davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-05-10
John BIuke Gordon

John Blake Gordon, whose sudden
death yesterday ended a service of
more than forty years with the
Municipal Government, was one of
that relatively small group of career
men on whom we count SO heavily
for efficient functioning of govern
ment, but about whom so few beyond
a personal circle of acquaintance
ever know or hear. Quiet, gentle
and unaSsuming, one never associ-
ated him with local controversies
or thought of him in connection
with District Building changes or
politics. An engineer, with a de-
tailed knowledge Of the city's santa
ton system, largely developed under
his direction, he remained aloof from
and unaffected by changing city
administrations, lending to his own
undertakings certain dignity and
sureneSs which won respect and
which made his counsel sought in
many matters relating to municipal
affairs. He was native Wash
ingtonian whose forebears were dis
tinguiShed members of the COM
munity for almost as long a time as
there has been Washington. The
place he filled at the District Build
ing will be vacant for long time
to come
Evening star., 1944-05-10

The British-held prisoners who take
advantage of this opportunity will
operate with the British. and those
held in this country (some $4,000,
will operate in association with
United States forces. Subject to our
military discipline and orders, they
will enjoy liberties and privileges
not unlike those of our own troops,
with whom they will be allowed to
fraternize. Among other advantages,
they will enjoy the right to wear a
special uniform bearing the name
and colors of their country and to
from their friends and relatives-a
thing heretofore forbidden
1t is safe to assume that a very
large percentage of the Italian cap
tives will wish to enter the new
service units. We may assume, too,
that their morale will be greatly i'm
proved thereby, particularly since
so many of them fought for Musso-
lini not because they believed in
him or FasciSm, but because they
had no other alternative. AS CO.
belligerents in a noncombat role,
they will be able to feel that whereas
once they were the tools of tyranny
in many cases unwillingly-they
will now be in a position to contrib
ute some measure of help to free
doms cause. In sense. besides
permitting the release of thousands
Of our own troops for more active
duty, the British and American plan
thus affords these former enemies
of ours the opportunity to- earn their
own way back to the status of free
men to demonstrate their desire to
be regarded once more as our
friends, and to play a direct and
constructive part in the liberation
and redemption of their torn land.
Evening star., 1944-05-10
On the Record
BY Dorothy THOMPSON

The number of things that we don't
know about is certainly greater than
the number we completely understand.
Much journalism today consists of put
ting two and two together-at the risk
OF adding up to six, instead of four.
I therefore say Immediately that I
have no privileged information con-
corning the visit of Father Orlemanski
of Springfield. Mass, and Prof. Oscar
Lange to Moscow
The visit has created q tremendous
stir and much hostility in Polish Amer
ican circles. Prof Lange belongs
to that group Of Poles relatively small
in this country, who are prepared to
accept the Soviet's terroritorial claims
looking to strong and friendly rela-
tions between Poland and the Soviet
Union.
Father Orlemanski also inclines to
this line.
But Stain did not receive Prof. Lange.
He did receive Father Orlemanski
twice, once for five hours and in the
presence Of Mr.. Molotov. Now, a Ave
hour interview has never been granted,
as far as l know, to any one except the
head of an Allied state. One may pre-
SuAhc, tiiciclOIc, tHdt SoAHctHlIlS I'M
portant was at stake.
Father Orlemanski could hardly be
thus favored merely as a negotiator for
friendly Poles. And his own state
ment and the comments of the Moscow
press stress but one thing-the friend
ship of Stain toward the Roman Cath
olic Church, and the statement of the
Springfield priest that future events
will prove it,"
There Is an antagoniSm between
these remarks and an Izvestia article
some weeks ago sharply attacking the
Vatican for backing 'reactionary' pol
icies. Nevertheless, it is no secret that at
the time the Vatican accepted japanese
emissary, the Soviet Union asked for
the same privilege and was rebuked
But at that time the Soviet Union had
not emerged as one of the great pow
ers of the world.
Nor was there then even the outline
of Soviet policy of coming to terms
with the various religious bodies of
Christendom
In the meantime we have seen the
Evening star., 1944-05-10
Defect for Mr.. Lewis

