davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1954-01-03

and agricultural production
increased. These improve
ments are stressed in Soviet
propaganda. especially over
Radio Tashkent. beamed to
India, Pakistan. the Near East
and Southeast Asia.
Selected groups from other
Asian countries are often in
vited to visit Soviet Central
Asia. During these visits the
raised living standards inside
Central Asia are touted with
the apparent intention Of
stimulating a desire for fed
Grafton inside the Soviet sys-
tenn. So far, no country has
taken up the offer.
The republics of Soviet Gen.
trail Asia take their names
from the predominant racial
tribal groups. In all there are
about 13 million people in the
area. A brief examination Of
prominent republics may help
to I'LL out the picture:
UZBEKISTAN produces so
per cent Of u. s. S. r. cotton.
Production began to increase
in this area in the 1860s under
the Czars due to loss Of trade
with the American South dur
ing the Civil War. Uzbekistan
contains the legendary old
cities Of Samarkand and Box
hara. It's capital, Tashkent. is
the seventh largest city in the
Soviet Union. The area in
Evening star., 1954-01-03
Russia Builds Arsenal and Lorder in Soviet Central Asia

Afghans and northern In
dians and Pakistani. Stain
once proclaimed: "Toilers at
the gates of Hindustan
show to the whole East that
you are worthy children Of
your ancestors, firmly holding
in your hands the banner Of
liberation. Its soil contains
oil. gold and uranium.
Any immediate danger Of
the Russians coming over the
Pamir or Hindu Kush Noun
tains into Pakistan appears
slight But in case of a third
world war. Pakistan feels she
must be prepared. Hence the
discussion of bases and aid.
Pakistani cannot forget that
invaders - beginning g with
Alexander the Great - have
come from the north. across
the Oxus and through AZ
ghanistan's Khyber Pass. And
it could happen again.
20 Soviet Divisions
Today. repeatedly. the So
Wet Union maintains 20 divi-
SionS within Soviet Central
Asia. including two mechan-
lied. two cavalry and one tank
division. There are 10000 to
$4,000 men in Russian divi-
sion. At the moment Paki-
stan has about 250.000 men
under arms and could mobilize
one million. She is not as well
equipped as she believes nee
eSsary and her air force Is
almost non-existent.
United States air bases in
Pakistan would put American
planes--in case of total war
in closer striking range of So
Wet heavy industry and refin-
cries east Of the UralS. in So
Wet Central Asia and in Sin
kiang Province of China.
Though under Chinese rule,
the neighboring province of
Sinkiang is rapidly increas-
ing its economic ties with the
Soviet Union. The curtain Of
secrecy around the area was
drawn even tighter recently
with the Chinese order to India
to close down her consulate.
But reports indicate that the
Russians are helping to ex-
plot oil. uranium and other
resources in Sinkiang. Air
field. road and rail construc-
ton also is believed to be pro-
crossing rapidly.
This mere enumeration Of
the industrial potential Of
Central Asia gives added
meaning to Communist
screams of horror at American
moves to give Pakistan mill
tary aid.
Evening star., 1954-01-03
Sinking Arctic City,

Aklavik, the largest settle
tlement in the Canadian Arctic.
and a Royal Canadian Military
Police headquarters serving a
territory of $4,000 square miles.
is to be moved bodily to a new
site. Otherwise it is in danger
of sinking into the mud of the
melting permafrost, or of be-
ing washed down the Macken-
zie River into the Arctic Ocean
10 miles to the north.
Water supply and drainage
at this Eskimo settlement were
never good. With its recent
expansion they have become
critical. The problems of put
ting adequate sanitary and
water services into this type of
permafrost-perennially frozen
ground-are so great and their
solution so expensive, that it
will be more economical to
move the entire community to
a new site. even If the opera
ton takes three OF four years.
Possibly the deciding factor
was that the Mackenzie River.
on the West Channel of which
Aklavik stands, is steadily eat
ing into its delta silt: best esti-
mates give the townSite 10
years before it is swept away.
AS Arctic communities go,
Evening star., 1954-01-03
AkIovik, Canada. Will Be Moved Bodily to New Site
Before Vanishing in Permofrost or Washing Awoy

