davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1945-06-10
The Long Promise
BY FRANCES PARKINSON KEYES

has been ill for long time now and her
wedding ring will not stay on any longer.
So he has brought a new measurement.
The clerk takes the slip of paper and the
old ring; then. gravely and carefully, an
exchange is made. The wedding ring does
not fit The jeWelry store supplies an
other Years ago the store made a
promise. Now the promise is fulfilled.
The middle-aged man turns to leave.
his expression happier than when he came
in At the door he meets woman. older
and more bent than he is. Evidently they
are friends and neighbors. for they pause
to pass the time of day. Then she approach
es the clerk with confidence. She had
pretty little hand when she married, she
admits, with smile of pleased reminis-
cence. But that was a long while back.
She has borne twelve children since then,
and now there are three times that many
grandchildren. She has worked hard, not
only in the house but in the garden and
in the rice fields too. Not that she has
minded She has had full life, and good
one But it is understood that a wOm-
ans hands do not stay pretty or small,
either, when she works like that and
lives like that through the years. Her
wedding ring hurts her because it is so
tight Look, she can hardly get it off. =.
Still gravely, the clerk takes the we'd
ding ring from her. compares it to those
in his tray. hands her another. She slips
it over gnarled finger which she lifts
proudly, surveying the gleam of gold.
Yes, this one fits. Many thanks. Merei
bfen. Bonsoir, monsieur She goes out, the
clerk turns to another customer.
Undoubtedly, when the first clerk guar
anteed the fit of the first alliance sold in
this store, he assumed that an exchange
would be made immediately if this were
indicated. But having been made, the
promise has been kept. No wonder the Gus
toners return confidently to this store
year after year.
But it is not only the clerk and all that
the store stands for that have revived my
faith in human nature and in the just re-
wards of steadfastness. The customers
have also done 50. They are keeping their
promises, too. They come to change their
wedding rings, yes. But not for some lesser
baubles. For others that will fit better.
So that they will be just right in sickness
and in health, in poor times and rich,
until death brings the first parting be-
tween giver and receiver. They are SYM
bols of marriages which require adjust
ments. but which last in spite of them.
And which are right to the very end, too
Evening star., 1945-06-10
This shop sold more than
wedding rings. 1t sold
the tradition of marriage

To MY mind, Lafayette. Louisiana, is
i one of the pleasantest cities | have
ever visited in the Deep South. The people
are gay and attractive, and their attitude
toward outsiders is 50 hospitable that no
one is long a stranger within their gates.
Their conversation is as likely to be in vol
uble French as in accented English, and 1t
is as merry as their manner
One of my favorite places in Lafayette,
strangely enough. is a jewelry store which
does not seem, at first. to be remarkable.
1t has the usual glass showcases running
around the sides, the usual vacant space
in the center. 1t sells the same sort of thing
as any shop of its type in any other small
city: silver forks and spoons, cream pitch
ers and sugar bowls; brooches pendants
and wrist watches And rings set with pre-
cious and semi-precious stones, none OF
them especially large or costly, and the
plain gold wedding rings of the region,
WHICH dIe k1lOWu dS UtbSbNteS
1t is these plain gold wedding rings and
the tradition surrounding them that sets
this jewelry store apart. For years, innum-
cradle people have focked in from the sur
rounding countryside to buy their we'd
ding rings here.
HERE are generally five persons in the
party - the parents of both the prospec-
tive bride and groom, and the groom HIM
self - all shabbily but substantially
dressed. all hardy and happy-looking The
prospective bride has remained modestly
at home. But of course her finger has been
carefully measured, and the measurements
are duly submitted to the clerk. who notes
them carefully before submitting we'd
ding ring for the inspection of the intent
little group.
But here is the important part of the
transaction: For years the jewelry store
has always had an essential rule - if the
wedding ring does not fit. it may be re-
turned. Since the bride cannot try it on
in person. it is sold with this distinct under
standing. The clerk wraps the ring up,
the groom counts out the money,
there are mutual expressions Of salts
faction and good will, and the pur-
chasers depart.
If you linger, as l like to do, in this
jewelry shop, you may see middle-aged
man coming in, approaching with an
anxious face the clerk who has just waited
on the prospective bridegroom. His wife
Evening star., 1945-06-10

sailors. He got started as Lloyd
Georges protege, was elected to the
House of Commons at %. In 1898, he
became editor of the London Eve
ming Standard. One 4 am. in 1912
he finished the last in a series blasting
the way England's brass hats we're
conducting the war. At 9 am. he
answered his draft call. reported as
tank private. Two years in the tanks,
officers school = and Lord Mount
batten ordered him to India to start
a paper for front-line troops. He's
been there ever since.
TORCH SINGER. The CTS on the
transport pulling into New York
rushed on deck to see the Statue of
Liberty. One little private waved his
arms, calledout happily: You can put
that torch down now, lady, I'm back"
Evening star., 1945-06-10

