davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1946-02-23
Washington 'Crossino'

Perhaps as sign of returning
sanity concerning art but in any
case as tribute to the Father of
Our Country, the Metropolitan Mu-
scum has placed on exhibition in a
location of special honor the famous
painting by Emanuel Leutze repre-
senting Washington crossing the
Delaware to attack the Hessians at
Trenton early on the morning of
December 26, 1776. The picture has
suffered in recent years from the
objections of two exceedingly articu-
late groups of critics. Apostles of
what is called modernism" COM
plain that it is too timid, too
academic, too conservative, too
much like a photograph. On the
other hand, the composition has
been ridiculed. by certain historians
for number of alleged inaccuracies
OF detail. The river, they say, is
the Rhine, the open boat is a craft
unknown to American waters, the
oars are inadequate, the costumes
or uniforms of the men aboard are
imaginary, the flag carried by the
officer in the center is an anachron-
ism. A writer in the Dictionary of
American Biography insists that the
"poSe" of the General is "undeniably
theatrical" and continues: More
over, to stand up in small craft
making its way through formidable
ice foes would appear to be need
less invitation to disaster"
Yet nobody denies the lasting
popularity of the celebrated work,
familiar to millions of Americans
from having been reproduced in text
books they have studied in the ele-
mentary schools. The artist was
born at Gmund in Wurttemberg on
May "a, 1916, but was brought to the
United States as a small child and
reared by his parents first at Fred
ericksburg, Virginia, and later in
Philadelphia. Instructed in draw
ing in early boyhood, he was exc
cutting portraits and figure pieces at
Evening star., 1946-02-23

strong, and lets the world understand
1t intends to remain strong.
What, by the way, is Russia's atti-
tude toward remaining militarily strong?
The war with Germany was scarcely
over when the Soviet government an
nounced its plans for universal mill
tary training and conscription. A re-
cent speech by Marshal Stain leaves
no doubt whatever what course his gov
ernment will pursue.
He said in effect that Russia would
have not only strong army but that
IL intended to build strong Navy
which 1t does not have at present.
and that 1t intended to have the latest
war weapons, including the atomic
bomb. Yet, in the United States, there
Is now a loud outcry against military
preparedness. We want peace but we
are not willing to pay the compara-
lively insignificant price-when COM
pared to the price of war-of adequate
military training and preparedness.
1t will be time to talk of arms limi-
tation when the nations of the world
IN their new organization for peace
and international justice, have proved
their willingness to lay aside war as the
instrument of settling their disputes.
And not till then. Meanwhile. Chair
man May and his committee, and the
House and Senate, can do the country
no greater service than to prepare and
enact into law an adequate military
preparedness bill which will include
military training.
Other nations in the past have relied
on the desire Of America to remain at
peace-and more particularly on her
state of unpreparedness for war-to
press their aggressive plans OF world
domination which have inevitably
brought this country in war on huge
and costly scale-in life and treasure.
We have been the peaceful appeasers
In London at the recent meetings
OF the United Nations Security Coun-
cil Foreign Minister Bevin of Great
Britain startled the diplomatic world
with a frank attack on Russia and her
maneuvers in Iran. From all the facts
produced, it appeared that Russia was
using her armed might to interfere in
the internal affairs of Iran.
One of the United States represen-
tatlves in London, after listening to
Mr.. Bevin, said to me: "I wish that
speech had been made by an Amer
lcan." He added: why do We al
ways have to appear in the role of ap-
peaser?" He was not one of those.
either, who think or believe that this
country must go to war with Russia
now or in the future.
Evening star., 1946-02-23
This Changing World
By Constantine. Bromn

The idea of another armed conflict
is so repugnant to the worlds democra-
cies that nothing is being left undone
to prevent any such calamity, which
would have incalculable consequences.
This explains why the American Gov
ernment Is doing SO much to avoid Of
Tending the Soviet Union by word or
deed, and why the State Department
is silently passing over humiliating con-
ditions imposed on American officials
in areas where we are in direct contact
with the Russians.
If we were to assume similar atti-
tude toward Russia such thunder and
threats would emanate from Moscow
that public opinion in this country
would compel the administration to
change its tune.
The American people want no war
and no Ill will with their wartime as
soc1ates, and, rejecting this attitude,
the American Government is doing its
utmost by turning the other cheek,
rather than standing OIL its dignity.
The same thing applies to Great
Britain, whose physical contact with
the Soviet Union is greater than ours.
Her imperial lifelines would be greatly
endangered if she yielded to the Rus
sian claims for control of certain i'm
portant sections of the Eastern Medi-
terranean and the Near and Middle
East.
In two days Of debate which ended
Thursday British Foreign Secretary
Ernest Bevin replied to his critics and
supporters with the statement that IT
cannot conceive of any circumstances
under which Britain and the Soviet
Union should go to war;.
Mr.. Bevin disclosed in Thursdays
momentous session of the House of
Commons that he had offered Premier
Stain 30-year extension of the ex-
isting 20-year treaty of alliance signed
by Britain and Russia May 26, 1912.
Although the offer was said to have
been made last December in Moscow,
no answer has been given by the Krem-
Evening star., 1946-02-23
Praise for Mr.. Bowles

