davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1946-11-15

All's quiet on the Potomac in
Washington, The City Bureauful.
Part of the local snores is due to
the absence of congress- But even
real estate trading is waiting for the
elections of November 5. Some of the
traders think prices will go up after
November and others think they
will go down. Presumably that's the
way some people make money and
others don't
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1946-11-15
Labor Wants
Break With Franco

Quayaquil, Ecuador.-A demand that
the government break relations with
Franco Spain and establish relations
with the Soviet Union was voiced by
the closing session of the Natl Labor
Congress here. The congress also
asked that u. S. troops be withdrawn
from Ecuadorean military bases.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1946-11-15
"Thanks a Million,
Folks"

AT THIS TIME WISH TO THANK THE THOUSANDS
OF FRIENDS, WHO, REGARDLESS OF PARTY AFFIL-
IATIONS, so LOYALTY SUPPORTED ME IN THE RE-
CENT ELECTION.
WILL CONDUCT MY OFFICE IN THE COMING
FOUR YEARS ON THE SAME PRINCIPLE AS IN THE
PAST A SERVANT TO THE PEOPLE OF SILVER BOW
COUNTY,
Evening star., 1946-03-21

Gen. Macarthur declared, ''have
shocked the world. They have be-
come synonyms of horror and mark
the lowest ebb of deprayity OF mod
ern times. There are few parallels
in infamy and tragedy with the bru-
talization of troops who In good
faith had laid down their arms"
OF the men Of Bataan, their for
mer leader said:
"Of all fighting men of all time
none deserved more the honors OF
war in their final hour of final
agony. The callousness of the de-
NAL never has been exceeded"
In placing responsibility for the
atrocities directly on Homma, Gen
Macarthur said soldiers of any
army invariably reflect the atti-
tude of their general" and added
HE has always and properly tc
be subject to due process OF law
Powerful as he may become in time
of war. he still is not autocratie
or absolute. He still remains re-
Evening star., 1946-03-21
Macarthur Opposes
Two Court Dissenters;
|Homma 10 Be Shot
BY the AssoeiotsI Press

TOKYO, Mar. 21.-Gen. Mac
Arthur today decreed a firing-squad
death for 1t. Gen. Masaharu HON.
ma, his victorious foe in the 1912
battle for Bataan, and disagreed
sharply with two United States Su-
preme Court justice djssenters-one
of whom had termed the sentence
vengeance rather than justice.
Date and details of the execution,
which now could be staged only by
President Truman, will be deter
mined in Manila.
Homma presumably will 90 be-
fore an American firing squad in
civilian clothing.
He was stripped of his uniform
and decorations by the Japanese
government last October ia
month after his arrest on war
crimes charges. The Japanese pub
lie learned of that only today
1t is understood that the action
called the most severe punishment
ever imposed on Japanese gen.
eral-WaS taken after Emperor Hi
rohito was informed of the accusa-
tions against Homma.
Affirming the Manila court mar
tial conviction of Homma, who
ordered the Bataan death march
that cost 17,200 lives. Gen. Mac
Arthur asserted:
IF this defendant does not de-
serve his judicial fate, none in
jurisdictional history ever did"
Before announcing his decision
Gen. Macarthur studied opinions
expressed by Supreme Court JUS
tices Murphy and Rutledge, who dis
sented when the court refused to
intervene for Homma. Justice
Murphy had denounced Homma' S
trial as descent ito the level of
revengeful blood purges."
Gen. Macarthur declared mo trial
could have been fairer" and said
dissenters either advocate arbi-
trariness of process above faetual
realism, or inherently shrink
from the stern rigidity of capital
punishment"
Wataru Narahashi, chief cabinet
Evening star., 1946-03-21