Names and descriptions Of all characters In
fiction stories and semi-6ction articles In this
ma&ax xine arc wholly imaginary. Any name
which happens to be the same as that Of any
person. living dead. Is entirely coineidentaL
Evening star., 1945-06-10
This Week Magazine

AAle "VVA Nio6ssihV
FOR A BETTER AMERIC
WILLIAM l. NICHOLS, Editor
SOLDIERS OF GLORY. RY................. 4
bv Major Fronk Owen
THE SILVER DOLLAR. R............... 7
BY Mormon A. Kohl
GUESS WHO ..................... 2
TRAVELLING Bv AIR. R..................1 II
BY Emily Post
on BORROWED TONGUES. .......12
BY Hizubetk Pope
FOOD FOR CONVERSATION. .....1 -
By byClsmsntiss Puddisford
TuRkA6OUT. ........... -
BY lisVt. Crois p. Cssoson
Cover BY International
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
Nuns The Word

The world was notified by Presi-
dent Truman that this country did
not intend to share the secret of the
atomic bomb with other nations. In
stead he proposed that Congress Gre
ate a legal authority for the protec-
ton and promotion of research into
the production of atomic energy.
"The discovery of the means of re-
leasing atomic energy" the President
said, "may some day prove to be more
revolutionary in the development OF
society than the invention OF the
wheel, use of metals or the steam and
internal combustion engines"
The President said that neither
Russia nor any other ally had asked
for engineering know-how that led to
perfection of the bomb.
He urged Congress to set up COM
mission to acquire all basic materials,
including land containing mineral de-
posts, used in the manufacture of
atomic power and to control all re-
search. Should any. peacetime prod
ucts be developed, he proposed that
they. could not be marketed without
lieanaA from thu commission.
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
ATOMS: Good Or Evil Force

MIR. Truman's grave view Of -
necessity for rigid control of atomic
research was seconded by other gov
eminent officials. War Secretary Rob-
ert P. Patterson told the House Mill
tary Committee that misapplication OF
atom bomb knowledge or failure to
carry forward research with utmost
vigor might mean passing sentence
of death on the future of the nation
and the entire world.
Maj. Gen. Leslie R. Groves, who
headed the governments develop
ment of the atomic bomb, urged Con-
gress to act speedily because "in inn
proper hands the power of the atom
might destroy the world but properly
used this same force can help light
the way to lasting peace and pros
perity for all the world"
Other scientists felt it would be
wiser to share the secret of atomic
power. Dr. Harlow Shapley Of Har-
ward testified it would be selfish and
dangerous" to conceal research knowl-
edge or obstruct use Of the power. He
advocated establishment of national
research agency to keep the u. S.
abreast of scientific developments and
revealing essential knowledge Of
atomic energy to the whole world.
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14

fore he even could be sworn in. In his
place was appointed Adm. Mitsumasa
Yonai, who once had the temerity to
oppose warlord Hideki TOTO. Toyoda,
it was inferred, was war-criminal
suspect.
On the new governments first day
in office, Irresponsible" officials led
Americans to more than $250,000,0O0
in japanese gold, silver and platinum
reserves. Allied headquarters said
the Imperial Army and Navy, which
controlled part of the fortune, hadn't
accounted for a penny since 1917
MacArthur's troops promptly im-
pounded the treasure. Records showed
that part of it belonged to the Bank
of Thailand (Siam), Bank of Indo-
china, Federal Reserve Bank Of
China, Bank of Italy and the Bank Of
Korea.
The only American occupation poll
icy to meet opposition was the ban on
Shinto as state religion to divorce
the church and state. Even Japanese
liberals seemed shocked by American
directness in attacking the traditional
concept of the emperor's divinity.
In practically every other respect,
the long repressed people heartily fa-
vored liberal reforms inaugurated by
MacArthur's military government.
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
In Short...