bear traffic. Year-round facili-
ties are imperative.
But the delta land on which
Aklavik is built is about so
per cent ice crystals. Perma-
frost in this region may well
be 1000 feet thick. Buildings,
surfaced roads or airstrips
cause the subsoil to thaw. The
devouring mud swallows every
thing. A 10-foot thaw in the
permafrost would cause Akla-
vik to sink to the level OF the
Mackenzie. 1t would be either
drowned or smothered.
Experience with military
works in Alaska and Green
land, plus extensive studies
made in Siberia by the Rus
sians-who are vastly better
informed than Americans or
Canadians on permafrost
problems-show how surface
buildings may be insulated
from the soil so that the per-
mafrost is reinforced rather
than reduced. But the new
site for Aklavik will be To-
Gated nearer to bedrock, where
many of the problems of wa
ter and drainage systems will
be simplified, and construction
of an airStr1p and roads. will
be practicable.
Once the site has been de-
termined, the subsurface con-
struction completed and foun-
dations built. the town will
be moved in winter over the
frozen river. Wooden build
ings will be put on skids and
towed away by tractors. More
substantial buildings will have
to be dismantled and re-
erected. .
It will have to be done
piecemeal for certain essen
tial services must continue, no.
tably the weather records and
radio. Later. probably, radar
services. Aklavik stands ath-
wart one of the potential lin.
vasion routes" for planes strik-
ing at the United States across
the Arctic. In any advanced
early warning network, Aka.
vik would be a useful post once
its communications have been
solidly established.
Evening star., 1954-01-03
Eastern Europe
By Alex n. SINGLETON

BELGRADE - Communistic
Eastern Europe shivered its
way into 1854 with little con-
fidence the year will bring lib
erty. but with some small
hopes of avoiding a major war.
For 10 millions in the satel-
lites the big problem remains
that of eking out an existence
under Kremlin demands on
time. labor and produce.
Stalin's death brought short
lived hope for relaxation of
Russian rule: But refugees now
report that changes made since
then have been minor. Russia.
it appears, keeps its puppet
states in q viselike grip that
offers little chance Of revolu-
ton. Apathy apparently is
building up in the area from
Poland through Czechoslo-
vakia. Hungary. Bulgaria and
Romania to little Albania.
The situation is different in
Yugoslavia, communistic but
at the same time independent.
President Tito's government
Evening star., 1954-01-03

slowed down. but in Syria. Jor-
dan and Iraq prices were still
rising.
For the Mideast as q whole
hopes for world peace are
slightly higher. Other bright
spots include sustained Amer
ican economic aid. an effort by
Iran to solve It's old oil wrangle
with Britain, and o new hope
for peace between Israel and
the Arab states.
Also on the brighter side is
the new stability Of Trans gov
ernment under Gen. Fazolloh
Zahedi. Turkey continues -
with American help-to mod
ernize and strengthen her
400, ,OO0-man army and Trans
army and United States
trained gendarmerie are no
longer Q negligible factor in
Middle Eastern defense.
Evening star., 1954-01-03
By Ann cottreII Free

India and Russia have been
making similar noises in recent
weeks. protesting loudly at the
prospect of Pakistan accept
ing military aid from the
United States. First there were
rumors that the United States
would be allowed to build air.
fields in Pakistan. Soviet Rus
sia, in particular. was beside
itself.
More recently, however, PAX
istan has attempted to re-
assure her neighbors with
statements that no bases will
be provided. Pakistan will ac-
cept military equipment only.
This should have the effect of
toning down Russian outrage,
at least.
But why the Soviet sensi-
tivity to air bases in Paki-
stan? The answer is just over
the mountains to the north of
PakiStan, in Soviet Central
Asia. Long out Of the news.
this rich area is about to be
forced out of its obscurity.
Soviet Central Asia is an
area as rich in color as one
of its own Bokhara rugs. It
has known Alexander the
: Great. Genghis Khan, Tamer-
lane. Emirs and Cars.
Transformation Since 1920
But since the 192Os 1t has
settled down to the rather
grim business of being trans
formed into model republics"
of the Soviet Union. The five
Soviet republics in Central
Asia and neighboring Sinkiang
Province of Red China once
were known as Turkestan,.
: scene Of power -politics plots
since earliest times. Whoever
controls them sits in O watch
tower over the Indian-Paki-
stan subcontinent.
With Siberia to its north.
Soviet Central Asia reaches
from the Caspian Sea In the
west to China OH the east. It
is being developed both as an
arsenal and a larder. It Is
rich in coal. oil, non ferrous
!. metals. cotton. sheep and
cattle.
The extent Of its machine
and arms manufacturing is q
well-guarded secret, but un-
doubtedly it has been stepped
up recently with the compile
ton Of the tremendous Ust-
Kamenogorsk dam and power
station. It is highly probable
that atomic energy develop
nnent Is to be found In the
area. especially in view Of the
availability Of uranium. The
bamboo-wireless recently re-
Evening star., 1954-01-03

