davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-06-13
Asks About Postwar Laws

Asks About Postwar Laws
To the Editor of The Star:
AS an important communication CEN
ter, with perhaps other advantages of
military occupancy, together with the
generally accepted fact that Vatican
City is in no danger of molestation from
the Allies, 1t is not believed that the
proposal of Marshal Hesselring to de-
clare Rome an open city by both sides
will be accepted.
An open city? What is that, and
who or what guarantees its inviolabil-
ity?
Some other questions about which we,
the public, could "do" with little more
enlightenment, are:
Why did the British Foreign Minister
some weeks ago deem 1t worth his
while Tin war-mad world in which
total destruction of the enemy Is the
order of the day. to direct particular
attention of Commons to the shooting
down by Germans, in neutral Switzer-
land, of some 10 or more escaped pris-
oners of war? Also, why have the Ger
mans, heretofore, taken the trouble to
alibi for the killing of Allied parachu-
lists landing on German soil-blaming
such acts on the frenzied populace?
Does there somewhere exist, in this
war-crazed world, some idea of decency
and fair play-even in war?
Yes, we sometimes hear of what more
politely than factually is denominated
international law or the law of nations.
What Is that, and what are its rules for
guidance? Webster defines it as "The
body of rules which modern civilized
nations regard as binding them in their
mutual intercourse" 1t also is said to
be based upon conventions. treaties and
legal reasoning and is now held to be
part of "the common law of the land"
Not much there for holding to ac-
countability war criminals or violators
of the postwar peace.
Would not now be a good time for
the principal Allies to agree, at least
in principle, upon what postwar laws
are to be enforced?
Keep in mind the fact that, unless
we are to employ the Gestapo method
of purge and liquidation" we can
not enforce law under the practice
of the British and American courts
unless and until we have one, and that
penal laws cannot be invoked and ap-
piled retroactively.
WILBUR H. CLOSE.
Evening star., 1944-06-13
The Jefferson Boxwood
Mount Saint AlbansJ

Mount Saint Albdns)
Walking upon these slopes in thoughtful
mood,
With one Who loued them In the long
ago,
Ny master placed me here :. a small
bor1Uood,
To 1Uedther summers drought and
tOinterS snotU,
hundred forty years OF sun and
No1U Sprinotime blossoms frame
classic dome,
And pink dog,Oood and Judas trees haus
made
Most beautiful his Monticello home.
Though millions 1DorShip at his n,arbls
shrine.
/ like to think perhaps he might lops\
best
To kno,D his simple faith Is also mine.
And that stand nndaunted on this
crest
Above the lesser trees. erect and still,
As he stood all his life -. upon a hill
INEz SHELDON TYLER.
Evening star., 1944-06-13

The Allied forces in France continue
TO widen and deepen their hold in the
approaches to the Cherbourg Peninsula
from the southeast
Most important of these gains is the
capture by American infantry of the
road junction of Carentan. This per-
mits the linking up of the Allied pene-
tration in the area Bayeux-Isigny with
the troops in the Cherbourg Peninsula
in the area of Montebourg-Ste. Mere
EgliSe.
1t is. however, highly significant that
our forces continue to press south from
Isigny and southwest from BayeuX.
In the latter direction, we already hold
the whole of the Forest de Cerisy,
astride the main road and midway be-
tween BayeuX and st. Lo, while south
of Isigny our forces appear to have
gained more than half the distance
from that town to st. Lo-and it is also
significant that as early as Sunday
afternoon the German radio was al
ready speaking of st. Lo as the center
of gravity of the fighting,
1t begins to look as though our i'm
mediate objective may be to seize and
hold a line running roughly westward
from Caen to Tilly-sur- -Seulles. the
Forest of CeriSy, ST. Lo and so on to
COutances. This line would complete
ly isolate the Cherbourg Peninsula
from the rest of France. The fall of
st. Lo would almost complete it, for
the Germans could then reach Cou-
tances (and for that matter the pen
insula) by single main highway.
The crucial area may we'll be the
road quadrangle of which the north
east, southeast and southwest corners
are respectively Carentan, St Lo and
CoutanCes. The northwest corner is
La Haye du Puts. The northern half
of this quadrangle is marshy and in
tersected by many streams. The Ger
mans have partially inundated this
area by opening the sluice- gates at
Carentan and Isigny; recovery of these
gates, plus the excellent work of our
engineers, will enable us to reduce the
flooding.
While our offensive operations to the
westward continue to go well, the Ger
mans are increasing their pressure on
our covering positions between Tilley-
Sur-SeulleS and Caren. What may be
the first major German Counterattack,
involving the use Of armored elements
OF the German strategic reserve. has
been launched in the area of Tilly-sur-
Evening star., 1944-06-13
Letters to The Star
President Wilson Quoted on
Concentration of Power