The verbal blasts which John L.
Lewis has turned loose against the
American Federation of Labor in
withdrawing his application for re-
admission tend to confirm the rather
well known fact that Mr.. Lewis is
not man to accept defeat grace
fully or quietly.
Mr.. Lewis brands the AFL as
political company union" and
charges that a conspiracy between
some of its executive council mem
bers and New Deal politicians Is
responsible for the councils failure
to act favorably on his formal re-
quest for reaff1liation of the United
Mine Workers with the parent
organization.
1t may very well be true that some
Of the New Deal politicians would be
anything but pleased TO see so re-
sourceful an enemy as Mr. Lewis
restored to an influential role in the
AFL. But this certainly does not
tell the whole story. AS far as the
record shows, the real bar to Mr..
Lewis return had to do with a
jurisdictional dispute. He wanted
to be readmitted and then settle the
jurisdictional questions presented by
the unorthodox organizational setup
OF District so, his catch-all union
which has been trying, with some
success, to organize half a dozen
trades and industries. However, the
council, not without good reason,
insisted on settling the jurisdictional
question first, and when Mr.. Lewis
baked at this the negotiations
collapsed.
II this is the end of the efforts
to heal the breach, it means that Mr.
Lewis, still regarded by many work
ers as the countrys ablest labor
Evening star., 1944-05-10

visit OF the Archbishop of York to the
Soviet Union and the celebration of
religious holidays throughout Russia.
So it would be a logical step for the
Soviet Union to try to open negotiations
with the Roman church, as a religious
institution, and to try to do it through
an American and a Pole. For the
Catholic community in the United
States is the largest among the ma ior
powers, and the Polish community the
largest outside Poland.
I am suggesting, therefore. that the
initiative for this visit came from Stain,
which would explain the granting Of
the visa. without more ado.
+
For the Government OF the United
States is also anxious to have religious
questions settled. The President has
expressed confidence that freedom of
worship would be restored in Russia
There is story, no doubt apocryphal,
that at Teheran the President sug-
gested that the Pope might be invited
to the peace conference, whereupon
Stain is supposed to have replied.
How many divisions will he have con-
tributsd to Hctory?" But that story,
Iactual or not, Is revealing Of what
seems to be emerging as Stains policy
religious negotiations with the church.
overtures to the people of all creeds but
no political concessions.
Stain, who sees the Soviet Union as
world power, understands the nature
OF power even If its domain is spiritual.
The power of the Roman church in
Europe, America and especially in Po-
land Is fact. During the century and
half Of Polish obliteration, the Church
was the center of the national spirit.
The cleavage between the Roman and
orthodox communities prevented the
assimilation of the Poles to Russia, and
in German Poland, Bismarck's "Kultur-
Kampf" to assimilate Catholic Poland
to Protestant Prussia was total fall
ure
Whatever political or territorial ad-
Justments may be made, there will be
no prospect of stability in Poland, un-
less the rights of Polish Catholics are
maintained in Poland proper and in
any parts of prewar Poland that might
go to the Soviet Union.
released by the Bell Syndieats Inc,
Evening star., 1944-05-10
This Changing World
By Constantine Brotcn

many which the Allies could not con-
template crossing without risking dis
aster. The establishment Of Allied air.
fields In the Italian plain would not
materially change the situation.
Allied planes can bomb Southern
Germany and Austria with about as
much ease from present bases at Fog
gia as they could from Florence. An
attempt to invade Austria by sue
cessful landing at Trieste. or Fiume
would be hampered by the mountainous
area which separates Austria from
So far the. Germans are believed to
have offered stubborn resistance to
the Allies in Italy principally to DEM
onstrate to their satellites and the sub
jected nations that they can stop an
Allied invasion in any area they choose.
They also hoped the setback we have
suffered in Southern Italy might dis
hearten the people in the United States
and Great Britain and thus induce the
high command to postpone indefinitely
the invasion Of Western Europe. In
other words, psychological considera-
ton rather than good strategy has led
the German high command to con-
centrate on keeping the Allies from
Rome
Berlin now knows that this type of
psychological warfare has failed. Last
fall and winter and this spring the
Germans could spare about 1000 men
to check us in Italy. But the time
approaches when they will need every
able-bodied man in the army and every
tank, gun and plane the Reich pos
Sesses.
Militarily, Italy is of little Importance
to the actual defense of the Reich.
Half the number of divisions fighting
at present in Southern Italy would be
ample to defend the chain of noun
tains extending from the Maritime to
the Carnic Alps. The rest will be badly
needed either on the eastern or west
ern fronts where the Allies are de-
termined to deliver powerful blows this
summer
These strictly military considerations
have led some military observers to
think Rommel may have visited Italy
to prepare an orderly withdrawal of
the Kesselring forces, leaving only a
strong covering force to conceal as best
1t can the rereat of the bulk of the
German Army.
Evening star., 1944-05-10

