davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1945-01-06
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

The establishment without delay of
the United Nations Security Council as
proposed in the DumbartoH Oaks agree
ment is imperative. The danger that
unless this step is taken soon the hopes
OF the United States for a world peace
organization will be blasted, is becom-
ing clearer. every day. UnilateraI and
bnateral agreements with respect to
liberated lands between Great Britain
and Russia, with the United States
playing at most a passive part, are
gnawing into the very vitals of the plan
These agreement looking to the par
tioning of Poland, the domination of
Baltic States by the Russians, of Greece
by the British and rehash Of the Ball
kan States, in violation of the principles
laid down In the Atlantic Charter, are
rapidly presenting this country and the
rest OF the world with series of accom-
,plished facts. They have reused Ameri-
cans in and out of the Congress to de-
mand a restatement of this country's
war aims, with accompanying demands
that this Government assert itself IN
no uncertain terms.
Not only Goes this situation threaten
the war effort, but it threatens the
RCdNC dAtCA "nld. IL ID 4ulC " say LklhL
what happens il Europe does not con-
Germ the United States We have been
drawn into two world wars because of
what has happened in Europe.
The big reason which has drawn
American leaders and the American
people of all political parties to support
world peace organization is the knowl-
edge that third world war will spell
world destruction. The same reason has
its weight with the peoples of otf er
natio-s. 1t is time this country i'm
press this idea on its allies in this
v'ar-snd in a way which will have a
definite effect
Ssnctor Wheeler, Democrat, of Mon
tana. rricr to the war regarded as a
leading i5o'e ZIONIST, over the last week
end produced a resolution which under
takes the setting forth of this country''s
war aims One of his proposals calls
for the creation of United Nations
political council to settle European ter
Evening star., 1945-01-06

ritorial issues. This, however, would be
merely an intermediary body. Those
who support the immediate establish
ment OF permanent world organiza-
ton contend that such an Intermediary
council would be mistake and that
it would be far better to 60 ahead with
the permanent setup.
Time Is Of the essence in this estab-
lishment. As far back as the Moscow
conference-more than a year ago-the
demand for early action on a perma-
nent world organization was promul-
gated. II 1t was needed then, it Is far
more necessary today. Much already
has been accomplished through the
Dumharton Oaks conference and the
agreements there reached. 1t Is under
stood that our State Department is
moving now for another and overall
United Nations conference, at which
final action may be taken.
t*
Now that Congress is again in session,
demand for some kind of statement
OF Americas war aims, and what the
country hopes will come out of the
peace, is likely to be debated.
That the country has been shocked
by the manner in which the principles
OF the Atlantic Charter have been side
tracked already by European diplomacy
Is to put the thing mildly. Nor was the
effect Of President Roosevelt's early
comments on the charter-after the
disclosure Of what the British and the
Russians have in store for some of the
countries Of Europe - calculated to
alleviate this shock
With the increasing fury of the con-
flict on the European fronts, and the
possibility that the end of the war may
be delayed far longer than was ex-
pected, no one in the American Gov
ernment, or in the country, for that
matter, wishes to say or do anything
that will divide the United Nations
There Is strong feeling, however, that
this country must give to its allies q
full and frank statement of its attitude.
1t is entirely within the probabilities
that some such statement will come
from member or members of the SEN
ate at an early date
Evening star., 1945-01-06
And Now Austria?

