davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-03-15
Revolt in Paraguay

There is fighting again in Para
quay. The word again" is used
advisedly, because the turbulence of
Paraguayan political life is proven
bial. The country has been dis
turbed since last January. when
revolutionary conspiracy in Asun-
cion, the capital, was quickly sup
pressed. The present outbreak began
about week ago, when. the garri-
son of Conception, a city north of
the capital, revolted against the
government headed by President
Higinio Morinigo. The proclaimed
goal is a new constitution which
would give full liberty to all
citizens"
This military revolt, while not
supported by the rest of the army,
seems to be more than a flash in the
pan, because the rebels have not
been subdued and fighting is re-
portedly spreading throughout the
north, with the capital in an uneasy
state of siege" Paraguay's neigh
bors fear the revolt may develop into
long and bloody civil war, and
the suggestion has come from Uru-
quay that friendly Intervention be
invoked to stabilize the situation.
Just what the shooting is about is
as yet not clear. The government
charges that the revolt is due to
international communism" seeking
to create bloody tyranny" The
revolutionists charge that Morinigo
seeks to perpetuate his rule under
the authoritarian constitution which
he himself set up after his acces-
sion to power in 1910. Incidentally,
Seven-year tenure of the presi-
dency is quite a feat in Paraguayan
politics, the country having had
tWenty-eight Presidents since the
beginning of the present century,
most of them making unconven-
tional entrances into and exits from
office.
Paraguay has had a checkered
history. 1t was liberated from
Spain in 1911, only to fall under the
dictatorship of a masterful genius,
Dr.. Francia, who made the country,
Evening star., 1947-03-15
Mr.. Potterson's Opportunity

Secretary of War Patterson's con-
cern over the proposed discontinue
ance of Capital Transit bus service
to the Pentagon is understandable.
The ability of the Virginia buslines
to furnish an adequate substitute
service is yet to be demonstrated.
But Mr.. Patterson, in opposing
abandonment of the Capital Transit
line, failed to discuss the very peril
nent question of how any bus serv-
ice can be expected to continue in
operation on an economically un-
sound basis.
Perhaps, in view of his interest in
this problem, Secretary Patterson
might help to untangle some REQ
tape that is directly responsible for
the decision of the Capital Transit
Company to apply to the Interstate
Commerce Commission for permis-
sion to quit the Pentagon run. The
company is known to have been
willing to continue the service on
an experimental basis, provided it
could convert the vacant north por-
ton of the huge Pentagon parking
area into fringe" parking lot. The
plan was to induce Virginia motor
lists to park on the Pentagon lot
and ride the rest of the way to
Washington on the noW-empty
transit buses. Thus, pay loads could
be transported in both directions.
But Federal legal experts tabooed
the plan because of jurisdictional
technicalities. Efforts of the District
Motor Vehicle Parking Agency to
iron out the diff1cylties have been
unsuccessful, despite the agencys
deep interest in giving the fringe
parking program its first try at the
Pentagon. This is a problem which
the legal mind of the War Secretary
might we'll undertake to solve. If
he should succeed, it is quite likely
that the Capital Transit Company
would be willing to go forward with
It's original plans for the parking ex-
periment-to the benefit not only of
Pentagon employees but those of
many other Government offices.
Evening star., 1947-03-15

spoils of battle-a set of license plates
and I couldn't help feel little proud
of my achievement.
A word to the American public.
Whenever you see set of D. G. plates
on car, give the driver little respect.
He really earned those plates and he
should be given the best of everything.
Stamped in my mind forever will be
that sea of helpless, hopeless, human
faces, surging from window to window
in quest for what is rightfully theirs.
Is there any excuse for such in
efficiency? Other places can do the
same thing in Is minutes or less. The
only window that had any sort OF sys-
tenn was the cashiers. Not once in my
several trips to that window did4 have
to wait for my money to be accepted.
LEONARD BARNES.
Evening star., 1947-03-15
Note on Economy