To the Editor OF The Star:
There is at least one thing I have in
common with Chester Bowles - our
first names are the same But have
an abiding conviction that along with
millions of other Americans I should
demonstrate by action that have vast
ly more in common with him.
The OPA under Mr.. Bowles has re-
fused consistently to grant price adjust
ments and increases to the business and
industry IN which. am engaged. My
company's treasury and my personal
pocketbook have suffered from this
policy. My prejudices should be anti
rather than pro. Nevertheless, Mr..
Bowles by his tenacious adherence to
reasonable price policy has done service
to my personal interest, my company,
my industry and especially to the gen.
eral welfare Of the Nation. A serious
imitation break-through on the economic
price line thus has far been averted by
his generalship.
He hasn't become punch-drunk from
the blows Of some selfishly determined
elements in both business and labor.
His chin and jaws of Connecticut gra-
mite can take 1t. His firm voice with its
New England burr has dared to tell the
members Of the National Association of
Manufacturers that they should re
pudiate their irresponsible leadership"
in Its antiprice control attacks.
Mr.. Bowles has been fighting bulwark
against repetition of the history-old
pattern Of imitation that invariably has
been an economic consequence of all
wars In modern times. In this postwar
period the pressures are more sensitive
and dangerous than in any comparable
period of the past. He stands for the
principle that price control is manda-
tory for national security until a more
balanced relationship is established be-
tween supply and demand. In our vast
and complicated economic system some
inequities and specific injustices are
inevitable. But the overall results
mean the difference between disaster
and prosperity.
AS OPA administrator, Mr.. Bowles
carried the ball. Now as economic
stabilization director he is the blocking
back for Paul Porter, new OPA ad-
ministrator. Mr.. Bowles will do more
tackling on his new job-stopping the
opposing ball carriers who try to plunge
through the anti-infation line for
touchdowns that would mean break
downs in our economy.
CHESTER H. MCCALL.
Evening star., 1946-02-23
Letters to The Star
Advocates a Square Deal for
'Overworked' Conaressmen

To the Editor of The Star:
1t was amazing to read the letter in
The Star for February 10 from Robert
B. Johnstone, headed Longer Days for
Congress" I wonder If he has taken
the time to see how United States
Senator or Congressman spends the
time from early morn and in many
cases until late at night. In the first
place his mail is enormous and most
executives in the business world would
spend the entire day answering the
correspondence. Then there are many
constituents who call and demand to
see him in person. Then there are al
most daily committee meetings, often
continuing long past the noon hour.
Many of these hearings are strenuous.
am not on the Federal payroll, do
not seek any office and am not a rela-
tive OF any Government official, but
feel that they are the hardest worked
OF any class of men in Washington.
can say that have now been here in
Washington working on some personal
business for the past year and have
had almost daily contact with Senators
and Representatives and have found
that the only sure time to get an in
terview is o'clock or earlier in the
morning, and then they generally are
debating.
When in Washington I make my
home at hotel, and it happens that
many Senators and Congressman re-
side there. At 8 o'clock in the morning
you will find most of these men at
breakfast, leaving for Capitol Hill a few
minutes later.
Why not give these men and women
a square deal and not complain when
the large majority are working much
longer than eight hours a day?
ELMER L. KINCAID.s
Evening star., 1946-02-23
Britain as a BulWark
By George FieIdinp Eliot

proposed loan to Britain-a loan which
is the immediate means of giving
Britain the necessary lift over the OBJ
stacles Immediately before her. Last
Saturday night, on Nationwide net
work. We heard two of these voices, one
OF each kind-the voices of Senator
Burton K. Wheeler of Montana and
Senator Edwin c. johnson of Colorado.
They told us that We were setting q
precedent for series of worldwide
loans-that for us to make a loan to
Britain and deny similar loans to others
would lead to international jealousy
and eventually to war"-as though we
could not properly decide what to do
with our money in our own interests.
They said we were supporting CLOSED
and controlled" social economy in
Britain, when in fact one major pur-
pose of the loan is to make it unneces-
sary for the British to maintain such
an economy. They implied we should
demand British disarmament as a pre-
requisite to such loan, when in fact
one purpose of the loan is to make sure
the British can be strong enough to
bear their full part in maintaining the
peace and security of the world. They
cried out about "decadent empires" and
about keeping the people of India and
the Netherlands Indies in subiection,
when in fact the British government
has brought the strongest pressure to
bear to bring about reasonable nego-
tiations between the Dutch and the In
donesian natives, looking to the prepa-
ration of the latter for self-government,
and have just dispatched committee
OF the British cabinet to India with in
structions to get something definite
done about self-government for India
without more delay.
Well, we can listen to the Wheelers
and the Johnsons If we want to. We
can accept their malice and their blind
ness as representing wisdom. We can
throw our friends to the wolves, and
give vast encouragement to those in
Moscow who are even now urging "be
bold-push forward wherever you see
weak spot-and inherit the earth!" The
choice is ours. Alas that is SO!
Alas that the choice In all these is
sues of peace or war does not lie with
the children-the American and British
children, the Russian children, the chill
dren Of all the WORLDWIDE In the
flower of their young manhood and
womanhood will have to pay the bloody
price Of the errors we make today.
(coDyright. 194o1
Evening star., 1946-02-23
Hirohito's Huterdushery