The imminent fall of Budapest
and the continued advance Of Rus
sian armies up the valley of the
Danube toward Vienna raises the
political problem of Austria and it's
place in the postwar European order.
Recognition of this fact has obvi-
ously impelled our State Department
to create the new post of political
adviser on Austrian affairs, the in
cumbent being John G. Erhardt. a
career diplomat with long experience
in Europe. who is assigned to Lieu
tenant General Mark w. Clark, COM
mander of American forces in Italy
This move is in line with the inter-
Allied agreement. reached at the
Moscow Conference of Foreign Min
listers more than year ago. when
the United States, Britain and Rus
sia promised to restore Austrian in
dependence with the understanding
that tripartite military government
would administer Austrian affairs
until stable Austrian regime could
be established. 1t will be interesting
to see what similar move will be
made by the British Foreign Office.
Still more interesting will be the
action of Russian diplomacy.
The indications are that Austria
may prove to be the acid test of
inter-Allied cooperation in the po-
litical field. Whatever unpublished
understandings may have been ar
rived at between the big Three"
regarding the Balkans, they went on
record with respect to Austria as
joint undertaking. But, in the year
that has elapsed since the Moscow
Conference. America and Britain
have been militarily deadlocked in
italy and recently rebuf1ed on Ger
many's western border, whereas Rus
sian arms have conquered the Bal
kans and are almost on the Austrian
frontier. It looks. therefore. as
though the expulsion OF the Germans
from Austria will be done exclusively
by the Red armies. with the possible
exception of Anglo American air
assistance and landings of token
forces of air-borne troops. Expert
ence has abundantly shown that
character of military occupation
has inevitable political consequences,
no matter what dinlomafic formulas
may havesbeen drawn up to cover
the situation. Vienna is q great city
with . large industrial population
partly Communist in It's leanings.
Evening star., 1945-01-06
Shifts of Commend

Some of the British newspapers
have been. printing stories suggesting
that General Eisenhower is over
burdened with task involving many
problems unrelated to licking the
Germans and delicately limiting that
perhaps Field Marshal Montgomery
or some other British officer may be
made his deputy, or second in COM
mand. Yesterday it was reported
officially that four days after the
German attack, which split General
Bradley's army group in half, all the
American troops to the north of the
break-through, including parts of
the First Army and the Ninth Army,
had been transferred to Marshal
Montgomery, with General Bradley
commanding those left to the south.
This was the natural thing to do,
as General Marshal has explained,
and there is nothing to indicate that
the switch was related to the news
paper stories suggesting a higher
post for Field Marshal Montgomery.
Nor is there any reason to believe
that it reflects any dissatisfaction
with General Bradley's handling of
his own command. The constituent
elements of army groups, armies and
army corps are not fixed. They are
shifted about as the situation
changes. A large army group today
may be small one next week.
Because the British are thin
skinned and because we are equally
thin skinned in matters affecting
national pride, there is a certain
amount of inevitable suspicion on
both sides of the ocean over transfers
of troops from a British to an Ameri-
can commander, or vice versa. Until
events prove it to be otherwise, how
ever, it would be good thing to
remember that the responsibility of
command is being assigned on the
basis of military expediency and the
competency of generals AS long as
American and British soldiers are
able to work together satisfactorily
under the Allied high command, the
British and American civilian public
should not be disturbed.
Evening star., 1945-01-06

Although number of so-called
explanations have been made, no
really satisfactory reason has been
given to date as to why second lieu
tenants wear gold bar and first
lieutenants silver bar. Gold has
always rated the higher of the two
metals and probably always will.
Some day some military authority
may straighten this out. The order
will be easy to follow Lieutenants
will simply swap bars and lieutenant
colonies and majors swap leaves.
Evening star., 1945-01-06
British Lion Explained
To the Editor Of The Star

To the Editor Of The STAR
The British Lion only grins when en-
vious and malicious enemies twist his
tail, for His Leonine Majesty is only an
heraldic animal and therefore is i'm
pervious to pain. Besides, he is lion
rampant, and those who monkey with
his tail generally turn tail themselves
to escape his righteous anger.
OF course, the Lion and the people
whom he symbolizes always are expect
ing little tail twisting even from those
who are post graduates of England's
high school OF democracy. Such tail
twisting next to baseball is Americas s
favorite sport. But now is not the time
to please our enemies by insulting our
friends.
The Lion and his cubs have been
hearing for centuries that Old England
is going to the dogs; but in the mean
while Old England lives. and It's sons
are fighting the good fight for human
freedom shoulder to shoulder and heart
to heart with the Yankee lads. "God
bless them every one" should be the
prayer of Americans and Britons.
HYACINTHE RINGROSE.
Evening star., 1945-01-06