To the Editor of The Star:
Momentous in history and peril
nent to the progress and happiness of
the people is the result of the presi-
Dental election in November, 1914.
One issue involved is so revolutionary
that the American way of life may
dramatically change interrupting
democratic procedure.
Daily journals bring to us the dis
turbing information that left-wing and
radical groups are united to re-elect
Mr., Roosevelt for a fourth term.
Among organizations pledged or ex-
pected to support him for the Office
are the Communist Political Associa-
ton, the American Labor party, the
Liberal party and the CIO. The last
named organization is supposed to con-
troll 100000 on more votes. Also the
President with assurance may depend
upon the steadfast New Dealers. In
deed, the political activities of these
groups are exceeded only by the two
major political parties. Naturally,
there is expr essed amazement among
many citizens that professed radicals
would indorse jefferson principles
which give emphasis to free enterprise,
local self-government and States rights.
1t may be admitted, however, that
the powers now dominating the DEM
ocratic party frequently ignore party
principles and, with variations doubt
less, the process of Capitalization of
power in Washington will continue. I
quote Woodrow Wilson: "The history
of liberty is history of the limitation
of Government power, not the increase
Of it. When we resist, therefore, the
concentration of power, we are resist
ing the processes of death, because
concentration of power is what always
precedes the destruction of human
liberties" WALTER I. PRIEST.
Bluemont, Va.
Evening star., 1944-06-13
Pattern in the Pacific

Once again a powerful American
task force has struck in the Mar
ianaS, with Saipan, Trinian, Rota
and Guam the main targets. A
detailed report will probably be un-
available for the next week or so,
but indications are that the two
day attack was considerably heavier
than the one carried out in the
same area last February, when a
similar blow destroyed 1876 japanese
planes and sank or damaged II ves-
sells. The statistics of the event,
however, are of less Importance
than its implications in relation to
possible new offensive thrusts in the
Pacific.
Intermittently during the months
between the two great task-force
attacks upon them, the Marianas
have been effectively peppered by
our long-range bomberS. In the
same period, some 800 miles south
west of the Marianas, we have ham,
mered hard at the Carolines, par
ticularly Palau, the first smashing
blow being delivered in the closing
days of last March when a mighty
American naval-air armada de-
stroyed 100 japanese planes, prob
ably destroyed "a more, sank %
ships and beached or disabled 18
others. Now, simultaneously with
the latest strike against Saipan,
Tinian, Rota and Guam, General
MacArthur's land-based air power
has made its first daylight assault
on Palau. AS a glance at the map
will show, we thus seem to be we'll
started upon the task of battering
down the enemy's last bulwark of
islands in front of the Philippines.
In effect, with Admiral Nimitz's
Central Pacific forces repeatedly
striking deep into a defensive sys-
TEN vital to Japan's southern con-
quests, and with General Macarthur
now in position to hit northward
from the New Guinea area against
the same target, e'are seeing the
development of a vast pincers move
ment against the Marianas and
Carolines, with the ultimate objec-
tive of severing the enemy's indis-
pensable north-south supply line
and of creating wide-open road to
the Philippines and to the China
coast beyond. This pattern of at
tack, moreover, with strongpoints
like Truk possibly destined to be
by-passed, may conceivably unfold
with dramatic speed in the weeks
ahead, more or less along the lines
of our operations against the Gill
berts and Marshalls.
The japanese, in any event, must
look upon the prospect as real and
immediate threat warranting the
most urgent kind of supplications to
the Sun Goddess. They feel the
ever-growing weight of our arms
pressing against them at key points
1000 miles west Of Pearl Harbor and
when they give thought to the fact
that a place like Palau is farther
from our great Hawaiian base than
is Tokyo, they must be somewhat
chilled by the fear that a heavy
attack on their home islands-an
attack at any moments wholly
possible. The President did not
exaggerate when he said that Japan
is being forced to a choice between
unconditional surrender or national
suicide, and much more rapidly
than had been thought possible.
Evening star., 1944-06-13

that there should be higher pay for
the men who actually serve at the
front. 1t is always difficult, of
course, to attempt to place value,
in terms of money, on the services of
men at the front. But aside from
that, any proposal to recognize in
some tangible fashion the infantry
soldiers tough, hazardous job, has
a logical appeal behind it that wins
immediate support.
Evening star., 1944-06-13
Soviet Drive on FinIund

