davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1945-01-28

lief the minute we liberated the island"
said Gen. Larsen. During invasion,
ships brought in such stuff as food, cot
ton print clothes for women, shoes for
children, pants for men and Marine
tents to shelter every one we could find
There were many wealthy people on
the island before the war. Their sons
and daughters were educated in the
United States. When We arrived most
of the families had nothing left, after
three years with the Japs, but the shirts
on their backs
But these people are very proud. We
placed as many as we could on con-
struction payrolls, helping us build roads
and doing other work that is underway.
"On the very first payday most of
them went of relief. They took their
pay and headed for military stores that
had been set up. They purchased what
they needed, declining charity.
by Thanksgiving Day, only two
months after the island was secured
these people poured s21o, 900 in the Sixth
War Bond drive in one week! That is
Evening star., 1945-01-28
By Joseph H. Baird,

The classic old mansion at 1921 Kalo-
rama road which houses the French
Embassy Is vibrant with life again these
days after more than two years during
which it stood empty and silent after
France broke off relations with the
United States in the fall of 1912, fol-
lowing the Anglo-American invasion of
French North Africa. This new ac-
tivity is symbolic in a way of the rise
Of France itself from the ashes of defeat.
Master of the old John Hays Ham
mond mansion these days is Ambassador
Henri Bonnet, tall, slender, quiet
spoken scholarly man who, with 'arge
staff of counSelorS and secretaries, is
attacking the many political and eco
nomic problems that mark Frances re-
lations with the United States today.
The new French chief here is aided in
his social activities by Nine. Bonnet,
a striking brunette of Greek birth who
speaks fluent English and conducted
a hat shop in New York during the
dark days of Frances occupation by
Germany.
Frances Problems Today
Indicative of the scope of the work
that faces the newly revived French
Embassy is that its listings in the
current diplomatic blue book runs
longer than in prewar days Recently
the Ambassador received newspaper
men in the richly furnished library OF
the Embassy and gave them an insight
into some of Frances problems today.
Primarily, of course, M. Bonnet is
interested in getting for France ell pos
sible military supplies to equip new
divisions to throw against the Germans
French youth, he says, are 'eager to
light and are held back only by lack
of the necessary guns and munitions,
Evening star., 1945-01-28
Troupe Spread Laughter Round World

show" On President Roosevelt's desk
is yard Bird" memento; both he and
Prime Minister Churchill are members
of THE Yard Birds" Club
1t all began in September, 1941, when
Johnny Walker, supply sergeant with
coast guard batterly near Los Angeles
and former Canadian golf champion,
collected a motley group Of. show minded
soldiers in Fort Macarthur, Calf, and
created combination minstrel show and
musical This was THE Yard Birds"
review No. l.
Broadway Sickness
Begging. borrowing and appropriating
men and material, he took the show on
tour of Army posts on the coast, until
with time, 1t acquired a Broadway slick
ness With new name, Hey, Rookie!"
it played the Belasco Theater in Los
Angeles for eight and half months,
getting 1851 900 for the athletic and
recreation fund of Fort Macarthur THE
Yard Birds" have not yet seen the SWIM
ming pools, sports fields and recreation
rooms they paid for.
The price of popularity was an order
from Washington to proceed abroad.
Thirty of the original cast plus large
orchestra, left Fort George G. Meade,
Md, in June, 1943, with a magnificent
four-piece stage, built by the Seabees,
and $4,000 pounds OF props
"The Yard Birds" sailed as Regular
Army unit Every man carried a pack
and rifle. AS they set out, Virgil @.
Hummer of Haverhill, Mass, a member
of the hil-billy chorus. loudly voiced
thanks that they were not in the cavalry.
Il wouldn't want" he said, ito be carry
ing horse as WE'LL
Walker was commissioned and went
along in charge of the self supporting
unit which disembarked at Casablanca,
August Z, 1943
Always just behind the lines, if not
actually within the range of action,
The Yard Birds" played through Oran,
Algiers, Bizerte and Tunis.
They found tragedy at Fort Lyautey.
where they were adopted by Flying
Fortress crew and lived with the air.
men. "The Yard Birds" drove to the
air-strip one morning to see their
friends take Off The bomber crashed
400 yards from where they stood, kill
ing every man in it.
From forward artillery positions they
drifted to hospitals and casualty sta
tions to play at bedsides in small groups.
Evening star., 1945-01-28