no fewer than 1888 German planes
have been destroyed by the Allies In the
last year. In spite Of these losses the
Luftwaffc is still active on the western
front and in Hungary.
Even the German manpower seems to
have staged remarkable revival and
the reported presence Of children and
old men In the ranks Of the German
divisions does not seem to have inn
paired the enemys fighting qualities.
Not only Is Won Rundstedt hitting at
many points and maintaining the over
all initiative In the west, but the NaM
high command seemss to have at its
disposal enough forces to take limited
counteronensiye in Hungary while the
approaches to Vienna are reported to
be greatly strengthened with new divi-
sions brought In from the Reich.
In the meantime the German total
mobilization Is proceeding In an atmos-
phere Of confidence due to Won Rund-
stedt's successes and to the difficulties
the Red armies are encountering at
Budapest. These are of q temporary
character but have helped the German
morale. The German public does not
realize the dimculties the Russians are
AAs~NeAAo AAA "a AA8AAA6 ny CAAC AACCCoo6Iy
supplies and reinforcements from their
main bases. AL they see Is that the
mass Of the Russian forces, which have
rolled over the German armies for the
last two years. are having now q tough
battle on their hands. Under these
conditions 1t is believed here that the
organization OF 100 new divisions, which
Is reported to be Heinrich Himmler's
goal in the next three months, may be
successful.
y
From the little we are able to learn
from the eastern front it appears that
the Germans have not yet touched even
their strategic reserves in that area.
About LAT divisions are still ready to
meet the Russian onslaught when and
II it occurs American military observers
who are relying mostly on guess work
so far as the eastern front is concerned,
believe that Germans will fight only q
delaying action In Western Poland and
viii begin to fight earnestly only when
the borders Of the Reich are reached.
Germany's principal engineer, Maj. Gen.
Todt. prepared these defenses before his
death two years ago.
Evening star., 1945-01-06
A Maryland Christmas Reported


To the Editor OF The Star:
In the midst of "the madding crowds
ignoole strife" the late sickening orgy
OF spending and getting and swapping
gifts which for SO, many OF us SPELLS
Christmas. heard something which for
a moment brought vision of quiet hills.
Of star shining down on a humble
manger and the voice of angels singing:
Out IN one OF the truly rural sections
OF Montgomery County there dwells a
lady. This year, as long has been her
custom, she kept Christmas in her home.
There was the usual dinner of turkey
and fxin's, there was the usual gay tree
and beneath it the usual number of
parcels; and over all the scene the hostess
presided graciously, as was her nature,
and proudly, as befitted one who bore
the name OF an honored old Maryland
family. And, oh yes, there were, too, the
usual guests-all the poor colored folks
from the neighboring farms and a near
by settlement.
What wonderful woman!" / ex-
claimed
What wise one!" said my neigh
Dor. Hers is the rarest wisdom, for she
knows: Who gives himself with his
aims feeds three-himself, his hunger
ing neighbor and Meg"
DWIGHT T. SCOTT.
Evening star., 1945-01-06
This Changing World
By Constantine Brown