On New Year Day Emperor Hiro-
hito made history by issuing an i'm
perial rescript informing the Japa-
nese people that he was not divine,
despite everything they had been
taught to the contrary all their
lives. Now-as if to emphasize the
point-he has gone out among them
in an ordinary business suit and
fedora hat, something heretofore
unheard of.
This may seem at first glance to
be little more than a touch of comic
opera, but in Japan, especially
among large numbers of subjects
who once believed literally in the
godlike nature of their ruler. the
gesture will be taken seriously. The
tour Hirohito has just made would
have caused no special excitement
had he worn uniform or some
other formal attire prescribed by
imperial custom for such occasions,
but the fact tNat he did not, the
fact that he dressed no differently
from the average man in the street,
has served not only to underscore
his personal acknowledgment of his
lack of divinity but also to show his
people that he is one of them, made
up of the same mortal stuff and agi-
tated as much as they by human
hopes and fears.
The stress placed on Hirohito's
haberdashery, though perhaps ap-
pearing somewhat ridiculous to
Western eyes, thus has a significance
all It's own for the japanese. The
FEDORA and the business suit are a
Evening star., 1946-02-23
Disillusioning Experience

40 the Edltor OF The Star:
I have been a subscriber to The Star
for four years. During this time minor
inaccuracies have been noted, but I
believe your paper tries to present the
actual news to the public. Therefore,
it was with interest that I read an
Associated Press dispatch from Seoul
Korea, dated February 7, asserting that
1t. Gen. John r. Hodge is trying to
attract 1,700 civilians to jobs in Korea.
This article refreshed c. recent expert
ence of mine.
In November, 1945, learned of a
requisition the War Department had
received from Tokyo for a particular
type of engineer. At that time inquired
OF the Civil Affairs Division of the War
Department Special Staff regarding the
opening. The result of this inquiry was
that the War Department in Washing
ton stated that would be able to fill
the position and q telegram was dis
patched to Tokyo to that effect After
normal period Of three weeks, learned
that Tokyo had replied to the effect
that the position was being filled by an
officer This was surprising news to
me as thought it was the policy to
return military personnel to the States
as soon as possible, especially if they
could be replaced by civilian personnel.
Further inquiry at the War Department
disclosed that this instance I have stated
was not the first of its kind.
While I am graduate electrical and
mining engineer with 10 years expert
ence, would hesitate to make applica-
ton for position in Korea in view Of
my past experience.
only hope that the Associated Press
dispatch was true. Otherwise, some Of
your readers will be very disillusioned
and possibly might doubt the accuracy
or meaning Of other press dispatches.
PAUL A. PRICE.
Evening star., 1946-02-23
There Was q Country Once

There iDas country once which stood
This side OF sleep or paking-pink
With marble palaces where Hped
Themselves as groUnups. All its trees
Were ledued of enaeralds, and there
Were castles for their friends. Just so
At morning and at night she told
A chapter OF adventures to
The charmed belieuing child
Who ,OGs her sister. They could see
The parties and professions nope
In regal state, and al,Oays they
Were queens or princesses, and all
Eristed for their pleasure. Knights
Dtd deeds for their approval, treasuring
A wisp OF lace, look, hope.
Their '0hite iron bedstead panished
then,
Ihe plaster ceiling ,Dith the cracks
Eristed only as a map
Ot treasure In that tdr-o6 land
Which tcds their certain home.
But they 1oere more than sisters there
They 'Dere all dreamers, for they kneu
Beyond doubt hoto those things ,oers-
And hotc they tpere to bei
VIRGINIA SCOTT MINER.
Evening star., 1946-02-23
The Political Mill
BY Gould Lincoln

