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The Alamance gleaner , . ' '? '? m VoL LXVI ' GRAHAM. N". C., THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1940 No. 12 . - 1 - - -- WEEKLY NEWS ANALYSIS ? ? ? ? War Clouds Gather in Balkans As Fleets Mass in Far East; F British Troops Land in Norway (tfinOBI NOTE?When opinions are expressed la these columns, they are those of the Bews analyst and not necessarily of this newspaper.) by Western Newspaper Union, THENAR: 1,900-Mile Front Roughly, a* the bomber flies, it Is 1,900 miles from Narvik, Norway, to the Dardanelles of the Near East. World War II has spread itself across every mile of that great front. Nations not yet actually in volved in military activity are bris tling with preparation of defense, should the next bomb fall on their homeland. Southern Exposure Fleets of five nations?Turkey, France, Italy, England and Russia ?all moving under strict secret or ders, -have taken up key positions along those strategic straits?the Dardanelles. When Italian warships moved out for what Mussolini called "customary spring maneuvers," British and-Jrench naval units as sembled for "counter measures" by taking up more advantageous posi tions along the coast of Greece. In the BV:k sea, the Russian navy was reported to have laid hundreds of mines in "the right spots." Neiitral nations of southeastern Europe believed that such display of naval force foreshadowed the spread of war. Accordingly, Ru mania placed her small navy in charge of all ports along the river Danube and the Black sea. With a threatened small crop of wheat, the Rumanians cut off grain supplies to Germany but the senate pro l visional)? accepted a government bill giving Germany a 30-year lease on 100,000 acres of badly needed timber. It was evident that King Carol was trying desperately to re tain the good graces of the great Nazi war machine. Bulgaria, Greece, Jugoslavia, and Turkey, fearing a repetition of the fatal infiltration of Nazis into Nor way, had special police launch wide spread investigations of all resident . Germans. Northern Exposure While Norwegians pondered the strange mystery, treason and con spiracy that made their native cap ital, Oslo, such easy mark for the cunning coup of the Germans, the British were blasting their way into the northern harbor of Narvik. The British and French claimed to have landed expeditionary forces at that point and 2,000 German troops were said to be retreating toward Sweden. But if the allies were progressing satisfactorily in the north of Nor way, the Nazis were being equally successful in the south. Positions around Oslo were solidified and through use of a Clever ruse It was "reported that German troops had reached Storlien Heights, three tniles from the Swedish border?thus succeeding in virtually cutting Nor way in two. British bombers were bufy at^wo key points klohg the Norwegian coast. At SUvwnger, held by the Germans, the English flyers made at least seven .raids, attempting to destroy the air base there. It is considered to be the only efficient Norwegian field for large-scale at tacks on the British isles. Bombs were also rained on Trondheim, for here too, the Germans held a vital air base. It looked like the big battle of the Norwegian campaign would come when German forces moving north from Oslo and Bergen would meet British and Norwegian forces mov ing south from Narvik. JONKHEER W.ROELL . . . No Trojan Horte. (See Neutral*.) NAMES in the news . . . C In Louisiana, Sam Jones put the finishing touches to the political dy nasty of the late Huey P. Long, as he was formally elected governor of that state. He takes office May 14. 4. And, also in Louisiana, another successful- political candidate. Gay Caire, made the headlines for he was the first Republican to defeat a Democrat for a local office in that state sfocq shortly after the Civil war.^ He was elected to the St. NEUTRALS: Pony Boy Invoking strictest censorship and policing every section of the nation, Netherlands officials were on the alert for any "Trojan horse" activ ity on the part of Germany. Rumor had it that the Nazis were planning a coup in Holland similar to the one which fooled the Norwegians. For mer commander of the nation's army, Johnkeer W. Roell, told a na tional youth meeting that persons who had plans for a Nazi puppet government should be hanged? "The bullet," he said, "is too great an honor." ASIA: Dutch Treat? While Secretary of State Hull was warning the world to maintain the status quo in the Dutch East Indies (see below) British and French forces in the Far East were on the lookout for anything that might even resemble so much as an attempt on the part of Japan to seize those cov , eted islands. Earlier, Japan's gov ernment itself had expressed a de sire that the islands be left alone even though the Netherlands were invaded by Nazis. Neutral observ ers in the Orient, however, foresaw the possibility of Japan allying it self with Germany, taking the is lands as first share of the spoils should Hitler march toward The Hague. / POLITICS: Accent on Youth Selection ot 33-year-old Harold Stassen, governor of Minnesota, as the keynote speaker for the Repub lican National convention to be held in Philadelphia, June 24, was hailed by G. O. P. leaders