approximately $40 for every man, woman
and child in Guam.
"And out of the $4,000 people who
were on relief when we landed, we now
have but 500, four months after in
vasion"
No effort will be made to salvage any
of Agana or the island villages, so
completely were they destroyed In
stead they will be cleared of rubble and
debris; modern streets and alleys will
be laid out, and lots will be reassigned
on plan to be worked out by Gen.
Larsen, liaison committee and towns
people.
If the Government does not bear the
cost of reconstruction, Gen. Larsen
hopes it can be financed over a long
term to permit townsfolk to repay it
without undue hardship.
Besides reconstruction of the city,
plans are underway for full use of the
agricultural portions of the island and
all land not devoted to military instana-
tions. Already model farm is operat-
ing under Government direction.
Evening star., 1945-01-28

ton in Algiers. When Gen. de Gaulle
set up his provisional government in
Paris last fall. M Bonnet joined his
cabinet as Minister of information but
shortly was named Ambassador to the
United States.
Embassy Reopened
Accordingly, he came here the first
of this year to open the beautiful EN-
bassy overlooking Rock Greek Park
which had stood empty-and under the
care of the Swiss government-since
Vichy's Ambassador here, CASTOR Henry
Haye, left these not = too hospitable
shores in the fall of 1942.
The great mansion which houses the
French representative here has an in
teresting history. 1t was built in 1910
by William H. Lawrence, a prominent
industrialist of that day, but shortly
afterward was sold to John Hays Ham
mond, internally known mining engineer
who died in 1886 at the age of 81 Mr.
Hammond, whose career as a mining
engineer took him all over the world,
amassed great wealth and achieved
public distinction in 1911 when President
William Howard Taft appointed him to
represent the United States at the coro-
nation of King George v.
Bought By French Government
Shortly before his death, Mr.. Ham
mond sold the house to the French
government for 100000 and the then
Ambassador, Henry de la Boulaye,
moved there from the old Embassy on
Sixteenth street which the French had
occupied for many years.
A vast, three-story structure, the
embassy is surrounded by well-kept
grounds. In the rear terrace looks
out over formal gadens, while spead be-
low it is the panama Of Rock Greek
Park and the Taft Bridge.
Evening star., 1945-01-28
BY Robert Stin1son and
Donald Thomas,
Associated Press Stan Writer

BOMBAY. India.-When group of
show people who have been together on
the road break up, it's nearly always
sad moment
When the group is made up of soldier
entertainers who have staged a couple
of thousand shows for fighting men
from California to the Ledo road, its
members are apt to feel that the bottom
has dropped out of their familiar world.
That's why '"The Yard Birds" are
hoping that the shows not over. THE
Yard Birds probably are the most re-
markable group of entertainers of this
or any other war. They have put on
audiences in the last three years than
any other unit ever has done or ever is
likely to do.
Everything has happened to them In
Casino and Naples they lodged bombs
and shells. Simon tSi)) Silbers of Bal
timore. Md, the shows magician and
astrologer, and John Sulin of Cleveland,
Ohio, accordionist talked themselves
out Of court-martial in Italy. They
still don't know how they managed it,
for they had broken curfew at a time
when men were being fined $25 for an
unfastened button.
Sultn tried his double-talk on a staff
major in United States hospital in
Karachi and landed in the psyche
pathic ward.
Sergt. Max Fetty of Indianapolis.
Ind, former radio announcer and THE
Yard Birds" master of ceremonies, fell
off train in Burma and ran bleeding
for miles through the jungle night
to haul himself back on. Sergt Charles
Chick Dent of jeanette, Pa, an old
vaudeville hand, called on an uncle in
Southern Italy with jeep full of food,
only to find that the old man had
enough to withstand siege IN Chabua,
Assam, "The Yard Birds caught a
japanese spy who had strolled into
their chow lines dressed in a United
States uniform.
They helped Noel Coward rig his stage
In Burma and feel that IF he continues
to work hard he might get somewhere"
Won Eisenhower's Praise
In three years "The Yard Birds" have
become synonym for first-class service
entertainment Gen. Eisenhower saw
them in Africa and termed it "a fine
Evening star., 1945-01-28
Us. Fashions Pacific Utopia as Modern
Cities Replace Guam's Battered Towns
BY Bob Geiger,
Associated Press Staff Writer

