davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Former Convicts in Armed Services Given
Full Citizenship by Truman as YuIe Gift

prior to July 30, 1941, may we'll have
entered the armed forces on the
basis Of Misrepresentation, mas
much as the laws and regulations
prevailing prior to that date for
bade their acceptance. 1t requires
also that the veteran shall have
served honorably, and for at least
one year. 1t is further limited by
excluding any offenses for which
conviction has been obtained after
the individuals entry, enrolment
or induction into service.
Somewhat more than 1000 pris-
oners were paroled from Federal in
stitutions for induction into the
Army the Attorney General said
1T is known that several thousand
more had completed their sentences
before induction. A large number
OF persons similarly situated joined
the other armed services. 1t is
believed that only a few meritorious
cases among such persons will not
be included within the terms of the
proclamation. Such cases would be
dealt with individually under estab-
lished procedure, through consider
alton Of the particular facts on an
application for executive clemency."
There Is ample precedent for the
Issuance of the proclamation.
President Madison pardoned the
offenders at Barataria Island, not
ing in his amnesty proclamation
particularly that they have exhib-
tied In the defense Of New Orleans
unequivocal traits of courage and
fidelity" Also after the last wal
individual pardons were grounded
on the applicants excellent war
records.
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Wife Loyal TO Sergeant
Held as German Spy

by tue hScotistcu Aeoc.
SAN RAFAEL, Calf, Dec. 25.-
As Army Investigators prepared rec
ords for court-martial of Sergt.
Frank Hirt, 80, accused Of spying
against his country and dealing
with German agents, his wife de-
clared yesterday she would stick
by him."
An Army announcement said the
trial was expected to be held
within the next mnoth at nearby
Hamilton Field.
The 22-year -old wife Jean,
mother of two children, said she
had not been officially told of the
charges against her husband.
They were married when the SOL
dier was stationed at Minter Field,
Fresno They moved to Petaluma,
north of here, to be near Hamilton
Field, where the air force sergeant
was stationed. Their children are
Sharon, 2, and Franklin, 8 months.
Sergt. Hirt was arrested In March
and held in solitary confinement at
Hamilton Field until the Army's
announcement Saturday that he
would face charges of cor,spiring
with German agents to obtain and
to send to Germany information
about United States military planes
The Army said Sergt. Hirt had
lived with his grandparents in Ger
many, that he had belonged to the
Nazi party and had been a corporal
In the Storm Troops
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Electrical Workers Accept
u. S. Invitation to Poriey
py the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
The Government yesterday called
a conference in an attempt to avert
q threatened strike of 100000 C1O
United Electrical Workers.
Union officials were invited by the
Labor Department to confer here
tomorrow. Neil Brant, international
union representative, said the or
ganization would accept.
Oficials OF General Electric and
Westinghouse were invited to other
conferences Thursday and Friday.
Mr.. Brant said negotiations with
these two firms on demands for a
50 a day wage increase had been
"fruitless" and had failed to at least
meet the offer of General Motors
for 1871 cents an hour increase"
THE next move Is up to the De-
partment of Labor" he asserted
Unless GE and Westinghouse meet
the GIN offer there is very strong
likelihood a strike Of GE and West
inghouse will take place after the
first Of the year"
He emphasized his statement did
not mean either that the 1917
cent offer would be accepted or that
General Motors would be exempted
from q strike if one were called
However, union negotiations with
GIN will be renewed after January 1
The invitation to Washington wal
extended by Edgar L. Warren, chic
of the Cancellation Service. In tele.
grams to the dSputants, Mr.. Warren
emphasized the Importance of con-
tinued production in the electrical
industry and proposed the meetings
with conciliators to work out means
of preventing a strike.
Evening star., 1945-12-25
McC Cormack Protests
Persecution Under Tito
By the Associated Press.

B5 Inc Associated PreSs,
BOSTON, Dec. 25.-House Ma
jority Leader Mccormack asserted
last night that persecution of reli-
gion cannot be continued in
Yugoslavia" If good relations are to
exist between that country and the
United States.
Mr.. Mccormack made public this
telegram. which he sent last might
to acting Secretary of State Dean
Acheson:
II note in yesterdays papers your
announcement that our Govern
ment will recognize Marshal Tito's
regime in Yugoslavia and that the
department has so advised Richard
c. Patterson, jr., our Ambassador to
Belgrade.
Il call your attention to the perse-
cution Of religion that Is going on
in Yugoslavia under Tito, with the
deaths and disappearance Of many
priests and spiritual leaders,
Such conditions cannot be con-
tinued in Yugoslavia and have
friendly relations exist between the
| two governments and the two
peoples.
Il request that this condition be
considered by the department and
inquiry made at once about the
same and that our Government ex-
ercise its good Offices in an effort tc
have such prosecutions discontinued
and that religious freedom and the
free exercise thereof be permitted to
exist in Yugoslavia."
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Presidents S YuIe MESSAGE
Coils for Lasting World Peace
Patterned on Sermon on the Mount