everywhere as an accent on youth and "liberal ism." Named permanent chairman (subject to the convention's approv al) was Rep. Joseph W. Martin Jr. of Massachusetts. Sometimes mentioned as a presi dential possibility himself, Stassen is unable to consider making the OKI tor ne is too young, the Constitu tion requir ing a candi date to be 38. Elected gov ernor in -4938 he has been busily en gaged at in troducing "liberal re forms" into his native state. He Is a candidate for re-election In next fall's contact. Joe Martin is expected to provide the experience needed at the con vention. He is completing his first term as Republican leader in the house and is serving his eighth term in congress. HOME FRONT: Status Quo Secretary of State Hull informed the world at large that the Nether la nda East Indies in the south Pa cific were to be left strictly alone, should the Dutch become a party to Europe's conflict. With respect to Japan to state the position of the United States with respect to the islands (which furnish America with vital supplies of rubber and tin) Hull stated: "Intervention in the domestic affairs of the Netherlands Indies . . . would be prejudicial to the cause cf stability, peace and security ... in the entire Pacific Smile-of-the-W eek | ? ?? 11 " And "Thank-You-of-t he-Week" were both presented to Presi dent Roosevelt at the White House, as Dr. K. P. Chen (above), Chinese purchasing agent, called to excess the gratitude of his country for $45,000,000 in cred its made available to China by the United States since 1938. NAVY: Boomlet Senate support was growing (or building a United States navy sec ond to none after Admiral Harold R. Stark appeared before the commit tee on naval affairs to recommend ,a 25 per cent expansion of the fleet. The construction proposed by the admiral would cost some $3,466,000, 000. Over a billion dollars per year would be necessary to keep up a fleet the size recommended. !ht pres ent the senators are not worrying about where the money will come from as the current legislation merely authorizes construction, does not provide the funds. Asked if he thought the United States faces a naval emergency, Ad miral Stark replied, "In my opinion, an emergency exists when our rela tive position is continually grow ing weaker, as it is now." BUSINESS: Cross Currents Traditionally difficult to Judge in presidential election year, business this year is following no specific pat tern. While prominent business in dices showed business to be a bit below last month and a bit above last year, financial reports of many major U. S. business firms were re ported for the first quarter of 1940. In almost every case neat gains were evident. Operating revenues of American Telephone & Telegraph company were up; Anaconda Copper tripled its net earnings as compared to the first three months of 1939; Shell Oil reported a sharply higher net profit and even the "problem-child" rail road companies showed gains. About 90 per cent of the leading railroad companies showed substantial in creases in revenue. Even creditors of one of the bank rupt Insull utilities firms learned that they would receive an additional "dividend" because of collections made from stock subscribers. Carnegie Steel corporation an nounced a vast expansion program to increase tin plate production at the cost of "several millions of dol lars." A. T. Is T. (see above) also forecast a huge expansion in con struction work. CENSUS: 100,000,000th Still ringing doorbells and ferret ing out information. Uncle Sam's census enumerators counted the 100, 000,000th American, with about 30, 000,000 to go. Actual counting was expected to be completed within a week, but the bigger job of tabu lating and compiling the information obtained will take months and in some cases years Totals for states and the nations should be available during the summer. Near Zanes vtlle, Ohio, one footsore enumerator claimed he had made 11 unsuccess ful trips to the same house. Local wits suggested that possibly some of Mr. Tobey's (Rep. Charles To bey of New Hampshire, arch-oppo nent of the income question in the census questionnaire) relatives lived in the district MISCELLANY: Batter Up Play BaB?The great American game was off to a flying start as both major baseball leagues began the six-months season ot official play. Opening days saw good crowds at an con testa, despite un usually poor weather. Bob Feller, ex-Iowa farm boy, pitching for the Cleveland Indians, made baseball history fat Chicago, when he twirled a no-hit no-run game against the Chicago Whits Sax. It was the flrst time this feat had ever been ao Bruckart* Washington Digest Keeping Out of Europe's War Is Order of Business for U. S. ?? Conflict's Spread to Norway and Denmark Brings Problem Of Neutrality to Attention of Nation's ' v Statesmen. By WILLIAM BBUCKART WND Service, National Press Bldg., P. C. . WASHINGTON.