davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-02-09
Dorothy Thompson

In the long run each sphere-and its
sponsors-would compete for the other.
And as Prussia, which happens to be
one of the poorest parts of Germany,
would be in the Russian sphere, there
might soon be reSurgence of "Prus-
sianism" with quite new and different
slogans.
We who are outside Europe cannot
clearly see what is happening there,
but We can observe that a class con-
f1ict is mounting and cutting across
all frontiers. 1t is not written in the
stars that national questions will be the
most virulent and profound at the end
of this war-which has its roots in
struggles between ideas rather than be-
tween nations
The spirit of the times and the neces-
sites OF Europe struggle however blindly
toward unification, not toward Balkan
ization. Five Germanys. therefore,
would eventually seek to unite them
selves under some new idea, or with
unifying idea would struggle in five
directions for the integration of all
Europe. If by chance any one or two
of the five should meanwhile become
integrated with the neighboring Soviet
Commonwealth, that would exercise an
enormous influence upon the others and
across the others, too, to the rest of
Europe
If l raise these questions, it is only
because l think We must break away
from the conventional ways of thinking,
and the terms of traditional diplomacy,
and open our minds TO the great range
of possibilities that are latent for de-
velopment in Europe 1t is unfair and
unWise to pin the epithet of pro-Ger-
man upon every one who entertains
doubts about what may be Official poll
cies. The results of policies have too
often been the exact opposite of their
intent
Released by The Bell Syndcat. Incl
Evening star., 1944-02-09

It apart from nearly every other
land, is that it Is made up OF many
races and many creeds bound to-
gether by single political idea
the idea of freedom under which
all OF us stand equal before the law,
with equal rights and duties.
1t is not hard to imagine how
Sergeant Kuroki must feel. As an
American of Japanese extraction, he
has gone on his bombing missions
with other Americans of many an
other extraction - Italian, Jewish,
German, Polish, Irish - virtually
every extraction. AS he has ex-
pressed it. What difference did it
make? We had a job to do. y
Under fire. mans ancestry, what
he did before the war, or even his
present rank, doesn't matter at all.
You're fighting as a team. That's
the only way q bomber crew can
fight. You're fighting for each
others life and for your country,
and whether you realize 1t at the
time or not, you're living and prov
ing democracy"
America can we'll afford to listen
to Sergeant Kuroki For, no less
than they are needed to make
bomber crew work we'll, tolerance
and cooperation among all groups
are needed to make the American
system work we'll, and we could Ger
tainly use a little extra OF both
right now
Evening star., 1944-02-09
No Labor Policy

In constructive discussion of our
wartime labor problems, John P.
Frey, head of the Metal Trades
Department of the AFL. has strongly
urged the creation of a central
clearing house" to consider and
finally dispose of all industrial dis
putes. Mr.. Frey has had long and
creditable official connection with
organized labor. He knows it's prob
lens and he knows its people. For
this reason, and also because it has
obvious merit, his recommendation
Is entitled to favorable consideration,
Mr.. Frey does not defend or con-
done strikes. He says that they are
indefensible and intolerable. But he
makes clear his belief that there
will be no end to strikes while such
other evils as profiteering and mis-
management of the labor situation
by employers and representatives of
Federal agencies" continue.
In the main his comments were
directed to inept handling of labor
problems by Federal agencies-an
lneptness which, he says, has resulted
In the needless irritation of millions
OF loyal workers. 1t is this growing
irritation which, in Mr.. Frey's
opinion, has caused the great major
tty of strikes.
American labor has been forced to
contend with IAN almost impossible
administrative condition" in our
Government. In the absence of a
national labor policy to which labor
leaders can look for definite guild
ance, 1t has been necessary to deal
with some twenty-five agencies. with
their numerous and often conflicting
regulations and decisions affecting
employment and conditions OF labor.
Those OF us charged with labor
responsibility" Mr.. Frey says, fire.
quently find it difficult to know
which way to turn, or to whom to
go. Problems which should be settled
accumulate and become enmeshed
IN the multiplicity of Government
agencies and their conflicting poll
cies and decisions"
No reasonable person can doubt
that this is true indictment of the
administrations labor procedures,
Its policy, If it can be said to have a
policy, has been one of improvisation
and expediency. From the BEGIN
ming OF the war the President has
sought to keep the regulation of the
labor problem on a personal basis
with the ultimate control in his
hands. He has not been willing to
delegate effective and clearcut au-
thority, and he has not had the time
required to do the job himself. In
consequence, we have the inevitable
result which has been described bv
Mr., Frey.
Whether, at this late date. the
setting up OF central labor clearing
house, with full authority over in
dustrlal problems, would bring an
end to strikes is questionable. But
1t can hardly be doubted that a
thorough overhauling OF the present
jerry built structure would helm
great deal.
Evening star., 1944-02-09
Sergeant Kuroki