secretary, said he and the Japanese
people agreed as to the justice Of
Gen. MacArthur's decision.
Gen. MacArthur's decision teaches
the Japanese a grave and important
lesson" Narahashi said. "The jap
anese now know that q commanding
general, even If he himself doesn't
issue orders, must assume respon-
sibility for Illegal acts of his subordi-
nates."
The supreme Allied commander in
the Pacific said he could find mo
circumstance Of extenuation.
There can be no greater, more
heinous. or more dangerous crime
than mass destruction, under the
guise of military authority or mil
itary necessity, Of helpless men in
capable of further contribution to
the war effort. A failure of the law
process to punish such acts of GRIM
inal enormity would threaten the
very fabric of world security"
Savageries of the death march
Evening star., 1946-03-21
sponible before the bar OF universal

sponible before the bar OF universal
justice"
Homma's 18-year-old daughter
Hisako tearfully told Japanese
newspapermen true verdict OF
God" would exonerate her father,
"Today's verdict is of human
making, not of Gods" said Hisako
speaking for her mother, who is
confined to bed with influenza.
Mrs. Homma, visiting Gen. Mac
Arthur as he began his review OF
the case, told him her husbands
death would be "a great loss to the
world but she did not beg for
mercy.
Narahashi said the Japanese
would mourn Homma, whom they
thought had a very high human
character as compared with other
militarists." He said japanese feel
ings against other militarists will be
intensified when they realize that
Homma, whom they liked, can come
Evening star., 1946-03-21

to such an end because Of the ac-
tions of war leaders.
"The Japanese know the Homma
trial was conducted JUSTLY" he said.
"The Japanese know they must at
tempt to grow a good nation"
A friend of Homma, Narahashi
said that when Homma was on trial
at Manila, the general sent him this
message:
Evening star., 1946-03-21
THE EVENING STAR, Washington D. C.. Alt
~,

II know I cannot escape the death
sentence. I have failed to fulfill my
task with justice and charity. Now
I do not blame anybody. What 1
think now is want to go-the
Evening star., 1946-03-21

earlier the better-to the place
where japanese soldiers fell and
where American soldiers sleep.
must apologize to God for all my
sins
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-19
Views of the Press

much less onerous task of policing tn: peace, There seems neither jus tice nor reason in 1t; and one is forced to conclude, as one usually must in the presence of violent and obvious unreason, that the real bat tie Is over something else, The Con- gressmen and even the parents are not really thinking about the eigh- teen-year- -olds of they were they would never call them school chill dren" or mothers boysD; they are 8 prey to the deep, still unresolved conflict in the American mind be- tween the yearning for the old, peaceful isolation and the actual re- Quirements of the actual world which this nation has been forced to recognize, The eighteen-year- olds are simply the footballs of this inner struggle against the unpleas- ant imperatives of the times. But therein lies the critical importance of the Issue. Technical questions as to how much conscription, what age limits, what size of forces are nec- eSSary are Insignificant beside the central test of whether this nation is or is not ready to do whatever may be necessary in face of the facts before us.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-19
Final Statement Withheld

Lt.-Gen Masaharu Homma the Beast of Bataan" kept his date with U. Army firing squad the other day. just TomoyuM Yamasha, Tiger of Luzon," stretched hang mans moose Thus ded in the Philippine capital they did much to desecrae the two principal criminals among Japanese field commanders most fitting end Or is 1t an end?
 Yamashta, who to his revered ancestors in the disgrace of undecorated fatigue uniform with only rope for neckte favored his eXecutoners with gracious pardon for their injustice to him. But Homma permitted honorable death in full military regalia did not feel strained to dilute the sacredness of his worldly exit with con- sderation for nfde Americans He refused to make final statement.
 This is not necessarily say that the Beast has been eternally denied voice. His final statement to us has merely been withheld for the time being is now be- ing prepared in Washington and in Tokyo in London and Tn Nagoya, at Hunter College and at Toke Institute When at last is released it will determine which theology truly World War H. and whether the savage philosophy of Yama shita and Homma really died with them.
 The American courts-martia which passed judgment on the Tiger" and the Beast viewed the trials op porunty further to impress the Japanese people with the fairness and the mparay of democratic processes These obviously guilty of the most henous crimes against humanity accorded superscrupuous legal considera on though they long since had been condemned by outraged international public opinion.
 And the Npponese convinced of the desrabity of democracy We rather think not It is more probable that they regarded the courts deliberations mildly interesting premnares to inevitable end-the pronouncemen of death sentences
 The evidence is present in abundance it to Xamashtas conviction followed by demonstrations protest in Tokyo Hommas by public exhibitions grief for this who but did his duty to the Emperor The democratic general elections today which have given rise to foreign eulogies, have aroused little interest in despite the national holiday decreed Public criticism of Hrohito is still socially inolerable And the magnificent constitution remains but historic piece of paper
 The final returns not yet in of course The Shnto- tc fanatcsr of Yamashta and Homma may yet be eradl caed But far has than held its in what re- mains of the Greater East Asia CoProsperity Sphere
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-19
MOTHERS BOYS"
CNew York Izerald-Trlbune)

