davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-06-06
'Y Centennial

The centenary of the founding Of
the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton occurs in the midst of events SO
dynamic as to dwarf everything else.
Yet moment may be spared to eX-
press appreciation of the genius of
Sir George Williams, the youthful
London dry-goods clerk who organ
lied his friends for study of the
Bible and mutual assistance in the
practice Of its principles. The need
Tor such movement was proved
by the speed with which it spread.
No less than ten thousand branches
of the work now are functioning in
sixty-six different countries.
1t was not quite eight years
after the original group assembled
that the Washington YMCA was
launched. The Reverend Clarence
M. Butler, rector of Trinity Prot
estant Episcopal Church, was its
sponsor. Three Government en-
ployes-William Chauncey Lang
don, Thomas Duncan and William J.
Evening star., 1944-06-06
Our D-Day Strength
By J. e. HAYDEN.

Some indication as to what to expect
In this summers warfare against Ger
many may be derived from comparing
the present outlook with that of June,
1918, when the grand offensive was
launched which forced German sur
render on the following November II.
Reporting in his "reminiscences an
1nter-Allied military conference on June
%, 1918, Gen. John J. Pershing declares
that on that day Germany was be-
lieved to have 3,534OOO men on the
western front, while the combined
force of the Allies in France, exclusive of
Americans, was estimated at 2,909 ,0OO."
Since the total American Army per-
sonnel in France was reported on the
following July l as ,691-250,000
freshly arrived during June-Americans
ready for combat on the day of the
above Pershing estimate certainly were
not enough to lift the Allied Army to
equality with the Germans. And as
proof of Allied numerical inferiority,
the Germans in their spring offensive
had driven the British and French
across the Marine River to a point al
most in sight of Paris.
According to Pershing, nobody at that
time believed Germany could be beaten
in 1918, and Clemenceau and Lloyd
George were insistently asserting that
not less than 100 American divisions
t3500,000 mem would be required to
end the war in 1919.
Germany threw up the sponge less
than five months after this estimate
was made, with something under l,OOO,-
900 Americans having actually engaged
in the fighting
Today, it seems safe to assert, at least
100000 Allied troops mot counting
naval forces, are ringed around Fortress
Europe.
Calculated On the statement of Secre-
tary Henry L. Stimson last week that
the United States Army had 1857 900
soldiers overseas. competent military ex-
perts place the portion of this force
Evening star., 1944-06-06
Italian Politics After Rome

One of the most important conse-
quences of the Allied capture of
Rome will be its effect upon the in
ternal political situation. At present
there are two native governments in
Italy, both provisional in character.
One of these is that headed by Mar
shall Badoglio and functioning under
the sanction of the Allies. The other
is the reconstructed Fascist ''repub-
lican" regime nominally headed by
MusSolini but actually mere
front" for the Germans So long as
Rome, the capital and metropolis of
Italy, was in German hands the
Badoglio government, obscurely
housed in the south, lacked prestige
and authority in Italian eyes. The
moment it moves to Rome, it's status
automatically should improve.
Furthermore, its entry into Rome
will coincide with it's internal trans
formation. The first phase of this
transformative process was the
formal retirement of King Victor
Emmanuel in favor of Count Prince
Umberto. Last April, the King
promised to turn over his executive
functions to his eldest son as soon
as Rome was liberated from the
Germans, though this transfer did
not involve the Kings abdication.
The assumption is that Marshal
Badoglio and the members of his
cabinet may go through the for
mality of resigning, but that Um-
berto will reappoint the marshal as
head of the government.
This does not mean necessarily
that the government will remain un-
changed. The chances are that new
elements will be added to the present
coalition of political parties and also
that the present ratio between exist
ing groups will be altered. The cur
rent setup was the result of COM
plex negotiations wherein the NOV
ing spirit appears to have been the
Communist leader, Palmiro Togliati.
1t was he who evolved the formula
whereby basic constitutional uues-
tions were to be adjourned until the
Germans were expelled from the
entire peninsula and the whole Ital-
ian people were free to decide their
political future. It should be remem-
bered that Northern Italy, the most
progressive and politically self-con-
scious part of the country, stiu is
under German domination.
Evening star., 1944-06-06
Russiu and Poland

