davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-04-03

be lost. It seemed that nothing could
get through.
'Of course, the Japanese overesti-
mated their own strength and under
estimated the enemy's Then, they had
very long supply lines which they could
not protect; they admitted this IN
prewar statement.
"These were the basic reasons for their
failure to do better in the war. After
that, would say the reasons for their
disaster could be classed about as fol-
lows in order of Importance:
Reason for Defeat.
First, and by far the worst, were the
attacks of the highly efficient American
submarines on merchant shipping.
1.-THE second factor was the deStruc-
ftion of the japanese navy.
..The third, which no doubt had some
effect on the close of the war, was the
air bombing attack on this country.
1.-THE Japanese desired Germany to
make peace with Russia. OF course, this
was impossible.
Then they wanted to make some
agreement whereby Russia would with
draw 10000 men, and its planes, from
Nanchuria so that the japanese could
employ their opposing forces elsewhere.
ITO reach an agreement with Russia,
the Japanese were willing to sacrifice
Manchuria, China and Korea.
Next they would reach an understand
ing with the United States, the plan
being like this:
Japan would renounce It's position
In the Netherlands East Indies and
generally in the South.
1T would keep its armed forces ex-
cept in the areas renounced.
The bargaining for compromise
peace would be based on the destrability
of both sides avoiding the heavy losses
that would result If the war should con-
tinue These early negotiations for
peace, understand, were handled
through Stockholm.
EFT was because Of Gen. Otis efforts
toward peace that he got In trouble with
Won 4Ribbentrop and was forced out OF
his position as Ambassador in Japan.
''This came about because of reports
sent to Berlin by Meissinger, who was
the party representative here and who
had access to direct communications with
the head OF the Reich. Ambassador OFT
was then replaced by Stahmer and went
to Peking, where he now Is"
-. Chicago Daily News Foreign service.)
Evening star., 1947-04-03
Hunger in Germany

Some sources have attributed the
recent outbreak of unrest and dem
onstrations in the Ruhr to Commu-
mist agitation and organization. That
may or may not be true, but even
if it is true, it constitutes only part
of the explanation-the lesser part.
There would be no such trouble-no
one could agitate for it successfully
or organize it-if those taking part
in it were not on the verge of starva-
ton. The real villain is hunger, not
political conspirators.
The Ruhr is in the British zone.
The Germans who live there are
supposed to have a ration scale of
1850 calories daily-barely enough
to keep them going. But for the
past few weeks they have not been
getting it. Some have been getting
only about 800 calories The Amer
lean intake is well over 5000; an
intake that drops to 800 is starva-
ton diet. So there is nothing par
ticularly amazing about the fact
that Dusseldorf, for example, has
seen a great crowd of about 100000
stoning buildings of the occupying
authority and marching with plac-
ards demanding bread. Hungry men
and women, desperate for them
selves and their children, do not
need to be agitated much by Com
munists or others to do things like
that.
No one who has read former
President Hoover's report on Ger
many can be greatly surprised by
what has happened at Dusseldorf.
When it was published few weeks
ago, the report left no room for
doubt about the appalling nature of
the food situation and the need for
prompt action to avert disaster.
There has been no large-scale dem
onstration in our zone as yet, but
such things are to be expected unless
the hunger is cut down. Mr.. Hoover
has predicted as much for us and
the British: Without emergency re-
lief measures, there will be trouble.
The unrest in the Ruhr is a kind of
warning on that score.
If such trouble comes, the primary
blame will not rest on Communist
organizers or the Nazi underground.
It will rest on hunger and on an
Anglo American failure to do what
needs to be done, including action
against German farmers deliberately
Evening star., 1947-04-03
The Rebel Loborites