The long-dormant eastern front
Is active again. but at an unexpected
place. Whatever its ultimate implica-
tions, the Red offensive launched
against Finland Is strategically a
diversionary move. The Karelian
ISthmus above Leningrad is held
almost exclusively by the Finnish
Army. The German forces in Fin
land are for the most part concen-
trated at the extreme northern end
of that country around the port of
Petsamo on the Arctic Ocean, which
is some TOO miles from the present
battle zone. Furthermore, those
German forces have an overland
line of retreat into neighboring
Norway: so even rapid Russian
conquest of Southern Finland and
attendant closing of the Baltic
water-route by the Red Navy would
not isolate them.
However, the conquest of Finland
may not be either quick or easy.
The Finnish Army is estimated to
number between 100000 and 100000,
with good equipment. They have
suffered few losses since they re-
newed their struggle with Russia
nearly three years ago, and most of
them are veterans of the first Russo
Finnish War of 1939-40. Tempera-
mentally stubborn folk, the Firms
may be expected to fight with des-
peration. Their traditional aversion
to the Russians led them to suspect
Moscow's motives in the peace nego-
tiations Of last spring and to reject
Russian terms. Having thrown away
their chance of negotiated settle
ment, nothing remains for them but
a grim struggle against long odds.
The first test Of Finland's resist
ance strength will come when the
Red Army reaches the belt of lake
and marsh across the Karelian 18TH
mus which constitutes the so-called
Mannerheim Line. That fortified
belt was finally smashed In the first
war by General Govorov, the same
man who now leads the Red forces
in the second struggle. 1t seems
unlikely that the Firms can hold
this line long against the over
whelming weight of men, equipment
and superior air power which the
Russians can concentrate against
them. Stain would hardly have
undertaken this venture unless as
sured of rapid progress.
The breaking of the Mannerheim
Line will, however, not logically
mean the end of Finnish resistance.
Finland is relatively large coun-
try, more than twice the size of New
England. Most of 1t is a maze of
lake, marsh and forest, wherein
determined fighters could put up a
prolonged struggle. That was the
case In earlier Russian invasions.
Such a conflict could occupy large
Russian forces for lengthy period.
In itself, the Finnish campaign
would seem to have little strategic
connection with the main struggle
in Europe. It's political consequences
may, however, be Considerable. The
fate Of Finland will probably be
taken to heart by Germany's satel-
lites, while Sweden's position will
become much more difficult. Rus
sian conquest Of Finland would
radically modify the situation in the
whole Baltic area, with far-reaching
results not only on the immediate
war situation but on the postwar
Sattlprnapt &c mall
Evening star., 1944-06-13
This Changing World
By Constantine Brow,n

While American, British and Cana
dian divisions are fighting fiercely in
France, there is a behind-the-scenes
political battle as to who should be
placed in control of liberated France.
Gen. Charles de Gaulle and his AL
giers organization expected to be rec
ognized as the government of France
as soon as the Allies set foot ON French
soil. The British government is re-
ported to have been as anxious as the
French leader himself to recognize the
Algiers committee as provisional
government of France. Washington
remains adamant. 1t sticks to the po-
sition adopted in 1912 when we first
arrived in North Africa that the French
people, when fully liberated, should be
allowed to decide for themselves who
would form their next government.
In the meantime, military organiza-
ton as we had at first in North Africa
would function as temporary author
ity with the assistance of local author
tiles. Washington realizes that this is
not an ideal solution, but it has the
advantage of preventing witch hunt
ing" and local strife.
What is more important, however,
wish to give the impression to the SEN
sitive French that we are ramming
"ready-made" government down their
throats. The point of view of the
American Government is that the
French, who have suffered untold
hardships for the last four years, will not
resent being governed by local author
tiles under the jurisdiction of friendly
army for a few more months. The
liberating armies and their leaders have
the warmest feelings toward the lib
Grated population and its first and most
important necessities, food, clothing and
other essentials, will be given the peo-
pie as quickly as military exigencies
permit.
Gen. de Gaulle is not reconciled with
this idea. He believes a heart-to-h heart
talk with President Roosevelt in Wash
ington might change the point of view
of the American Government. With
the strong backing of the British gov
ernment, he has endeavored to obtain
an invitation to come to Washington.
After many weeks of conversation with
Evening star., 1944-06-13
Says Lincoln Was Churchman


