land of Orellana one
Of the richest productive regions of
the earth.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-05-14

up to meet each new day with sense
of dread in their hearts as they face
potential sorrow, pain and death.
These are days when the treasures of
every mothers heart are in jeopardy.
To thousands of these mothers the
most precious gift today would be
the sound of familiar footsteps at
the back door and loved voice
calling, "Mom!"
Our tribute also is due to those
younger mothers who are experience
ing for the first time the thrill of
motherhood. We are proud Of these
mothers who have the future in their
keeping. Many of them face their
problems alone, since their loved
ones are at 1.-The 'front.'" For them
there may be much Of Joy or grief.
Meanwhile, with steadfast determi-
nation, they carry farther on the
destiny of mankind.
We who live in comparative ease
and comfort in America and who
know the joys Of freedom, likewise
must remember those mothers in
other lands who have no safe place
to lay their babes, who are constant
ly haunted by the crying of hungry
children, who dumbly must stand by
while their sons and daughters are
marched away, unwilling sacrifices
to the greed and the lust OF brutal
men. Can we turn away from theil
pleading?
II n
Surely, There will always be
mothers!" Is it not eminently fitting
that we should pause in the midst of
the worlds agony and again pay
tribute to all mothers-without re-
gard to race, creed. color, age, social
status or condition? Who knows but
that the travail of this present hour
may betoken the birth of better
world in which all the children of all
mothers NAV take hone?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-05-14

David Humphreys, when returning to
the United States in 1902, imported
100 merino sheep. These formerly had
been held by the grandees, but the
revolution released large flocks. Mr..
Jarvis took advantage of this and in
1909 purchased 200 of the royal Escurial
flock. which he subsequently distributed
to various prominent men In several
States. He finally purchased l,7oo of
the Aguirres flock and l,40o Paulars
and is said thus to be responsible for
the best strains in the sheep-raiAng
States in this country.
-
The first mail coaches In America
were built by David johnson. a native
of Dorchester, Mass, father of the pro-
life scenic artist of the same name. The
coaches he built ran from Albany to
Troy, N. Y.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-05-14
Fifty Years Ago

Fifty years ago the head of Govern
ment department actually asked for
reduction in the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-05-14
Pressure on NeutruIs

being jointly conducted by the
United States and Great Britain to
prevent trading with Germany by
European neutrals is a complex
diplomatic operation. There are
six states involved-Eire, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
Turkey. But the circumstances of
each differs so markedly from the
others that their cases require in
dividual handling. They cannot all
be Jumped arbitrarily under the
same formula.
The one thing they have in COM
mon is lively desire to avoid being
drawn into active hostilities. But
there the resemblance ends. Tur-
key is bound by special treaty rela-
tions with Britain and has virtually
contracted herself out of the strictly
neutral class by declaring herself
acknowledgement ally of Britain and
stopping shipments of chrome ore
to Germany at London's behest.
Much the same is true of Portugal,
which is likewise bound by special
treaty relations with Britain, under
which she put her Atlantic islands
at Anglo-American disposal for air
and naval bases last year. This was
clearly unneutral conduct, though
Germany has winked at it and con-
ttnued diplomatic relations in order
to get shipments of wolfram ore, the
basis of tungsten. London is now
seeking to end that and threatens
to stop shipments of coal and other
products under an agreement made
with Portugal when the Atlantic
bases were granted. 1t is probable
that Portugal will soon fall in line.
Spain has recently signed an agree
ment to the same effect under a
compromise arrangement which en-
ables the Franco government to
maintain technical neutrality.
These rather anomalous cases
leave Fire, Sweden and Switzerland
in a class that can be described as
genuine neutrals in the traditional
sense of the term. Fire is so stu
ated that it cannot trade with Ger
many, so its neutrality involves no
economic damage to the Allies. The
issue there is the presence of Ger
man and Japanese diplomats, who
can gather dangerous information.
Switzerland, entirely surrounded by
German dominated territory, is so
exposed to German reprisals that
its trade dealings with the Reich
have not been made the basis of
Allied representations to the Swiss
government, though Swiss firms
have been put on the Allied black
list.
The toughest case is undoubtedly
that of Sweden, which furnishes
Germany with exports valuable to
its war effort, especially ball bear
ings. Those exports are made I'M
der an economic agreement whereby
Sweden gets much-needed products,
especially coal. Sweden is appar-
emily strong enough to resist Ger
man invasion and might get on
without coal despite grave handi-
caps to her industry. Therefore, the
Allies ask her to stop sending Ger
many ball bearings, which are vital
to the German war machine. But
Sweden has thus far chung to ira
ditional neutrality for reasons of
principle as well as elf-interest.
The diplomatic tug-of-war ensuing
from this attitude is a thorny prob
lem for Allied craftsmanship. A
constructive solution is much to be
desired
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-07-10
Consumer Goods Survey