GUAM (Delayed). - From bull : cart
economy to visions of six-lane super
highway civilization in four months has
left Guam, first American territory
liberated from enemy conquest, a bit
breathless.
The building of one Of the mightiest
bases in the world on Guam's 225 square
miles is well advanced. In addition, the
Marines ruddy-faced Maj. Gen. Henry
L. Larsen, island commander, has plans
for replacing Guam's ancient tribal vii
lagos, leveled by American naval guns
and bombs in 81 days of battle last sum-
mer, with modern towns.
The Guam plan" of Gen. Larsen
easily would spell Utopia for the $4,000
pleasant, America-loving people on this
postage-stamp island in the Pacific. 1t
also undoubtedly will be a partial pat
tern for the reconstruction of other
islands wrested from the japanese.
Larsen's Blue Prints
Gen. Larsens blue prints picture an
earthquakeproof, typhoon-resisting city
Of modern homes to replace the insani-
tary but picturesque capital city of
Agana, home Of 10000 Guamanians who
now live proudly amid the ruins of their
homes and boast of the might of the
American guns that blasted the place
into hopeless rubble.
There will be wide streets in which
children .can play safely. A highway
broad enough and solid enough for mill
tary traffic will be constructed the length
of the city, on the beach.
The beach itself is one out of a mas
ters painting and the citys plans take
advantage of this beauty. A breakwater
will be constructed and the beach will
be improved, to provide a recreation
strip, swimming area and front porch"
vista for the entire city.
Guam will have a power plant and
other public utilities to serve military
installations, and these may serve the
townspeople, also" says Gen. Larsen.
Landmarks to Be Restored
zoning and architecture will be similar
to Santa Monica, Calf, and some
Florida cities. No industrial installa-
tions will be permitted within the city.
The old cathedral and palace will be
restored, as will the plaza
AS all 1.750 homes in Agana were de-
stroyed, the 10000 persons who lived ii,
the capital city fed to the brush. The
villages Of Sumay. Agat, Pitt and Asan
also were leveled
Actually. we had $4,000 people on re-
Evening star., 1945-01-28
Battle>Scarred Fort Sill
Still Serves the Nation

The school has grown from the pop
gun that trained IA commissioned Off
GERS in 1915 first class to a weapon
of laundering international reputation,
loaded with students from South Amer
lea, France and England-besides the
United States.
Capt. Anton Feiherr Won Bechtol-
sheim, now on the German general
staff, studied here in 1881 and 1882.
The schools assistant commandant
from 1929 to 1933-a fellow named
1t. Gen. Lesley J. McNair-rose to
command the Army's ground forces
Evening star., 1945-01-28
Henri Bo173bt mem

After the French government bought
the Hammond home, it was largely re-
furnished and its exquisite accoutre-
ments include many valuable rugs and
tapestries, products of the textile in
dustry which has been famous in France
for many years.
New Embassy Staff
Moving repaidly, M. Bonnet has built
up an Embassy staff of some so persons
larger than the Embassy's prewar roster.
In addition, the Offices of the naval,
military and air attaches have large
establishments.
French consulates already have been
opened in New York, San Francisco,
Chicago and New Orleans, and the AM
bassador plans in the near future to
open offices in Puerto Rico and Boston.
1t is-the consulates which will deal pri-
Evening star., 1945-01-28

as their whole stock of war supplies was
lost to the Germans during the in
vasion of 1940
Secondly, ne is trying to obtain for
his country supplies of raw materials
particularly cotton and wool-to revive
dormant French industry and start the
wheels of factories turning again. The
United States and Great Britain con-
sented recently to make additional ship
ping available for this purpose. Above
and beyond these immediate needs,
France is negotiating for large pro-
gram of lease-lend aid.
Prestige Being Revived
In the broader field of world politics,
M. Bonnet's job here is to stimulate and
enhance Frances prestige in interna-
tional affairs which naturally suffered
after its monumental defeat by Germany
in 1910, but slowly is being revived again
as France takes an increasingly active
part in the war and in postwar planning.
Still another problem facing the Am
bassador and the various French con-
sulates throughout the country is the
protection and eventual repatriation of
thousands of French nationals who
escaped the Germans and found sanctu-
ary in the United States
1t is interesting to note that several
days after the present Ambassadors
appointment was announced, this notice
appeared on the bulletin board of the
State Department press room: do not
confuse Henri Bonnet with Georges
Bonnet. They are not even related.
Follower of De Gaulle
The notice was apropos, for Georges
Bonnet, who served as French envoy here
In 1888, turned out later to be Vichy-,
ite and is generally regarded here as
collaborationist. BY contrast, the pres
Evening star., 1945-01-28