The Polish Premier's arrival In
Washington to talk with President
Roosevelt at this particular time
suggests the heartening possibility
that the gulf between Moscow and
the government-in-e exile in London
may yet be bridged, or at least that
some temporary understanding may
be reached to hold differences in
allegiance until the common enemy
Is driven from Poland.
1t seems improbable, at any rate,
that the President would have in
vited Premier Mikolajczyk to come
here, or that the latter would have
taken the trip, unless both had some
reason to believe that by an ex-
change of views they could improve
the present unfortunate situation.
In his last address to the House of
Commons, Prime Minister Churchill
said 1t was his impression that
things are not so bad as they may
appear on the surface between Rus
sia and Poland" and Mr.. Mikolai-
czyk's vista diplomatic develop
ment of first mportance-certain
tends to add weight to this cautious
optimism.
The Russo-Polish dispute is not
something that lends itself to any
easy, off-the-cuff judgments. 1t in
wolves, in the first place, the question
OF where Poland's eastern boundary
should be-a territorial problem full
OF many complex historical and
ethnographical factors. And in the
second place, 1t involves the make
up of the present government-in-
exile. Moscow has repeatedly charged
that that government contains GER
tain elements so hostile to the Soviet
Union that friendly diplomatic rela-
tions are not possible. Many promi-
nent Poles, on the other hand. in
addition to objecting to Russia's
territorial claims, have voiced the
fear that Premier Stain is seeking
to establish a subservient Polish
regime.
Up to now the Russians and Poles
have obviously been wanting in
mutual trust and confidence, but
serious and deep as their differences
may be, it would be sheer political
defeatism to assume that an honest
and just settlement between them
with or without the government-in-
exile, as now conStituted-is impoS-
sible. We must assume otherwise.
We must assume that by fair give
and-take on each side, both parties
should be able to arrive at a working
agreement. If we cannot assume
this, then the outlook for a sound
European peace in not very encour-
aging. For Poland it is a test case.
and upon the way in which it is
handled depends not only such i'm
mediate military matters as the
Polish underground's cooperation
with the Red Army but also the all
important, long-term task of equi-
tably relating small powers to big in
genuine system OF collective
security.
The British government has spent
months trying, without success, TO
Evening star., 1944-06-06

Rhees-were the earliest members.
Thomas U. Walter. the architect of
the Capitol, taught the premier
Scriptures class. The progress of
the whole inclusive endeavor is told
in the gradual expansion of its IA
cilities. 1t was paralleled by the
Young Women's Christian Associa-
ton, starting in England in 1855 and
In the District of Columbia in 1905.
To estimate the cultural and social
benefits of any folk movement is
difficult. But there can be no doubt
about the continuing demand for
every institution, every activity, con-
tributing to the welfare of ordinary
people. The world ahead will want
the "Y" as much as the world that
is gone ever did
Evening star., 1944-06-06
Monsiqnor Johnson

No one who was acquainted with
him will fail to mourn the sudden
death of the Right Reverend Mon
signor George Johnson, associate
professor of education at Catholic
University. He was a man of such
grace and charm as to win and keep
the affection of great numbers of
people. Even those whose lives lay
far beyond the natural orbit of his
work found their hearts warmed at
thought of him. He made learning
humane in the regard of men and
women and little children who by
circumstances had been denied the
opportunities of academic training.
Thus he was philanthropist as well
as teacher, philosopher as well as
a priest.
Something more, however, must be
said for MonSignor Johnson even
though it be lost against the din of
the worlds climactic battle. His life
was not spent merely to the purpose
OF the increase of Christian culture
and Christian manners. He repre-
sented the modern-but not alto
gether new-religious movement in
behalf of a civilization which shall
be equitable in practice as we'll as in
theory. The richness of the tradi-
tion which brought him forth was
demonstrated by the vitality of his
approach to current problems. He
trusted the example of the Saviour
for the solution of issues of every
variety. To him nothing was beyond
the reach of divine intervention.
Monsignor Johnson has died too
soon largely because he labored with
intensity and zeal, forgetting himself
in the passion of his vocation. What
he might have done had he been
granted length of days to crown his
gifts will be question without an
obvious answer. His passing is part
OF the riddle of the cosmos. But he
went in confidence of an everlasting
tomorrow.
Evening star., 1944-06-06