The tert Of President Tru-
mans address at the lighting OF
the community Christmas tree
on the White House grounds,
tolIoUS:
This is the Christmas that a
war-weary world has prayed for
through long and awful years. With
peace come joy and gladness. The
gloom Of the war years fades as once
more we light the national commu-
nity Christmas tree. We meet IN
the spirit of the first Christmas
when the midnight choir sang the
hymn of Joy, GLORY to God IN the
highest, and on earth peace, gooo
will toward men,"
Let us not forget that the coming
Of the Savior brought time OF long
peace to the Roman world. 1t Is
therefore, fitting for us to remem-
Der that the spirit of Christmas Is
the spirit of peace, of love, OF char
ity to all men. From the manger OF
Bethlehem came a new appeal to
the minds and hearts of men: "A
new commandment I give unto you
that We love one another"
In love, which Is of the very es-
sence of the message Of the Prince
of Peace, the world would find q
solution for all its ills. I do not be-
lieve there is one problem in this
country-in the world-today which
could not be settled If approached
through the teaching of the sermon
on the mount. The poets dream,
the lesson of priest and patriarch and
the prophets vision of new heaven
and a new earth, all are summed
up in the message delivered in the
Judean hills beside the sea of Gal
| lilee. Would that the world would
accept that message in this time OF
it's greatest need!
Four Anchors SymbOlized.
This is solemn hour. In the
stiffness of the eve Of the Nativity
when the hopes of mankind hang
on the peace that was offered tc
the world 10 centuries ago, it is but
natural, while we survey our des-
tiny, that We give thought also tc
our past-to some of the things
which have gone into the making
of our Nation.
You will remember that st. Paul
the Apostle of the Gentlles. and hi!
companions, suffering shipwreck
cast four anchors out of the sterr
and wished for the day" Happil!
for us, whenever the American shiI
of state has been storm-tossed. WI
have always had an anchor to wind
ward.
i We are met on the south lawn ol
the White House. The setting i!
a reminder of st. Paul's four an.
chors. To one side is the massive
pile Of the Washington Monument
fit symbol of our first anchor. Or
the opposite end of Potomac Parl
is the memorial to another of th'
anchors which we see when we lool
aStern of the ship of state-Abra'
ham Lincoln, who preserved tn,
Union that Washington wrought.
1 Between them, appropriately. too
is the memorial to Thomas Jeffer'
Evening star., 1945-12-25

son, the anchor of democracy. On
the other side of the White House,
in bronze, rides Andrew Jackson
fourth of our anchors-the pedestal
Of his monument bearing his i'm
mortal words: "Our Federal Union
it must be preserved"
Past Provides Wisdom.
1t is well in this solemn hour
that we bow to Washington, Jeffer-
son, Jackson and Lincoln as we face
our destiny with its hopes and fears
its burdens and its responsibilities
Out Of the past we shall gather
wisdom and inspiration to chart
our future course.
With our enemies vanouished, We
must grid ourselves for the work
that lies ahead. Peace has its vic.
tories no less hard won than sue.
cess at arms. We must not fail OF
falter. We must strive without
ceasing ito make real the prophecy
of Isaiah: They shall beat theil
swords into plowshares and theil
spears into pruning hooks: Natior
shall not lift up sword against Ma.
ton, either shall they learn wal
any more"
In that day, whether it be far Oh
near, the kingdoms Of this world
shall become indeed the kingdom
Of God and he will reign forever
and ever, Lord OF Lords and King
Of Kings. With that message !
wish my countrymen merry
Christmas and joyous days in the
new year.
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Gen. 5. H. Sheriff. Retires
From Signal CORPS Post
By the Associated Press.


