davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1946-05-07
British Atomic Law

though quite as sweeping in It's
obJectives, the bill Just filed with
Parliament for the control of atomic
energy in Britain seems almost
makeshift compared to the one pro-
posed for the United States.
AS recently introduced in the
Senate, with unanimous committee
approval, the Mcmahon bill would
establish an all-powerful civilian
commission for America, plus mill
tary liaison committee, an advisory
committee and a special joint con-
gressional committee. From an
administrative standpoint the ar
rangement would be as elaborate
as the unique and dangerous atomic
problem demands, and it would
involve fines up to $4,000 or prison
sentences up to twenty years, or
both, for individuals guilty of dis
seminating restricted information.
In sharp contrast, the British bill
would set up no new agency of any
kind but would merely hand over
atomic energy control to the Min
lstry of Supply as an addition to the
ministryS present responsibilities.
Moreover, penalties for revealing
restricted data would be much milder
than those fixed in the proposed
United States law, amounting to
maximum of only five years impris-
onment or a top fine of $500, or
both. In short, although Britain's
control objectives would be as great
and far-reaching as ours, its admin
istrative and enforcement machinery
would be relatively unimpressive-a
fact likely to puzzle any American
familiar with the long debate, the
exhaustive hearings and the careful
thinking that went into the writing
of the Mcmahon bill.
1t would be a mistake, however.
to conclude from this that Britain
is Understanding the gravity and
magnitude of the atomic problem.
The fact that it contemplates con-
trolls as drastic as ours proves other
wise. The bill in Parliament has
been filed with the frank acknowl-
edgment that the administrative
features are of an experimental,
stopgap nature. Unlike our own
press and public, the press and
public of the United Kingdom have
been more or less Indifferent to the
legislative phases of this subject,
and there has been nothing over
there comparable to the Mcmahon
committee, with the result that the
proposed British law seems largely
Evening star., 1946-05-07
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

President Trumans proposal to Con-
gress that legislation be enacted author
izing the supply of war material,
military training and technical advice
and training to the other nations of the
Western Hemisphere looms at once as
q matter of major Importance in inter-
national relations. In his message to
Congress the President spoke of the
proposed program as one of military
collaboration with other American
states" 1t is intended to enhance the
defense of the Western Hemisphere.
The President was careful to say that
the operation Of the proposed program
was to be within the spirit and principle
OF the United Nations Charter. 1t
comes also within the provisions of the
Charter which provide for regional
arrangements. Under the terms of the
Charter regional arrangements may be
entered into-as in the case of the
Americas-which may be used for the
maintenance Of peace or the resistance
OF aggression, with the authority of the
Security Council of the United Nations.
The Presidents message and the
Introduction of the accompanying bill
IN Congress are not to be construed, it
Is said. as in any measure a threat to
other nations, including Russia. It Is
simply common sense program to
standardize and improve military de-
fenses by nation which has the ability
for production and for training, techni-
cal and otherwise. However, 1t will
undoubtedly be construed as In some
measure an offset to the extension of
Russian military arrangements with
the countries now within the sphere
Of Russian influence.
This country. also, has considerable
military material, under lease-lend in
other American countries, and under
the proposed legislation this material
may be disposed of advantageously. The
United States. too, has large surpluses
of war materials on hand which also
could be supplied to the other American
nations
Mr.. Truman in his message pointed
out that the American republics have
ASSUMED new responsibilities for their
mutual defense and for the mainten-
ance of peace in the Act of Chapultepec
and the Charter of the United Nations
Evening star., 1946-05-07