OF annihilation they were doing
the annihilating.
There are, however, a number of un-
known factors-so many as to render
extremely tentative any conclusions at
this time.
First, how many German troops are
now retiring east of the Tiber. by the
mountain roads reached by way of
Subiaco and Avezzano?
Second, how many German troops
remain in the Adriatic sector? And how
many Allied troops?
Inlrd, has kesselring been reinforced
from the north, or are reinforcements
on the way to him? Swiss reports say
That flve divisions are being sent south
to his support.
Fourth. is Kesselring still under Or
ders to make stand as soon as he can
find position on which to dig in, or
do the Germans intend, this time. to
try to make really deep withdrawal,
well up the peninsula?
II he must stand again, either because
OF orders or because of Allied pressure.
ne can find fairly good defensive
position in front OF the road, Civita-
vecchla- -Viterbro- Terni, perhaps As to
30 miles above Rome. Whether he has
the strength to hold this line is another
matter Probably he has not, at least
Tor any length of time.
-
But If he Is able to direct the course
OF his withdrawal, he must still face
certain choices. He can 60 on retreat
ing up the west coast, that is, west of
the Apennines. If he does so, he risks
being overtaken and he risks likewise
being enveloped by landing in his rear
based on Corsica. Or he can swing
eastward, pivoting perhaps on TivoIi
or Avezzano, and withdraw across the
Apennines, making the Foligno-
Fano road his main line OF retreat.
This might be safer procedure. as it
would be withdrawal through country
af1ording better delaying positions than
the more open coastal region. But he
might be cut off in the mountains by
an Allied thrust up the Adriatic coast,
and the grave dangers of retreating
through mountain defiles under air at
tack were well illustrated in the last
war. when air attack was not as formi-
dable as it is now.
Copyright, 1914. New York Tribune, Ine)
Evening star., 1944-06-06
Roads North of Rome
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot

AS this Is written about all we know
OF the military situation in Italy Is that
the German armies are retreating
northwest of Rome" that Allied forces
are pursuing them, and that these
forces have, at undisclosed places,
crossed the Tiber River.
There are three main roads which
lead in generally northerly direction
out of Rome west of the Tiber:
I'd The coastal road to Livorno and
Pisa.
CD The main highway to Siena and
Florence; and
90 The road through Terni and
Foliguo, which finally reaches the Adri-
attic coast at Fano, far to the northeast.
This road crosses the Tiber near Civita
Castellana, about SO miles north of
Rome.
1t seems probable that the road to
Siena and Florence Is now the main
axis of the German withdrawal. Sun
day it was reported crowded with Ger
man transport as far north as Lake
Bolsena, which is some IS miles north
OF Rome. Since single infantry di-
vision with its trains may be expected
to cover about is miles of road space,
this hardly seems extravagant. even
though the strength of the retreating
German divisions has been greatly re-
duced, and they have lost much of
their transport
The great question of the moment is:
Can Kesselring save his two armies
from destruction?
They have already suffered heavily.
More than 10000 prisoners are in Allied
hands. The casualties in killed and
wounded may be double that number.
Not only transport, but vast quantities
OF weapons and war material has been
left behind. Five divisions have been
completely destroyed out of a total of
Is divisions or parts of divisions which
kesselring has used since May II when
the Allied offensive began. The Allies
have complete superiority in the air,
and also command of the sea.
If the pursuit both by air and land
can be relentlessly kept up, it is quite
possible that Kesselring may be brought
to bay and compelled to turn and fight
under conditions which will lead to
what the Germans used to call ga hattie
Evening star., 1944-06-06

mediate this dispute, and Moscow
some time ago politely rejected
Washington's tender of good Offices
in it. Nevertheless, as Mr.. Churchill
has intimated and as the projected
talks between President Roosevelt
and the Polish Premier seem to indi-
cate, the door still is not completely
shut to settlement. At least we
must hope so, for no political event
could better strengthen the cause of
the United Nations than a mutually
satisfactory understanding between
Poland and its great and powerful
neighbor.
Evening star., 1944-06-06