FORT MONMOUTH. N. J.. Dec
25.-Brig. Gen. Stephen H. Sheriff.
retired yesterday from his post as
commanding general of the Eastern
Signal Corps training center here
He was succeeded by Col. Hugh
Mitchell, former commandant Of the
Eastern Signal Corps Schools.
Gen. Sheriff., 50, who is retiring
from active Army service, has served
as commanding general at Fort
Monmouth since January 3, 1945
when he succeeded Maj. Gen
George L. Van Heusen, who was
assigned to the Office of the CHIEF
signal officer in Washington.
Gen. Sheriff. was graduated from
West Point in 1917, served oversee,
in four major engagements in the
World War, and was commandine
general of the Aircraft Warninl
Unit training center at Drew Field
Fla, where he was presented with
the Legion of Merit.
Col. Mitchell was graduated from
West Point in 1917, where he hae
starred in football and baseball. Hi
wife Ellen, their daughter Mar
garet and son Hugh, jr., live al
Fort Monmouth. Mrs. Mitchell.
home address is 7007 Hampden lane
Edgemoor, Bethesda, Md.
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Travellers Aid
Helps Thousands
In Holiday Rush

The Travellers Aid booth at Union
Station, which normally aids an
average of 800 persons daily, helped
countless thousands to get home for
Christmas during the weekend
travel rush, Miss Helen Click, case
supervisor, reported yesterday.
Miss Click pointed out the Trav-
elers' Aid Society is Community
War Fund agency and Is depending
on the public to provide $3.50, ,00C
still needed by the Fund to con-
tinue community services in 1946.
Her saddest case, she said, was q
deaf and dumb colored boy on his
way home from an institution fo1
the holidays. No one arrived to
meet him. A case worker obtained
his address from large green card
around the boys neck and called
his family.
The child didn't understand that
his family really was coming and
tears rolled down his face until he
sighted his mother. The grateful
parents insisted upon making q do
nation, although Travellers Aid tells
every one to give through the Com.
munity War Fund. Donations
should be sent to Community Wal
Fund headquarters, 1101 M street
NV.
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Van zahn, With Al Years
In U. 5. Employ, TO Retire

Forty-one years Of Federal service
Will come to an end when Van A
Zahn, So. of 1921 c street NE, re-
tires next Monday from his position
in the General Accounting ONCE.
A native of Jefferson County, Ill.
Mr.. Zahn enlisted in the 9th Illinois
Volunteer Infantry Band in May
1893. He saw action in Cuba fol
three months during the Spanish.
American War.
He entered Federal service ir
Washington in 1904 as an auditor fol
the Post ONCE Department. He was
transferred to Asheville, N. c., wher
the Office, now known as the Pos,
Office Division of the GAO, was
moved there in January. 1943.
Mr.. Zahn is member of the
Spanish American War Veterans
the local chapter of the Sons of the
American Revolution and the Ma.
sons
He and Mrs. Zahn have three chill.
dren: Mrs. Mildred O'Donoghue ane
Delbert Zahn of Washington ane
Arthur Zahn of Alexandria, Va.
coach of the George Washington
University basket ball team.
Evening star., 1945-12-25
koreanNewsAgencyBegin
Independent Operation
b. the Associated Press.

a
SEOUL, Korea, Dec. 25.-Press
freedom made significant progress
in the American-occupied section
Of Korea yesterday with independent
operation of the new Korean news
agency-Hapdong-KP. The last two
letters, KIP, were added for English
speaking purposes, signifying Korea
Pacific Press.
The new agency is beginning its
independent operation with an ar
rangement to receive the news Of
the Associated Press, by radio. 1t
is using facilities of the old Japa-
nese Domei agency, which we're
seized by the American military
forces and have been operated un-
der military government supervi-
sion.
The American Military Govern
ment relinquished control of the
system and turned 1t over to the
all-Korean organization with ap-
proval of recommendation that
it be operated henceforth free Of
control by either the present mill
tary government or the new Korean
government to be established.
The new agency is comprised Of
nine newspapers and one radio sta
ton, and is headed by Kim Sung
Dong, publisher of the Seoul Times.
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Nations May Share
Rubber Shipments
lon Basis Of Need
BIZ the Associated Press.

