davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1945-09-20
World and Atom

A California preacher named
Charles G. Long has been convinced
by a vision" that the world is very
probably coming to an end tomor-
row. He says that the event will be
similar to the explosion of an atomic
bomb, and some fifty followers are
in complete agreement with him.
Although one can never be abso-
lutely certain about such things, it
seems highly improbable at the mo-
ment that Preacher Longs predic-
tion will come true. Yet it would
be mark of ignorance in this new
age to ridicule his misgivings too
much or to deny that he is being
apt when he quotes the following
from the second epistle of Peter:
But the day of the Lord will come
as a thief in the night, in which the
heavens shall pass away with a great
noise. and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat, the earth also,
and the works that are therein shall
be burnt up"
Say what one will about Preacher
Long, 1t has ceased being a matter
OF queer and unreasoning cultism
to worry or warn about the end of
the world. For the fact is that man
theoretically at least-has it with
In his power today to destroy all
life on this planet. The key secret
Of the atomic bomb is held by the
United States for the time being,
but in a few years most major pow
ers are likely to have it. and should
they ever go to war again, it is en-
tirely possible that the earth literal
ly will become as dead as the moon,
passing away pretty much in the
manner described by Peter.
Accordingly. nonmystical members
of the human race ought not to be
too quick about laughing at man
like Preacher Long. It may well be,
after all, that he is merely ahead Of
Evening star., 1945-09-20
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

President Truman's appointment Of
Senator Burton of Ohio to All the Rob.
erts vacancy in the Supreme Court Is
reassuring to the country. Not because
he Is Republican, although the Sc
lection OF a Republican was indicated
in court lopsided with Democrats Of
the New Deal stamp, but because he is
man OF character, of legal attain
ments, who has shown himself inde-
pendent, forward looking and liberal,
as well as fundamentally sound
While it is true Mr.. Burton's appoint
rnent makes 1t possible for the Demo-
Gratis to have another Senator under
appointment by Gov. Lausche, Presi-
dent Truman cannot properly be
charged with playing politics with this
supreme Court appointment. He was
thoroughly conversant with Mr.. Bur-
tons qualifications. particularly as Mr..
Burton was an active member Of the
Truman Committee" investigating the
prosecution Of the war. He undoubtedly
also was thinking Of the good of the
court rather than gaining one Demo-
cratic vote in a Senate where the
Democrats already are numerically
strong.
The Supreme Court appointment, as
a matter Of fact, was watched with
care for trend, for some answer to
the question: Is the administration
swinging to the left or to the right?
Mr. Burton is no hard-shell conserva-
tive. He has belonged to the progress
sive wing Of the Republican party.
But neither is he a radical.
His career first as Mayor of Cleve-
land and then in the Senate has shown
him to be fair and courageous-but
with no leanings to the Reds or even
the Pinks in the New Deal party. The
feeling among many members of Con.
gress is that the Burton appointment
will help the court to gain its tradi-
tional place in the opinion Of the
American people; that it will strengthen
the belief that decisions Of the highest
tribunal will be based on the law as
written rather than on any particular
concept of Government or economy or
both.
The new associate justice, in his four
years in the Senate, has shown indie
pendence in his voting. He was a fore
most supporter of American cooper
alton with the other United Nations for
the maintenance Of fpeace-international
peace. He was a foremost supporter of
Evening star., 1945-09-20
The Secretary of War