Washington was exploited by the propa-
ganda agencies of Maurice Thorez, the
nominal head of the Communist Party
In France. But the realistic French re-
allied they could expect nothing but
token" economic assistance from the
U. S. s. r., which herself is asking for
aid from the United States.
The shrewdly arranged telephone con-
versation Of last week between Presi-
dent Truman and Foreign Minister
Bldault-who is the head of the MRP,
a moderate Christian Socialist party
and spearheaded the opposition to the
constitution-was used in a spectacular
manner by the moderate elements in
France.
The assertion by the White House
that nothing but courteous greetings
were exchanged between the President
and the French Foreign Minister did
not succeed in offsetting the effect of
the inspired reports that America was
ready to come to Frances rescue.
This view Is expected to be confirmed
IN the near future when it is announced
that Mr.. Blum has been able to arrange
Tor immediate credits through the Ex-
port-Import Bank of at least $l00, ,OOO,-
600 worth of vital necessities to be
purchased in this country and rushed
to France as soon as possible Further
assistance in the form of credits which
do not have to- 60 through the slow
process OF congressional ratification will
be extended to France later.
+ y II
For the time being the French people
have demonstrated clearly that they
want to maintain their traditional right
to control the government instead of
being controlled by it, as is the case in
Russia and in all the countries of Cen
tral and Southeastern Europe. This
demonstration Is encouraging and may
have wide effect on the rest of Europe
II the French people vote against to-
talitarianism at the forthcoming elec-
ton.
Political observers in Washington re-
gard the result of the Sunday ballot
as the first ray of sunshine in an other
wise dark and uncertain European politi-
cal sky. They believe that the French
determination not to accept totahtari-
anism-regardless of how it may have
been coated-will have an important
repercussion even in Britain, where the
government is said to be seriously
concerned over the lethargy of its people
toward the increasing pressure of Com
munist propaganda.
Evening star., 1946-05-07

Blames Con9ressmen for Famine
To the Editor OF The Star:
In your editorial, while Millions
Starve," citing confusion at the top
level regarding what methods should
be taken to help alleviate the growing
famine in Europe, you ask If We are
not f1ddling while fourth Of mankind
starves.
Sir, have we not been fddling for
the past 10 months? A year ago l
saw in Europe thousands of acres of
farmland lying fallow and untended.
I also saw stunted French and Dutch
children who already had suffered from
malnutrition. To me those untended
fields gave stark, mute warning of i'm
pending famine.
Since my return to the United States
I have heard one Representative and
one Senator from my State say that
they, too, were in Europe last summer.
These men are supposed to possess keen,
observant minds. Seeing those un-
planted fields and those stunted chill
dren, did the obvious warning escape
them? Was 1t lack of foresight or lack
of courage which prompted these men
and others of their colleagues to say
little about-do less about-what they
saw in Europe 10 months ago?
RICHARD j. PERRY.
Evening star., 1946-05-07
A. A. A. S. Home

The American Association for the
Advancement of Science long has
needed home Of its own. Its ad-
ministrative secretary has had an
office in the old Smithsonian Insti-
tuition building for many years, but
accommodations there have been
far from adequate The Smith
sonian plant already was crowded to
the bursting point when it gave
hospitality to the A. A. A. S., and
conditions have not improved since
then.
But even if there were plenty of
room in the Smithsonian establish
ment for the worlds largest fellow
ship OF scientific workers, a build
ing specifically devoted to shelter
ing the enterprises of the A. A. A. S.
would be wanted. Those activities
are expanding and require space for
their growth. During the next CEN
tury or so the whole picture of civili-
zation either will be ruined by SCI
ence or, providentially, preserved by
1t. The practitioners of organized
common sense" have discovered how
to tap atomic energy. BY the same
processes of reason and logic, they
now must learn how to employ their
discovery to justify the survival of
civilization. Such is their duty and
their privilege. And scientists are
well aware of both their obligation
and their opportunity. They con-
Stltute a modern equivalent of
Archimedes the Syracusan, who
about twenty-one centuries ago de-
clared: Give me a lever long enough
and a prop strong enough, and
single-handed can move the world"
The new A. A. A. S. building should
be the prop" just as the know-how
should be the lever" for science to
do what the lay public expects SCI
ence to do. 1t will not be simply a
monumental luxury. On the con-
trary, 1t will be structure with a
strictly pragmatic purpose. The
site at Scott Circle is convenient to
the Carnegie Foundation, the Ma
tlonal Geographic Society and other
centers of activity of the same gen.
eral character. 1t is not too distant
from the Smithsonian. When the
new ediflce has been raised and
placed In service, Washington will
have even greater cause to claim
to be the scientific center of the
Western Hemisphere, if not of the
entire globe. Should the A. A. A. S.
need help from the local community
toward that end, it will merit and
deserve it to the full.
Evening star., 1946-05-07
FOur-POWer Pact
By George Fielding Eliot

