davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1946-12-26
Duiren Iron Curtain

The gruff, almost hostile reception
given an American courier ship at
the Russian-controlled Manchurian
port of Dairen is but one of a series
of incidents which have made it
plain that Moscow has no intention
of lifting the iron curtain from this
"free port" as long as it remains in
Russian hands. AS. the State De-
partment pointed out. the Soviet
commander at Dairen was legally
within his rights" in ordering our
ship to leave in twenty minutes or
suffer the consequences" But the
commander exercises these rights in
singularly bruSque way.
The Russian rights" derive from
a technical Interpretation of the
Chinese Russian treaties of August
IA, 1945, in which Dairen was desig-
mated as "a free port, open to trade
and shipping of all countries" and
which specified that the port was
to be administered by China. The
treaties gave Russia certain military
rights "in event of war with Japan"
however, and the Kremlin holds that
the war with Japan is on until peace
is officially declared.
In relying on these technical
rights, the local Soviet authorities
have adhered closely to the general
mo trespassing" policy dictated by
Moscow for all areas within the iron
curtain. American planes inad-
vertently venturing in the area have
been threatened, newspapermen who
entered Dairen without official per-
mission have been detained" and
then summarily elected, other Amer
lean citizens have been refused en-
try. Moreover. our consul general at
Dairen, H. Morrell Bennington. has
encountered anything but the Gus
tomary brand of diplomacy in his
efforts to deal with the Russians,
not only during the recent incident
but at various times since his as
signment there last spring.
Mr.. Benninghoff's only means of
radio communication with the State
Department is the Russian military
radio channel to Moscow. Russia
has ignored our requests that Mr..
Bennington be permitted to use the
regular diplomatic code.
No doubt the Dairen situation is
complicated by the time lag with
which the Soviet commander must
contend in seeking guidance from
Moscow in such circumstances as
those which attended the 48-hour
visit of our Navy ship. And, accord
ing to william H. Newton. American
correspondent aboard the vessel, the
local Russians seemingly live in
terror of taking any step unless
cleared first with the Kremlin."
There seems little prospect that
Dairen's status as a free port will
be realized until Russian-Japanese
peace treaty is signed-and there is
always the possibility that Moscow
will find further excuses for domi-
mating this important Manchurian
harbor. ~
Evening star., 1946-12-26
The Pain of Thinking

According to DR.. William J. Reilly,
who runs the National Institute for
Straight Thinking, there is much
too much conclusion jumping in our
world. This is not discovery; it is
not startling news; nearly everybody
is aware of it because nearly every
body-human nature being what it
isis prone to do what DR.. Reilly
deplores.
The thing that makes DR.. Reilly's
comment noteworthy is that he has
coupled with it an attempt to show
us the way to self-correction. The
thinking process, he says, is divided
into four distinct parts: Cd The
quick observation. (2) the definition
of the problem; 90 examination of
a possible solution, and "a the ar
rival at a conclusion. But what do
most of us do? According to DR..
Reilly, we just skipi parts two and
three and leap with alacrity from
one to four. The result is that all
too. many of us. on all too many
issues, are little more than opinion
ated ignoramuses, made particularly
insufferable by our tendency to as
sumo that we alone can be right.
If one were to inspect it closely
that is to say, if one were to analyze
it according to the mans own for
mula-Dr. Reilly's four-part COM
Standardization of the thinking
process probably would be found to
be oversimple. Even so, no one can
deny that he is on sound ground in
suggesting that the world would be
lot better off if people in general
refrained from making up their
minds on any given subject without
first devoting full thought to it all
the way from observation to defini-
ton and examination and thence
to conclusion. This is good advice.
The trouble with it. though, is that
the average Observation-Disclosures head
hurts from being battered by vast
multiplicity of problems in an age
of unparalleled complexity-will be
inclined to regard it as a counsel of
perfection.
The truth is that most of us
Just lack the time to think things
through-the time and the energy.
Never in history have there been SO
many interlocking issues OF such
far-reaching scope and intricacy as
there are now. Intellectual laziness
to one side. we have much too much
conclusion-jumping because there is
much too much to observe, define,
examine and make up our minds
about, nationally and information
ally. Thinking is painful. Rather
than resort to it when complicated
situations come up-indeed because
he is often too busy or distracted to
resort to 1.-THE average man nat
urally tends to fall back on his nice,
Evening star., 1946-12-26