Somewhere in the archives of the
department over which he is now to
preside as Secretary of War there is
First World War citation for the
Distinguished Service Cross which
mentions Robert p Patterson as fol-
lows:
Captain Patterson, with two noncom-
missioned officers, made daring day
light reconnaissance into the enemy
lines. He surprised an enemy outpost
of superior numbers and personally de-
stroyed it. Later he had another en-
counter with another enemy outpost,
during which several of the enemy were
killed or wounded. The enemy advanced
their outposts and Captain Patterson
covered his patrols retreat, during which
he dropped into depression and feigned
death in order to escape capture. Here
he lay until he was able to escape TO
his lines under cover of darkness.
When President Roosevelt ap-
pointed Henry L. Stimson Secretary
of War, in the summer of 1910, he
gave Mr.. Stimson authority to select
his own assistants, and one of those
chosen was Judge Patterson The
telegram announcing his appoint
ment found him peeling potatoes,
on kitchen police, at Plattsburgh,
whittier he had taken himself, as
Reserve officer, to get in training
for the war he believed to be just
around the corner. He may have
regretted taking off his uniform and
getting into mutt again. but first
as Assistant Secretary and then as
Undersecretary of War he showed
many of the same qualities of zeal
Gus performance of duty and disre-
gard of the consequences that
earned him, in addition to the D. S.
c., the Silver Star and the Purple
Heart (plus two citations in general
orders for gallant and meritorious
conduct.
Judge Patterson-he resigned from
the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
to become Assistant Secretary of
War-did not find his new Job
smooth sailing. An unaffected
candor in conversation and the
earnest intensity of his concentra-
tion on whatever he had to do got
him in hot water more than once
with civilian procurement officials
for whose needs, as long as they
conflicted with the Army's wants,
he had small interest. He must have
been the soldiers ideal as a War
Department executive and he ap-
parently subscribed to the soldiers
philosophy that plenty of people
have been punished for failing to
have enough at the right place at
the right time, but few have been
punished for having too much. He
was always determined that no
scarcity would hold up our troops.
He deserves the distinction of pro-
motion to Secretary of War, though
he takes office at a time when the
war Department can expect more
blame, from now on, than praise.
He will run his job with the same
single concern for faithful discharge
OF a trust that he has shown in
everything he ever undertook. But
1t will be too bad If he does not re-
turn, some day, to the Federal bench,
which should be reserved for men
OF his caliber.
Evening star., 1945-09-20
This Changing World
By Constantine Brown

From the reports of Alexander Kirk,
American Ambassador at Rome, 1t was
evident that the Italians would agree
to certain territorial concessions in
Istria provided Italy was charged with
the trusteeship Of the major portions
of her former African colonies. Hence,
the United States, Britain and France
agreed that, in accordance with the
San Francisco formula, Italy would be
given trusteeship over the colonies. This
principle Of individual trusteeship was
sponsored by the Americans, who must
keep in mind the settlement of a similar
question in the Pacific where strategic
requirements demand that we keep our
flag flying over a number of barren
but militarily important islands.
The Russians, who have the finest in
telligence service in Washington ever
known, were fully Informed about the
position of the Secretary Of State be-
fore he went to London. They knew
that the Navy, supported by large
number of Senators, would insist that
some islands in the Pacific be intrusted
to the United States with no strings
attached. They exploited this situation
cleverly in London for their own pur-
poses.
Faced with the new situation, the
American delegation now is veering
from the idea of individual to collec-
tive trusteeship, although it knows
what troubles 1t will meet when the
settlement of the Pacific is brought be-
fore the conference at later date
The atmosphere of the London con-
ference is said to be worse than at
Versailles. Principles of justice and
no territorial expansion which
formed the basis of our war against
the Axis. are endangered There is
another race for power and territorial
gains and a jockeying for position
which makes many American observers
wonder II anybody has learned any
thing from the lessons of this war.
Italian possessions in the Eastern
Mediterranean and Africa represent no
wealth but are important strategically.
So long as they are under the trustee
ship Of weak nation-and Italy was
weak even when the world believed her
to be a flrst-class military and naval
power-they cannot interfere with the
security Of the world. But if they are
placed under the wing of large nation
with an Unsuitable appetite for power,
they can become Damocles' sword over
the world
In some Washington quarters it is
believed that II the London conference
shows definite signs of deterioration,
Secretary Byrnes will point to Amer
ica's great military and economic
strength to remind his colleagues that
this country has not shed blood and
spent about 100000 100000 to create
another world Of yesteryear. We have
not suffered 1,2nn Coo casualties to bring
about world situation even worse than
that after Versailles
Evening star., 1945-09-20