It seems highly significant that
the British Laborites have split wide
open over the Labor governments
bill for peacetime conscription.
Since the Conservative opposition
supports the measure, final pas
sage is certain. but Prime Minister
Attlee can derive small comfort
from that. The thing he must
worry about is that his, own party
lin It's deepest and most serious
division to date-has opposed him
to a degree that may well have a
far-reaching effect on the future
development Of Britain's foreign
policy.
The CONSUMPTION measure is de-
signed to serve the twofold purpose
of promoting British security and
supporting the international pro-
gram being carried out by the
Attlee government through Foreign
Secretary Bevin. It Is as much
needed in that sense as universal
military training Is needed in our
own country key measure to give
meaning and substance to diplo-
matte policy. Yet the Labor Party
the government party-has shown
itself to be of anything but one
mind on the issue. Thus. out of a
total membership OF 394 no fewer
than 173 rebel Laborites have ex-
pressed opposition to the peace
time draft either by voting directly
against it, or abstaining from any
vote at all, in preliminary tests in
the House of Commons. Moreover,
many of the 221 favorably recorded
are reported to have supported the
bill solely because of political loyal
ties,
From the standpoint of Britain's
domestic politics, revolt" Of this
kind confronts the Attlee govern
ment with a serious question of
party discipline. But more serious
still may be the international i'm
plications. BY indirection at least,
this deep Laborite split suggests
growing dissatisfaction with the
course of British foreign policy. At
any rate, that policy calls for some
thing like conscription, so that the
Labor MPs who have opposed the
latter have in effect hit at the for
n1er as well. In the circumstances,
it is not hard to understand why
there have been rumors that Mr..
Beyin NAV resign.
Evening star., 1947-04-03


the japanese attack on Pearl Hdrb
OF various and sundry Analyses Of
the japanese war effort offered to date,
the observations of q German naval
attache to Japan during the war years
seem to me among the most penetrat-
ing.
After Japan's surrender this German
Vice Admiral Paul H. Weneker-at last
reports still residing in Japan-was
questioned by members OF the United
States Navy mission. Here, in brief,
is what he had to say:
early in the war made q trip
through the South Sea Islands and up
through the Marianas to see conditions
with my own eyes. was astounded.
The japanese were thoroughly enjoy
ing the lush life. They had parties
continually and were drinking all the
liquor they had captured.
81 asked why they did not prepare
Notifications but they said the Ameri-
cans would never come, that they could
not fight In the jungle and that they
were not the kind of people who could
stand. warfare in the south.
"Not many people knew how things
were going in the battle Of Midway.
But there was some depression among
those who did know.
"Saipan was really understood to be
a matter of life or death. About that
time the Japs began telling their people
the truth about the war.
"It was ridiculous, the way japanese
Army planes made exaggerated reports
OF enemy ships they had sunk. I think
it must have been because the army
felt it had to report successes to COM
pare favorably with the navy.
Destruction of Navy.
"The Japanese surface Navy was de-
stroyed after the battle of Leyte and it
was decided to make the navy only
aviation.
There was no real imperial head
quarters. The chiefs of staff of the
army and navy would get together to
discuss matters when both were inter-
ested. That was all. -
Throughout the war was In charge
Of bloekade running by submarine be-
tween Japan and Germany. fa
we shipped from Japan quinine, tin
and other vital materials in exchange
for some optical goods, parts for air
planes, and machine-tool equipment.
"But this was not so easy an arrange
ment because Of American submarines.
It was terrible. Sometimes an entire
convoy, including all my material, would
Evening star., 1947-04-03
Hard Words for MIR. Lewis

To the Editor Of The Star:
Ordinarily one more outburst Of crude
exhibitionism from John L. Lewis would
be the nadir Of insignifcance. However,
his grossly unsportsmanlike accusation
OF an individual in connection with the
shocking accident at Centralia prompts
q reasonable and fair question: How
many Of our young fighting men lost
their lives In consequence Of the delays
and dislocations In war production
caused by repeated strikes which Mr..
Lewis called in the coal industry during
the critical war years?
Remembering the price that America
paid for his sordid egomania then it
does not seem that Mr.. Lewis adds one
whit to his nature as either labor
leader or citizen in his attempt to
exploit the appalling Centralia disaster
now. E. j. w.
Evening star., 1947-04-03