Several thousand representative Ameri- can families have been queried by the War Production Board to determine what merchandise needs and future buying needs to escape restrictions.
 The questionnaires shows that there is an extremely short supply of wash boilers, carpet sweeperS, tea kettles, lawn mowers, alarm clocks, garbage cans, radio tubes, window screening, electric heat ing pads, can openers, extension cords, frying pans and double boilers, wash tubs, and step-on garbage cans
 Inconvenience and hardship from in- ability to buy are highest in the case of unsatisfied demand for heating pads, alarm clocks window screening, wash boilers, wash tubs and outside garbage cans, and lawn mowers.
 The 4,500 families interviewed, selected as approximately representative of the population serve as a base from which national supply and demand is statistic ally projected. These lists may be found to act as a "tip" for many local business houses and factories.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-07-10
New Nazi Attitude

Post D-Day reports from Europe indi- cate that the attitude of Nazi prisoners is changing. The Afrika KorpS boys were cocky even in defeat, sure of vic- tory. But today some of the captured NaziS are taking a gloomy view, as s. J. Woolf, NEA Services artist-correSpon dent, reveals in recent story. Mr. Woolf made a trip from France to England aboard an LST with what appears to be a pretty good cross-Section of the German army. There were 28 in the group, old soldiers and young, men from every point of the German compass. And they rep resented variety of opinions. The older men were the most voluble and most dis couraged Others in the group were sul- len, and ignored MT. Woolf's questions. The youngSter of the bunch was defiantly pro-Nazi. Those who talked freely told the interviewer that Hitler'S popularity passed it's peak in the year he came to power; that only third of the Germans still follow him; that the Luftwaffe is about done for. They even joked bit at the Fuehrer'S expense.
 Yet none of them seemed to regret the war; they only regretted not winning 1t. MT. Woolf reports no penitence, no shame for unprovoked attack or mass brutality. Safe from the Gestapo, some of these sol diers dared to criticize Hitler's conduct of the war. But of regimentation, pro grams, racial superiority, and national policy of tyranny and falsehood, not a word. It is encouraging, of course, to find that some Germans are beginning to doubt Hitler's infallibility. But it would be dangerously wishful thinking to con- clude that these doubts are portent of immediate and general German collapse, or that they will detract much from the victorious Allies long and painful task of trying to build democratic Germany.
 These grumbling, discouraged soldiers are too typical of the lethargic German masses wbo, though not devoid of de- cency, blithely voted away their freedom in 1883. The defiant youngster is too typical of a German youth whose pois- oned minds must be de-educated and re- educated. Too many of the democratic, actively anti-Nazi Germans (always minority are dead or exiled to make the job of German reconstruction anything short of tremendous But the job has to be done if the worlds future is to be se- cure. It will take much time and require much vigilance. And there are no ap- parent short-cuts-which is something to remember when the "soft peace for Ger many" talk begins, as it surely will.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-07-10

is at present dominated by government, but 1t still retains the mark of private endeavor. The prospects of the individual in bituminous coal mining, remain good. Most important mine officials have come up through the ranks. A great many mines have training programs to fit men for better jobs. Schools and univerSi- ties offer extension courses on the tech- nical side of mining. And miner who shows promise is encouraged to advance himself
 Private industry is not posing as a magnanimous dispenser of wealth and se- curity. But 1t seeks to keep the door open for the energetic and ambitious The competitive battle for survival cannot let it do less. However, if the element of competition is removed, as in the case of government monopoly, opportunity for man to rise on his own emrit is lost. The customers and employees take what they can get and like it. Coal miners currently working in the shadow of state socialism should do their utmost to help free their industry and themselves from the threat hanging over them.