davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-28
In Path of Napoleon
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot

The most important terrain feature of
Central Europe is the great range of
mountains which, beginning at the Gulf
OF Lion on the Mediterranean, swings
northeast and east across the continent
like a great wall almost to the shores
of the Black Sea.
The western massif of these noun
tains is called the Alps; its eastern pro-
longation Is called the Carpathians.
There are many passes over the noun
tains, but there are only two great nat
ural highways through them-the valley
of the River Danube and the gap be-
tween the Bohemian hills and the
western reaches of the Carpathiars,
known as the Moravian Gate
The Russian armies are pressing into
the Moravian Gate, against strong re-
sistance, both from the northwest and
the southeast. They are likewise adj
vancing up the valley of the Danube.
Their interest in the Moravian Gate
is natural. Once this passageway is in
their possession, their armies in Eastern
Germany and their armies in Hungary
can form consolidated front All dam
ger of German counterattack north
will be at an end-and the fury of the
German fighting on the Hron and the
Danube suggests that some such plan
may have had place in the minds of
the high command. And the way would
be open for Russian drive from the
northwest toward Vienna and Brati-
slava, in support of their advance up
the valley of the Danube
There may well be more to the Rus
sian purpose than merely Vienna, how
ever. The ultimate objective is always
the destruction of the enemy army,
which in itself Is but means to total
victory. The Germans have long aban-
doned any hope of victory for them
selves, and they are playing now for
time.
The Germans long have had plan
to make final stand In a central cita-
del of forests and mountains, in Aus
tria, Bohemia and parts Of Bavaria and
the Black Forest country. This citadel
centers around Hitler,s infamous strong
hold at Berchtesgaden, where he is now
reported as comforting with his hench-
men, mulling over the bad news from
the east and from the west.
This citadel area, or national re-
doubt. Is bisected from northwest to
southeast by the valley of the Danube.
II this valley should become an Allied
highway. the citadel plan would re-
,ceive q heavy setback. In fact, 1t might
become impossible Of accomplishment.
Were this to happen. the war might be
shortened by many months; there might
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-28

world no army can launch q large
scale offensive until 1t has ample sup
plies. Patton explained 1t very simply.
THE enemy" he said, lis as disorgan-
lied In a retreat as the victorious forces
The only difference Is that he is scared
pink and wants to get quickly to his
prepared positions and his bases of sup
plies, without which he believes he can
not resist. I was short of everything,
too. But was winning. So I ordered
the boys to go ahead when the enemy,
judging me by himself, was still taking
1t on the lam. He must have thought
that I had more than he did and ran"
Gen. Patton applied the same strategy
this week. The Germans, who had ex-
pected big push from the north by
the British under the command of Field
Marshal Montgomery and paid little at
tention to the American Sd Army, soon
discovered that Patton had been ''un-
orthodox" again and crossed the Rhine
when he was not expected to do SO.
~ X
Halsey Is Pattons counterpart in the
Navy. Like the commander of the Sd
Army, he is described by all who have
served under his orders as tough
guy" which he u.s. He never hesitates
to- break any of the commanders under
him for the slightest mistake or even
when he feels that they will not do"
in action.
Halsey has been at sea longer than
any OF the other commanding officers
in this war. When our fortunes were
at the lowest ebb in the Pacific, after
Pearl Harbor, it was the task feet un-
der his orders which gave the first knock
to the Japs on January 81, 1912, by raid
ing the Marshalls and the Gilberts.
After the unfortunate battle of Savo
Island. when American cruisers were
hit by the Japanese like sitting ducks,
Admiral Halsey was ordered to relieve
Admiral Robert Ghormley as comman-
der in chief in the Southeast Pacific.
He inherited a difficult situation.
Under Halsey's orders the American
ships performed miracles in the Guadal-
canal naval operations One of his Of
f1cers explained in few words the diff
ferncee between the learned Ghormley
and Halsey in this manner: When
Ghormley received intelligence that
certain Japanese heavily escorted con-
voys had been sighted, he communicated
the information to the commander of
submarine formation and after CIV
ing him the available data, let him use
his own judgment according to cir
cumstances. Not so Halsey. When he
received similar report he flashed to
the submarine commander the position
OF the enemy, adding just four more
words-'Get the -"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-28