marily with the interests of French ex-
potriots in this country.
At least two members of the Ambas-
sadors staff are well known to WASH
i, ingtonians. Jean Baube, counselor, who
is in charge of the embassy's public re-
lations, formerly was Washington corre-
spondent Of the Havas agency in the
years just before the German occupa-
ton of France. Between then and the
recent establishment of the Embassy, he
worked closely with the French Commit
tee of National Liberation both here and
in London.
Henry Claudel, one of the secretaries,
considers Washington his second
home His father, Paul Claudel, well
known French poet, was Ambassador
here between 1928 and 1888, and Henry
as youth attended Washington
schools.
Evening star., 1945-01-28

Madrigals and barber shop ballads took
mems minds off their wounds.
Followed the Fighters
From Africa The Yard Birds" crossed
to Sicily, and from Sicily to Italy in
the wake of the 5th and 9th Armies.
The roar of artillery often broke their
routine, and ack-ack batteries kept the
stage rocking, but they kept the laughs
going
Once, by accident, they drove through
minefeld. At Casino they were left
without an audience when German
fighters strafed the theater
In Italy, they captured the hearts Of
the fighting French, though not single
man understood a word. 1t was the
same with Indian troops they enter
tained at Oran
In Bombay they packed the town hall
when they staged their show for VIC
Tins of the terrible dock disaster Of
April IA. Then they made for the Ledo
Road where The Yard Birds" found
that mans conception of life narrowed
down to the width of the road itself.
The Yard Birds" complete with a
17-piece orchestra, moved right in with
men whose sole job was keeping lines
of communication open in order to push
supplies farther forward Ahead were
the fighters, who knew only the sounds
OF the jungle, the rain, the snakes, the
crack of rif1es-and japanese.
When they emerged from the lines
they were knocked out with lovely arias
and hysterical swing
I'VE chopped them down." a Yard
Bird" said, "but, boy, could they take
it!'
Up From Main Street
To the harassed, homesick fighting
men of Burma, THE Yard Birds" some
how brought into the woods and swamps
a composite picture of Main street and
Broadway, The service sheets raved
about them as they went up and down
the valleys, along jungle roads and
paths, to hospitals, airfields and rest
centers before they turned back to bases
in the India command to play before
multi-national audiences.
THE Yard Birds" have no big names.
except for Stirling Holloway, from
Hollywood. Thirty per cent of the COM
pany were in show business before they
were drafted, and they all want to get
back as soon as Hitler and Hirohito
permit.
Evening star., 1945-01-28

stands where Chief White Horse sabo-
tagged construction of the post by
rustling 70 mules needed to haul ma
terials.
Heavy tanks, trucks, jeeps and can-
non now thunder past the one-story
stone building where. Geronimo, 1905
public enemy No. /, was imprisoned.
The famed Indian outlaw finally was
laid by the heels in Arizona in 1894
and exiled to Oklahoma. where he was
Fort Sill's major attraction-except for
frequent sallies into show business
until his death in 1909.
Some of the worlds great soldiers
have attended the field artillery school
which has placed more than 900 Off
GERS behind Americas guns since June,
1941.
Evening star., 1945-01-28

wide world Photo.
before his death last July in France.
The field artillery replacement train
ing center also is located here
Post Almost Abandoned
But Fort Sill has had its troubles.
Twice 1t narrowly escaped abolishment.
The end of the Indian wars almost
caused the Government to abandon
the post But in 1902 the 29th Field
Artillery Battery was sent here and the
former cavalry post was saved. Nine
years later the school of Are" was
established.
After surviving Geronimo, politicians
and pioneer plumbing, the post and
its personnel almost perished through
a series of fires from 1924 to 1929. BY
the time United States District Court
had convicted the uniformed perpe-
traitors, Fort Sill was just about back
where it had started OF the temporary
buildings flung up in the First World
War, only two frame structures, row
Va oAiuSho u1Ao bAAC Oio t1dQCIo SUITE,
still stood.
Through Three Wars
Dried up by water shortage in April,
1909; frustrated by Indians who in
sisted on farming the firing range; dis
placed temporarily by a musketry
school, the post hung on-through three
wars and threescore catastrophies.
Then in 1880 it was made the perma-
nent home of the field artillery school,
It's troubles were over
In the last Is years Uncle Sam has
created new city at the foot OF the
Wichita Mountains. At present it is
under the command OF Mai. Gen. Ralph
Nc T. Pennell and Col. Charles w. Gal
lagher. Military security conceals its
population.
But Fort Sill is still doing its same
old business defending the Nation
at its same old stand.
Evening star., 1945-01-28
BY Richard L. Arnfield,
Associated Press STAFF Writer.