6t bne Associated freSs.
NEW YORK. Dec. 25.-An RFC
spokesman and a representative Of
the American rubber industry said
yesterday an estimated 275,000 to
$50 900 tons Of rubber expected to
arrive in the United States during
ls46 will be apportioned on an In
ternational basis according to need.
The New York Times quoted these
spokesmen as saying that crude
rubber shipments would be allo-
Gated by a raw materials board,
probably functioning under the
United Nations Organization. The
United States, Great Britain, Rus
sia, France, China and the Meth
erlands were said to be the principal
nations involved.
First Shipload Arrives.
Disclosure Of the proposed alloca-
ton plan came with the arrival Of
the first vessel carrying load of
crude rubber from the Far East
since 1912. The Freighter Canton
Victory with 8,100 tons of rubber
from Batavia and Malayan ports
had been awaited here by rubber
companies faced with increased
demands for tires and other prod
ucts.
The Canton Victory's cargo and
future shipments are consigned to
the Reconstruction Finance Corp,
the Times says, and the RFC will
apportion the supplies to companies
requesting allotments.
The Times said that Albert Viles,
president of the Rubber Manufac-
turers' Association of America, as
serted that crude rubber supplies
from prewar sources, blocked off for
three years by the Japanese, would
revitalize the American rubber in
dustry.
Would Continue Agency.
Mr.. Viles said he expected the
rubber to be apportioned by body
similar to the present Combined
Raw Materials Board, whose powers
are to expire next Monday. The
board functioned as a war emer-
gency unit, but Mr.. Viles said he
the nations involved de-
sired to continue it because of short
ages of rubber, tin, hemp, oil tung-
stem and other materials.
THE United States, though, will
doubtless get most of the rubber,
because 1t has the capacity for
manufacturing 1t into needed prod
ucts and this capacity will be used
for the world" Mr.. Viles declared.
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Princess Says
IEmir Stunned
Checks
By the Associated Press,


LOS ANGELES, Dec. 25.-Emir
Mohamed Al-Raschid II, son of the
last Caliph of Islam and pretender
to the throne of Turkey, always
carefully avoided picking up res
taurant checks. his wife charged
yesterday in cross-complaint for
divorce.
His wife, the Princess Pareshah
the former Marcella Whiting of
Marshalltown, Iowa, further COM
planned:
That although he liked such
luxuries as breakfast in bed. he did
nothing to improve his depleted
finances.
That he frequently expressed dis
appointment because her parents
had not given dowry.
Princess Pareshah charged cruelty
and sought custody of their daugh.
ter, Princess Hubria, 8 months old
The Emir. in filing the original
divorce action recently, accused his
wife of keeping company with an.
other man.
Evening star., 1945-12-25

year have been or shall hereafter
be honorably discharged or sepa-
rated therefrom, or separated under
honorable conditions from active
service therein; provided, however,
that such pardon shall not be con-
strued to include the pardon of such
persons for any offenses for which
conviction has been obtained after
the date of such entry, enrolment
or induction into service.
In witness whereof, l have here
unto set my hand and caused the
seal of the United States of Amer
ica to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington
this oath day of December, in the
year of Our Lord 1945, and of the
independence OF the United States
Of America the 10th.
HARRY S. TRUMAN.
BY the President:
DEAN ACHESON,
Acting Secretary of State.
Accompanying Statement.
The tert of an accompanying
WHite House statement:
This proclamation Is intended for
the benefit of those ex-prisoners
whose meritorious service in the
armed forces has earned them q
presidential pardon for the of1enses
Of which they were previously con-
victed.
The Attorney General informed
the President, In recommending
this action, that under the author
ity of the act of July 20, 1941, IS
Stat 606, the Army enrolled a con-
siderable number of ex-prisoners
'in special meritorious cases. anc
other services took parallel action.
THE trust reposed in these in.
dividuals by accepting them for mil.
itary duty has been amply vindi.
Gated" Attorney General Tom C
Clark said. Certainly, it woulc
seem that If an ex-convict ha.
served honorably for year or more
in the armed services and has beer
granted an honorable discharge, he
should be given the benefit OF
presidential pardon"
The Attorney General pointed
out that the situation of these men
differs in numerous respects from
that Of the men who have beer
convicted and confined for viola.
tions of the selective service laws
and who are referred to generally
as conscientious objectors." The
men who will obtain the benefits
of the proclamation are men who
are now at liberty and whose hon.
orable record in the armed services
would seem to demonstrate theil
fitness to be restored to a respected
place in society.
Not Au-Inclusive.
The proclamation will not gram
a full pardon to every veteran WHIT
had previously been convicted of 9
Federal offense. 1t Is limited te
men who entered the service on OF
after July 20, 1941, because mer
with criminal records who enlisted
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Chinese Communists Taking
u. ). Flyer Back 10 Base
BY the Associated Press