about 10 per cent of American man
power is now engaged in the Pa
cific theater; let us suppose that S per
cent of British manpower is so en-
gagged; the remainder, still using the
10 per cent formula, gives us q total of
34,7l0,000 fighting men. We may de-
duct something like 1000, 900 for Rus
sian war losses, and say 1000 900 for
British and American war losses. The
remainder comes to the staggering total
Of approximately 10000, GOO.
X Xxx
There are some additional factors to
be considered on both sides. The Ger
man slave labor (conscripted workers
and prisoners of war; amounts to some
thing, permits the Germans to use more
German manpower in the army by sub
stituting slaves for Germans in fac
tories and fields. The production of
occupied areas counts for something.
AS against this, however, the fighting
and sabotage work of the various un
dergrounds counts for something on
our side; we have good MANY troops
IN the field from the occupied nations,
especially Poland; we are using Indian,
New Zealand, and West African troops
and Mexican troops may follow: and we
have open to us the resources and pro-
duction of all Latin America, Africa
and the Middle East
Counting these factors as balancing.
though the balance is actually in our
favor. we may accept the figure of
8,5O0,OOO as representing the German
manpower pool for fighting purposes,
and the figure 30,0000OO as represent
ing the Allied manpower pool available
against Germany
One more set of qualifications must,
however, be added. Germany is fight
ing practically on her home territory,
or at least in her home territory and
its environs. We are fighting in many
cases far from home. We are to very
great extent dependent on supplies
from the continent of North America.
Against this, the Germans must use
some of their fighting power to keep in
hand the populations of the occupied
territories. Let us suppose that 1t takes
half our manpower to keep the other
half lighting in Europe; let us suppose
that 1t takes one-fifth of the German
manpower to keep their conquered ter
rltorles III subjection. That leaves the
proportionate figures of available fight
ing power as follows: Germany and her
satellites, $500 900; Allies, $4,000 900 e
Those figures just about tell the story.
The Germans are outnumbered more
than two to one.
(Coprisht, 1914 New York Tribune. Ine)
Evening star., 1944-05-10
Czecho-So Agreement

An agreement has just been signed
in London between the Soviet and
CzechoSlovak governments specif-
ically defining the relationship be-
tween the Soviet military authorities
and the representatives of the
Czechoslovak government when the
territories of that republic are in
vaded by Russian forces, now poised
on it's former borders, to liberate the
country from the grip of the Ger
mans and their Hungarian or Slovak
satellite troops. This agreement
should, of course, be read and eval-
uated in the light of the alliance
treaty signed last December between
the two governments in Moscow,
whereby Czechoslovakia frankly
bound her fortunes with those of
the Soviet Union, deeming her for
eign policy to be thereby settled and
her future security assured. The
present instrument is thus one be-
tween two close associates between
whom the most cordial understand
ing exists.
The nine point agreement provides
that the Soviet commander of the
liberating forces, mainly Russian,
but also including Czechoslovak
detachments formed and equipped
in Russia, will possess supreme
authority and responsibility in all
matters essential to the conduct of
the war in zones of operations so
long as these are theaters of combat
with the enemy.
However, Czech government
delegate will be present from the
first at Soviet Army headquarters,
charged with the threefold assign
ment of setting up a Czech civilian
administration as territory of the
republic is liberated, reconStituting
Czech armed forces from the lib
Grated population, and insuring ef-
fective cooperation between the
new local authorities and the Soviet
commander. A Czech military mis-
sion will likewise be present at
Soviet headquarters, and Czecho-
slovak armed forces will be subject
to its orders and jurisdiction, thus
emphasizing their separate identity
from the Soviet military establish
ment.
AS fast as territories of the re-
public are fully liberated and cease
to be in the combat zone, the
Czechoslovak government will take
over full exercise of public author
ity. 1t is specified that civilians will
be amenable to the Czech author
tiles even though charged with Of
fenseS against Russian troops. ex-
cept in actual combat zones. Any
questions of jurisdictional overlap
ping are to be settled by mutual
agreement between the Czech gov
ernment delegate and the Soviet
commander Financial matters are
to be left for future adjudication.
Under SO comprehensive and spe-
cific an instrument, it is unlikely
that disputes Or misunderstanding
can arise. But, as already stated,
the two governments are SO inti-
mately associated that the current
agreement merely implements the
general agreement entered into last
year.
Evening star., 1944-05-10
Orchard Poet