fight has developed behind the
closed doors of the Council Of Foreign
Ministers which has been meeting in
London since September IL.
According to reports received in re-
sponsible Washington quarters, the
high principles which united the world
against Axis aggression are not in evi-
dence.
The wrangling is between the powers
which want new territory. Russia is far
ahead Of every one else with her de-
mands for a colonial empire.
The American delegation, headed by
Secretary of State Byrnes, is confused
and. believing that matters may still
be Strengthened out-at least by face
saving solution-has enforced what is
being described as the most stringent
censorship ever placed on any interna-
tional gathering of this type.
Without going into details, the sit
uation appears to be as follows:
Russia has come out with determined
demands In Africa and in the Eastern
Mediterranean basin. Although she has
more national territories of her own
than all the other western Allies put to-
gether-all representing vast poten-
tial wealth-she Is now demanding por-
tions Of the italian empire.
This demand is being interpreted by
Great Britain and France to mean that
Russia seeks world domination and de-
sires these lands and islands for future
military air bases.
Despite the political swing to the left
in Britain and France, both these coun-
tries have become genuinely alarmed
and, are looking to the United States
to check Russia's growing appetite for
power and territorial expansion. They
hope America will be able to help them
out, since Russia's demands are con-
trary to all the principles contained
not only in the Atlantic Charte., which
has become now only a signpost, but
also in the United Nations Charter,
which the Russians have fully accepted
and ratified.
1t is obvious to the political men gath
cred in London that Russia intends to
employ the high principles involved in
the trusteeships to annex territories far
distant from the U. S. S. r.
Russia'S record as an administrator
OF people Is not particularly good. The
activities of the Soviet officials and the
Red armies in Bulgaria, Romania, Hun
gary, Poland and Germany would not
place Russia in the ranks Of the nations
which can take care of people needing
education or re-education.
Secretary Byrnes went to London
with the impression that the principles
adopted at San Francisco would be
carried out in a practical manner. He
believed that while the question Of
Italy's boundaries in the east might
cause friction and dispute. an agree
ment could be reached that would be
acceptable to the Italians and the
Yugoslavs.
Evening star., 1945-09-20
Politics and Pearl HarbOr
Bv RAYMOND Moley

Democratic leaders in the Senate and
the House would have been unable to
prevent q congressional inquiry into the
Pearl Harbor disaster, even II the Presi-
dent also had vigorously opposed an
investigation.
But since the Senate and House are
Democratic, the initial satup Of the in
vestigAtion committee could be decided
by those leaders. And they have de-
cided the committee shall be nuneri-
cally weighed In favor Of Democrats.
This Is unfortunate from the stand
point Of the national interest In the
matter at issue. It may prove to have
been bad politics as well
1t is an admission by Democratic
leaders that such m investigation must,
Of necessity, be political and that ulti-
mate decisions must be controlled by a
Democratic majority on the committee.
It is an animation that this issue, like
taxation Or labor policy or public works,
is something that must be decided BY
counting Of noses.
Let us see what effect this partisan
method of selecting the committee may
have. II the findings are that presi-
dert Roosevelt and the members OF his
cabinet were without blame, and If
those findings are true as Holy Writ,
such findings will always be impaired III
history, since they were found by
politically selected committee.
If it be found that blame Is to be
attached to the late President Roosevelt
and, or to the members Of his cabinet.
Republicans will claim they forced
committee controlled by Democrats SO
to flnd. II, as may be possible, major
ity and minority report are issued on
the basis of different theories of blame.
where It viii be the subject Of partisan
controversy for 3 generation.
Evening star., 1945-09-20
Clearing the Air