this period Is established as minimum,
without prejudice to further extension?
1t should be observed that the draft of
the proposed treaty calls for the con-
clusion, within six months of the rati-
fication of the treaty. of special agree
ments as to the numbers and types of
forces to be made available to support
the assumed obligations. The Russians
may perhaps regard this as an attempt
to set maximal limit on their forces
of OCCUPATION rather than a minimal
limit on their own.
But this is matter which could easily
be adjusted by negotiation when the
special agreements aSnve referred to
came up for consideration. AS matter
of principle, it would seem reasonable
to think that the Russians would be
glad to be assured that for Is years at
least we will share the burden nt oc-
cupying and controlling Germany.
*Ax
The Potsdam agreement-which the
Tass dispatch suggests is weakened by
Mr.. Byrnes proposal-estabhshes Ger
tain purposes and objectives, but it sets
no time limits. Under the Potsdam
agreement, We are pledged to carry out
policies, but it is not clear that we are
pledged to stay in Germany forever.
and 1t is not clear just who will deter
mine when the Potsdam objectives have
been satisfactorily accomplished. In
other words, the way is left open for
gradual American withdrawal, perhaps
on the ground that the disarmament,
ETC., OF Germany is completed and that
German government must get ready
to take over, or just as result of ac-
cumulated disgust arising from con-
slant difficulties, friction and confusion.
Is such a withdrawal, in fact, what
the Russians want? Would they prefer
TO leave the situation as it is. with the
dwindling and final disappearance of
american military power from the con-
tlnent OF Europe among the possibilities
OF the immediate future? Would they
prefer that there be no definition in
terms OF strength and time of our mill
tary obligations in Germany?
This is one possible explanation of
their present attitude, If we may assume
that attitude to be correctly reflected
by the Tass dispatch. The point is one
which we may we'll keep in mind as
possibly illuminative of the future
course OF Russian policy regarding the
Byrnes treaty-which will be further
pressed-and regarding the whole oues-
ton OF quadripartite arrangements In
Germany and Austria.
(Copyrisht 1946J
Evening star., 1946-05-07
1t Goes Part Woy

The Sumners-Capper amendment
was drawn on the theory that the
constitution should leave to Con-
gress the degree of representation,
In Congress and in the electoral
college, that the people of the Dis
trict might enjoy-subject only to
the maximum limitations imposed
by proportional representation on
the people of the States.
The thought behind this theory
was that while Congress might
limit this representation to the
House alone, or might permit the
election Of only one instead of two
Senators from the District, expert
ence and public opinion might de-
cree more or less representation
later on. In other words, the amend
ment would merely give Congress
the power to admit the people of
the District to some sort of national
representation, without attempting
to specify how the power was to be
exercised. 1t was an enabling
amendment only.
The Senate Judiciary Committee,
by a margin of one vote, declined
to report this resolution and sent
1t back to the Hatch subcommittee
for reconsideration. Several Sena-
tors, including Chairman McCarran
and Senator O'Mahoney, either
objected to the possibility of District
representation in the Senate or be-
lieved that such possibility would
defeat the amendment.
The new Hatch amendment has
been rewritten to overcome the OBJ
lection Of the possibility of District
representation in the Senate. The
Star, for one, hopes that the
Judiciary Committee will report it
to the Senate. II debate in the
Senate supports the theory that no
amendment can be approved that
permits even the possibility of Dis
trict representation in the Senate,
the modified form of the amend
ment now recommended by Senator
Hatch is obviously to be preferred
TO no amendment at all. The new
amendment would give the people
of the District some voice in their
Government. 1t would go part way
in correcting a condition which so
disgracefully repudiates, as long as
it exists, the principles on which
our form OF government is based.
Evening star., 1946-05-07
The Army and Food