ported atomic activity in near.
by Sinkiang, as well.
The Soviets view the Central
Asian republics not only as
military and economic weap-
ons, but as political weapons.
In the 1920S, Lenin and Stain,
thought they would become q
"show window" for Asia. Sta
lin went so far as to call them
advanced posts for revolu-
tionizing the East"
After their liberation" from
Czarist rule. the inhabitants Of
these LIS million square miles
Of virtually undeveloped lands
sought their independence
from the new order. Commu-
nism did not flt in with their
predominantly Moslem reli-
gious faith. The Kremlin Of
course decreed otherwise. Col
lective farms, labor camps and
Russian supervisors came on
the scene. Today Great Rus
slams and Ukrainians hold most
OF the top jobs In local minis
tries and make up a virtual
majority Of the city popula-
tions. In some respects, Soviet
Central Asia is a Russian
colony.
The natiyes-mostly of the
Turk, Tartar and Iranian ra-
cial groups-have proflted in
some measure. Illiteracy Is
being reduced, sanitation and
health improved and industrial
Evening star., 1954-01-03
Latin America
By Fred |. Stroller

BUENOS AIRES.-In Latin
America. where nearly half of
the United States foreign capi-
tai is invested, ills are mostly
economic.
Early this year Uncle Sam
will be asked to solve many Of
these ills. directly or indirectly,
to protect his big investment
and keep the southern coun-
tries as good customers.
At the 10th Inter american
Conference starting March /
in Caracas, some republics will
urge the United States to as
sure stable prices for Latin
Americas metals, petroleum,
coffee and other products,
knock down trade barriers and
keep tariffs low.
Even a rich nation like Vene-
zuela fears Congress may limit
imports Of petroleum. Uru-
quay, rich and traditionally a
fast friend of the Western
allies. resents new American
duties on wool tops. Metals
represent a worse problem.
Bolivia's tin is drug on the
market at prices below what
the ore costs to mine and ship.
Chile has vast stores of unSold
copper. and the congestion ap-
parently can be relieved if the
United States buys it to stock
pile. Mexican metal producers
are worried by low prices and
the threat Of United States
duties and other restrictions.
Cuba is able to sell only q
fraction of the sugar she pro-
duced during war years. Ar
gentina has good crops after
a severe drought and fears her
grains may face disastrous
competition If the United
States gives away surplus
wheat or sells it cheaply in
world markets.
These problems, plus run
away imitation in some coun-
tries, will be difficult for diplo-
mats and economists to settle.
No ready-made solutions are
in sight.
Evening star., 1954-01-03
India and Pokiston
Bv Harold K. MiIks

: NEW DELHI.-The prospect
Of q new voice in South Asia
challenging the right Of Prime
Minister Nehru's neutral"
bloc to speak for this area of
nearly o third Of the worlds
peoples likely TO keep the
Indian subcontinent churning
with activity during 1854.
The voice Is that Of Paki-
stan. It's challenge is based
on the expectation Of substan-
tial military aid from the
United States. This poses a
threat to Nehru's position as
the dominant leader of the
vast area from Cairo to
Jakarta.
Nehru's reaction has been a
campaign to mobilize public
opinion" against q United
States-Pakistan arms pact.
Some persons believe aid to
Pakistan will drive India into
the Soviet camp. But many
responsible Indians think In
dia will maintain neutrality
or move closer No the West
ern bloc.
Internally, Nehru faces a
challenge from Communists in
Indian state elections early
this year. But the prevailing
belief is that Nehru's Congress
Party will win.
Nehru seems to be growing
disenchanted with Communist
China. Special armed police
now are operating in the
northern areas through which
the Reds have been sneaking.
Nehru also is reported as hav-
ing complained that too many
Communist Chinese cultural
missions" have been visiting
here.
Evening star., 1954-01-03