He t0rote his perseS on the Wooded slopc.
Across green meadows and beside cool
brooks
Wherever his path led he penned his
hope
For fruit and trasrance-but in earth,
not books
With rhythms he intoned In Leaf and
bough.
With mist OF apple bloom, his imagery.
With rhyme OF planted seed he kept his
pOtU-
Created beauty for posterity.
We praise his artistry at blossom time,
Repeat the praise when truitaoe season
comes.
We marDeI at a concept so sublime
1t, century old, inspires encomiuns.
In orchards blooming yet we still edn
read
The fragrant script OF Johnny Appleseed.
ELOISE WADE HACKETT.
Evening star., 1944-05-10

The Allied raids on the Tyrrhenian
and Adriatic coasts of Italy have put
the Germans on guard against major
thrust of the armies under the supreme
command of Gen. Maitland Wilson
with the object of occupying Rome.
The arrival of Marshal Erwin Rom
mel, Germany's anti-invasion COM
mander on tour of inspection in
Italy shows clearly that the Germans
are expecting major Allied blow in
Southern Europe. Whether the attack
will be delivered in conjunction with
the invasion of Western Europe, be-
fore or after. is military secret which
the Germans will discover in. time
Available information indicates the
Nazi forces in Italy are still large.
Marshal Albert Kesselring has at his
disposal between % and IS German
divisions and about five German-trained
Italian divisions. The Fascist units
already have seen action at the Anzio
beachhead and are reported to be an
Improvement over Mussolini's former
forces. They have never attacked as
independent units but had German
troops in their flanks and in the rear.
Whether their ability to fight was due
to the fact that they were threatened
with extinction by their own ally or
actually are better soldiers is difficult
to ascertain
The narrowness of the territory over
which we are now fighting has pre-
vented large deployment of Allied
forces. 1t is conceivable that the Ger
mans resistance will break when they
are threatened with turning of their
f1anks by other Allied landings on the
pattern of the landing at Anzio several
months ago.
*
Rommel, judged by his past per-
formances, will not hesitate to give
up any territory which he feels his men
have no chance of holding. The
African campaign is now history and.
according to reliable reports, Rommel,
on visit to Hitler, recommended the
evacuation of Tunisia many weeks
before it finally fell,
Under these circumstances, it is ex-
pected that some dramatic decision will
follow Rommels visit to Italy
From the strictly military point of
view, the Germans could abandon even
their strongly fortified Po River line
without injuring their chances of de-
Tending the Reich. The Alps form a.
natural barrier between Italy and Ger
Evening star., 1944-05-10
Res Ipsu Loauitur

1t has been reported from time to
time that the justices of the Su-
preme Court have difficulty in
agreeing on anything For what
it may be worth as evidence, the fol-
lowing ruling by the court on q
recent petition for a writ of cer-
tiorari Is cited:
In this case, two members OF the
Court think that the judgment of the
Circuit Court Of Appeals should be
affirmed. Seven are of the opinion
that the judgment should be reversed
and the judgment of the District
Court aff1rmed-four because proof
of the contract alleged In respond
ent's aff1davits on the motion for
summary judgment is precluded by
the applicable State parol evidence
rule. and three because the con-
tract is contrary to public policy and
e void. The judgment of the Circuit
Court of Appeals is reversed.
The lawyers have a phrase for it
res ipsa loquitur, meaning that
the thing speaks for itself.
Evening star., 1944-05-10
Manpower Quotient
BY Maj. George FieIdina Eliot