Why must the United States play the
role OF appeaser? Why must Americans
be always willing to shrink their mill
tary poWer-in order to persuade other
nations of the world that it has no
intention OF starting an aggressive war?
The House Military Affairs Committee
At long last, has completed its hearings
on the proposal that the United States
adopt system of universal military
training-backed by President Truman
and by all high military authorities as
a desirable measure of national pre-
paredness
If Chairman Mays plans work out,
the committee will soon get down to
work on the military training bill-after
it has held hearings on House Minority
Leader Martins resolution calling on
this government to initiate negotiations
with Russia, Britain, France and the
rest of the nations of the world to agree
to abandon peacetime universal military
training and systems of military con-
scription. President Truman has realis-
tically declared that such negotiations
would not have satisfactory results. ANY
one who is watching the course of world
events can only agree that the President
is right.
Yet there has grown up in this country,
as week after week has passed since
the conclusion of World War II hostili-
ties, strong opposition to the only feasible
and practical way of keeping this country
strong by having at all times a trained
force capable of taking on any enemies
who may force this country into war.
One OF the main reasons given by op-
ponents of military training for Amer
ican youth is that such a system will
lead eventually to World War III. To
the most casual observer, however, it
must be apparent that this countrys
failure to be militarily strong has never
failed to keep us out of war, or to pre-
vent wars in which we have become in
volved.
Many Americans do not hesitate to
say that a war between the United
States and Russia is inevitable. They
even figure out just how many years
not many-will elapse before this con-
f1ict arises. This writer does not be-
lieve that a war with Russia is either
necessary or inevitable. take ne stock
in such predictions. But it is not 60
ing to decrease the possibilities of war
with Russia or with other nations for
this country to sink back-as it did
after the First World War-to the posi-
ton Of third-rate military power.
This writer has confidence that the
United Nations can be made to work
and will work. But it will work far more
surely if the United States remains
Evening star., 1946-02-23
Curling PetriIIo

Critics of the bill which the House
has passed, by vote Of 222 to 43, to
clip the wings of James Caesar
Petrillo, president of the American
Federation of Musicians, contend
that it is bad legislation because,
instead of being general in character,
it is designed to curb the activities
of one man.
There unquestionably is force to
this argument. But there also is
force to the counter argument that,
in the present state of unwillingness
to enact general legislation dealing
with all union abuses, there is clearly
need for some legislation to deal
with the peculiarly flagrant abuses
by Mr.. Petrillo.
In sense, it might be said that
the choice before Congress is a choice
between evils. Should it enact law
which is highly personal in char
acter, and therefore prejudicial to
the sound principle that the law
should apply equally to all citizens?
Or should 1t permit Mr.. Petrillo to
use the economic power which this
Government has conferred upon him
to attain objectives which are little
short of extortion in his dealings
with the radio industry, and to con-
tinue to enforce his arbitrary ban
on broadcasts by such organizations
as the school child orchestra at
Interlochen, Michigan, the Army and
Navy Bands, and the Shrine Band
in Cincinnati, which was prevented
from broadcasting in connection
with benefit for crippled children?
In the light Of the character of
Mr.. Petrillo's activities, there can
be little doubt that the lesser evil
is to impose the proposed restraints
on him. Those who properly object
to this on grounds of principle should
devote their efforts, not to the defeat
of the Petrillo bill, but to the enact
ment Of broad legislation dealing
with all abuses, which, if adopted,
would eliminate any need for legis-
lation that is personal in nature.
Evening star., 1946-02-23

lin. There has not been even an indi-
cation that the idea appealed to the
Russian government.
In one part of the treaty it is pro-
vided that Russia and Britain will
work in close and friendly collaboration
after peace and security are established,
and economic prosperity returns to
Europe. Both governments pledged
themselves not to seek territorial ag-
grandizement and not to interfere in
the domestic affairs of other states.
This paragraph already has been null
lifted, for Russia not only has augmented
her territory considerably, but continues
to interfere in the affairs of many ma
tions in Europe and Asia.
The important point, however, is that
throughout. the treaty of alliance no
mention is made of matters which form
the core of present British Russian dis
agreements. Nowhere in the treaty is
there mention of collaboration in Asia
and other countries outside Europe.
The present strained relations be-
tween London and Moscow are not the
result Of Russia's domination of ter
ritory as far as the Oder River and the
Balkans, but by her desire to strengthen
her security" by encroachment on Iran,
the former Italian colonies in North
Africa, and the Red Sea. All these ter
ritories straddle Britain's vital COM
munication lines with her empire.
Since details of the offer made to
Premier Stain by the British foreign
secretary have not been made public.
it Is conceivable that Mr.. Bevins pro-
posal to extend the alliance for 80 years
may have contained suggested changes
to cover areas outside Europe which
cause the present strain between the
two great nations.
Moscow's silence in regard to Brit
aims extended hand of friendship may
be caused by the fact that the British
government wants to change what now
Is a purely academic alliance into an
actual and realistic instrument for last
ing peace