(New York Herald -Tribune)
 The frenzied ouburst of Senator Johnson, of Colorado, damning the Idea of drafting eighteen-year- -olds for postwar military service as "a FaScist-lnspired aspiration" of ar rogant Army officers with e "pas- sion for the conscription of imma- trlre, beardleSs sehoolboys" adds nothing to the problem of eXtend- ing the Selective service act; but 1t does usefully Illustrate the utterly irrational violence of the emotions which this problem has aroused,
 The eighteen to twenty year age group has apparently become, almost by accident, the focus of passions and inner conflicts among their elders which really have very little to do with the facts. In the House debate last week male Americans of eighteen heard themselves variously described aS children" just devel- oping "tl9eir tender lives'; as moth erS' boys, daddys' boys";. as kids who should not be subjected to "the evil environment of either Europe or Asia; as 0 "teen-age group" which ought not to be taken from the influence of the home life"' and sent eight thousand miles to frat. erni2e with the Germans and the Japs, imbibe their liquors and be subjected to the Influence that an Army life imposes on a boy" They also heard themselves described as "eighteen-year -old-men," as per- sons who "rnajectically fought the battles" that brought victory, and as competent citizens capable of doing any job that the Army wants" them to do.
 The facts seem to be that in its extremity this nation put many tens of thousands of eighteen year-o olds into the fox holes, assault boats, bomb bays, parachutes and torpedo rooms of bloody and narrowing bat tie. It has taken perhaps a half mile lion more of them into It's armed services since VIE Day; 1t welcomes all those who now volunteer for the ranks, and none of the gentlemen who are so mortified by the idea of exposing their tender lives" to the "evil environment of Europe and Asia" has for a moment suggested that those now in the service be shipped back to the "home influ- ences" or that further volunteering Of these mothers boys" be prohib- tied.
 To a calm view 1t Is very difficult to understand why, when eighteen year-olds have been drafted for three of four years to the shatter- ing experiences of actual war, 1t should be so vital to exempt their immediate successors from the
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-19
MUZZLES?
(ohrlstlan Science Monitor

Christian Science Monitor)
 The Navy has a long record of strong Congressional support. It al- so knows the ropes when 1t comes to insuring that persuasive argu- ments reach the right ears around Capitol Hill And 1t is quite possible that the admirals have been doing some of the kind of lobbying against Army-supported merger legislation which has so evidently irked President Truman.
 But isn't the President confusing his role as Commander in Chief with the roles of President and of party leaderp If some plan of uni- fication had passed Congress and become law, then 1t would be the duty of MT, Truman, both as Pres ident and as Commander in Chief, to put 1t through, and the duty of the Navy to obey whether 1t agreed or not. But merger is still at the level of debate and discussion. Here MT. Trumans position Is that of party leader and his function polit- ical. Earlier he had specifically au- thorized Army and Navy officers to speak their opinions frankly. Now his remarks indicate he Is assuming the command role and muzzling Navy opposition in advance of Con. gressional action.
 Incidentally, in view of Q unan. imity of opposition which is noth- ing short of monolithic among its officers, could the Navy be muzz- ling, too?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-19

monopoly should be permitted or how much scompe- tition there should be between U. S. airnes, in any continental area; (2) Whether not steamship com- panes should be permitted to operate international air routes paralleling their shipping lanes.
 The scramble for part of this Latin-America1s business is worse than it is in any other area As is generally known nearly all the air routes to Central and South America, Bermuda. the Bahamas and the Caribbean Islands were pioneered by Pan-Amer- ican Airways during the l92Os. German and Italian lines also got into the business, local and ransat- lantic.
 