In California the other day. a Ne
braSka boy named Ben Kuroki said
things that should be taken to heart
by all Americans. Ben Kuroki is a
sergeant in the United States Army
Air ForceS-a top turret gunner on
Llberator. AS such, he has become
something of a hero, having twice
won the Distinguished Flying Cross
for doing his duty supremely we'll on
thirty different bombing missions
against the enemy in Europe. Now
he is waiting and hoping to be trans
ferred to the South Pacific Himself
OF japanese extraction, he wants
very much to help smash the TOTO
war machine.
At the same time, too, Sergeant
kuroki wants very much to smash
blind prejudice in America. AS he
told his California audience. he has
had to fight two battles since going
into Service-one against the Axis
and the other against intolerance.
During his early months in the
Army, because Of his ancestry, he
was left bitterly friendless. but he
has since won the battle there. Yet,
outside the circle of his comrades
in-arms, back here in the United
States, he has learned that the
battle must still be fought. In his
own words: Especially now. after
the widespread publicity given the
recent atrocity stories, find preju-
dice once again directed against me.
and neither my uniform nor the
medals which are visible proof OF
what l have been through, have
been able to stop it. I don't know
for sure that it is safe for me to walk
the streets of my own country"
When Sergeant Kuroki says that,
he speaks for a great number OF good
Americans whose Japanese blood is
causing them not a little unhappi-
ness in these days. And to the
degree that this is true, America is
not living up to its traditions or to
Its basic character, for the unique
ness Of our land, the thing that sets
Evening star., 1944-02-09

other nations work out a compact
designed to encourage the eficient
development, conservation and
equitable distribution of the world S
petroleum resources. Misgivings
along this line were expressed as
recently as last November In a for
NAL report drawn up by a special
committee appointed by the petro-
leum administrator for war. The
following excerpts are to the point:
"Oil operations involve explora-
ton, production. transportation, re-
fining and distribution. Govern
ments entering the oil business in
one area will soon find themselves
extended, directly and indirectly
into a far-fiung complex of inter-
national complications transcend
ing the original locus. - Any di-
rect participation by the Govern
ment Of the United States In for
eign oil operations, whether alone
or in partnership with private cor
porations. will discourage private
enterprise; and will not only in
crease the political complications
but will retard the orderly develop
ment Of the worlds oil resources.
. To avoid international friction
and the growth of dangerous rival
ries, the national policy OF the
United States and the national poll
cies Of other countries should be
co-ordinated ," OF the three
possible methods for developing the
oil resources Of the world-govern-
ment operations, private enterprise
and mixed operations-private en-
terpriSe is the surest and soundest
choice
The committee report, of course,
does not constitute the last word
on the subject, and since it was
drawn up by experts from the pri-
vate American oil industry, it may
be said to carry note of special
pieaolng. Yet 1t renectS the opinion
Of men who are specialists of long
experience in the overseas petro-
leum business and their views can
not lightly be brushed aside In en-
tering that business, in however
limited degree, the Government
has taken an unprecedented step,
and though time may prove the
action both necessary and wise,
judgment must be reserved at the
moment, especially because we do
not know whether the national poll
cies Of other countries will be CO.
ordinated with ours ito avoid inter-
national friction and the growth OF
dangerous rivalrieS."
Evening star., 1944-02-09
Frank K. Kent