To the Editor OF The Star:
Your June article, Spirit of Lincoln
Permeates New York Avenue Presby-
terian Church." was highly interesting.
For the benefit of "A Reader" (this COL
umn June y who quoted responsible
treatises" asserting that Lincoln was not
a church member" may l suggest that
any wholly reliable and authentic Lin
coin treatise would be very rare find?
Lincoln treatises by the hundreds are
copied, with ever-mounting sensational
exaggerations, from the same original
and inimical source long since proved
spurious.
Lincoln was a member Of a trustee
and held high place in the First Pres
byterian Church of Springfield, III. Lin
coins parents were strict Baptists and
this early training influenced his whole
life. Both he and his father abstained
from intoXicants all their lives. Follow
ing their removal to Indiana. Thomas
Lincoln helped to build the Pigeon Creek
Baptist Church and transferred by let
ter his and his children's (Sarah'S and
AbrahamS) memberships from the Lit
tie Mount Church in Kentucky. Mrs.
Lincoln had died before this new church
was built.
LlncolnS grandfather, Abraham ST.,
gave the site for the Long Run Baptist
Church and burying ground on his Ken
lucky plantation and lies buried there.
His maternal grandfather, Joseph
Hanks, helped to build this log church
which was used also for school.
Joseph and his wife, Nancy Shipley
Hanks, also are buried in Long Run
churchyard. Lincolns mother was their
eighth and youngest child
His church memberships, however.
were not responsible for Lincoln's deep
religious nature; that was an inherent
quality, as were his correct speech with
its SCriptural accents and his genius as
a statesman.
CELIA WILLIAMS BECKMAN.
Wants Col. Craisie Kept
To The Ed.tor Of The S ar:
Congratulations on your impartial
and brilliant reporting of the recent
activities of DR.. Chester Holmes and
Maj. Allen Smith.
Why not use your good Offices now
to have the term of Col Craigie
extended for the duration? We need
men of his type. His retention would
have favorable and enthusiastic sup
port among parents and teachers.
Please start the ball rolling. Your
paper can do 1t. J. S.H.
Evening star., 1944-01-10
Federation 10 Study
Restriction on Niqht
Meetings at Schools

The Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations at its meeting Saturday will
consider the ruling of Milo F.
Christensen, recreation superin-
tendent, against opening school
buildings at night for association
meetings attended by less than 25
people, it was announced today.
Meanwhile, James T. Scott, ST.,
president of the Manor Park Citi-
zens' Association, said his associa-
ton had carried out it's decision of a
week ago to write letter to the
chairren of the House and Senate
District Committees complaining of
the policy as a restriction on the
right of free public meeting and as
an infringement of the District OF
Columbia building code.
T. Paul Mudd, chairman of the
federation's Education Sommittee
said he plans to call q special meet
ing of his committee to discuss the
policy before the main meeting Sat-
urday. He said he knew, in addition
of individual members who were
determined to bring the matter be-
fore the federation.
In an effort to save fuel and GUS
todlal service, Mr.. Christensen. who
has charge of night meetings In
school buildings, announced some
time ago that no school would be
heated for meetings of less than Is
persons. He asked that small asso-
Citations move to other buildings used
by other organizations at the same
time. The action was taken with
the concurrence of Robert L. Hay
cock, superintendent Of schools.
AS a result, 10 associations have
Cancelled meetings for the duration
OF the war and 10 have moved to
more widely used school buildings.
Eighteen, however, have agreed to
meet in cold buildings rather than
move from their accustomed locale.
Evening star., 1944-01-10
Sir Anthony George
Dies in Hotel Lean
Py the Associated prass