FEeSlQeuL 1TuIudn, III MS StdGe-
ment on demobilization, and Acting
Secretary of State Acheson, in his
statement on our Japanese policy,
have cleared the air of much of the
confusion caused by General Mac
Arthur's prediction that within six
months, barring unforeseen fac
tors" our occupational force in ia
pan probably will number not more
than 100000 Regular Army troops,
This prediction has been used in
Congress to support the contention
that the services rate of releases is
much too slow. 1t is not unlikely
that General Macarthur is surprised
to see how quickly political capital
has been made of his words, but
whether he is or not, the President
has made clear that the speed of
rehabilitation is not being governed
by our future occupation needs. In
Mr. Truman's words, we shall not
really face the problem of those
needs until next spring. Meanwhile,
the Army and Navy, which actually
have been demobilizing at remark
ably swift pace, will maintain only
the strength required to back up
our national commitments, and men
will be coming back home as fast
as the services can get them out.
The Macarthur figures do not affect
the current problem one way or the
other.
Similarly, as regards our japanese
policy, Mr. Acheson's statement has
clarified the situation to the extent
of leaving no room for doubt that
our occupying forces are the "instru-
ments" Of that policy and not its
"determinants." General Macarthur
may be wholly right in his estimate
of the troops needed and General
13ichelberger conceivably may not be
far wrong when he says that we
may be able to end the occupation
itself within year, but the fact
remains, In any case, that the mill
tary power they command is meant
merely to serve and not to shape the
program which this Government
and the Allies have mapped for ia
pan-a program to put that country
in a position where it cannot renew
aggressive war and to change its
economic and social system, which
makes for war, in such a way as to
end its will-to-war Moreover, what
ever force is necessary for this
purpose will be employed.
In view of Japan's tiny size and
Its dependency on imports for sur
vival, the military estimates made
by General Macarthur and his SUBJ
ordinate, General Eichelberger, may
prove to be entirely sound, and the
disparity between them and the
stern policy re-emphasized by Mr.
Acheson thus may be more appar-
ent than real. Yet, since the words
of the two generals have lent them
selves to different interpretations
both as regards our long-range pro-
gram and the politics ridden de-
mobilization issue - the President
and the Acting Secretary of State
have done well to put matters
straight.
Evening star., 1945-09-20
Brown Butterflies

Ecstnttc folltes--othertoise
A cloud OF toarm broiun butterflies
Crockled ioith gold, as richly sunny,
Al ddTklv Ctit as buckwheat honey,
Frdtl us gossdnrer, rich as earth,
Marked NTH splendor OF autumn.
birth,
AZ y the golden day had shattered
And the bright shards had risen,
scattered
On fragile Delpst tptnps that must
Pause 6bors rooted bronze and rust.
Trembling dboUe the tdwny prassss.
While the gold deepens, s,-darkens,--
passes. YETZA GILLESPIE.
Evening star., 1945-09-20
Letters to The Star
Suggests Great Arch of Honor
to Welcome Returning Heroes

To the Editor of The Star:
Don't you think that 1t is high time
now that, in order flttingly to receive
Admiral Nimitz, Gen. Macarthur and
all the others Of our men returning
from the fighting fronts, the Nations
Capital City should be able to afford an
arch-not merely makeshift arrange
ment with few fire trucks2
We need not call it an Arch of Tri-
umph" or Victory" but if the design
is appropriate enough we may call it
THE Arch Of Honor"
I would suggest an arch similar to
the one constructed at the time the
Unknown Soldier of the First World
War was brought to Washington ex-
cept that the jewels might represent
the various insignia of all the services
of our country, held together at the
center by great American eagle clutch
ing its arrows and olive branches. The
supporting columns could be obelisks,
the sides of them to be decorated
with the names of many heroes.
This arch could and should be located
between the White House and WASH
ington Monument, which location would
be at or near enough to the entrance
to the vast Monument Lot and still be
in harmony with the plan of our city
at that point. HENRY E. HARTUNG.
SP(D, &c, U. S. N. r.
To the Editor of The Star:
Lately some military parade lovers
have been writing in The Star, COM
planning of recent turnouts in WASH
ington. I share their reaction. But
what happened was an unavoidable
change in tempo. Even a victory parade
must conform in this age Of speed.
Our standpoint is of 1919, when Gen
Pershing, mounted upon one of his mag
nificent geldings-Jeff or Kidron-led
his troops up Pennsylvania avenue.
Until then, marching tempo was 100
steps to the minute. 1t is now 1874
young trot." This is why what any
service band hereabouts now makes on
the march Is mostly drums .clamor
rather than martial music. And, as we
old military parade lovers know indis-
putably, martial music blinds military
personages and color In real parade
at 100 steps a minutes.
The cavalry is motorized And rum
bling, clanking machines take out of
victory parade all that gay, prancing
horses Of yesteryear could only supply
now. But age and tempo, heverthe.
less the place of the commanding gen.
eral is at the head of the turnout
whether mounted or sitting in a mill
tary automobile. He must be preceded
by only an escort of mounted or motor
cycle police, in charge of sergeant.
For there absolutely is no reason why
the chief OF police should ride ahead
Of the general in military turnout.
And In this age of speed, typifed by
motor vehicles, only military cars
should have parade places.
The President OF the United States
observes the parade from reviewing
standard so should the Commission
ers Of the District of Columbia, each
or en- toto. 1t is this undue conspicu-
BUSINESS of civil officials in the military
marching that gets in the hair of old
and young parade-lovers.
RTENZI a IEMIJS
Evening star., 1945-09-20
Mr.. Bostrom's Retirement