Shortly after V-J day the war
Department requested committee
of civilian food experts to conduct
a survey of Army food supplies and
their handling, with view not only
to salvaging huge surpluses left over
from the war, but to placing the
Army messing program on an eff
cient peacetime basis. The commit
tee completed its survey last Octo-
ber and submitted its report on
April S. The report, recommending
drastic reforms in policies and pro-
cedures and criticizing certain vast
age of food, has just been made
public Why there was so much
delay in making public the findings
of the investigators has not been
explained. Whatever the reason, it
Is unfortunate that the report
could not have been released more
promptly, for it was inevitable that
its publication in the midst of the
Governments famine-relief cam
paign should leave headline readers
with the impression that the criti-
cized waste and spoilage are prev
alent in the Army at the very time
that civilians are being urged to
sacrifice.
Actually, the losses of food
through spoilage of surplus stocks
which the committee properly de-
plored occurred approximately six
months ago. At that time the Army
found itself with a large reserve of
wartime stocks of food on hand and
with an increasing clamor for quick
demobilization of our soldiers-in-
cluding, of course, those assigned to
handle food. The rapid demobili-
zation left stores of perishable food
without adequate or experienced
personnel. to take conservation
measures against decay or to make
1t feasible to salvage and redistrib-
ute the war-born stocks. AS a re-
suit, the committee found, there was
serious loss of food" The COM
mittee confined it's observations to
the Army, but there undoubtedly
have been similar food losses in the
Navy-although the fact that some
discarded Navy food failed to have
i'll effects on an Oregon Representa-
tive in a dramatic test does not, of
itself, prove that the food should
not have been thrown away.
On the basis of its observations
last October, the committee has
made some constructive recommen-
dations for reorganization of the
Army's traditional system of keep
ing itself well fed. Noting what it
described as the general inferior
quality" of men assigned to cook
and handle food, the group sug-
nested the creation of Food Serv-
ice Corps in the Army, composed of
men carefully trained and ade-
quately paid for the important and
highly specialized duties OF feeding
an army. In addition, it was urged
Evening star., 1946-05-07

The great virtue OF the four-power
treaty concerning Germany, proposed by
Secretary of State Byrnes at Paris, IS
that it establishes q definite pledge by
the United States to stay in Germany
for at least Is years, and at the end of
that time to consult with the other
three powers as to the need of staying
longer.
AS this column pointed out as long
ago as February / of this year. such
definite pledge is of the utmost impor-
tance for the stabilization of Europe and
of the world. Memories Of American
withdrawal and abandonment of re-
sponsibility after the last war have
plagued the minds of many of our
friends. The violent reaction after VI
day, the universal cry Bring the Boys
Home!" which resulted in the virtual
disintegration of our Army, has done
nothing to increase confidence abroad
in our determination to see this peace
through.
Mr.. Byrnes' treaty would 60 far to
allay these very natural anxieties. Also,
its ratification by the Senate would 60
far toward stabilizing our own thinking
on the subject. 1t would establish
definite obligation. It would enable
definite. military plans to be made. as
far as occupation forces are concerned.
*sx ~
One would have supposed, therefore,
that an American proposal Of this char
acter would have been received by our
associates with something like acclama-
tion To achieve such an American
pledge was major objective of French
and British policy after World War I.
The present treaty seems to have
French and British approval now. But
the Russians. apparently, regard it with
dislike. -
AS evidence of this, we have a dis
patch from the Tass correspondent at
Paris, as reported by Moscow radio,
suggesting that the proposed treaty is
"a paper screen to conceal a retreat
from obligations previously under
taken" It is hardly necessary to point
out that the Tass correspondent at Paris
would send no dispatch of this charac-
ter which did not reflect the view of
Mr.. Molotov and the Russian delega-
ton to the Paris Conference; nor would
1t be broadcast on the Moscow radio If
these views were not indorsed in the
Kremlin.
Why is 1t that the Russians are not
overjoyed at an American proposal to
make a definite pledge of American
participation in the control Of Germany
for. the next Is years-especially when
Evening star., 1946-05-07
The Burning Cliffs