KANSAS CITY, Mo, Dec. 26.-No one
knows at this time just what Is in Presi-
dent Truman's mind as to '48, and that
probably goes for Truman himself.
Whatever his personal inclinations, he
would be foolish to make a decision
now, If he were to say that he was out
of the picture two years hence, whatever
semblance he has Of control and leader
ship over an already shattered party
would be lost.
So it is that the President may be
expected to be ir there pitching to the
best of his ability until his constitutional
term is out, leaving any disclosures as
to future intent to await developments.
That's common sense.
Without pretending in any way to
be in the Presidents confidence, it's a
good guess that Truman would like to
wind up his job in '48 and come back
home. But to do so is another thing.
In the first place, even though the
presidency is tremendous burden,
probably the heaviest in the world--the
writer has never known President yet,
from Theodore Roosevelt down, who,
when the time came to move out OF
the big, white mansion on Pennsylvania
avenue, did not relinquish it with gen.
uine inner regret. The presidency, with
its great personal power and perquisites,
grows upon any one unconsciously.
There will also be pressure upon Tru-
man to run, both from the clique Of
cronies and personal intimates who
have risen to power and conspicuous
ness with HIM and from party leaders
on the theory that it is better to have
no major fight over the nomination and
let the party row be over the vice presi-
dency. The Democrats have to run on
the Truman record anyhow.
A whole lot will depend upon two
factors: First, how well Truman can
work with the Republican majority on
Capitol Hill; second, the state of busi-
ness. If the Nation should go into the
1s48 election in period of rising pros
Evening star., 1946-12-26
Charles Hart

A few days before he died Charles
Hart sent copies of his Memories
of a Forty Miner" to friends with a
characteristic note to the effect that
no acknowledgment was necessary.
He had been i'll for a long time,
crippled with arthritis, constantly in
pain, yet-perhaps because of his
own suffering-he wished to spare
others additional bother in the
busiest season of the year. No
Washingtonian of his generation
lived more deliberately for his neigh
bors. He was a useful citizen in the
finest meaning of the word.
Mr. Hart was graduated from
Eastern High School in 1894. He
was made principal there in 1918.
Meanwhile, he had earned such pro-
motion as a teacher at the Tenley
Elementary School and at the old
Business High School. His career
as an adviser in athletics dated from
1899. The three major occupations
with which his name durably will be
associated were parallel interests.
He managed his energies with rare
skill, turning from task to task, duty
to duty, with an ease and grace
that were wonderful to watch. The
secret of his success undoubtedly
was to be found in his zeal and
devotion. His work was a Joy to
him-largely because it brought him.
into touch with people. The best
compliment he ever received, &C
cording to his own estimation, was
that of a mother who wrote to him
that her daughter "leaves for school
each day just plain happy"
Had Mr.. Hart served few months
longer, he might have boasted half
century of unbroken activity in the
educational system of the District of
Columbia. The whole city proflted
from his labors, especially from those
interschool endeavors for which he
was noted. But it will be at Eastern
High School that he will be remem-
bered especially. He was to it, as
it's Alumni Bulletin has declared,
what DR.. Arnold was to Rugby or
what Dr.. Eliot was to Harvard.
Evening star., 1946-12-26
A Moral in 1t

From the Christian Science Monitor tBostonD.
American chronological know-hN
and gadget-minded inventiveness ate
getting it in the neck these days. The
ancient Oriental abacus has twice
beaten the latest strearnlined American
model calculating machine to the count.
Back in the 'twenties Elmer Rice wrote
his play, "The Adding Machine" ito
prove the spiritual poverty Of an over-
mechanized, money-mad civilization.
Now stunt contest has caught up with
his symbol Behind the surprise de
ment in this victory of the modest
abacus there is lesson for the modern
world, with its overconfident reliance
on the machine rather than on man as
q nonmechaniStic being.
Evening star., 1946-12-26
Thinking Of 1913
By Roy A. Roberts
Managing Editor, Kansas City Star