family tradition Of public service (seyen
OF his direct ancestors have been United
states Senator's and with his own abil-
lty to carry on that tradition already as
Sured. Yet. without pressure or prod
ding OF any conceivable selfish motive,
he throws up career for which he is
emlnentIy suited. in which he is making
real success and for which he has an
almost inherited title. to put on uni
form.
Perhaps. after the war is over. he may
be elected again TO the Senate But no
one can tell about that. No one can look
forward politically that long Once out
OF office it isn't so easy to get back. The
incumbent always wants to stay and al
ways has the advantage
There was no political risk for Senator
Lodge III holding on to his seat the
political risk was in giving it up His
Army service. no matter how creditable
may turn out later on to be no more of
political asset than the lack of Army
service has been liability to either Mr..
Roosevelt or Mr., Dewey. When the war
is over the country will be full of heroes.
Every State will have them. Just having
been in the Army will not mean a par
tlcularly advantageous position politi-
callv.
Nevertheless. considering the political
and uncriticized security of his position
in the Senate and the examples fur
nished by other public men of his age
who in the last war and in this one held
on to that security, Senator Lodges
choice is pretty fine one. 1t is refresh
ing to find one man in public life to
whom holding on to his job is not the
prime consideration: one man to whom
this is not the matter of first impor-
tance: one man to whom other things
seem paramount.
Those seven senatorial ancestors (most
of them on his mothers side) need not
feel ashamed of him because he quit the
Senate. He is carrying on the tradition
all right-and not in his paternal grand
fathers groove either
Evening star., 1944-02-09
This Changing World

are added modern destroyers and escort
vessels.
The Nazi Navy has only 4 few strong
units left. They no longer worry the
Allied commanders In any event. II
there is any naval fighting to be done,
the British Navy is fully prepared to
take care of the situation
Well-informed Washington quarters
expect other important naval opera
tions to take place In the Central
Pacific in the next few weeks.
Before the forces of Gen. Douglas
Macarthur can start large-scale
offensive certain Japanese strongholds
must be reduced. The operations of
the combined naval, air and ground
forces under the command of Vice Ad-
miral Raymond Spruance in the
Marshall Islands have proved to the
American high command that the re-
ported weakness of the Japanese out
posts far from their Inner defense
circle" was not based on wishful
thinking.
The Japanese soldiers still are fight
Ing to the bitter end, but when con-
1ronted by as overwhelming power as
was placed against them In the Mar
shalls they are not effective.
1t can be expected that operations
planned for the near future will be
executed with the same overwhelming
strength which has the advantage of
crushing the enemy with a minimum
of sacrifice.
The new attacks will give the central
command in Washington time to dis
patch to the South Pacific sufficient
ground forces and supplies for Gen.
Macarthur to undertake major moves
The chief dif1iculty encountered by
Gen. Macarthur so far has been the
lack OF supplies. Every barrel of oil and
Evening star., 1944-02-09

mans to bring the 715th Division from
Southeastern France, and the SIS
troops from Germany, whereas, with
out the bombings of the railways, these
might have arrived in four or five days
incidentally. it is possible that "715" is
not the number of division, but only
that of a regiment 1t is much
higher number than any I have pre-
viously seen attributed to q German
division)
X X
At all events, the initial German
counterattackS on our beachhead have
failed, which suggests that our troops
did not waste the time the airmen won
for them, but dug in very thoroughly
indeed. One correspondent on the spot
Evening star., 1944-02-09

from him. The act,
itself, is admirable
but the way in
which 1t was done is
almost equally so.
There was no beat
ing of his breast. no
proud proclama tons
Of patriotism. no
talk of personal sac
rlice. Senator Lodge
III a brief note
merely resigned to
the presiding officer
of the Senate, giving
as his reason that at
his age t4l) he felt
Evening star., 1944-02-09
Differs With Editorial
To the Editor Of The Sta