IL Is part OF the history OF WASH
ington that many representatives OF
foreign governments have resided
here long enough or at least con-
structively enough to be regarded as
members of the permanent COM
nunity. The late Jean Jules JUS
serand was such person. For more
than two decades he was the Am
bassador of France. But he also
during all of that time was per-
sonal link between the country he
spoke for and the Capital of the
country to which he was assigned.
Living in the District of Columbia
and sharing in the life of the Dis
trict, he became in certain sense
an adopted American and was so
recognized on both sides Of the
Atlantic.
The same observation applies to
Wollmar Bostrom, Minister of
Sweden for nearly twenty years.
Delegated to Washington in 1925, he
was a stranger when he assumed his
diplomatic duties. But from the
start he was popular. His modesty,
his grace of manner, his obvious
wish to be helpful to all classes of
people won for him a numerous
company Of admirers. He was busi-
nesslike always, yet he was not
unmindful of such small values as
are important only in secondary
degree. His service was selfiess, and
in it he was aided by his equally
devoted wife.
Mr.. Bostrom reached the stipulated
retirement age two years ago. For
many practical reasons, however, 1t
was desirable that he should con-
tinue his work until the Second
World War should end. Now he has
departed, flying to Stockholm to
confer with his successor. His going
home, though, does not involve a
final leave-taking. With a daughter
and three grandchildren in Phila-
delphia, he will revisit the United
States at frequent intervals, and he
needs no formal assurance that he
always will be heartily welcome.
Evening star., 1945-09-20
Regardless of the Helpless
To the Editor OF The Star:

40 the 6oltof OF Inc star.
After We Intentionally have blown
and burned to death many helpless
women and innocent children in Japan,
1t hardly seems consistent for us to
condemn other peoples Of the world
for mistreating the helpless and inno-
cent
Since first we became a nation we
have proclaimed ourselves to be pro-
tectoSs of the helpless and innocent.
In fact, that was one of the principal
reasons we gave for supporting Eng
land, Russia and China in the war. But,
by bombing the helpless and innocent
in Japan, we no longer rightly can
claim that high distinction for our
selves. We now have joined those who
follow the idea that their ends must
be attained regardless of the helpless
and innocent. j. J. SPERRY.
Evening star., 1945-09-20

his time, in the sense that unless
the rest of us come to full aware
ness of the dreadful potentialities
of the atom, his vision" may indeed
materialize-not tomorrow. but not
impossibly a generation or two from
now.
Like a thief in the night, and with
fervent heat and a great noise.
Evening star., 1945-09-20

sion of the sixteenth century, which
desolated the entire country and
almost depopulated it.. From those
disasters Korea never recovered, and
its chronic weakness made 1t the
pawn of its more powerful neighbors.
Evening star., 1945-09-20

Gen. Spaatz insists the BIOS and
not the atomic bomb won the war.
Possibly, but, as great grandmother
would have said, the latter helped
Just "a Smidgin."
Evening star., 1945-09-20

The United States has had two
triumphs. 1t has won double-front
war, and, after seventeen years, has
at last gotten rid Of Fritz Kuhn, the
Bund leader.
Evening star., 1945-09-20
Protests Glass Distinction

To the Editor of The Star:
1t must be nice to have millions of
dollars at hand to keep on giving more
rank to peacetime Army. Why should
officer promotions be given out in
wholesale lots now?
Probably they enjoy sitting around
swanky officers clubs, drinking good
whisky, while the enlisted men are
allowed none
Enlisted men of Is to 40 aren't men
enough to handle drinks, but officers
of 81 are.
CORPL. HAROLD v. SNYDER.
CORPL EMMETT c. FARMER.
Guam.
Evening star., 1945-09-20

Argentina occupies about fifteen
per cent of Latin America, but 1t
gets ninety-five per cent of the
headlines.