perity, with living costs fairly well stabil-
lied, the situation might look entirely
different from what it does now.
That's why it Is entirely too early
to attempt to give the answer on Tru-
mans future now. "a
Should the President step aside in
1948, the New Dealers and former Roose-
welt followers unquestionably would
launch a comeback effort to seize con-
troll of the Democratic Party behind
Henry Wallace.
The conservatives speculate about
other conservatives, such as Chief Jus
uce Fred Vinson and the possibility OF
his stepping down from the Supreme
Court to become the party nominee.
This probably is out of the question for
many reasons.
That isn't what the COP oppo-
sition expects, however. They would
like nothing better @than taking on
Wallace or, on the other hand, some
conservative substitute for Truman.
Most Republican guesses are that the
President will run again and they are
going to point their campaign strategy
to that end.
What some OF the ShreWder leaders
really fear-although they are not very
vocal about it's that if the President
should renounce any future ambitions
for himself, the party strategists might
duck all the rival clashes for present
power and take on the leadership of a
military hero like Gen. Ike Eisenhower
or Gen. George Marshall.
Such move would wipe out much OF
the bitterness and strife of today and
present the Republicans with an en-
tirely new picture and new issues.
It would take out OF the campaign
much of the recrimination engepdered
during the Roosevelt regime and the
unhappy postwar difficulties under Iru.
man. Such a complete about-face OF
a party would be difficult to achieve
and is not likely, but as possibility it
can't be ruled out.
tNcrth American Newspaper Allianceo
Evening star., 1946-12-26
Mr.. Messersmith's Return

It is unfortunate that the return
of George S. Messersmith to Wash
ington has been interpreted as the
signal for Showdown" between
our Ambassador to Argentina and
Assistant Secretary of State Spruille
Braden.
That the two men do not see eye
to eye on our policy toward Argen-
tina is, of course, no secret. But the
real question at issue goes far
beyond any differences of opinion
between Mr.. Braden and Mr.. Messer-
smith. The important thing is
whether the policy of this Govern
ment, rather than the views of in
dividual Government officials, is
right or wrong.
Mr.. Braden, with the support of
Secretary of State Byrnes, opposes
any compromise with the Argentine
government of President Peron. Mr..
Braden opposed Peron when he was
Ambassador to Argentina and he
distrustS him now. If the Braden
viewpoint prevails, Argentina will
not be admitted fully into the West
ern Hemisphere family of nations
until it fulfills all of its commit
ments." Chief among these are the
rounding up of Nazi agents, the
elimination of Nazi schools and the
seizure of Nazi business firms.
The dissenters from this policy,
including such prominent congress
sional figures as Senators Connally
and Vandenberg, contend that it is
unwise and unreaistic. They feel
that the Peron government has sub
stantially met the conditions. Con-
sequently, in their view, a continua-
ton of the firm" policy would
amount not only to Intervention. in
Argentine affairs-a situation which
Peron probably could turn to his
own advantage-but would also tend
to drive Argentina toward Soviet
Russia, which has been increasingly
active in Latin America. The in
dications are that this view, at least
so far as the question of supplying
arms to Argentina is concerned, is
shared by our military officials, for
their belief is that the Argentines
will get arms elsewhere if they can
not obtain them from us.
The precise position of Mr.. MesSer-
smith in this conflict of opinion Is
not clear. But he is an able and
experienced diplomat. He went to
Buenos Aires untouched by the past
record of conflict with Peron, and
he has had ample opportunity to
view the conditions there at first
hand. Thus, the counsel that he is
equipped to give should be valuable,
and it should be received and
weighed on it's merits. For the ma
tional interest involved in the
matter of our attitude, toward
Argentina is more important than
any question of personalities.
Evening star., 1946-12-26

least one important and wealthy Ohio
political figure has said privately that
when the time is ripe he will declare
for Harold Stassen and help his cam
paign.
With his usual courage Senator Taft
made his predicted choice to stake his
chances on his role in labor, health,
educational and social legislation. His
decision to chairman labor is equivalent
to an assertion of belief that the Amer
ican people, including unions, will prefer
an enlightened conservative to a New
Dealer Senator Taft expects to build
this picture of his role by standing
against the reactionary right of his own
party and of the South.
Two persons vitally concerned in the
Taft-Bricker outcome are also going to
be on the Washington spot in the en-
suing months-Mrs. Taft and Mrs.
Bricker.
Alert Martha Taft, Alice Longworth's
bosom friend, and accustomed since
childhood to public life and all it entails,
is already tagged. She has wit, sparkle,
energy and an interest in affairs rem
iniscent of Mrs. Roosevelt. 1t would
be a newspaper must" to watch Mrs.
Taft in the White House.
Mrs. Bricker can hold her own even
with that rather salty personality in
winning friends. Handsome and dark
haired she favors in looks and manner
the most popular Presidents wife in
recent memory, Mrs. Coolidge.
As most people love nothing better
than a conflict between the ladies-re-
member the Gann-Longworth 'feud'-
Mrs. Taft and Mrs. Bricker will be
watched for a clash. Probably they will
be disappointed
Omitted States Disciplinary Barracks.
A great number OF the boys did do
something more than 60 AWOL,, but still
they didn't deserve the punishment
which they received.
That's why say it's laugh when
the boys who call themselves con-
scientious objectors ask to be par
doned. All during the war they were
safe and happy. Now they want to be
released to enjoy the freedom of the
United States which they refused to
fight for.
For myself and my buddies all can
say is that they have some crust.
EX-U. S. D. B. BOY.
Evening star., 1946-12-26
Mr.. Koch's Idea