Germany's most serious deficiency at
present is in manpower.
This statement, made by Lord Sell
borne, Britain's Minister of Economic
Warfare, in a speech in the House of
Lords on May 8, is one which merits
the most careful attention. 1t is the
basis of most of Germany's major mill
tary difficulties.
1t is very true, as Lord Selborne points
out, that Germany has many material
shortages-in OIL in copper, in rubber,
in some classes Of foodstuffs, and so on
Butt am not going to suggest" Lord
Selborne said, that Germany will COL
lapse because she runs short of this or
that commodity" There is almost no
limit to the degree to which German
genius can go in developing substitutes
or stretching out dwindling supplies
Synthetic Oil production is only one ex-
ample. The commodity for which Ger
many's professors and researchers can
not find substitute is manpower.
Let us look at some figures. Consider
ing fighting manpower only, Germany
has population including Austria and
the Sudetenland of something like 30
900. This would produce using the
10 per cent rule of-thumb-about g.
10000 fighting men. The German
losses in killed, permanently disabled
and prisoners in the course of the war
have hardly been less than $500 900,
perhaps much more. This leaves Ger
many with $500 900 fighting men
The population of the German Satel-
lites is tor was in 194O-4D about as
follows: Rumania. $4,000 900; Hungary,
lo,OOO,O0O; Bulgaria, 100000: Finland
1000, 900; Slovakia, 5000 ,000-Total Al =
100000. Most of these are now of doubt
tul allegiance. Rumania is certainly
not to be counted on for better than a
half-etfort; Bulgaria can hardly be
counted on at all; Finland is trying to
get out OF the war. But counting half
enort from Rumania and a full effort
from the others, we get 3,450000 addi-
uonal tghting men. from which must
be deducted Hungarian and Finnish
losses ,including the last Finnish war;
leaving perhaps a total of 5000 O0O
Against Germany, is ranged the
United States, the United Kingdom
the Soviet Union, Canada and French
North Africa. The populations are as
follows: United States, 135 ZOO 900;
United Kingdom. 48, 1000 900; u. S. s. R,
l53000,000 (after deducting prewar
population of territory still in enemy
hands,; Canada. 100000; French
North Africa, 100000. Total, 3s3-
100000. 1t has been estimated that
Evening star., 1944-05-10
Legend of the Doewood


To the Editor of The Star:
Your excellent editorial, setting forth
the glories of the native dogwood and
corroborating Representative A. Willis
Robertson's contention that this wild
blossom should be the national flower.
will win praise from your Nreaders and
enlist supporters Of the movement to
enshrine the dogwood among our ma
tionsl emblems.
Nowhere in America does the dogwood
reach greater beauty than in the South
ern mountains, and it always has been
source of regret that my native State
Tennessee, did not select this purely
native blossom as the State flower in
stead of the exotic iris.
AS addenda to the dogwoodiana In
your interesting editorial, am sending
you some further facts on the dogwood,
hoping that this information will lend
impetus to Representative Robertson's
when the hills are whitening with the
blossoms Of this tree, we say: Now it is
the season to tell the legend of the dog
wood" And this is the legend:
"At the time OF the crucifixion the
dogwood was tall, ponderous tree, such
as the hardwoods that keep it company
in the Southern highlands today. 1t
grew so straight and its wood was so
unblemished, that the timber of this
tree was chosen for the Cross.
But the dogwood was distressed over
the selection, a cruel, terrible fate: and
it grieved. Our Lord knowing its sor-
row, smiled upon 1t and out Of His great
I pity, said: Because of your regret and
pity for My suffering I make you this
promise: No more shall the dogwood
tree grow tall enough to be used for q
cross. Henceforth 1t shall be low, bent
and twisted. It's blossoms shall flower in
the form of cross, two long petals and
two short petals. In the heart of the
blossom there will remain imprinted
the image of a crown of thorns, and in
the center of the outer edge of each
petal there shall be nail prints, brown
with rust and stained with blood. And
the color of the blossoms shall be as
white as the fire of My love for man.
kind, and all who see this flower will
remember that I was crucified And the
dogwood shall nevermore be mutilated or
destroyed, but cherished as reminder
Of My death on the cross"
AS America is q Christian country it
would indeed be appropriate if the
Robertson proposal of the dogwood as
the national flower were adopted
LAURIE HAVRON.