It was no surprise when on Tuesday
Chicago elected a Democratic Mayor.
Even last November, when the Repub-
licans were riding high, wide and hand
some, Chicago went Democratic by 10000
votes. The size of the majority by which
Martin H. Kennedy, the Democratic
candidate, won over his Republican OPP
ponent, Russell w. Root, is impressive
approximately 275,000.
The election in the country's second
largest city is naturally being interpreted
in terms Of the 1948 presidential contest.
Does it mean that the Democrats can
carry Illinois for President Truman-if
he be the partys nominee? The Demo-
Gratis hope it does, but they are not Ger
tain. Downstate Republican votes, plus
the vote in Cook County outside Chicago,
have overcome Democratic leads in the
big city which were even greater than
Mr. Kennellys.
The Chicago election this week does,
however, indicate a. swing back to the
Democratic Party, and that is something
the Republican leadership must take into
account Had the Republicans elected
Mayor-for the first time in 16 years
and more-GOP peans of joy would have
gone up in volume. Had the Republicans
been able to keep the Democratic lead
below 100000 votes, as they did In Chi
cago last November, there still would
have been q burst of cheering from the
Republican leaders.
The Republicans chose to make the
mayoralty campaign on national rather
than local issues. When Mayor Edward
J. Kelly, who has been the city's chief
executive for more than dozen years,
decided not to be candidate for re-
election and Mr. Kennedy, a widely
known business man, was named in his
place, the corrupt city machine" issue
was largely out of the picture. In fact,
Mr.. Kennedy said fatty he did not wear
the collar of the old Kelly-Nash organ
ization and that he would not. So the
Republicans in the campaign went to
town on national issues. They even went
SO far as to declare that vote for the
Democratic candidate meant vote for
another world war That kind of thing
was largely inspired by the Chicago,
Tribune, which was supporting Root.
The campaign was reminiscent Of the
campaigns which Big Bill" Thompson,
the last Republican Mayor of Chicago,
used to make. Thompson was wont to
Evening star., 1947-04-03
Revolt in Madagascar

The diSintegration OF EuropeS CO.
lonial empires is being accompanied
by a resurgence of the power pat
terms which prevailed among the
native peoples before the imposi-
ton of colonial rule. This is seen IN
India, where the ancient rivalry be-
tween Hindus and Moslems reap
pears. It is likewise visible in Indo-
China, where the revolt against
French rule is basically one by the
previously dominant Annamites,
seeking to restore their ascendancy.
And now the same process Is ap-
parently at work in another big
French colony-Madagas
This huge island, the third largest
In the world, nearly 1000 miles long
and averaging some $50 miles wide,
is approximately the size of Texas.
The most curious thing about NADIA
gascar is that, though lying less
than 800 miles off the coast of East
Africa, it Is in no real sense
african" It's flora, fauna and hu-
man inhabitants derive chiefly from
distant Malaga and even from the
still more distant Pacific Ocean.
This seeming anomaly is due to the
fact that both the ocean currents
and the prevailing winds come from
the eastward, thus effectively isolat-
ing Madagascar from the nearby
African continent.
Madagascar was peopled by a
series of migrations by Malays,
Polynesians and Melanesians. The
latest of these was that of the
Hovas, a hght-skinned Polynesian
stock, energetic and intelligent,
which established itself in the cool
highlands of the interior and be-
came the dominant element. BY the
early nineteenth century the Hovas
had founded a kingdom with an able
ruler who welcomed Christianity
and aspired to transform Madagas-
car into a modernized state. In this,
he was encouraged by the British,
whose influence was then predomi-
nant and whose missionaries con-
verted most of the Hovas to Protes-
tantisn.
However, France had long had its
eye on Madagascar and had annexed
most of the islands off the coast.
In 1890, France and Britain struck
bargain over their colonial rivalries
In various parts of the world under
which Britain recognized a French
protectorate over Madagascar in re-
turn for French concessions else
where. The native government hav-
ing refused to submit. a French army
invaded Madagascar and conquered
the country, overthrowing Hova
ascendancy and annexing Madagas-
car to the French Empire in 1895.
Since then, the island has been gov
erned as French colony. French
rule has been ineffective, economic
development having been slow. The
Hovas have remained disaffected
and a nationalist movement has
long existed, despite official repres-
sion. This movement has recently
made rapid strides and is undoubt-
edly behind the current risings,
wherein isolated French garrisons
have been attacked and French
civilians killed. Aiming at full self
government or even independence.
Evening star., 1947-04-03
Nap Of Memory
By D0r,id Lascrencs

The map Of memory + Q.ser
TO one soho has not efs0rte6 d: -
A little path runs sUtde and clear,
While acenHes shotr not bst.
A hin & clad NTH epsToTesHs
Where mountain ranges are 1sss0le6,;
Beside the road fansetree 1eGnsse
And the Uhite city goes ancidtnssG
A strip OF sand lies hot and gold,
Where green iDdUes cod around IN
shore, ~;
But east and ,oest are Herer told,
Nor ,Dhat the name the ocean b0ke
Who did not make It cannot read
The ont-of-scule and stsetess eh0rk 4
And he tDI,o made 1t has no need
! OF s4Mbols eeyTied ts the heart, j.
YETzA aukxHRM
Evening star., 1947-04-03
Dunuers Of Haste