FORT SILL, Okla.-Once an en-
battled frontier post too weak to repel
raiding Kiowa Indians Fort Sill bristles
today as the worlds No. field artillery
school.
Completing its 18th year this month,
the sprawling 65,o00-acre mother OF
field artillery is far removed from the
handful of tents first occupied by 1t.
Col. George Clusters 7th Cavalry troops
The loopholed corral, however, still
Evening star., 1945-01-28

The trcoor OF France eo again from the French Embassy
e the French National Committee 1oUed into the building
last September Henri Hoppeno French delegate representing
Gen. de Gaes Committee is shoDn from the windoO The
basy had under the the Sss legation since Novem
Der 1912 -Ap
Evening star., 1945-01-28

This prePearl Harbor picture OF the Government Palace
and Government Square at Agana the capital city Of aan
Though all the buildings in the city teveed by American
naual guns and bombs last summer plans haze already been
made to make Agana modern city similar architecture to
Santa Monica, Calf, and some Florida cities
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-25

ance Council to be held at her home Monday evening, May 28.
 A baseball play-day was held at Waterbury high school Wednesday afternoon with members of Sacred Heart, Crosby, Wilby, and Catholic high schools, guests of Watertown high school. Baseball was played until 4:30 o'clock and then dancing was enjoyed and refreshments were served. The play-day ended with a dance number at 6 o'clock.
 The instructors were Miss sabella Rowell, Watertown: Miss Isabel Ma cKerracher, Crosby; Miss Rear hey, Wilby and Miss Russo, Catholic and Sacred Heart
 Attending were: Watertown, um pires, Helen Tysko, Jackie Starry. Dorothy Barkus and Ann Maloney: those in charge. Alice Rock, Shirley MoSeley, Josephine DiCarlo, Rose marie Christopher, Marion Connolly, theresa Guerrera and Alice Miller.
 Players; Alice MasSicotte. Nancy Roger, Joan Schwaller. Ann Don ston, Lorraine Fennimore, Helen Beveridge, Peggy Humiston, Irene Mccartney, Rosilind Mansfield. Shirley Rice. Dorothy Bradshaw and Florence Seller.
 Sacred Heart: Virginia Quirke. Jean Smith, Nancy Roche, Margaret McKinly, Mary Murphy, Barbara Brown, Maureen Evans and Shirley Wiesnie.
 Crosby: Alberta Bykeman, Marie Perreli, Walletta Steinle, Patricia Sharp, Marcella Logan Barbara Welley. Anne Opalak, Berda Mur- nane, Lorraine Horgan, Gertrude Steinle and Irene Welley
 Wllby: Justine Perrelvaty, Inpe Eatshkawski, Lillian Cesaral, Eliza beth Martinelli, Gloria Garaora and Lois Cameron.
 Catholic high: Mary LaWlor, Elaine Pretty, Betty O'Connor, He'd wige Gragyposky, Catherine Sugrue, Jeanne Laliberte, Rita Rompere, Barbara Somingue, Elaine Ruggiero Pat Brophy and Alice Cowett.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-25

John A. Roebling and his son, Col. Washington Doebling, were the first to act no the need for a span across the East River, con- meeting Brooklyn and Manhatton, The project had been discussed since l840, was finally approved by the New York State Legislature in 1870. Engineer John Roebling. his son at his side, undertook the task, braved public skepticism. and work on the Brooklyn Bridge began. The elder Roebling was the structure s first victim: ferry crashed to the spports from which he was directing the survey, and he died as a result of the accident.
 Colonel Roebling paid price, too, the bends sent him to his bed, from which he supervised operations on the bridge until it's completion in 1884.
 The story of the Roeblings be- gins with the boy Johns dreamsr in Muehlhausen. Germany. Ger many-he wanted to build bridge suspended from wire ropes. He was to build the Niagara Suspension Bridge in 1855. and the Cincinnati Covington Bridge over the Ohio, but the Brooklyn Bridge. longest span in the world at it's time, was to be the Roeblings' greatest tri- umph. The author, bridge en- gineer himself, has done first rate job in this biography