Honored: Chester w. Nimitz, sea
chief of the worlds biggest navy, and
the first admiral to pay an official visit
to New York City since Adm. George
Dewey in 1899.
Dedicated: Willkie Memorial Build
ing in New York City to perpetuate
his ideals on first anniversary of the
death of the 1910 COP presidential
nominee.
Sunk: A Japanese passenger ship
with 5000 Japanese aboard, by mine
off Kobe: $500 believed lost.
Arrested: Larry MacPhail, red
headed president of the New York
Yankees Baseball Clul, on charges OF
assault and battery for allegedly reg
istering a physical protest at the Bel
Air, Nd, telephone exchange over his
inability to make long distance call
during the nationwide four-hour work
stoppage of phone employees.
Re-examined: BY the U. S. Army,
plans for third set Of Panama Canal
locks, authorized by Congress before
the war but never completed.
Removed: Hideki TOTO, Japan's
Pearl Harbor premier who shot him.
self in the chest, from a u. S. Army
HOSPITAL in Tokyo to desolate Omorl
prison camp.
Organized: The Single Women's
Club in Britain by spinsters who
charge that as a result of the war one
~ a,,orv five English women will die
miss.
Returned: More than 70 per cent OF
Russia's hospitalized wounded to Red
Army ranks during the war, primarily
because of surgeons working practi-
cally in the firing lines.
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
This & That
Around The World Away

Q In Moscow, for the first time in five
years Russians expect enough coal to
keep reasonably warm this winter.
. Near Grand Junction, Colo, two
deer hunters startled and dropped a
four-point buck without firing shot.
Dressing their quarry, they found
large acorn wedged tightly in the
animals windpipe.
Q Japan has only 104,521 registered
automobiles and trucks, half of them
made in U.S.A.
Q In Pueblo, Colo, police nabbed
two car thieves so small they had to
work together. The boys, one 10, the
other IL, said one had to squat on the
floorboards to operate the clutch and
brake pedals while the other sat up
stairs" and steered.
Q In Jacksonville, ILL.,, a deputy
sheriff observed strict legal procedure
in serving adoption papers on three
months-old infant. He read the full
document to the gurgling baby and
since law decreed the papers must be
placed in the hands of the recipient,
tucked them under the arm OF the
notwithstanding infant.
Q In Connersville, Ind, dog has
steadfastly refused to reconvert from
war time. Accustomed to meeting
the school bus at 2:10 pm. daily, he
still goes to the bus stop at the same
time-and waits an hour for his
master.
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
2sl;} I > lis Eek
Abroad
Food, Fuel, Shelter

Facing hard, bitter winter, Brit
aims untried Labor Parliament began
this week the gigantic task of con-
verting the empires war geared
economy to peacetime basis and, at
the same time, Matchmaking major
industries and providing homes for
100000 bombed-out victims.
The coming months will be the SUI
preme test of the socialist reform pro-
gram and the man-in-the-street's be-
lief in peoples government"
Ending of American Lend-Lease
means continued rationing and tight
ered belts through the winter until
Britain's domestic food production can
be increased. Prospects were not
frightened by labor trouble among
dockworkers.
Prime Minister Clement Att1ee's
naturalization policy for coal mines
must get the recalcitrant miners back
to the pits or fuel shortages will be
more severe than any during the war.
That and housing are the most urgent
problems the Labor government must
face-and solve promptly.
Taxes probably will be pared. The
new interim budget, to be introduced
October %, is expected to bring some
relief to industry and small taxpayers.
Income taxes may go down. Britain's
foreign relations ranked high on the
agenda but on its domestic program
the fate of the Labor government
rested.
Well the peoples government"
knew that men and their families
must eat and have shelter from the
cold.
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
At Home
Final WPB Report

The War Production Board which
modified u S. industries to smash the
Axis gave labor and management a
merited well done" for its colossal
war effort but warned that smugness
in the wake of victory was an invita-
ton to national disaster.
During the past five years, the ma
ton more than doubled its industrial
output and produced weapons and
supplies valued at more than 1856 bill
lion dollars. In that period the mass
production lines spewed out $4,000
planes, including $4,000 bomberS;
76,485 ships, 17,400,400 rifles and side
arms, 86,338 tanks, 2,434,000 trucks,
$4,000 field artillery pieces and 1885,
SIS naval guns.
j. A. Krug, WPB chairman, praised
the wartime cooperation of capital
and labor but warned that strikes, ris-
ing prices and boarding of materials
threatened reconversion. If all these
pitfalls were avoided, he predicted the
nation would be out of the readjust-
ment woods early in 1916.
Meanwhile strikes continued to
sweep the nation. Soft coal miners and
operators neared settlement of their
dispute only to have it collapse again.
In New York City striking longshore-
men defed union orders to go back to
work. Troop carriers and Liberty ships
with food for starving Europe we're
tied to their piers awaiting cargo until
the government used soldiers to load
and unload vessels. In desperation
many ships were ordered to sail for
Europe empty rather than further de-
lay redeployment of troops.
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
Arsenal Of New Weapons