To the Editor Of The Star:
Permit me to challenge your surmise
as to the attitude of Negroes toward
our dual school system. I believe that
most keenly thoughtful people, includ-
ing Negroes, consider any form of i'm
posed segregation in our society to be
contemptuous of the spirit and original
intent of the Constitution 1t becomes
all the more lamentable. therefore, that
such public institution as the school
system, which ought to be the bed OF
democracy, has itself become symbol
of racial separation
The time to cure a societal Ill is the
ever omnipotent present
J. w. HAYWOOD, Jr.
Evening star., 1944-02-09

manly Is advocated as
A means of weaken
ing the Reich, while
the Soviet transfor-
nation is for the
strengthening of the
external influence of
the Union. there
must be possibilities
in the concept OF
G er m an division
which We have not
adequately consid-
cred.
Mr.. Philippe Bar
res. the French jour
nalist. in a letter to
Evening star., 1944-02-09

Despite a truly ter
rife pounding of the
T all way functions
and yards south of
Rome and of key
+ all W ay poin t S
throughout N ort h
Central Italy. the
Germans have man
aged to move rein-
forcements down to
the beachhead area
south of Rome.
Our air power did
win us delay. how
ever; it took two
vyaaLe for tho Cav
Evening star., 1944-02-09
This and That
BU Charles r Troce,peU

By Charles E. TraceweH.
The little robin grieves when the snow
is on the ground
For the trees have no leaves and no
berries can be found
The air is cold, the worms are hid. for
robin here what can be done?
Let's throw around some crumbs of
ofeao'
And then he'll live till the snow is gone. :"
Mother Goose
This is excellent advice from an au-
thorlty. 1t is seldom realized how much
attention the old poetry book gave to
birds
1t is good idea to throw out bread
crumbs for the first robins, now to ap-
pear in numbers. Already few have
reported, although in some cases tow
hees have been mistaken for them.
Perhaps better than bread for robins
are ra1sins. an apple cut in half and
bits of suet
II bread is put out for them, it is best
to soak 1t in milk or water.
The food should not be put upon a
plate. Sometimes this frightens them.
1t Is better simply to place 1t on the
ground, or on level spot in the snow.
4
The first robin is always an event in
the family life Of persons who are fond
OF our feathered friends.
This Is particularly true of suburban
homes. where perhaps more attention is
paid to bird life because usually there
is so much more of it.
On broad lawns in the suburbs f1ocks
OF robins arrive later, usually in April
sometimes so or more birds will land at
one time, and spread out over the grass
These small flocks come directly from
the great robin congregations in the
South
AS many as 1000, 900 robins, according
to annual estimates, gather together in
certain counties of various States earlv
in February.
Sometimes it is Georgia, another year
one of the Carolinas.
The robins seem to select one night
Tor arrival, and usually spend two or
three days in the counties before f1yinp
away in small groups to the Northern
States.
Another one of Mother Goose's ef
forts in behalf of the robins is as follows:
Come hither sweet robin,
And be not afraid,
l would not hurt feather;
Come hither, sweet robin
And pick up some bread.
To feed you this very cold weather.
l don't mean to frighten you.
Poor little thing,
And pussy cat is not behind me;
So hop about pretty,
And drop down your wing,
And pick up some crumbs
And don't mind me-"
1t must be kept in mind that these are
English verses, and refer to the genuine,
or English robin, which is much
smaller bird than ours, and with a much
brighter breast.
Our robin, as matter of fact, is not
really robin at all, but is a member of
the thrush family, which is shown by
the spots which the young robins have
on their breast, just as the wood
thrushes have
Robins are another bond between the
two nations
Mother Goose, as all persons who like
blrcs, had definite ideas as to their
treatment.
The robin and the wren
II you take out Of their nest,
You'll never thrive again.
The martin and the swallow
II you touch one Of their eggs,
Bad luck will surely follow"
Evening star., 1944-02-09

spe e diest cruisers
and destroyers ever
built by any nation
have been placed at
the disposal of Ad-
mirals Chester W.
Nimitz and William
F. H a ey. This
fleet, supported by
the necessary auxil-
iaries, is being used
for the island skip
ping strategy which
Is replacing the old
concept of island to-
island operations.
The A m O r n q n
Evening star., 1944-02-09
Lument