BY the Associated Press
BALTIMORE, Jan. 10.-Sir An
thony Hastings George, K. C. M. B.,
56, British consul-general in Boston,
was killed yesterday in a leap from
fourth-story hotel window, the
Baltimore British consulate reported.
Sir Anthony, who had been in the
consular service almost all his life,
was in Baltimore prior to returning
to England on sick leave.
He was the British consul in
Shanghai at the time of Pearl Har-
Dor and was interned by the jap
anese for eight months, returning
to England in 1912 He had been in
Boston since February. Sir Anthony
was unmarried.
DR.. Henry C. Wollenweber, assis-
tant medical examiner for Balti-
more, pronounced the death a sui
eide
Psssersby saw Sir Anthony stand
ing in the hotel window and one
OF them ran inside to notify the
manager. When hotel men reached
Sir Anthonyis room, they found it
empty.
Boston consular officials who had
accompanied Sir Anthony to Balti-
more said he never had fully re-
covered from amoebic dysentery,
contracted during his internment at
Shanghai
Evening star., 1944-01-10
State Seeks Solution
OF Philadelphia Strike
By the Associated Press,


PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 10.-The
city's 5000 striking public works en-
ployes stood firm today on their de-
mand for a 10 cents an hour wage
increase as they prepared to re-
main away from their jobs for the
fifth day.
The Pennsylvania Department of
Labor and Industry has taken a
hand in the situation and, through
Robert Thompson, one of its media
tors, has arranged meeting with
Mayor Bernard Samuel and repre-
sentatives of the three American
federation of State, county and mu-
nicipal employees (AFD locals.
The strikers have made no re-
sponse to Mayor Samuel's promise
that he would "use my best efforts
to obtain wage increase" If they
would return to work immediately.
Robert Lonergan, State repre-
sentative of the union, who previ-
ously Joined local leaders in urging
an end to the walkout, said, IT hon
estly don't believe they will ever
go back to work until they get their
10-cent increase"
The men now receive an average
base nav of SIS % a dav
Evening star., 1944-01-10
Edward |. Bullock, Jr.,
To Be Buried Tomorrow

Funeral services for Edward L.
Bullock, jr., 3430 Porter street NV,
who died Saturday at Garfield Hos
pital, will be held at 1:30 pm. to-
morrow at st. Adams Church, Wis
consin and Massachusetts avenues
In the Cathedral close. Interment
Will be at Arlington National Gene
terry.
For more than 20 years Mr.. Bull
lock was superintendent of con-
struction and assistant to the pres
ident of the Chas. H. Tompkins
Construction Co. in charge of esti-
mating and architectural work.
Honorary pallbearers will be
George N. Ray, Horace w. Peaslee,
Richard D. Daniels, Percy c. Adams.
Joshua Evans and DR.. Cloyd H.
Marvin. Active pallbearers will be
Webster P. True, Spencer S. Prem
tiss, Charles H. Tompkins, James
Sherier, B. M. McKelway and Har-
old K. Beecher.
Evening star., 1944-01-10
WAC Officer Charges
Persecution in Army
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
First 1t. Virginia Wight Of the
Women's Army Corps, stationed at
Fort Myer, will face an Army re-
classification board today on charges
described by her attorney as gilt
tering with generalities and OBJ
viously inspired by persecution u
Army officials have declined COM
ment.
James J. Laughlin, the attorney
asserted in statement that 1t.
Wight, a 24-year-old former Uni
versity of Pennsylvania history and
philosophy student, is the victim
Of intimidation by a WAC captain
at the Fort Myer South Post WAC
Detachment"
She Is charged, Mr.. Laughlin
stated, with determination with en-
listed women personnel, giving in
correct information to her superior
officer. and refusing to obey orders.
Mr.. Laughlin said 1t. Wight once
was ordered to report her personal
financial status, but ignored the re-
quest on the ground that her
finances were her own affairs. He
said he would seek a continuance in
order to study the case and to pre-
pare a demand that 1t. Wight be
tried by court martial and given an
opportunity to face her accusers.
1t. Wight is the daughter of Law
renee N. Wight, instructor in Will
liam Penn Charter School at Phila-
delphia. She joined the former
WAAC as an officer candidate Sep
tember 7, 1912, and was commits
stoned six weeks later.