-^More and more people seem to be expressing doubt that the United States can stay out of the new world war. One hears the talk in many . ...A quarter*, official and unofficial. It frighten* me. It is. , disturbing because so many seem to feel that the war is growing closer to us and they are, there fore, taking the view that we cannot stay out of it. To all of those who are saying that it appears we are doomed to get into William Brackart the war which remains, as before, simply Europe's war, and to every one else I want to present this ques tion: Why is it necessary for us to get into it? -' That is the question. It is not how can we stay out, but why should we get into it There is no doubt, of course, that extension of the war, spread of the flames to Norway and Denmark touches more American hearts. It is sad, indeed. But it would sad den many more hearts in these United States if we get mixed up in the conflagration. Moreover, no one has presented so far as I know any reason why the United States or any of its people or any of its in terests should be involved in a war that represents fundamentally noth ing more than the thirst tor power of a very tew men in all of the people. Again, it Is sad, but it is not a quarrel of our making and I fail to see any reason why or how the United States should shoulder any responsibility. The American government is tak ing precautions. Some of them seem to be rather silly, rather an excitable reaction. For instance, Senator Walsh, of Massachusetts, and Representative Vinson, of Geor gia, chairmen of the senate aqd house naval committees, respec tively, held a long conference with President Roosevelt the other day at which they discussed the propo sition of an expanded navy. President Has Extended Foreign Combat Zonae The President has extended the "combat zones" which no American ships or citizens may enter, legally. Very wisely, I believed, he did not delay in issuing a proclamation that the war zones of Europe included the waters of Norway, Sweden, and similar areas. That will go far towards preventing greedy, daring and chance-taking individuals from getting their ships shot to pieces. Some of them would take that chance, you know, because the prof its are large. But always the rest of us must think of what our gov ernment is forced to do when citi zens of the United States, on legal business, are slaughtered by a for eign navy or army. We have only to look back to 191S and 1916 to see how such killings, step by step, took us into World war No. 1. There is considerable doubt, bow ever. about the wisdom shown by the President in sending Undersec retary of State Sumner Welles on that European junket. Mr. Welles has been home a month now. Some , of the results can be appraised ^ properly. The answer is that in sofar as tangible results are con cerned, the trip was a flop of the first water. That is, unless the trip may have aroused suspicions of our motives, it was a flop. If the sus picions were aroused suspicions that America was planning on fu ture entry?then, of course, the trip was a most dangerous thing. European Ralert Might Misjudge Welles' Mission Private expressions from some diplomats here have caused me to j believe there is some suspicion ! about us in Europe now. It is nat ural, I suppose, that the dictators and even the French and the British would be looking for hidden res sons for such a mission as Mr. Welles executed. They are always double dealing themselves, so we can sup pose that they look for similar traits among Americans. In any event, nothing o< consequence came out of' that tour of the European capitals, not even political prestige-for the eo sm ? Welles' appointment was an nounced, there-was a good deal at undercurrent gossip in Washington that the Whole plan was conceived and engineered by a little group at NeW Dealers. They thought the miaalcsrttildht lead to peace negotia tions and Mr. Roosevelt would be come a sureshot for a third term In the White House. As usual, the so-called "inner circle" had no knowledge of what the real light was about overseas. As against the things that might cause trouble and thereby endan ger our neutrality?and more about our neutrality below?It aurely Is a commendable thing that the mem bers of congress are keeping their tongues still for ones in their col lective lifstinie. I do not mean that senators and representatives are quiet. I Ho not mean that the halls of the house and the senate are not ringing with the usual amount of demagoguery. Far from it. What I mean and what I am commending is that congress as a whole has ex ercised the finest caution in talking about the war. Whether they re alize it or not, the members of the house and senate, by maintaining silence on the subject of the war, are inducing millions of other people to quit talking about the war. Attitude in United States Is Not Really Neutral About our neutrality: That ia not a proper description of the position of the United States. We are not neutral. We are, as a nation, cer tainly favoring the cause of the Brit ish and the French. I am that MCI. way, myself. I really do not care who blows Hitler and all of his gang sky-high. Officially, however, the United States is still friendly with Germany and Russia, ft is so ridiculous that- one has to laugh. Evidence of how our siding in with the allies obtains even In gov ernmental affairs was given just the other day when the President pro claimed the new combat zones around Norway and Sweden. It was a proclamation that avoided saying the countries of Sweden, Norway and Denmark were "at war." Why? Well, if the United States government, acting through the President, had said those nations