Home they bore the pillaoe lad,
Battle fallen, honor clad,
Best OF ,ohat fen friends I had.
on. I iDept, and tOept for shame,
That it 1DdS not 7Ulbo came
With a glory-lustered name,
Borne, immortal, home I'd lie
In the churchydrd he and
BrdDely used to Dhistle BY.
BRANSON BLAKE.
Evening star., 1944-02-09
The Nettuno Venture

Although the tactical picture is
obscure and fluctuating. enough is
discernible of the strategic back
ground to enable an intelligent ap-
praiSal OF the "leapfrog" operation
attempted by the Allied high COM
mand when it established the beach
head south of Rome.
The high hopes raised among the
British and American publics by
that spectacular venture were prob
ably never shared by Allied military
circles. but it seems obvious that the
results have thus far disappointed
informed as we'll as lay opinion. 1t
is generally conceded that our troops
have lost the initiative and that
heavy German counterattacks must
be expected which will test the
beachhead's defensibility. This un-
satisfactory turn of events is nat
urally causing questions as to why
the operation was ever undertaken.
The most probable explanation is
that the beachhead was established
as threat to the German commu-
nications between Rome and the
mountainous tranSpeninsular front
some so miles to the southwark. The
western key to that line is the town
OF Casino, which by then was under
Allied attack. The speculation may
have been either that Casino would
soon fall by direct Allied assault or
that the menace of the beachhead
would compel the Germans to weak
en- their mountain line. in which
case the beachhead would serve as
the anvil to the Allied hammer from
the south. between which the Ger
man resistance would be broken.
A study Of the terrain south of
Rome renders it unlikely that the
beachhead was ever intended to be
the base for a major invasion. The
chief landing points. at Nettuno and
Anzio, are not 'harbors"; they are
merely shallow coves with no shore
installations fit to handle heavy
equipment. Furthermore. this coast
Is exposed to high seas in bad
weather such as has actually oc-
CURED since the first landings
These logistic handicaps limit the
ability to supply large mechanical
forces. The land itself is level or
slightly rolling. the cultivated dis
tricts being reclaimed marshes.
That hinders the deployment of
tanks and heavy artillery by forcing
them to keep to the roads This
coastal lowland ends about ten miles
inland with the range OF the Alban
Hills. from whose steep crests en-
placed German artillery commands
the entire plain. including the
Shoreline. That natural German
defense zone would be hard to storm
without greater concentration of
Allied troops and equipment than
can be supplied. Also. a move on
Rome through the lowlands would
be dangerously exposed to flank
bombardment and attack from the
Germans in the hills. The success
of the Nettuno beachhead Is thus
subordinate to the fall of Casino
and the cracking Of the Germans
mountain line to the southwark
Unless and until that happens not
much can be expected beyond the
maintenance of the beachhead
against German pressure. This
should be possible owing to Allied
air superiority and the covering fire
Of Allied warships offshore. The
situation Is regrettable but not i'm
mediately alarming.
Evening star., 1944-02-09
On the Record

Since my first article on the proba bles
enects OF German dismemberment the
transformation of the Soviet Union into
a commonwealth of 16 states has been
announced
Considering that the division of Ger
Evening star., 1944-02-09

Due to the United Nations stop
page OF gasoline to Spain all motor
ing has been stopped there. In this
crisis, 1t is hoped that Spain will
walk. not drive, to the nearest exit
from unneutral neutrality.
Evening star., 1944-02-09

Recently passenger on rail-
road slept right through a wreck.
II the train had arrived on time,
however. the shock would have been
severe.
Evening star., 1944-02-09

Many youngster scorned by the
older generation in time of peace
and told to 60 fly a kite is now busy
saving that same generation by fly
ing a bomber.
Evening star., 1944-02-09
Lesson in Italy

We have just had another lesson.
from Italy, to teach us the difficulty.
almost the lmpossibility, of stopping
traffic on a railway line BY bombing.
Evening star., 1944-02-09

The mightiest naval force ever gath
cred In any ocean is now concentrated
in the Pacific. The most powerful
battleships and air carriers and the
Evening star., 1944-02-09
The Great Game of Politics

The action of Senator Lodge. Republi-
can of Massachusetts,. in resigning to
go into the army is the sort of thing
those who know him well would expect