be no interior defense at ALL and the
collapse of the Wehrmacht along the
Rhine and the Oder might be the final
collapse of German resistance instead
OF prelude to tougher resistance on
interior lines, as has been feared.
The Russians, as already observed,
are driving up the Danube from the
east, headed toward Vienna and Bratl-
slava. But what of the other end of
the Danube Valley, in Bavaria?
At this writing date yesterday only this
can be said-the Sd and the 7th United
States Armies, having crossed the Rhine
IN the region between Mayence and
Strasbourg, are driving eastward to-
ward the Danube. The Sd Army in par
ticular may swing north with the bulk
of its forces, probably will do so, to out
nank and entrap, in conjunction with
the United States LIST Army, the German
armies north of the Ruhr. Some ele-
ments OF the Sd Army are reported by
the enemy at Fulda, which indicates a
northerly turn.
But at least one division of the Sd
Army has apparently raced east to
Wurzburg, and is reported by our air
men as being well on the way from that
place toward Nurnberg. From Nurn-
berg to Regensburg on the Danube is
only a matter of some % miles. A
southeaStward advance by the TIN Army
from the vicinity of karlsruhe along
the Munich Autobahn would bring it
to the Danube at Ulm after about 40
miles There is no more to be said at
this time, except perhaps to Gull page
from history
Between the Goth and 18th of Sep
TENDER, 1905, Napoleon's Grand Army
crossed the Rhine between Mayenee
and Strasbourg and marched eastward
for the Danube. Marmont's Corps,
later joined by Bernadette's, followed
almost the exact route (Wurzburg-
Nurnberg -Regensburg) which the tanks
OF 1t. Gen. Patton's 4th Armored Di-
vision may now be taking. Marmont
was IL days from Mainz to Regensburg
which was frst-class marching.
Patton will not take so long. Having
reached the Danube, Napoleon had
placed himself between the Austrian
Army at Ulm and their home base at
Vienna. He then turned upon the Aus
TRANS and after some fighting forced
them to surrender. This done, he turned
eastward, though menaced by Russian
army which never quite joined battle
with him, and marched down the DAN
ube on Vienna. The Austrian capital
capitulated on November Il.
So 1t can be done.
tCopyrisht, 1e45J
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-28
Ryukyu Ladder to japan

Although at this writing TokyoS
report of American landings in the
Ryukyu Islands has not been con-
f1rmed by our Navy Department,
such an operation would fit logically
into the strategic pattern already
disclosed. Our possession of the key
points in the Ryukyus would be a
blow to the enemy in most respects
more damaging than our conquests
from Guam to Two Jima.
The Ryukyus, known also by their
Chinese name of the Luchus, is a
string of islands some 500 miles long,
stretching from the southern tip of
the Japanese homeland to within a
short distance of Formosa Once in
stalled in the Ryukyus, we would at
once threaten Japan with intensified
air bombardment from nearby bases,
isolate the japanese stronghold of
FormoSa and dominate the water
lanes from Japan through the China
Sea, thus cutting all its southwark
communications.
This extended archipelago consists
of no less than SIS islands, besides
numerous rocks, reefs and shoals.
Most of the islands are small, but
some are of considerable size. The
largest, Okinawa or Great Luchu, is
63 miles long and averages ID miles
wide, its total area being nearly 900
square miles. The capital of the
archipelago. Okinawa, has two good
harbors and several airfields. 1t is
significant that Tokyo reports our
landings on two small islands ada
cent to this key objective. There are
half dozen islands with areas run
ming from 200 to 500 square miles.
Indeed, there are two fairly large
islands which, though reckoned part
of Japan proper, are part of the same
geographical formation and lie with
in sight of the Kyushu coast
Unlike the BONN and Volcano
groups, within which lies Two Jima,
the Ryukyus are not actively vol
canic. have pleasant SOUTHERN
perate climate, and are extremely
fertile. The native population, while
basically of japanese stock, is tenn
peramentally quite different, being
mild and unwarlike Historically, the
Ryukyus enjoyed semi independent
status. governed by native princes
who paid allegiance first to Japan
and later to China. When Japan
emerged from its isolation 80 years
ago it soon revived its ancient claims
on the Ryukyus, but China objected,
and long controversy ensued, end
ing only after Japan's victory over
China in the war of 1894-5, when
China renounced all claims to the
Ryukyus and coded Formosa. The
fact that the Ryukyus are not his
torically part of the japanese home
land is an important factor in their
disposition after Japan's defeat in
the present war. Their severance
from Japan would be one of several
measures insuring against a revival
of its aggressive potentialities.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-28