 With the outbreak of the var, the United states moved in to aid the in-American countries in eliminating Axis airlines setting up nationally owned or controlled lines In most of the countries to handle their local business. This gave Pan.American dom- nance in the international traffic
 It,s good business with an expanding future. and that's why competitors want piece of 1t. Many of the routes for which applications have been filed with the Civil Ae-onautics Board would parallel or duplicate existing Pan-Am services, but Pan-Aner- ican itself has filed applications 10 rfve additional routes
 Other u 8. arlines wanting in on the deal arc American. American Export Braniff. Chicago end
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-19

as possible about what was going on
 The average Russian today, Hartman said, is "sold on the Russian program" However, Soviet au- thorities are facing trouble as their soldiers come back and tell about the high pay of American troops and the comparatively high standards of living they saw in Germany and the other western European countries. '
 .As a result the Russian people are asking em- harrasSing 'uestons about their own lower stand ards" the eX- Ambassador told COP Congressmen. "One answer the Government offers is that If Russia had started out in the 1s0Os to build up the standard of living rather than building up the nations indus trial and warsmaking strength, 1t might have fallen before Hitler"
 Another counter argument the Soviet propaganda machine Is making, Hartman said, is to discredtt the Red Army veterans. They have been tasting the fleshpots of the capitalist West" Soviet propagan- dists claim.
 Hartman declared that Soviet authorities were worried about the possibility of trouble with dssats fled military men, therefore are not giving Red Army oficelS positions of authority in the civilian gov ernment. With few exceptions he said, returned generals and colonels are not getting good govern ment johs and some even kept under surveillance by the secret police.
 The secret police according to the Ambassador, remain the most powerful force in Russia today
 Hartman was generally hopeful that the Russia of the future will be better disposed toward getting along with other nations The present rules he said bear the of Czarist perSecutonexie to Siberia floggings and torture-and the memory of numerous Allied attempts after the last war to smash the Com munst government
 "1t is not hard to understand why they are sus- picious," he explained, when we remember all that has happened in their lifetime Our hope lies in the younger Russians who will one day lead the Govern ment If they grow up with conviction that Amer lea and other nations are friendly to them and not seeking to plunge knife in their back Russia will be real and important force for world peace"
 Hartman expressed the opinion during his off, herecord talk that Russia today is the most fertile field In the world for educational propaganda.
 
 First White House visitor to congratulate Pres ident Truman his first anniversary as Chief Ex- ecutive was a Republican, freshman Congressman James G. Fulton of Pittsburgh, Pa, Navy lieu tenant in the wnd-up of the Pacific war.
 The Pennsylvania Congressman called at the White House to discuss surplus property problems
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-19

before harvests begin to come in there.
 There is apparent feeling of futility of help lessness among people here. This Is intensified by growing pangs of conscience, for have so much of everything here, SO much food to eat so much money to spend. The reports that come in from Europe moulding those of former President Hoover, the men and women-all are constant reminders that disturb US.
 Strong national leadership, courage to cast aside domestic political considerations, are needed, with some additional compulsions for our direction. Ra- tioning would have met the problem had 1t been in- stituted time ago. But 1t is too late for that now to he% in the immediate crisis.
 The government, behalf of all of us should act in its own right Some compilations already are in effect, imposed to try to meet our quota of whea and flour exports Use of grain as livestock feed has been curaled An order in effect requiring 30 per cent extraction of wheat in making flour, that more bread is made from the quantity of wheat Disters and brewers have been severely limited in
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-19
By ThOm1aS Stokes