To the Editor of The Star:
1t is indeed interesting to read the
many different suggestions emanating
from members of this economy minded
Congress on the subject of economy for
the Government.
Undoubtedly every taxpayer agrees
with them that economy in and by the
Government is urgently needed, but who
is going to contribute to and pay for
this economy? That is the vital ques-
tion.
Have any of these gentlemen been
known to suggest that good place to
start this economy drive would be right
under the dome of the Capitol? Oh no.
They will continue to draw their $1,000
increase in salary and the $4,000 allow
ance for additional expenses, so gen.
erously voted themselves, besides al
lowances for postage and travel ex-
penses and the very liberal amounts
appropriated for stationery. This al
lowance alone reached record high
of $3.50 last year, which, added to the
$7O0 granted in 1945, made total of
S1,650 per member for the Seventy
ninth Congress, according to a recently
published article by the Associated Press.
This same article further stated that
if this stationery grant is not used it
accumulates to their credit and they
can take it in cash any time they so
desire, even if they are defeated for
reelection.
In addition to all this, they are pro-
vided with large staff of legislative
consultants and clerks, most of whom
get far better salaries than the average
Government clerk.
However, It seems TO be the civilian
Evening star., 1947-03-15
Spare the Finger Bowls

Naval officers are expected to be
gentlemen as we'll as fighters, but
it looks as though they will have to
forgo indulgence in one custom
which they have regarded as the
mark of a gentleman-the dunking
of their fingers in engraved. silver
plated finger bowls. Time was when
the finger bowl was more or less of
a necessity in the ships wardroon.
That was in the day of flowing
boards and dropping mustaches. A
sloppy sea and a bowl of slum
gullion could play havoc with even
the best-groomed set of Whiskers;
hence the gradual rise to impor-
tance of the finger bowl.
But times have changed Al
though finger bowls are still used
in the best circles, they no longer
are considered as essential pieces of
warship equipment. Small wonder,
then, that a Senate committee bent
on naval economy raised an eye
brow over a Navy budget item call
ing for .$97 ,2525O worth of fancy
plated finger bowls. with
matching plates. Secretary of the
Navy Forrestal, who can take or
leave finger bowls as occasion may
require, was quick to agree that the
after dinner tableware has slipped
from the category of mess "neces-
sity' to that of "nicety."
He did not go so far as to say
that all finger bowls would be done
away with in the Navy. Only the
fancy engraved ones. Congress
should go along with Mr.. Forrestal
on this. The public may not wish
its Navy to be gaudy, but 1T will
insist that il he neat
Evening star., 1947-03-15

like chemistry or engineering, which
deals in constant values, but belongs to
that class of expert guesser sciences
which includes politics, and must deal
with variables and imponderables.
In meteorology, an imponderable is
something like a gremlin and it rides
on the feathery edges of atmospheric
disturbances, causing them to twist and
turn every which way. This imp carries
in his hand a long-handled dehomog-
enizer with which he stirs up the in
terror of storm area.
After q few proddings from this long
handled implement a storm is as crazy
as junebug. How, then, can any one
expect the weatherman to roll up re-
spectacle score? w. DAY BOYER.
Evening star., 1947-03-15

employees on the Federal payroll who
have been picked to bear the brunt of
this drive by dismissal of anywhere from
100000 to 100000 of them, many Of
whom are probably dependent upon
their positions for their daily bread"
I even read where the chairman OF
the House Civil Service Committee had
the unmitigated nerve to suggest the
resembling of the pay raises granted
Government employees during the past
couple of years, when the cost Of living
drops. These Government workers were
reported to have been given pay raises
in 1s45 and 1916, totaling about 81 per
cent. How does that compare with the
increase of S. 900 which our legislators
gave themselves?
Again I say that T thoroughly agree
that it is vital that drastic reduction
in Federal expenditures and start to-
wards reduction in the national debt
be made, but also thoroughly believe
in Justice to all" and that things should
be more equally divided.
A RETIRED
GOVERNMENT CLERK.
Evening star., 1947-03-15
Philippine PIebiscite