Ine mOSG OBVIOUS 0pJeCtlOl w t1tS
new strike curb bill sponsored by
Chairman Hartley and reported fa-
vorably by the House Labor COM
mittee is its timing.
Although not limited in its apph-
cation to the threatened telephone
strike, the bill is aimed at that par
ticular threat. And 1t may be
strongly suspected that one result
of this has been to interfere with a
settlement through collective bar
gaining, since the passage, or even
the pendency, of such a bill would
seem to hold out to management
the hope of ultimately settling the
dispute on more favorable terms.
Presumably, however, Chairman
Hartley and the fifteen committee
members who voted to report the
bill (there were only three oppos-
ing votes) were unwilling to delay
action because of the serious con-
sequences which would result If the
strike is called as scheduled on
April 7. But whatever the merit in
this point of view, and 1t is sub
stantial, 1t is more than overbal-
.anced by the dangers Of hasty
action in such a delicate matter.
Under the provisions Of the bill,
when strike threatened the tele-
phone or certain similar industries,
the President could direct the At
torney General to obtain an injunc-
ton forbidding strike, notwith-
standing the provisions of the
Norris-La Guardia Act. Once the
injunction was in effect, there would
ensue thirty-day period of media
ton under the Department OF Labor,
followed by an election. among the
workers to determine whether they
would accept the last management
offer. If that failed there would
then be set up a commission COM
posed of a representative of the
management, the union and the
Chief Justice of the United States
Court of Appeals. After another
thirty days, this commission would
publish findings of fact and recon-
mendations for settlement, which
also would be submitted to the
workers in an election. If either
party should continue adamant a
stalemate would ensue, and the in
junction presumably would remain
in effect indefinitely.
The essence of this plan-the
provisions empowering the Federal
Government to enlist the aid of the
courts in protecting the public in
terest-is not to be dismissed out
of hand. For it has merit, and we
may have to adopt something of
the sort. But one may well doubt
the wisdom of empowering the
Federal courts to issue antistrike
injunctions and at the same time
bring the Federal judiciary into the
picture in the role of mediator. It
may also be doubted whether, in
stead of setting up what would
amount to high-pressure media
ton, it might not be better to go
all the way and provide outright
for compulsory arbitration in the
case of public utility strikes.
These points merely serve to Illus
trate the dangers of hasty action
in a matter of this kind. 1t is true
that Congress seems to require the
prod of a serious strike threat be-
fore 1t will act. But the Hartley
bill cannot be rushed through in
time to meet the April 7 deadline,
and, assuming that there is sub
stantial support for it. it ought not
to be acted upon finally without
full and careful consideration.
Evening star., 1947-04-03

more discerning in its reporting SO as
not only to include both sides Of the
issue but to present both sides in equal
perspective. Let us have all the facts
SO that we can build better II not
bigger America. A STUDENT.
Reader Replies to Mr.. Gibson
70 the Editor Of The star:
Lately I have read several letters
from postal clerks and carriers gripping
about the difference In annual leave and
sick leave given postal employees and
departmental clerks In other Govern
ment agencies. When read Lawrence
g. Gibson's letter, really broke down
as he described the conditions Of the
poor mail clerks" 1t must be terrible
to work for 81, 400 to 81 800 a year. Why
don't they just transfer to some depart
mental clerical job? Or, is it because
they cannot make as much In depart
mental jobs? am making 1854 q
year and would be glad to make Q
transfer with any one Of them.
SYMPATHETIC.
Evening star., 1947-04-03
News as Propaganda
=. EzaS%n~ - r-,.s okor.