Ry the Associated Press.
YENAN. China, Dec. 25-Com-
munist 9th Route Army headquar-
ters here said today 1t. Robert Blant,
one of two survivors of the crash of
six Marine Helldiver divebombers on
Shentung Peninsula December 8, is
being returned by Communists to
an American base at Tsingtao. 1t.
Wade Hoff, the other survivor. is
recovering from leg injuries and will
be sent to Esingtao when he is able
to travel.
The bodies of 10 men killed in
the crashes will be moved to the
same place.
1t. Blant is being accompanied
back to base by Its. v. Kadich and
Wesley Siguo, who were forced down
in their planes December 19 north
west of Chelfoo. The latter were
unhurt.
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Peace-BIessed Nation
observes YuIetide in
Real Prewar Spirit
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Peace blessed America, glowing
with the oldtime Yuletide spirit.
celebrated today with an old-fash-
ioned kind of Christmas whose
brightness and cheer swept away
many Of the lingering shadows Of
war.
Not since the dark days Of 1s4l,
when the jarring notes Of conflict
first lent q saddening air to the
tinkling Of Christmas bells. had this
Nation enjoyed sucn universal hap
|piness and good cheer.
Many family was united around
the Christmas tree again after
months or years Of separation. The
tree itself was laden with many
an article that could not be OBJ
tanned in former years. The larder
was filled with all manner OF good
things for the Christmas table.
Withal, there was much that kept
1t from comparing with the Christ
mas of yesteryear.
About 3,200,0 900 sons and daughters
still were in far-of lands, unable to
come home until wars last task was
finished. But military officials in
Washington said they were trying to
make Christmas as enjoyable as pos
stble for service personnel on for
eign soil.
Thousands of civilians jammed
railway stations, airports and bus
terminals clamoring for travel space
that was nonexistent.
Communications lines were
swamped with holiday messages and
greetings, and mails were far over
burdened.
Many Of the prewar types Of mer.
chandise that had been expected on
stores shelves by Christmas simply
didn't get there, but it apparently
didn't matter. The stores reported
their greatest sales "in recent years"
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Philippines Leftist Groups
Prepare for Elections
By the Associated Press.

BY the hSSOClAteQ FTess.
MANILA, Dec. 25.-A democratic
alliance of Leftist groups entered
the Philippine politics yesterday
and called national convention
here January 27 to select candi-
dates for President, Vice President
and Congress for the April election.
Luis Tarbuc. prewar leader of
Manila and central Luzon labor
unions, criticized High Commissioner
Paul v. McNutt's recent Shanghai
statement that Filipinos are waver-
ing on their independence demand
ut is Fascist elements, imperialists
and vested interests who are against
giving Philippine independents, said
Tarbus, who was lieutenant gen.
eral" In the Hukbahalahap Socialist
army during Japanese occupation.
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Albert Constable, Sd,
EIkton Judge, Dies
b the Associated Pres.

b the Associated Press.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 25.-Albert
Constable, Sd, of Elkton, Md, 38.
year -old associate judge of the Sec.
ond Judicial Circuit for Cecil Coun.
ty, Md, died in st. Joseph's hos.
pital yesterday after long illness
He was sworn into office as assoc.
late Judge in December, 1912, after
practicing law in Elkton for more
than 10 years.
His father, the late Albert Con.
stable, was chief judge of the Sec.
ond judicial Circuit. and an uncle
Henry Constable. Is Maryland
States attorney In Elkton.
Evening star., 1945-12-25
Auto Union Prepares
To Resume GIN Battle
After YuIe Holiday
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
DETROIT, Dec 25.-As their un-
official Christmas truce neared an
end, the CIO United Auto Workers
today prepared to resume their bat
tie for a 80 per cent wage increase
from motor car manufacturers.
General Motors Corp. with nearly
100000 employees idle since a strike
SO days ago, is first on the unions
conference list.
They will meet tomorrow to dis
cuss procedure for negotiations on
local plant issues.
After Christmas holiday pick
citing of the nearly 100 GIN plants
is scheduled to resume However,
some locals have indicated they plan
little more than brief appearances
on the lines until after New Year.
President Truman's fact-finding
board, which invited both sides to
Washington last week, is in recess
until Friday in the hope the two
parties may move closer in agree
ment.
The UAW-CIO will probably hear
counter demands from the Kaiser
Frazer Corp. when they hold their
second negotiating session Thurs
day. The union outlined its con-
tractual requirements at the first
meeting.
The union does not plan to meet
again with the Ford Motor Co. until
January 8.
The unions relationship with
Chrysler Corp. seemed little i'm
proved after the UAW-CIO lodged
protest Monday against the size of
Christmas bonuses and the com
pany's method of distributing them
to employees.
The bonuses, granted in lieu of
1916 vacation pay, were given with
out collective bargaining, although
the union contends 1t is a bargain
able issue.
Employees Of Chrysler have worked
without a contract since the old one
expired.