The nation wide plebiscite or
referendum Just held throughout
the Philippine Republic involved only
one change in the constitution, but
this single amendment is of vital
Importance to that country's eco
nomic future. It provides for equal
rights for Americans in the develop
ment Of Philippine national re-
sources and the operation of its
public utilities; in it's original form
the constitution specifically required
that so per cent of all corporate
businesses must be owned = by
Filipinos.
That constitutional proviso exem-
plified the economic nationalism
which animated many of the leaders
in the Philippine independence
movement. They wanted to be fully
the masters in their own house and
took this method of insuring that
they should be so in the economic
as well as the political field.
Such aspirations, no matter how
natural, nevertheless ran up against
certain stubborn economic facts. To
begin with, the Philippines had been
economically transformed under
nearly half a century of American
rule from a backward Spanish COL
ony into a prosperous and progress
sive economy. That transformation
had been due to two main factors:
Tariff concessions by the United
States which admitted Philippine
products under favored conditions
into the vast American market, and
American capital and management
poured into the islands themselves
As a result of these factors, the
Filipinos enjoyed a much higher
degree of prosperity and living
standards than any other Far East
ern people.
Then came the japanese invasion
and occupation, which shattered
Philippine economy, coupled with
further disruption and devastation
during the liberation of the islands
from japanese tyranny. From this
ordeal, the islands have emerged so
Impoverished and disorganized that
economic reconstruction and re-
Mobilization is dependent on large
scale American aid, not merely in
the form of official loans, credits,
and tariff concessions but also
through private investment and
management. Yet such private par
ticipation in Philippine economy is
unlikely unless it is safeguarded by
parity for the American partici-
pants. That was the reason why
such parity was required by the
Philippine Trade Act, and the neces-
slty was admitted by President
Roxas and his administration
Accordingly, Roxas and his party
backed the constitutional amend
ment which would meet the trade
acts proviso, and this change has
Just been ratified by popular refer
endum with large majorities though
In light vote. There is evidence
that the opposition expressed its
Evening star., 1947-03-15
AGAINST Alien Influx
70 the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Propaganda Is now being made to in
duce us to amend our immigration laws
to permit displaced persons in Europe
to be dumped into our country. Those
advocating this move are for the most
part New Yorkers with pro-alien SYM
pathies who have been trying for years
to drive wedges in our immigration
walls.
With our own housing shortage and
our veterans unable to find homes,
it is not made clear why displaced per-
sons should be brought in to add to the
shortage. Nor is it made clear why
such superior people as the displaced
persons are said to be should not be
left in Europe to furnish leadership in
rebuilding that continent One would
think that the American people had full
filled all their obligations under the
golden rule in sending their boys abroad
to liberate the displaced persons from
Nazi tyranny and in pouring out money
to feed and clothe them while they are
being rehabilitated.
The TACT that the quotas unoer our
immigration laws have not been filled
by certain countries should not be re-
garded as reason for allowing the dis
placed persons to be dumped here.
The fact is as many people believe,
our immigration laws are too liberal
and should be made more restrictive.
Moreover, the quotas were established by
Congress on the principle of keeping our
racial composition on the same basis
it was when the quotas were adapted;
to admit one element of people in dis
regard of the established quota is in
consistent with that principle. Unless
we begin to look after our own interests,
our country will in time be taken over
by others. r. WILSON.
Evening star., 1947-03-15
The Political Mill
Bv Gould Lincoln

partment has started the work OF re-
cruiting a large civilian personnel to
send to Greece This civilian army will
include engineers, bridge builders, rail-
road men, bankers, economists, indus
trialists, etc In fact, when this country
begins the task of rehabilitation, 1t will
reach into every field, and Greece under
it's own government, but with American
aid and advice, will be put on its feet.
This implies a certain measure of con-
troll, and that is the only way this
country can safeguard its huge expen-
ditures and see that they are used to
bring about the relief that is needed
and to keep down and eradicate the
Communist guerrillas Up to date, how
ever, it has been difficult to get the
proper kind of personnel lined up. There
is plenty to do in the United States at
present, and there is no great desire to
exchange a job in America for one in
Greece.
From certain informed sources comes
the report that the United States will
make, as one condition for all this aid,
a demand for broadening of the base
of the present Greek government, with
liberal groups to be given recognition
which they now are denied Obviously,
it would be impossible to write such an
agreement into congressional legislation.
1t is possible for the two governments,
however, to enter into a very definite
understanding that this condition be
met.
II such an understanding is made part
and parcel of our dealings with Greece,
it will materially aid in bringing sup
port to the whole transaction. Ameri-
cans are not particularly interested in
spending their money and using their
manpower to keep King George on the
Grecian throne Or, for the matter OF
that, of maintaining monarchy when
the talk is all of promoting western
democracy"
In the election held in Greece, upon
which the present government is based,
the issue was between having King
George or a ro-Communist govern
ment. The Greeks chose King George.
There is, however, strong feeling
among many of the Greeks that the
government should become much more
liberal and democratic.
The attack made by Henry A. Wallace,
former Vice President and Secretary OF
Commerce, upon the Truman proposals
regarding Greece and Turkey, has been
hailed here as distinct aid to getting
the Congress to go through with the
loans to these countries. Soviet Russia
will take the same position. 1t Ii ex-
pected, aS did Mr.. Wallace.
Evening star., 1947-03-15
Unstressed Duties