arrayed against Germany west and
south, at minimum of $500 900. In
Guiding marines, who are taking care
of large share of the land warfare in
the Pacific, this leaves upward of $780,
600 non-naval personnel to make up
the military land and air forces in all
parts OF the world excepting Europe.
The British, along with the Canadians
and other empire colonials and French
and Polish, are figured at another
2,oo0,OO0, bringing the total force ready
to strike Germany from the west and
south to 100000.
Last autumn German military COM
mentators were asserting that 5000 900
Russians were fighting them on the
front from the Baltic to the Black Sea.
Certainly it is safe to assume that MANY
Russians are deployed for the 1914 at
tack, which Marshal Stain has promised
will drive all the way to Berlin.
The latest official Allied estimate of
the German Army came from the British
on May II. This guessed the whole
al LILY dV o,oOo,OUU, uIFluSu lIbO SZU QlVl-
sions. 1t placed 1875 of these divisions on
the Russian front, 81 in France, Belgium
and Holland combined; 25 In Italy, Is in
Hungary, Yugoslavia and Romania; u
in Norway. ii in Greece. Crete and the
Dodecanese Islands; in Finland and
in Denmark.
Since then, II official reports are to be
credited, at least five of the German
divisions in Italy (about $4,000 mem
have been wiped out.
The Italian campaign may have pro-
Vided an indication of what to expect on
the other fronts Gen. Sir Harold Alex
ander is succeeding say the military ex-
pertS, because he has the Germans on
his front outnumbered at least to /,
and, even better, out-gunned, out
tanked and out-airplaned. And state
ments by all Allied military authorities
have left no doubt that the combined
chiefs of staff are aiming to provide
this or an even greater ratio of superior
ity over the German defensive forces.
Evening star., 1944-06-06
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

Notwithstanding the rejection by the
Indiana State Convention of a resolu-
tion pledging Indiana's delegation to
the Republican National Convention to
Gov. Dewey of New York--there seems
no slightest doubt that the New Yorker
will be the presidential nominee of the
COP. 1t may well happen on the first
ballot.
When the convention meets less than
three weeks hence the California dele
CATION, for example, so strong. will be
ready to plunk for Gov. Dewey on the
first ballot. Gov. Earl Warren, for whom
the delegation was pledged when chosen,
has told the delegation that he does
not wish 1t to vote for him, either for
the presidential nomination or the vice
presidential. Gov. Warren is friendly
to the Dewey omination-and so are
the members of the delegation.
California is the fourth State on the
call of the roll Arizona and Arkansas
are the only States which precede 1t.
Gov. Dewey will get some votes from
those States. If California drops in
fifty at one clip 1t is easy to under
stand the psychological effect.
Further, Pennsylvania, which has the
largest delegation in the convention
70-except New York, Is expected to vote
for Mr.. Dewey. Not all of the members
Of the delegation are enamoured of Mr..
Dewey. Some don't like him. But they
all respect his ability and his vote-get-
ting power and they will vote for him
on the show down-unless something
unexpected happens.
X II l.
Another important State-New Jersey
will it is reported, line up pretty
solidly for Gov. Dewey on the first bal
lot. Some of the Jerseyites were strong
for Wendell L. Willkie-but Mr.. Willkie
is definitely out of the picture. New
jersey is neighbor of New York. The
people there know a lot about Mr..
Dewey. Further, Gov. Walter Edge of
New Jersey is one of those who will
vote for Mr. Dewey on the first ballot
and Mr.. Edge heads the delegation.
Here are three important States whose
delegations apparently are ready to 20
down the line for Gov. Dewey when
the time comes. There are other States.
many others, already in the Dewey
camp. 1t is not necessary to speak of
New York, which has SO votes in the
convention. With scarcely. an exception
the Empire State Is expected to vote
for its Governor.
For the next three weeks, Gov. Dewey
will, 1t is expected, be entirely silent
unless an emergency in his own State
arises. Last week he attended the Gov
ernors' Conference at Hershey, Pa. He
submitted himself to rigorous question
Evening star., 1944-06-06
Hepcuts at War
From the Topeka Capital.

From the Topeka Capital.
American youngsters have never been
regimented. In fact, the majority of
parents have probably let their children
give full rein to their normal taste for
foolishness. And sometimes they have
been pretty foolish. They have spent too
much money, driven their cars too fast,
swallowed goldfish, worn zoot suits, gone
wild over swing and jitterbugging.
When the war came along, q lot Of
older people clucked their tongues and
wondered. Our youth was soft, they said,
spoiled by luxury, irresponsible and
comfort loving. How could they stand
up against the German and Japanese
youth. who had been put through a
fanatical, toughening process in prepa-
ration for war?
The answer is pretty obvious by now.
Evening star., 1944-06-06