To the Editor of The Star.
Zoroaster, ancient seer of Persia, who
regarded service as paramount virtue,
said: Il was in darkness but I took
three steps and found myself in para
disc. The first step was good thought:
the second good word and the third
a good deed"
Unfortunately, there appears to be a
growing antagonism in America today
between the races, which lis due in a
measure to politicians, who attempt to
force the growth of undeveloped groups.
The arrogance displayed by the primi-
tive-minded to those of superior mental
attalnments cannot be ignored. HUI
mility and the desire to serve have been
displaced by resentment and a demand
for social recognition.
The I am just as good as you are"
attitude reflects ignorance. 1t is not
confined to any particular race.
Men OF the caliber of the colored
scientist, DR.. Carver, who have demon
strated their true worth, are not agrees
sive or defiant but simple and good.
Their example should be needed.
Birds of feather flock together. "
and human groups, composed of races
OF different customs, creeds and ideals
may not mix. Nevertheless, harmony.
sympathy and good will should prevail
II they exercise reason and tolerance
But charity cannot be cooked-up in
political ovens or brotherhood baked
into being
EDMUND K. GoLDsBORouGH.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-28
Governments Without Power

Governments Without Power
To the Editor Of The Star:
Apparently Cecil B. De Mile is talking
common sense, belated though it is.
Thus 1t has happened in America,
and even in stolid Britain, that the
nominal governors are not the real ad-
ministrators of government, for all they
really exercise is certain cunning and
skill, sort of contingency OF interest,
to exercise only such power of govern
ment, over and above the demands Of
the powerful organizations who elect
them. A. G HERMANN
Stresses Punishment Principle"
To the Editor Of The Star:
Ex-President Hoovers article in The
Sunday Star, March IS, overlooks q
principle which he, himself, has mem
TONED in his past writings. This prin-
ciple is that ''the heads of state who
provoke war and wholesale murder"
chat is. the men with power, who give
the orders that start wars) must be
made to realize the enormity OF their
acts" LODGE ICKLE.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-28
EquuI FOOTING

from The New York World TELEGRAM
1t Col Mary Agnes Brown, top-
ranking WAC In the Southwest Pacific
says II there is war so years hence
women Will be on an even footing with
men. why so years from now? Evil
IDENTITY Col. Brown has not studied the
equality OF footing among the girls of
this town recently.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-28
Bridges Indestructible

To the Editor of The Star:
Military strategy again has impressed
the people of all nations with the great
Importance of bridges. From the days
of Horatio's renowned defense of Rome
while the Tiber Bridge was being de-
stroyed, history records many incidents
when bridges seemed to hold signifi-
cant part, either for disaster or triumph.
Bridges, however, not always are
structures of steel, stone or wood. Re-
ligion, philosophy, friendliness, art and
music are spiritual bridges which unite
the peoples Of all countries. Such cul-
tural bonds can reach the heart Of
stranger, thus constructing a bridge of
contact. communication and comrade-
ship. A melody casually whistled by
boy In the street can transplant us in
memory to country many thousands
OF miles away. Such is the bridge of
song and music.
Steel, stone and wood bridges are SYM
bolic Of spiritual bridges. Confidence.
friendliness and understanding build
bridges between nations and individuals.
thus passing over the eace-destroying
elements of suspicion, unfriendliness
and misunderstanding. No destructible
power can destroy the bridges the people
Of the United Nations today are con-
structing. These are spiritual, indie
structible bridges.
CHERREBETH GORDON.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-28
Colorado Basin COMPACT
BY Rayn ond oiey