The Army chief of staff spiced his
report with hitherto secret details of
startling new weapons used against
Japan and Germany and tactical mis-
takes made by the enemy. Of new
weapons he said:
This discovery (atomic power) Of
American scientists can be mans
greatest benefit, and it can destroy
him. 1t is against the latter terrible
possibility that this nation must pre-
pare or perish"
During the last war, Marshall said,
his country was saved by sea dis
ance, her Allies and the errors of
prepared enemy. If the nation elected
again to depend on others for security,
ne warned, it would be carrying its
treasure and freedom in a paper
gag"
1T will be said," the general
warned, that to protect itself this
nation need only to rely on its ma
chine power, that it will not need
manpower. This doctrine will be
closely akin to the doctrine Of mega
tive defense which destroyed France.
THE only effective defense nation
can now maintain is the power of at
tack, and that power cannot be in
machinery alone. There must be men
to man the machines"
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
SHAKING THE HEMISPHERE
ARGENTINA: Peron Out

ocratic principles, including freedom
of speech and the press.
Principally through the influence of
the United States, Argentina was adj
mitted to the United Nations over the
repeated protests Of Russia.
A Reign OF Terror
Since then, the Argentine govern
ment instituted reign Of terror and
suspended many of its democratic
pledges.
At the request Of the U.S., Brazil
last week called. off its inter-Ameri-
can conference scheduled for October
&c at Rio de Janeiro, to consolidate
the Mexico City resolutions into a
permanent treaty for mutual defense.
The us. would not consider negoti-
ating a treaty of military assistance
with Argentina's totalitarian govern
ment.
With Argentina excluded, the Cha
pultapec treaty is to be negotiated
through normal diplomatic channels
with the 10 other American republics.
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
BeStr0ng,
i. S. Told

THE U. S., said Gen. George c.
| Marshall, is additionally a
peace-loving nation but he hoped
# had learned one lesson the hard
wav from two grueling world
wars. In the future, the Army
Chief of Staff recommended, it should
he determined to keep the peace and
he prepared to fight for it, if necessary.
Never again could it afford to be
caught with its military plans down.
Indeed, said Marshall, such policy
would be suicidal in the scientific
world of tomorrow.
In his biennial report, the general
stressed that the us. must implement
its will for peace with strength" and
toward that end recommended that
the nation concentrate on scientific
research and development and the
reation of national defense system
composed of a trained reserve of
.itizen-soldiers and compact regular
army heavy in air power.
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
Invasion OF Japan

Marshall's report revealed also the
blueprint for invasion of Japan, made
unnecessary by the Emperor's capitu-
laton. 1t had been scheduled for No
yember l.
The browning blunder Of Hitler,
Hlrohito and Mussolini was their COM
plete failure to frame joint strategy,
Marshall said. AS matter Of fact, he
pointed out, the Axis existed on paper
only.
The Allies took full advantage Of
this to defeat their enemies one by
one. First Italy was driven from the
war, then the European invasion was
mounted and carried through while
Japan was held at bay in the Pacific.
Finally, it became Japan's turn and
she fell under the combined attack
OF all the Allies using new and I'M
proved weapons.
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
No Bull On The Pampos

Col Juan Peron, Argentine strong
man whose military regime ruled the
pampas with an iron hand, resigned
as vice-president, war minister and
secretary of labor after a coup by the
same army that placed him in power.
The Farrell-Peron dictatorship had
been the object of strong u. criti-
cism because of its suspension of civil
liberties and failing of liberals. A vir-
tual state of siege had existed in the
country for months.
Peron's resignation was victory
for the us. State Departments blunt
handling of the situation. The crisis
was brought about in large measure
by Spruille Braden, new assistant Sec
rotary in charge Of Latin-American
affairs. AS Argentine ambassador,
Braden was an outspoken critic Of
Peron's totalitarian tactics and SYM
boil of hope for democratic elements
within the country.
Braden A Symbol
But some senators feared Braden
also became symbol, holly resented
by many Pan American nations, Of
us. interference in the internal affairs
of another state merely because it did
not like its form of government. This
"big stick" policy in the past created
much ill will and led to branding the
us. the COLOSSUS of the north"
There was much however to but
tress the fortnight Braden stand. Last
spring at Mexico City, nations OF the
western hemisphere banded together
in a temporary wartime alliance to
pledge mutual help in the event OF
aggression from without or within the
continent and pledged to uphold DEM
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
Quotes