Gold-ochre to pale rose, and rose to
crimson -piolet,
To,Der upon tower the clouds OF eUe.
ming mass
Into phantasmal mirage, a city OF cold
flame
Whose steep escarpments glotU a.
molten glass.
This is place seen once, once only, In
dream,
An unremembered for a long forgot.
ten louely place,
Beautiful in tar-of silence, majestic in
its scale:
At once as tangible as stone, ephem.
ernl as lace.
For aDhile ,De watch, the westward sun
declines
And lights the to,Ders NTH Its final
amber flare,
What 1UGs Just now fabulous city 10
diSsolDed,
The painted ,palls receding In blus
evening air.
FREDERICK EBRIGHT.
Evening star., 1946-05-07
NJ. This Changing World
By Constantine Brown

Some political forecasters who had
predicted that the new French consti-
tuition, strongly tinged with Communist
ideologies, would be approved by the
French people at the polls are happy to
admit they were wrong. The electorate
rejected the constitution by healthy
margin.
The forecaSters, however, are keeping
their fingers crossed and do not dare
indulge in spectacular optimistic state
ments until after the elections for an
other Constituent Assembly which are
scheduled to take place on June 2. The
electoral battle which will develop in the
next four weeks is expected to be the
most sensational in the history of
France.
The Communists were dismayed at
Sundays election results. They had ex-
pected clear victory and on that as
sumption had made it known that the
next Premier will have to be one of the
Communist Party's Big Three. They
have now decided to launch a powerful
campaign which, they hope, will give
them definite majority in the new
assembly.
There are many reasons why the
French people rejected the ill-concealed
attempt to stifle their freedom CON
stitutionally" The foremost cause, how
ever, is that the French are politically
minded and their country is not occu-
pied by foreign force. They had the ad-
vantage over the nations which are
under the thumb of the Red Armies and
could express their wishes freely. The
French are politically unstable; they
like changes. But when they realized
that the new constitution would per-
manently shackle their political free
dom and eventually lead to one-party
government, they decided to throw the
Communist-sponsored constitution into
the discard.
There seems to be no question that
the renewed hope that the United
States would come to their assistance
economically has had much to do with
the way the Frenchmen voted
The French Communist Party has en-
deavored to present Russia as the real
friend of France. The Soviet's decision
to send 100000 tons of wheat to the
starving French was accompanied by
fanfare Of Hollywood" publicity. At the
same time the apparent failure of the
head OF the Leftist Socialists, former
Premier Leon Blum. to obtain a loan In
Evening star., 1946-05-07

that a course in food handling be
made a regular part of the curricu-
lum at West Point. Most important
OF all, from the standpoint of the
average CT, the committee would
seek to raise the low estate into
which KIP duty has fallen. Instead
of being punishment, KIP duty
would mean extra. pay and the stig-
ma would be further removed by
giving every soldier a turn at it,
regardless of his conduct. Certain
it is that Army chow will never be
up to professional civilian standards
as long as the job of preparing it
Is left to inexperienced and unwill-
ing hands.
Evening star., 1946-05-07

improvised. 1t is worth remember
ing, further, that the British are not
actually engaged in atomic produc-
ton, whereas we are. For good or
Ill, we are the world pioneers in this
revolutionary field, and our legisla-
tion to govern 1t must naturally be
more complete and detailed at this
time than that of any power.
Evening star., 1946-05-07
Slogans About Heels

To the Editor Of The Star:
I am the 15-year-old president Of q
Youth Fellowship group. We have a
question to present to you, and in view
of the fact that ours is the age group
who will have to handle the affairs
of the world tomorrow, feel certain
that you will give this matter your con-
sideration.
If you sit at any lunch counter and
watch the one who turns out the sand
wiches, you will see "heels" of bread
being thrown again and again into the
discard.
This. in spite of the fact that millions
are dying from lack of food. If we
think of the amount of bread wasted
in the United States in this way every
day, it is appalling. Now this Is our
question: Would your paper sponsor q
Save the Heels" campaign? Or do you
think We overestimate the loss in life
saving food? Here are some slogans
we have manufactured: Use your
heart and let your heels save lives"
use your brain and save your heels"
"Toe the mark and eat your heels" IF
heels can save lives, can't we save
'heels'?"
II you think our idea worthy of your
effort, won't you put it over?
HELEN r. MEAD,
President of the Youth Fellowship,
Washington Grove, Md.