To the Editor of The Star:
1t certainly has come to pretty
pass in this country when we have to
set aside special day to proclaim that
we are Americans" If we are citizens
that is presupposed, and If we are
aliens, it cannot be said. That the Gov
ernment finds it necessary to make such
a proclamation would strongly indicate
that there should be a clamp down on
immigration. 1t is quite apparent that
too many of our citizens of recent origin
have foreign interests that control their
voting habits, whatever protestations to
the contrary that may be made, and, as
they have not, therefore, been assimi-
lated, common sense would dictate that
Evening star., 1947-03-15
The Missing Link
From the London Times.


Of all human feelings family pride Is
the most understandable and the most
unchanging. From the earliest times
men have loved to boast of their great
forbears, and though to-day there are
few in either east or west who would
still dare to claim descent from the gods
or the heavenly bodies, they are still
numerous who like to tell of the Nor
man baron, Scottish chief, Welsh prince,
or Irish king who founded their line.
Bicycling bowler hated to the subur-
ban station goes many a man who at
times sees himself armed cap-a-pie and
mounted on caparisoned charger. But
while some descend from the great,
others ascend to greatness only to find,
however, that their new position may
somehow lack the magic of greatness
long gone by or even of greatness in
decay Thus 1t is that new man will
sometimes go to considerable pains to
try to establish connexion with his
toric parsonage of similar name. SO
natural is this instructive wish for asso-
citation with the glamorous past that 1t
is common to all ages and races, and
easily understood. But though modern
men, like the monkeys, are always
Dreaming of dreams that we mean
to do,
All complete in minute or two
Something noble and grand and good,
Won by merely wishing We could
future generations, looking back at all
the strangeness of this age, will see
nothing so queer as the present-day
eagerness to claim kinship with the
Bander-log The scientific pursuit Of
knowledge, even unpleasant knowledge.
for its own sake will no doubt be under
stood by them, but how astonished
they will be at an era which eagerly
applauds, instead of standing aghast.
every time fossil skull fills another
gap in mans believed line of ancestry.
Speaking at the recent pre-history
conference at Nairobi, Professor LIE Gros
Clark said "I am afraid there is no
escape from the fact that these speci-
mems are very closely related to man."
But people are not afraid. They rejoice.
A missing link has been found and
their descent from the ape Is more cer-
tain
Evening star., 1947-03-15
License Tag Battle

To the Editor of The Star:
Thinking back through the war years,
I am unable to recall any battle that
was more hectic than the one fought
in last week right here in Washington.
Having had my car passed by the in
spection station on the previous day, I
was confident that the next step would
only be short skirmish. Armed with
all of the necessary papers, I bravely
charged up the steps of the Municipal
Building. Nearly four hours later be-
fuddled mind led a shaking body back
to the comparative safety of Washing
ton streets. My right hand clutched the
Evening star., 1947-03-15