Even II the Russian armies were now
ordered by Premier Stain to resume
their offensive on the Vistula front
which was interrupted last summer, its
consequences no longer will be as far
reaching as they would have been be-
fore Field Marshal Won Rundstedt
checked the Allied drive against Ger
many from the west.
There have been several reports In the
last few days that the Russians were
about ready to strike at the Germans
again. The Allied armies in the west,
however, have lost the momentum OF
the offensive which had been resumed
on November after short period OF
lull And while 1t is safe to speculate
that Germany would have collapsed un-
der the impact OF two forces attacking
simultaneously from the east and from
the west, 1t Is felt in military circles
that big Russian offensive would lead
to spectacular successes but to no fina1
victory.
Once the Germans are either stalled
or pushed back on the western front 1t
will take us several months to reorgan-
ize, resupply and regroup our armies
IN order to resume our drive at the
previously most advanced points. This
estimate does not cover the possibility
that the German commander might still
attack in other weakened sectors either
IN the Aachen or Alsace areas and gain
further important defensive advantages.
There seems to have been gross mis-
calculation of the enemy's military
strength on the part of the Ailies-ex-
cept, possibly, Russia. The Reds better
estimates of the German power may
have been one of the primary causes
why they stopped dead when they
reached Warsaw.
+
But in the light of present develop
ments there was g serious underestima-
ton OF the fighting power of Hitler,s
armies by the Allied high command in
the west. Despite the reported destruc-
ton OF the German industrial centers
the enemy's artillery and armor are at
least as good and plentiful as ours. The
Luftwaffe. which had been declared
dead and buried so frequently by the
Allied experts, has staged a remarkable
and unwelcome comeback. According
to oficial reports from the front line
Evening star., 1945-01-06

the Japanese forces to be encountered
grew larger.
When we went into the Philippines
We entered an area In which the Japa-
nese forces probably include as many
as 20 divisions, though not all of them
are as strong as an American division
at full establishment The japanese
were, however, still laboring under the
difficulties which beset them all the
way across the Pacific-they could not
be strong everywhere, and they could
not know where we would strike.
They apparently guessed Mindanao,
and they guessed wrong; we struck at
Leyte, at the center instead of the
southern extremity. We defeated and
eventually destroyed Japanese force
which at the outset included one full
division and was probably reinforced
by another very shortly thereafter, by
third little later and by elements of
at least two If not three others.
- 44
We used seven divisions altogether In
this operation, organized as the 9th
Army-the first time that full Amer
ican field army had ever been deployed
against the japanese on single battle
field
Operations against Luzon. If they are
now to be undertaken, will be governed
by the same principles, but the scale
Of these operations will be far greater
The japanese have concentrated strong
forces to defend Luzon; here at least
they have suffered no uncertainty, for
sooner or later, II we are to be masters
Of the Philippines, we must come to
them on Luzon.
Their air power has q great many
fields to work from on this big island
which is about the size Of the State Of
Kentucky-and that 1t Is capable Of
hitting back Is shown by the fact that,
despite American attacks, Japanese
planes carried out five separate attacks
against our airnelds on Mindoro on the
night of January 2.
AS for ground forces, we may expect to
encounter at least IL Japanese divisions
on Luzon- probably more than. that. We
shall need much larger ground forces
than We used ON Ieyte, and we shall need
large-scalc operations by our feet to
cut Oh the. arrival Of further reinforce
ments from Japan, always with the
thought in mind that once again the
japanese may take q chance with what
ismains OF their fleet to make q
counterattack at moment which seems
favorable from their point OF view.
It Is Of vast Importance to the Japa-
nese to hold Luzon as long as possible.
for when we have taken 1t the Japa-
nese Empire Is cut squarely in two and
the road to the Chinese coast lies open
before Us.
tcopyrishk 1e4S.,
Evening star., 1945-01-06
Pacific War Moves
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot

There are some indications that the
war in the Pacific is on the move once
more. 1t will be recalled that series
Of heavy carrier-base attacks against
Formosa and the Ryukyu Islands-step-
ping stones for Japan,s short-range air
forces to the Philippine area-preceded
the landing on Leyte late in October
Now another series of attacks against
these same stepping stones is in prog
ress. this time strongly supported by
land-based aircraft operating from Leyte
and from the advanced air base on
Mindoro.
The division of work appears to be
helpful, for the land-based aircraft can
take over the Japanese air bases on
Luzon (which the carriers had to in
clude in their softening-up process in
October), permitting the carriers to con-
centrate the whole of their intensive
but comparatively short-lived resources
against Formosa and the Ryukyus.
If these operations prove to be the
preliminaries to landing on Luzon, the
largest-scale land fighting of the whole
Pacific campaign will be in prospect.
So far we have encountered only COM
paratively minor detachments of the
Japanese Army. We have fought them
in isolated battlefields where we could
bring to bear superior forces.
The attempts Of the Japanese Navy
and air force to interfere have been
uniformly unsuccessful. Outpost after
outpost has fallen to our strategy Of
successive concentrations against se-
lected positions All this we owe to
the command of the sea and Of the air
above the sea which our naval forces
have secured over the whole Pacific
Ocean area and which they maintain
today.
But to make that command Of the sea
effective and to extend 1t we have needed
bases and more bases For these bases
we have had to flght. And when the
work Of ships and planes was done, In
each case we have had to use ground
forces in greater or lesser strength. as
each occasion demanded, to destroy the
Japanese garrisons.
This we have done whenever we
needed particular island position.
On Tarawa it was a matter Of wiping
out a regiment. On Bougainvi1le We
had something like division to deal
with. On New Guinea We had to de-
feat the scattered elements Of Japanese
army though difhculties Of terrain and
supply never permitted the Japanese 70
get the whole Of 1t together, nor We to
collect In one operation anything Ike
= comparable force. On Saipan We
had our biggest fight up to that point
with about two Japanese divisions. Al W
approached nearer TO Japan however,
Evening star., 1945-01-06
We've Again, Nj. Byrnes
From the Detroit Free RI

from the Oetrolt Free FfefS.
A wave Of War Mobilization Director
Byrnes' hand and race tracks stunning,
harness and dog gagree to close by jan
uary 3. Another wave of his hand and
selective service officials agree to re-
check deferments Of professional ath-
letes. A wave of an OPA hand and
radical changes are made in food ration
points. All this is done in the interests
Of the war effort, and no one questions
the propriety of any Of the steps II any
or all OF them will help win the war
by putting more men to work In neces-
sary war production. How about an-
other hand wave, Mr.. Byrnes, that will
stop strikes In war plants? How about,
Mr.. Brynes, rechecking selective service
deferments granted to men on the theory
that they are necessary war workers, but
who turn up IN picket lines at war plants
on strikef
Evening star., 1945-01-06
AustroIiu's Great DROUGHT

Australia's perpetual enemy is
drought. Lack of adequate rainfall
produces desert conditions in the
central and western parts of the
great continent down under" This
is the reason why Australia, with an
area approximately equal to that of
the United States 100000 square
miles has only 100000 inhabitants
roughly the population OF New
York City. Furthermore, the bulk of
Australia's population is concen-
trated on its eastern fringe, facing
the Pacific Ocean. Here the topog-
raphy is somewhat similar to that on
our Pacific Coast-a narrow belt of
fertile, well-watered country backed
by mountains. Unfortunately the
Australian coast range is not high
enough to precipitate heavy SHOWS
but is high enough to catch most of
the rain from the seasonal winds
blowing in from the Pacific Across
the coast range is an extensive belt
of country with rainfall sufficient
for dry farming and stock raising
similar to our western prairie States.
That is where Australians harvest
their big wheat corps and pasture
their immense hocks of sheep. In
normal years things go well enough,
but now and then this intermediate
zone between coast range and desert
Is stricken with cruel drought. Then
the wheat fields turn to "dust bowls
while the flocks die wholesale from
thirst and famine on the burned-up
range.
History records several of these
dread visitations, and apparently one
of the worst on record is now taking
place. Owing to the reversal of sea-
sons in the Antipodes, the Australian
summer has only just begun. But
already the lack of spring rains is
darkening the sky with huge dust
storms and the range grass has
withered away, with the long, dry
summer still in store. Australian
newspapers speak gloomily of an
impending national catastrophe be-
tween now and their autumn rains
some four months away.
E The proximate effects of a catas-
trophic drought upon the Allied war
effort in the Pacific are obvious
Australia has been a prime source OF
foodstuffs for our armies. together
with wool, hides and other raw ma
terials or finished products made
therefrom. An acute crop failure
and drastic defamation of livestock
could seriously diminish Australia's
contributions under reverse lease