man named l.. Gerald kOcn mas
Just suggested that the entire popu-
lation of the world ought to go to
bed simultaneously on a given date
and not get up until week later.
He feels that the human race is
much too jittery and that if it had
seven days and seven nights of
silence and sweet dreams. it would
wake up whistling, feeling like new
man, in fine fettle to tackle and
solve its knottiest problems.
1t is easy enough, of course, to find
flaws in this proposal and to say
that nothing could be more improb-
able than it's adoption. Cynics, more
over, may scoff at it as bit of
special pleading because Mr.. Koch
is a Chicago mattress maker and
chairman of the Long Bed Commit
tee of the National Association of
Bedding Manufacturers. Neverthe-
less, however impractical or calculat-
ing his idea may be. he can answer
his critics right back. He can go to
the nearest book of familiar quota
tionS and show that he is in good
company in singing the praises of
sleep.
Thus, Mr.. Koch can cite Cervan-
tes' words: "Now, blessings light on
him that first invented this same
sleep! it covers man all over,
thoughts and all, like a cloak; it is
meat for the hungry. drink for the
thirsty, heat for the cold. and cold
for the hot. 1t is the current coin
that purchases all the pleasures of
the world cheap; and the balance
that sets the king and the shepherd,
the fool and the wise man, even."
Or Mr.. Koch can quote Longfellow
to say, as if speaking for our pres
ent-day world:
For 7 am weary, and am overwrought
With too much toll, with too much care
distraught,
And with the iron crown of anguish
crowned.
Lay thy soft hand upon my brow and
cheek.
o peaceful Sleep!
Indeed, Mr.. Koch, in defense of
himself, can cite enough verse and
prose to fill a book. Actually, his
idea is more than charming or spec
tacular; it is poetical and profoundly
philosophical. If all the peoples of
Evening star., 1946-12-26
What Might Be Done

Fron La Press MontreaD.
d it possible to obtain at the present
tine the sincere support of all nations
forEsimilar projects (of DISARMAMENT
Thf attempts made in this direction
previous to the last war unfortunately
faikd But the ravages which have
bea inflicted from 1899 to 1945 might
well influence governments to show
mare concilation than they have In the
past Armaments have become an in
tderable economic burden.
Peoples would surely profit, were they
relieved of this weight. What useful
work could be done with the millions,
the billions, so saved. Will not the
treoccupation with their welfare Of
people all over the world be more i'm
portant than questions of prestige back
led by the possession of imposing armed
forces?
Evening star., 1946-12-26
Mury to Her First-Born

Does the Star shine too brightly IN,
NeU One,
Fer tender eyes?
,pia drape it out iDith my robe OF blue,
F0 rest time flies!
Do he coarser hay strands scratch at
your skin,
Cheek, soft ,oarni lips?
I ,uil lay my scarf that its fln-tolds b
Lie finger tipsf
But he day may come Dhen ! cannot
sserve
A sorer need;
Remember in heartbreak then, my Son,
ThH I too bleed! Fss1s
EMMA MAURTTz LARSON
Evening star., 1946-12-26

comfortable, easy-as-pie preconcep-
tions and prejudices.
So error grows and multiplies, and
ignorance is articulated more dog
matically than ever on an ever
increasing scale. At the root of the
evil is a problem peculiar to our time
the problem that has been called
"the problem of all the problems"
Until that one is solved, enterprises
like DR.. Reilly's National Institute
for Straight Thinking are going to
have a terribly hard job on their
hands.
Evening star., 1946-12-26
Fan Mail
From the Chicago Daily News.