Total candor regarding the loans to
Greece and Turkey, proposed by Presl-
dent Truman, is the insistence OF Chair
man Vandenberg of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee. He is to take a
leading part in the passage of the loan
bill through the Senate. Already he
has promised the Republican Senators
that if they will submit their questions
in writing, he will see to it that the
answers and information are forth
coming from the State Department,
and the White House if necessary. In
cidentally, Senator Vandenberg him.
self will have some questions as con-
sideration of this most important
change in the foreign policy of the
United States progresses.
Many of the questioners will ask why
the United Nations was not made the
agency to bring relief to Greece and
security to the Greeks and the Turks.
To this it may be replied that the
United Nations is not relief orgarli-
Zation, and that, as far as security is
concerned, the U. N. has not arrived
at a stage where it can put armed
forces into the field if they are needed
to preserve peace and good order.
If relief was sought for Greece
and heaven knows GREECE needs eco
nomic relief-through the United Ma
tions, all the member nations would
be asked to chip in, with the United
States putting up not only the largest
amount, but nearly all of it. Yet this
country would have no control Of the
expenditure of the money, which
would be under the administration OF
u. N. agency set up for the purpose,
This would merely put the United States
back where it was under the operation
of UNRRA.
The loans to Greece and Turkey pro-
posed by Mr. Truman go beyond the
matter of physical relief and, as Mr..
Truman made clear, are political. They
are designed to prevent the inf1ltra-
ton of communism, which in Mr.. Tru-
mans book is another way to say to-
talitarianism.
Of one thing members of Congress
and the general public may be sure.
The administration is planning to do
thorough job of reviving Greece eco
nomically, in every phase. It is PLAN
ming also to put the Greeks in posi-
ton to defend their country and their
people against the guerrillas now seek
ing to overthrow the government. For
this purpose it will send military per-
sonneI to train the Greeks, and var
material and weapons.
Already, 1t Is learned, the State De-
Evening star., 1947-03-15
March Sunlight

This is the shining metaphor,
The likeness of the days to be
When hours 1riH be cnrued of gold
And earth an endless, Uerdant sea:
When this bright square upon the Dau
Win hold more loneliness than no,o:
The shado0 OF the trembling leaf
Upon the stencil of the bough.
Into the shimmering cup of air
Breath taking notes of song ,Dfl
fail
This Is the shining metaphor
ForeteHtng springs nnttpflondt.
ROSE MYRA PHILLIPS.
Evening star., 1947-03-15
MARYLAND Roads

To the Editor of The Star:
During the Christmas vacation period
my son and 1 had occasion to visit
relatives and friends in Washington and
Brandywine.
I've heard lot about bad roads IN my
own State so felt right at home while
driving on State Route No. from
Washington to Waldorf, Md!
The shoulders were in very bad and
dangerous condition; deep chuck holes
along the entire route made driving
Evening star., 1947-03-15
Naming the Baby

To the Editor of The Star:
In his column in The Star last eve
ming Mr. Ickes, in speaking Of the
pygmy hippopotamus recently born at
the Zoo says, "The Congress can pass
a bill naming it after some present
or past party hero, or otherwise"
This is what you call natural
and I want to be the first to suggest
that the baby hippo be named Harold"
regardless of its yet-to-be- e-determined
sex. GEORGE D. WATROUS, Jr.
Evening star., 1947-03-15

objection by staying away from the
polls.
Whatever may be the theoretical
arguments against parity for Amer
leans in the islands, the practical
situation would seem to require it.
1t is now to be hoped that Ameri-
can capital and management will
be enlisted vigorously in Philippine
rehabilitation.
Evening star., 1947-03-15

dangerous. There seemed to be lot Of
traffic on this road which means it
should be repaired or replaced immedl-
ately
T noticed many new homes in that
area. For the benefit of hometown
folks" for tourists, and for the sake of
safety, I hope this road receives some
attention in the near future.
RAYMOND BALDWIN.
Topeka, KanS.
Evening star., 1947-03-15

Please be brief. Short letters
are preferred, all are subject to
editing for condensation. Only
letters accompanied by name
and address of lDriter ,Dill be
used, although a pseudonym is
in some cases permissible.
Evening star., 1947-03-15
Likes Article on Russia

To the Editor OF The Star.
Permit me to compliment you on
YOUR treatment of the article by Boris
Izakov on Sunday, March 2. Instead
of making your paper vehicle for
unchallenged Soviet propaganda, you
have judiciously interspersed corrective
data throughout The Star has here
set q worthy standard for all papers in
their treatment of material coming from
behind the iron curtain.
ARTHUR SEEMAN.
Evening star., 1947-03-15
About the Weather

To the Editor Of The Star:
Every time the weather forecaster
scores a miss many persons resort to
the pastime of f1inging maledictions in
his direction. To them let it be said
that meteorology is not an exact science
Evening star., 1947-03-15
FutuI Error

From the Cleveland News.
Yukon temperatures of SO below zero
are reported, and our new solution Of
the shooting of Dan McGrew is that he
forgot to close the barroom door.