The Senate this week is beginning a
full-dress debate on a treaty between
the United States and Mexico dealing
with the use by the two nations of the
waters OF the Colorado and Rio Grande
Rivers. Senators are taking this mat
ter very seriously, since no less than
50 OF them have signified their inten-
ton OF speaking on the subject.
Their concern is we'll founded, for
the use of the water of such a river as
the Colorado is matter of life or death
to large areas in the several States of
the Colorado Basin. Much of the sub
Ject matter of the debate will be tech
nical and Of little interest to the public.
In fact, some points involve engineer
ing estimates on which opinion is 50
varied that clear conclusions can hardly
be drawn. There are two or three is
sues, however, which clearly call for
revision of the proposed treaty.
In 1922, Colorado River Commits
sion. OF which Herbert Hoover was
chairman, brought about an agreement
among the States concerned with the
river. That agreement is called the
Colorado River Compact Under that
compact. ALLEGATIONS of water were made
40 DctWccu tiic upper basin ana tAe
Lower Basin of the river and among
various projects then in existence or in
contemplation, Those ALLEGATIONS were
made. however. before stream-flow rec
ords had been kept over a period of
time long enough to make final decisions
possible.
When the compact was made. it was
recognized that treaty with Mexico,
through which about a hundred miles
OF the river flows. would some day have
to be negotiated. But the Mexican
angle was not urgent then, because that
republic was using only a relatively
small amount of water The chief worry
OF Mexico, in fact. was the danger and
destruction occasioned by too much
water at certain seasons OF the year.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-28
Something for the Money


To the Editor of The Star:
When the people of Washington CON-
tribute to Community War Funds CAM
palgn, they are able to see some of the
results accomplished through their gen.
erosity, for such organizations as uSO
are usually highly visible locally. How
ever, the work done by war-related
agencies abroad, supported by the same
campaign is not so visible. Expressions
OF thanks from those who benefit, ulti-
mately from our citizens generosity are
hampered by wartime difficulties of per-
sonal communication, but there are
frequent evidences of gratitude, several
of which have reached me recently from
the National War Fund.
A 6-year-old child in Great Britain,
who had been given Christmas present
at British War Relief Society party,
writes: Thank you for the party and my
doll. She is lovely. I hope God spares
us for peacetime Christmas next year.
I don't remember peace"
A soldier in the Southwest Pacific
sends V-mail letter to Peggy Alexan-
der. USO camp shows entertainer which
says: Il would like to thank you for the
enjoyment you gave us with your show.
1t is pleasant way to spend our
time. We have enough rough talk out
here and to hear real people is a sort
of rest"
War Prisoners Aid. having provided
information to Chicago family about
prisoner of war in Germany, received
letter which said: your letter appre-
ciated by every member of our family.
1t is the first news we have had about
my brother, prisoner Of war, in almost
a year"
All of the letters of thanks concern
work of member agencies of the National
War Fund and are supported by our
citizens through Community War Fund.
DOROTHY MARSH.
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-03-01
Salvage In Two Cities

AS waste paper continues to be critical
the main thing is to get it on the nation S
stock pile. But there is a vast difference
its collection some involving benefits to help
full charities and institutions and others serv.
ing no elemosynary purpose.
The contrast is pointed by the procedure in
Daytona Beach, Florida, and Wilmington.
Daytona's defense council, which has been
practically disbanded, as all other defense
councils have been, and continues only
through the voluntary services Of its chair
man and the employment of a secretary, is
combining it's activity to paper salvage purely
on supervisory basis. The city administra-
ton, through its street department, uses its
trucks for collections, always on Sunday, and
the income from sales is applied to time
and-a-haf pay for the crews. Collections are
good, but only city employees benefit from
them.
Wilmingtons method, both when the Senior
Fraternity was the collection agency and
since the Junior Chamber Of Commerce took
over, would seem to be better, in that the
work involved has been voluntary and the
money derived from sales has gone to some
worthy cause Whatever enrichment came to
the Fraternity, if not yet fully expended, goes
to better the lot Of youngsters in the Brigade
Boys club The Jaycees bought tuberculosis
bonds and has since helped swell the treasury
for the war on polio.
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-03-01

thing be threshed out by the international con-
ference at San Francisco in April.
Maybe they could have the CITIZENS OF the
world agree to trust in the cautious fore
word that resemblance to any actual per-
son, living or dead, is purely coincidental.'
And the authors of each country might be
allotted quota of villains by nationality,
number each year.
Then, perhaps, while we all work to achieve
a kindly cooperative and peaceful world, we
could be permitted the safety valve of vicari-
Gus vilainy in the realm of make-believe with
out fear of international complications.
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-03-01
CAFES REQUESTED
TO CONSERVE MILK