To the Editor OF The STAR
As consistent reader Of your paper
I feel compelled to comment on the
opinion formulating policies Of The Star.
Primarily, the purpose Of any newspaper
Is to report" daily events and occur
rences so as to maintain an informed
populace so essential In any democracy.
Unfortunately, the majority Of Ameri-
can newspapers are guilty Of anything
but objective reporting Of contempo-
rary affairs.
While to The Stars credit it does
not drape flag over itself and proclaim
its aAmericanism" in three-foot banners,
The Star does not confine editorializing
to the editorial page.
To confirm my charges OF propagan-
dizing one has but to note the extraordi-
nary amount of accusations and charges
Of one man or group against another
that newspapers report" And here Is
The important point We Rad big head
Evening star., 1947-04-03

=. Democracy for Germans
To the Editor of The Star: Etf
Unless the Western powers rapidly
succeed in changing the deplorable
state of mind predominant among the
German people today, future plaxis for
the rehabilitation Of that country will
be of little avail i . @s
One does not have to be statesman
TO realize that plan aimed at the
reconstruction of q nation is futile
when met by the determined resistance
Of the people who must subsequently
abide by such a decision.
Two years have passed since the COM
bined efforts of the Allies brought about
the downfall Of the Nazi regime. These
years might have been put to excellent
use by the Western Allies in teaching
their former enemies democracy, not
only in theory but in practice. How
ever, they have accomplished only the
creation Of vague ideologies, reminis-
cent of those prevalent in Germany
during the postwar era Of the early
1920s.
Long accustomed TO an elaborate
propaganda machine, the Germans will
not hesitate to respond favorably to q
similar expedient once used to our ad-
vantage. Clearly, the beneficent effects
on world economy resulting from a
restoration Of Germany's industry need
not be emphasized. Neither need such
action constitute hazard to world
peace. For by restoring to the German
his means of living, by actively demon
strating that democracy means living
and working together, and finally, by
keeping America strong, we need have
no fear Of future totalitarian sympa-
thies of the German people-and who
controls Germany, controls Europe!
CORPII. ERIC LESTER.
Evening star., 1947-04-03
Letters to The Star
Complains Of Diferentials
IA Nearby Phone Rates

Il
10 the Editor Of The Star:
Heretofore, under their contracts with
the telephone company. residents Of all
parts Of the Metropolitan Area paying
the highest residence rates could dial
to all residents in all parts Of the area
similarly paying highest rates. For
example, residents Of Hyattsville, Col
lege Park and other parts Of the
fringe OF the area could dial without
extra charge throughout the area, In
cluding adjacent parts Of Virginia, to
any residence paying highest rates. but
not to residences in nonoontiguous parts
paying lower rate.
AS sort of smoke screen the company
now permits l1igh-rate subscribers to
dial low-rate subscribers listed under
contiguous exchanges. but erects bar
riers along the Potomac and elsewhere
to the detriment of fringe subscribers.
These no longer can dial many nearby
exchanges with which residents at the
center of the area still have dial con-
nections. These fringe subscribers now
must ask for the services OF an operator
and pay Decent charge therefor, even
though the mechanical facilities for
dialing until now have been available.
Examples Of Curtailment.
A few examples Of -curtailed service
win illustrate: Hyattsyille and College
Park residents (Warfleld and Union
exchanges) can dial Maryland sub
scribers west to Silver Spring but are
required to pay a 1o-cent fee for con-
nection with Chevy Chase and Bethesda
(Oliver and Wisconsin exchanges, /,
though all are in nearby Maryland, just
north OF the District of Columbia. They
also can dial any exchange In the Dis
trict but not nearby Virginia. Lower
rate subscribers of the Hyattsville area
formerly could dial their Offices Of en-
ployment at the Agricultural Research
Center, less than five miles away, but
must now pay scent fee, merely for
the reason that the center's numbers
have now been changed from Warfield
to Tower, and Tower consists Of q
higher series of numbers on the Union
exchange-they can dial Union but not
Tower (though UN and TO are on the
same dial numbers).
A necessary increase in rates, made
at the same time as were these restric-
tions, Is no doubt justifiable, but this
cannot be said of reduction in the
accustomed service to which the orig
inal contracts entitled the subscribers.
It would seem far-sighted policy for
q progressive telephone company to
treat on par all top-rate subscribers
living within the Metropolitan Area and
not erect arbitrary barriers that dis
continue the formerly advertised facili-
ties.
Very many Of the interests of subur-
ban residents on both sides Of the Po-
tomac are more closely related to
Washington and nearby areas than with
other areas just q little farther out.
Were 1t not for Washington they would
not be in these suburbs. In fact, neither
would the populous suburban communi-
ties and their busy telephone exchanges,
ever growing but now splitting up into
smaller exchanges despite the increas-
ing density OF population and the con-
sequent lower unit costs. 49,
WILLIAM H. CHEESMAN.