Bernard Baruch: when peace
comes, it must be a peace by CO.
operation and not by appease-
ment.'
DR.. Isiah Bowman, president of
Johns Hopkins University: "The
war is not over, only the military
phase of it"
President Truman: "TVA (Ten-
nessee Valley Authority is just
plain common sense hitched to
modern science and good man
agement."
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14

S&
came the new Jap.
a n e Sc premier.
Shidehara, who is
"a and onetime ann
bassador to Wash.
ington, formed a
new cabinet of lib
eral elements.
One of the new
appointments didn't
last "a hours. Navy
Minister Adm. Soy
emu Toyoda's port
folio was lifted by
Gen, Macarthur be.
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
Reforms
In Japan

DRINCE FUMIMARO KO~
L MOVE, the last stubby, littlS
general to head an imperial cab
met for a long time to come,
stepped down and Kijuro Shide-
hara, aged but energetic foe OF
IL. tefe ho-
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14

Az Rights Reserved, AP Ne,usteatures)
The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-14
Justice
Frenzied French Courts

IN the Trial OF P1erre Laval Tor
treason, Paris provided the world with
the savage, thrilling spectacle of
man fighting for his life against odds
as great as in the circuses of ancient
Rome.
Laval, three times premier of France
and IA times cabinet minister, was
no ordinary man, nor faced with Or
binary circumstances.
Already sentenced to death in abb
sentia, he was convicted again by the
same judge and prosecutor who had
obtained death sentences for Marshal
Petain Qater committed to life i'm
prisonment) and for Joseph Darnand
These two, with Laval, formed the
hated Vichy triumvirate who ruled
Under the Nazis. Branded the "evil
genius behind Petain," Laval faced a
jury of resistance leaders some of
whom shouted on the trials first day:
"You swine! You deserve to be
hanged!"
When his attorneys refused to ap-
pear on the grounds that Lavals pre-
trial examination was unfinished, the
defendant became his own attorney.
Worn and haggard but wearing his
traditional white tie, Laval took the
center of the stage and for three hours
pleaded, denounced, cajoled and twit-
ted judge and jury. His eloquence put
the courtroom in such an uproar that
the judge expelled him. Next day he
was expelled a second time for refus-
ing to answer questions and the trial
continued without him.
Method In His Madness
Skillfully in the tumult, the willy
defendant, whom most Frenchmen
brand their No. traitor, made prog
ress. He got the court to Admit his
pre-trial examination was inadequate,
although it refused to postpone the
trial. Then he cleared himself of the
charge that he had plotted against
Frances security before 1910. The
prosecution conceded he could not be
held especially responsible for the
Armistice with Germany.
Meanwhile part of the 24-man jury,
parliamentary members who face con-
tests in the general election next Sum-
day, began to take time off to cam
paign. Before the situation got too
bad, the jury hurriedly brought in its
expected verdict: death.
Even Resistance newspapers sworn
to "get Laval" termed conduct of the
trial "scandalous." One editorialized
that Laval seemed able to contaminate
everything with which he came ir,
contact while another said bluntly:
"The Laval trial is beginning to make
France sick at her stomach"
More Pr0saic Justice
Elsewhere round the globe, wheels
OF Justice began to grind less dra-
; matically as Axis war criminals stood
up to face their fate. In Berlin, indict-
ments were handed up to the four
. power court against "a key Nazi lead
. ers. In Rome, German Gen. Anton
| Dostler went on trial on charge OF
having ordered the execution OF 10
us. war prisoners in the first Amerl-
!, can war crimes prosecution In the
Mediterranean area.
In Manila, Gen. Tomoyuki Yama-
: shita, the "Tiger of Malaga" and last
+ japanese commander in the Philip
: pines, pleaded not guilty as wal
! criminal His trial would start October
$ 20.
/ In Japan and China, the Army was
k amassing evidence of atrocities against
more and more Japanese in high ano
,. low positions. The docket was steadily
I GROWING