sales tax on the District
partnership sharing Of the
load in which the Federal
partner was now reneging.
The sales tax still stood.
What then Of the works
program If 1t clears Congress
as is, calling for an increase
in the Federal payment to
$40 million and $40 million
annually in new or increased
city taxes? II Mr.. Taber gets
hold of it and refuses to ap-
propriate the Federal payment
increase. the city will be left
with q fist full Of new taxes
on the books and an empty
Federal wallet.
Like the Sheepskin
The whole point is that Q
congressional authorization
for the District for the works
plan-as far as any particle
patton by Uncle Sam is con-
cerned-is like q college de-
gree in the hands Of q job ap-
plicant. It hurts you If you
don't have 1t but 1t doesn't
mean much after you get 1t.
The fact that there Is mu-
tual obligation clearly stated
in the works plan finance for
mula and recognized by the
administration through the
Budget Bureau should be q
compelling argument with Mr..
Taber. even though he chose
to ignore the similar situation
in 1850.
Meanwhile the Commission
ers already have begun their
selling program at the Capitol
to members Of the House Leg
islative Committee for the Dis
trict-the first major hurdle
for the plan. They visited the
Hill" last week.
In a very real way. the fate
OF this vital program will de-
termine whether 1854 Is truly
q happy new year for the Ma
tion's Capital.
Evening star., 1954-01-03
Africo
By Edword Pollok

CAIRO.-A growing yearn-
ing for freedom was spreading
like fire in Africa on the
threshold Of 1854. Nationalism
was gaining ground. Western
Europe's powers were prepar-
ing to stem new drives against
colonial rule. Communism was
watching for outbursts Of VOL
ence and unrest.
In Egypt President Naguib
is pushing for internal political
and economic stability. Trade
pacts are stepping up foreign
commerce.
But Anglo Egyptian talks on
Suez are deadlocked. Egypt
has said she will stand neutral
in the cold war unless British
troops are pulled out of Suez.
In the Sudan the pro-Egyp-
tan National UnioniSt Party
won an election late in 1858.
apparently spelling doom for
the British dominated admin
istration there. In the Belgian
Congo, French Equatorial
Africa and British East Africa
there was much interest in the
election result.
In Kenya the Mau Mau are
under increasing pressure of
British security forces. but
although the ill-eQuipped, un-
co-ordinated gangs are disin-
tegrating. their end is not in
sight.
In South Africa 1854 appears
to be another year of political
turmoil. The constitutional
crisis splitting colored and
white citizens in the Union is
not likely. to be resolved.
In Northwest Africa. France
continues to face difficulties.
New violence Is feared in Tu-
nisia. In Morocco the French
imposed change OF sultans left
a bitter taste in the mouths of
thousands Of opponents to
French rule.
Evening star., 1954-01-03

To Its correspondents In 10
strategic observation points
around the world the Associ-
ated Press sent this message:
what il the outlook for
1882"
Their answers edd up to
this--there Is q little less ten
sion In some places: the
chances Of avoiding war are
q little better than In 1853
and may continue improving:
the world may get q little
better to live in. but there
are some huge unsolved prob
lens: How to curb imitation:
how to live In peace.
Here are the A. r. corres-
pondents' views:
Evening star., 1954-01-03
Middle East
Ry Don Schwind

TEHERAN.-This part Of the
world fears creeping imitation
and economic trouble in 1854.
Turkey and Iran already
find imitation worrying the
rich. marrying the average,
and hampering the poor. Tur-
keys currency is severely in
flated. Trans is in a state of
chaos.
Israel's imitation is slightly
Evening star., 1954-01-03
Japan and Korea
Rv Robert Eunson