Of grains athoug hthis is not considerable say ing. Then there Is the voluntary campaign among restaurants and housewives
 To attract wheat off the farms a certificate sys- tenn has been set up though not yet in full operation, which will permit the farmer to cash the certificate at any time he chooses until March 1, lo47.
 But all of these, is appears. will not be enough.
 There Is another avenue of saving This Is to issue war food order to reduce by % per cent the amount of flour for domestic purposes, putting 1t aside for exoprt to Europe Thi sis direct method.
 Secretary of Agriculture Anderson was all set several days ago to issue such order The millers and bakers raised a howl He backed off, at least temporarily before the protests of these special in- ereStS Now 1t is reported again that such an order Is imminent. A
 This is just an example of the sort of political Influence that is eXerted whichever way the admin stration moves, not by the people at large but by special interests If the job to which have pledged ourselves is to be done this influence must be dis- regarded. For additional steps may be necessary later. fF
 We fixed quota of 225 million bushels of wheat exports to Europe for the first six months this year We fell short in the first three months, exporting 100 million bushels This means l25 million bushels will be needed for the second three months
 It will take squeeze to do 1t, requiring us to reduce carryover t0 the barest minimum and to cut down domestic consumption. Since volun- sumption sufficiently the 26 per cent reduction In domestic flour by order seems the practical way' If that will do It. .g
 It will be no hardship to the people Per capita food consumption is some 10 to 12 per cent higher now than before the war. Everybody has enough to eat The people will go along If they have leader ship which resists business -as-usual" influences
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-19
Outdoor Thinking

As good have heard in time is the word that Bernard M Baruch is again doing some thinking park bench The and subject have changed since Mr. Baruch is tackng the problem of world control of atomic energy in New Yorks Central Park But the tech nique remains the
 The country indebted to Mr. Baruch for lot of con- sructve thinking carried in similar surroundings In La yette Park from the White House. he pondered the manpower rubber and aircraft shortages and the recon version problem, and achieved excellent resutseven though his advice wasn't always followed.
 Mir Baruch isn't the first who has done good con- sructive thinking ouofdoor Socrates for reputed to have performed right nobly in the open air.
 But of late centuries We have come more and more to conne thinking within the four walls of office study and at the same time abuse with outdoor ora tors, from Hitler and Mussoni down to the modest soapbox haanguers Maybe that's thing that is wrong ~ laast Mr. Barucb can make g good casa for t q.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-19
Mrs. Verdon's Retirement

The enforced retirement of Mrs. Margaret Verdon un' employment compensation commissioner for the 9th Con gressiona District is distinct to the department She had been appointed until January 194S Though her capabilities and experience such to warrant her con- nued service existing circumstances are such to rule her retirement, much to the districts loss
 Mrs. Verdon since coming to Waterbury to accept a position with the Department of Public Welfare in l935 nroved herself of valuable assistance there and later un employment commissioner in this She has fitted in with such departments have been her since com ing the city, and has mered the esteem of all who nave met her, socially professionally.
 She was well fitted for her particular work when she first Waterbury, her education and early experience in her native Ireland England and Scotland fitting her for he work she was continue when she first to this country in 1926.
 It is matter of regret that Mrs Verdon may not finish her term that unquesoned judgement is not to continue in the handling of within her jurisdiction.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-19
Mayor Monagan Goes to Hartford

If as Mayor John S. Monagan has asserted passage of
 validating by the General Assembly will not shut off the possibility of individual appeals from the new assess ments through regular channels it to there can be little quarrel with His Honors astueness exem- pfed by his accomplishments in Hartford Wednesday,
 We believe that the Community Clubs should press their suit and will argue bitterly their right to do We com mend their persistence and sincerity particularly in con- trast with other hoppedp suits entered supposedly to pro vide taxpayer relief which scratched before the starting Ebel.
 We also recognize that Mayor Monagans responsibility the chief administrator of the city is to take pos sibe legal step the chaos which aegedy would fol- low failure collect the tax levy in somewhat normal fashion, Making that this be provided for without sacrificing the rights of individual taxpayers to seek and win redress for wrongs simply doing the best of his ability the job to which he elected and for which he is being paid.