At meeting Of over 100 restau'
rant owners Of New Hanover,
brunswick and Fender counties
Tuesday, E. A, Randolph, district
rationing specialist from Raleigh
emphasized the milk shortage ana
asked all individual consumers
and institutional owners to use On.
" fresh milk so that all canned
milk will be left for babies,
Unless this request is compiled
with, he declared, the Office Of
Price Administration will have 10
set up another rationing system
10 leave the entire supply Tor IN
fants.
Local War Price and Ratlonlng
Board officials yesterday saia 'he
canned milk shortage has OeeN
critical in the Wilmington area
Mr.. Randolph explained the ne,
cassity of rationing, commenced
restaurant owners for their coop,
GRAFTON and announced mat ti'e
coming allotment of points loi
meats and fats would not pc Ie,
duced. because so many meas ..,'
have been put back on rall0lllnS
lists. He said sugar Woulo c0''
tinue to be the same ~
The meeting was opened Dy w,
Eugene Edwards, chairman OF .he
New Hanover Restaurant F a
panel, who introduced Mr. Ran
dolph and 0. A. Westbrook' ois,
trict restaurant price Representa-
tive. ,:..a the
Mr.. Westbrook explained .l ms
regulation pertaining to price @n'
asked for questions and o'S'u''
| sion. ...,.,.,d Ell.
A P. Winfrey, district board /, 81 v
pervisor, Antonios RoondoS anu A W. ".
n Harrington, members Of o. ;as
New Hanover Restaurant F'-''
Panel were present,
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-03-01
interpreting
| The War
.. BY klRkE L. SIMPSON !

The battle OF the Cologne nSs;
is fast approaching its criS i pam pam
every indication that within d WIN
Allied forces will be massed o lays,
the left bank of the Rhine 4 lung
Bonn to Anthem preparing ,IO, m
storm the last major water hs7.. 70
that guards the heart of Cerro 1aaa
from invasion. '''a'y
While field reports Of ma.
German rout lack official CONT
nation, there seems no doubt +hI.
the northWard swerve of the Ar o.a'
lean Ninth Army attack to bvnas.
Munchen Gladbach to the west =
rapidly rolling up the last siegfr;aS
Line sector between Roermond ~
Boxneer. A positio nal news blacE
out imposed by Allied censorSb;n
concealed the exact whereahonts
OF General Simpsons blitz columns
striking across enemy commune,
lions 80 miles east Of the Roer
mond corner.
1t was obvious, nevertheless
that Nazi flight to the Rhine wss
in progress and staff confusion and
dlsintegration in Germany ranks
setting in. American First Armv
seizure intact of an Erft bridge to
roll unchecked near Cologne prov.
ed the case.
The diversion effect Of that upor
the battle of the Oder-Neisse line
crossings for which huge Russian
armies are getting set in the east
is yet to be disclosed The threat IN
the Rhine is becoming 50 acute
so fast, however, that word Of q
reversal of the flow OF Nazi re-.
serves Withdrawn from the west Ia
bolster Berlin and Dresden defen.
ses is to be expected momentarily
For there are circumstances on
the Rhine that make the Allied
drive even more menacing to Ger.
man hopes of continuing a last
ditch organized defense of the great
German central plain than the Red
Army advances against Berlin and
Dresden. General Pattons Third
Army on the right flank has in.
vested the prime Nazi defensive
anchorage in the Moselle Valley,
Trier. 1t stands within close strik
ing distance of the Nazi military
super-highway that arcs through
the west Rhineland and is poten
/ TALLY knocking even now at the
gates of Coblenz.
Just below Coblenz the western
end of the central lateral of that
Nazi military road system reaches
the Rhine. Eastward it spans cen
trail Germany to beyond the ORES
den area. It may figure in joint
Russian-Allied plans for splitting
Germany wide apart in the center
eventually.