Walter Nierstaemier, superintendent
of Menard Prison, reveals that William
Heirens, the Degnan murderer, receives
fan mail in the security hospital. Most
of this fan mail, Mr.. Nierstaemier says,
comes from women.
Sometimes we forget that the word
"fan' is an abbreviation of fanatic"
In this case, the fans are fanatics, with
out a doubt. We suggest that the prison
send along all this mail to the Illinois
Institute of Neuropsychiatry 1t might
turn up some citizens who are as cracked
as Heirens himself
Evening star., 1946-12-26

the world, all at the same time, could
possibly 60 to bed for a whole week
and enjoy Scott's wish-"To all, to
each, fair goodnight, and pleas
ing dreams, and slumbers light"
who can doubt that everything
would take a turn for the better?
Mr.. Koch really has got hold of
something, though we can be sure,
alas, that nothing will ever come
of it,
Evening star., 1946-12-26
He OUGHT To!

From the Montreal Star.
Ilya Ehrenburg says the average
American Is slave to propaganda, but
doesn't know it, So the Russian has
something on the American after al.
The Russian does know he's . slave.
Evening star., 1946-12-26

Hank and the MissuS never will
grow up. Every Christmas they give
the kids a lot of. mechanical toys
for themselves to play with.
Evening star., 1946-12-26
COS Critically Appraised

Cos Critically Appraised
To the Editor of The Star:
read the story of how the con-
scientious objectors are asking to be
released from confinement That sure
is laugh.
Many boys like myself have been
overseas for 80 or more months, risking
our lives every minute of every one OF
those days.
The war got on many OF the boys
nerves, others just got fed up with the
whole thing and went AWOL for one day
or for couple of months. When they
came back to their outfits they were
sentenced to serve anywhere from one
year to natural life In q. s. D. p.
Evening star., 1946-12-26

Won't it be wonderful when once
again John l.. will mean Sullivan?
Evening star., 1946-12-26

DlSdyICCS I'LL wv OoAoiiAiilStS 10
To the Editor of The Star:
Statements Of two columnists in your
December 16 edition should not be
allowed to go unchallenged
Harold L. Ickes appears to be sole
discoverer of a deep White House plot
to get rid of Vice Admiral Ross T. Nc
Intire as Surgeon General of the Navy.
Perhaps Mr.. Ickes' constant fulmina-
tions against the administration which
dispensed itself of his services should
not be taken too seriously, but for the
record it should be remembered that
Admiral McIntire completed two four
year terms as Surgeon General. To
have reappointed him would have been
the unusual step. It is rare, indeed
that naval officer is reappointed to a
second term as bureau chief; third
appointment is almost unprecedented,
yet Mr.. Ickes would have us believe that
failure to take this most unusual step
is the result of a plot.
Mr.. Ickes also would have his readers
believe that there is dirty politics in
tllC dppOlAlolA1CAc VI oSsSAA o JeAAA1oA o1AAoSA
as Capt Swanson as Admiral Nc
Intire's successor, when If he had taken
the trouble to acquaint himself with
his subject at all, he would have known
that more often than not Junior officers
are picked over their seniors. Nc
Intire's successor, when, if he had taken
mander when appointed and was
jumped over commanders, captains and
rear admirals. Moreell was Junior
when. first appointed to Yards and
Docks; Vandegrift was brigadier
general when appointed Marine Corps
commandant. And so on.
Turning now to David Lawrence, It
would require too much space to refute
point by point the many errors in his
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1946-02-14
EUREKA NEWS

Mr. and Mrs Norman Korn, Mr..
and Mrs. J. R. Culver, Mr.. and Mrs.
Pearl Zook, and Mr.. and Mrs. Herb
Fleming and Mr.. and Mrs. Merlyn
Scott. A crowd of approximately
300 were present. Music was by
Mrs. Win Harvey, John Finch,
Dwane Meuli and Ramona Peltier.
Mrs. Pearl Zook played the violin
for the square dances.
AT midnight the supper March
was led by the bride and bride
groom who were present, Mr.. and
Mrs. Leroy Frost. A delicious lunch
was furnished by the ladies and
served by the hosts and hostesses.
Prizes were given throughout the
evening and a good time was had
by all. Mrs. Morgan made the cof-
fee for which the Committee wishes
10 thank her.