TOKYO-This year likely
win mark q turning point in
Japan's history. win she
crumble under her many prob
lens. or rise to an honored
place among the free nations?
The top Japanese problem is
that Of rearmament. To re-
arm, Japan must revise her
constitution. To do this, she
must achieve political stability.
But in any event. to what
extent will Japan rearm? The
United States hopes for q $780,
000-man force-three times as
big as the present police"
force. Some japanese leaders
fear such rapid expansion
would wreck the japanese.
What they would prefer is a
gradual gums and butter"
program. The Philippines, In
AOAASoAup oO4A AAa aklu 1AOK ca
are still technically at war
with Japan. And China, be-
hind the bamboo curtain, al.
lows only a thin trickle of
trade. To get increased trade
with her Southeast Asia neigh
bors. Japan must pay them war
reparations. And these repara-
tions in the full sum request
ed would impoverish Japan and
leave her too weak to build up
defense force.
In Korea. the Red tide has
been halted. at least for the
present. But. though there may
not be q renewal Of fighting,
the outlook for q long-term
solution to the Korean prob
lem remains dim.
Evening star., 1954-01-03
Germany and Austria
By Richord K. 0'MolIey

FRANKFURT. - Divided
Germany faces its most fate
full year since Hitler's downfall
in 1945.
For this year--and probably
this month-Germany should
get q clear answer whether
the split is irrevocable. West
Germans are skeptical about
the projected four power talks
in Berlin. They don't expect
any plan for unity there to
achieve success. But they feel
they will benefit by q definite
yes-or-np answer to this ques-
ton and are confident the Big
Four meeting will supply it.
The mo" they expect may
speed West Germany's accept
ance as a partner Of the free
nations. This means sover-
eighty and rearmament-and
a powerful voice in world
affairs.
There seems little likelihood
Of German unity without war.
And war does not appear i'm
minent.
Economically West Germany
hopes to consolidate its past
gains in 1854. Further trade
growth. higher employment and
increased national production
are anticipated. East Ger
many, on the other hand, faces
a bleak year under its Soviet
overlords. It's economy Is
creaky and memory Of the
June II revolt is still fresh.
Sullen. tough East Berlin is
q powder keg. and the Rus
slams know it. But West Ber-
lin believes the new year will
see unemployment drop fur
ther and business pick up.
Austria. however, sees scant
Evening star., 1954-01-03
Western Europe
By jones E. kinu

LONDON.-Western Europe
slides into 1854 keeping .
wary eye on the Kremlin but
breathing easier and eating
better than at any time since
the sos. Tensions have eased
markedly. Britain wound up
its 1858 parliamentary session
by allotting one day to for
eign affairs, two days to q
discussion Of commercial tele-
vision.
Agitation Is loud. especially
from the left. for cutbacks in
defense spending. This has
some appeal to the rank and
file. but don't look for any
great relaxing Of the buildup
Of Western defenses.
There seems no easy or early
solution of the Trieste prob
lem. and only q slim chance
for ratification Of the Euro
pean army plan. But there's
strong likelihood the Germans
will be armed under some
system this year.
France appears confused
politically and shaky economi-
cally-yet even among the in
dividualiStic Frenchmen there's
an underlying confidence.
The thinking Of folks gen.
orally turns more to the busi-
ness Of making q living.
Grumbling over high prices Is
heard amid comparatively full
employment. On the whole
the outlook on the industrial
front Is optimistic.
For Britons the end of all
rationing Is In sight after II
years; Italy's standard of liv-
ing Is perhaps the highest in
history; Scandinavia is roll
ing along in o high gear Of
prosperity.
Evening star., 1954-01-03
Soviet Union
By Richord R. Kosischke

MOSCOW.-Th Soviet
Communist Party and govern
ment faces a big year in 1854
on both the domestic and inter-
national fronts.
Domestically. Premier Ma
lenkov's drive to raise living
standards rests fundamentally
upon the response Of the So
Wet peasantry. Results will
be apparent this spring and
summer, when supplies Of ag-
ricultural goods begin to shape
up.
On paper, the peasants task
looks formidable. The gov
ernment has ordered signifi-
cant increases of cattle and
livestock on the hoof. but at
the same time has called for a
sharp increase in meat for
public consumption. It has
called also for more agricul-
tural products for the con-
sumner. but at the same time
has promised a rise in the
amount available for industry.
On the international front.
1t seems that the Soviet gov
ernment has not changed its
basic position on the principal
outstand d ing international
issues.
Thus. from the Soviet point
of view, there Is not really
much to talk about in inter-
national conferences. But Mos
COW has given qualified &C
ceptance to Western overtures,
such as the acceptance Of the
idea Of a four-power confer
ence on Germany. and accept
ance of the idea of talking
about peaceful uses for atomic
energy. But in both cases, the
Soviet Union once again has
put forward its own position.