ing by the correspondents Of newspapers
who swarmed to Hershey, seeking poll
tical story. His position, regarding the
Republican presidential nomination, he
said, remained unchanged-he was not
a candidate. And that was that.
The New Yorker, during his stay at
the Governors Conference, was the one
man for whom the crowds waited, the
man whose autograph was in demand.
In fact, 1t was strongly noticeable that
the other Governors, Republican and
Democratic, failed to attract one iota of
the attention given Mr. Dewey. This
goes for Gov. Bricker of Ohio as well as
for the rest, although Mr.. Bricker is an
active contestant for the Republican
presidential nomination and has cam
paigned across the country
1t was rumored that this miffed the
other Governors-they did not care for
the preference shown Gov. Dewey. But
this writer took occasion to make in
quiry, to ask other Governors If they
resented the fact that Mr.. Dewey was
able to take the spotlight whenever he
appeared in public. One Of the Repub-
lican Governors-a man of great stand
ing and infiuence-made the following
reply:
4
II cannot speak for the other Cover
nors, Of course. But speaking as a Re
publican and as Governor, Mr.. Dewey's
reception did not disturb me at ALL In
fact, I was delighted that we, as Re-
publicans, had man who could COM
mand so much public interest. Naturally
we cannot, as a group, expect all Gov
ernors to awaken q similar interest in
the crowds who gather to see us. I am
sure, even though I cannot speak for
them, that other Republican Governors
feel the same way as I do"
MIR. Dewey was obviously under
wraps" while he was attending the Gov
ernors' Conference. He could not, of
course, dodge the crowds. He had
nothing whatever to say about his fu-
ture political plans. But II and when
Mr.. Dewey is nominated for President
and accepts, as he is expected to do
he will emerge a very different figure.
His campaign will be aggressive. As q
former district attorney, 1t may be ex-
pected he will draw an indictment OF
the opposition-with raft of questions
which will demand answers.
Gov. Warren, judging from the senti-
ment expressed at the Governors Con-
ference, can be nominated for the vice
presidency on the Republican ticket.
Unless he fatty turns 1t down, he is
almost sure to be the nominee. But the
California Governor insists he does not
want 1t. II he has his way, the place on
the ticket win 60 to Coy. Bricker or
another.
Evening star., 1944-06-06
War Mother

My sons, tDho numbered three, Ders
called to tUdr,
And each one tDent Nth strong and
sturdy gait
With eager eyes, those gallant sons /
bore.
Oh. sDitt they went, and left me
deSolute.
Noto one has spanned the seas and one
the sky,
And all hare felt the soaring breath
of hell,
Along strange shores they match their
comrades die,
II they knoW fear and dread, they
bear it tDeH.
My sons Were called to ,oar: ], Who
remain
Am filled Dith anguish for their
broken years;
I oriepe for them that joy and loce
are pain;
For then, hold a sorrotD beyond tears.
They face thousand deaths tofthout
dtsrady
While i. in safety, die for them each day.
LOUISE LEIGHTON.
Evening star., 1944-06-06
Wants All Dead isted
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Reading in The Star of May 30 the
names of the honored dead from this
area, I am moved to ask the purpose of
limiting such list only to those who
have given their lives on foreign battle
helds to the exclusion of those who have
died in the line of duty in countless
other ways and places. Those of us
whose sons have died in plane crashes.
accidents in training, from injury or
disease incurred in the line of duty.
whether in this country or at far-fiung
bases, cannot but feel that they have
given their lives on the same bases as
those who fell In battle. To limit the
list of honored dead list to one classif-
cation would seem to be setting up
class distinction. Certainly there is no
such distinction among veterans of
World War I nor have I found IL to be
so among returned veterans of the
present war. H. 8. GIUSTA.
Evening star., 1944-06-06
Donors Needed

Prom the St. Louis Star-Times.
A high percentage of decorations for
bravery 60 to men who, at peril to them
selves, save the lives of companions. In
war and in peace, the saving of life
represents human compassion in its
highest form. A donor to the Red Cross
blood bank shares that compassion none
the less for not knowing whose life he
may save or whose recovery he may
hasten
Evening star., 1944-06-06

Ways to help the war effort: Con-
tribute to the Red Cross, buy War
Bonds and cut down on the length
as well as the number of telephone
calls,
Evening star., 1944-06-06

The Dionne quints, being ten years
Old, suddenly make lot of hitherto
not overly antiquated fellows feel
the senior of Methuselah.