were at war, another law would have become operative and Mr. Roosevelt did not want that law to be operative. If those nations had been declared formally "at war," another law would have prevented any money being loaned to them. Mr. Roosevelt wanted to keep the door open so that help can be ex tended if it becomes necessary. There, again, you can see the possibilities of danger. Also, the definite evidence of the American desire to help Germany's enemies is plain to see. If we think, how ever, that the lending of money to a foreign nation that is engaged in war does not lead to additional steps and additional dangers, then we have become an ostrich and are trying to hide our head in the sand. The dangers of these various acts are apparent, it seems to me. 1 make no charge that Mr. Roosevelt is trying to lead us into war. 1 believe quite the contrary. But with conditions as they are?with a dozen nations with their backs to ! the wall?every move made here re quires the greatest of care and the greatest of understanding before it is made. The examination, as I insisted at the beginning of this dis cussion, should be made from the standpoint: Why is it necessary to stick out our necjcs? We can find no valid reason to get into the war - SUMNER WELLES AND WIFE . . . Hit mittion mitjudged? Speaking of Sports Dearth of Real ^ ^ ? Foes Ends Big Gates for Louis By ROBERT McSHANE OUlnwd by Western Kmpaixi Onion. >, nr HOUGH the hue and cry to "break up the Yankee*" seems to have diminished to a mere whis per, the active endeavor on the part of several mmm*r ' Tugilista to "break up Joe Louis tias sunk to even lower depths. Joe refuses to be broken up. In fact, he appears to be shatter-proof. At least he's impervious to the at tack launched by pretenders to the heavyweight throne. It is true that some of them had no attack, others were paralyzed by fright and the rest relied on a divine providence tp protect them from the black scourge. But that wasn't Joe's fault ?he fought them as they came, drawing no line and refusing no bouts. The Brown Bomber's last two lights clearly indicate his standing in heavyweight ranks. Be Is miles ahead of the Held, from which no one battler can be chosen as a serious threat. Trne enough, Artnre FOELE88 CHAMPION Gedey managed to go the roatt, bat In so doing he reUed entirely upon a defense which waa a weird combi nation of the bonny-hag and a re eerie heel and-tee. Jee couldn't knock him eat-there wasn't enoagb room to gat a fist bstaeea ArturVs chin and the canvas. His ereaeh seemed to defy all laws if gravity. Frightened Warrior The recent Johnny Paychek fiasco was a black mark against Promoter Mike Jacobs. Shirley Temple could have offered more competition to the champ than did the semi-bald, 35 year-old Iowa lad, who lasted until 44 seconds after the start of the second round. Jacobs knows now that he was wrong in matching Pay chek against Louis. Paychek was frozen with fear. He didn't throw a single punch worthy of the name. His only consolation was that the crescendo of boos was split three ways. Most of them were directed i at him, but the rest were meant for Promoter Jacobs and Louis for having anything to do with the le galized robbery. The grees gate ef Ml,431?small est cash register total Louis has at tracted since he wen the title three years ago?proved sue thing. The public no longer Is interested la see ing Leuis fight unless be Is gtvea a fit opponent. That gives Mike Jacobs something to think about. Where can.be find a fit opponent? He'll be forced to dig into boxing's bone yard and resur rect a former opponent or else take a chance on another unknown if Louis is to fight a September match. Of the two evils the former appears to be the less malignant. Who's Next on List? Shall the winner of the Tony Ge lento-Maz Beer fight meet the champ? Remember that Baer quit to Louis, and that Galento, though courageous. Is physically a travesty on the sport. Both of them were knocked out by Louis, so, where is the interest in either again facing a superior foe? Another Gedoy match would be a financial washoot. A eontertieoist doesn't draw sufleieat ben etbee far ehawffeaship fights. Bob Faster has a better reputation as a bicycle rid er than as a fighter, due entirety to hie speed in keeping cut's* Louis' retek. There isn't even a remote possi bility of a "natural" fight in the near future. Any present-day brawler ' would be a punching bag for Joe. and the public knows it, which makes the situation even more em barrassing. All in all, it's a prob lem that wUl tan Jacob's engenuity. The question is in Mike Jacobs' lap. No one can answer it for him. The day of Louis' big purses seems to have passed. Lacking adequate compensation and the stimulus of serious rivalry, it would not be sur prising U Louis decided to quit the General HUGH S. johnson Jour: ttMtaM 0 WmiUnm THE NEW WAS It Is too early to begin drawing either military or political conclu sions from the sudden outburst of action in Scandinavia. It was not anticipated in the writings of the military experts that I sew, but that the action taken by both sides had been carefully planned and pre pared for is obvious. You can't block up the territorial waters of a neutral by mine fields in three separate areas, the est! erne two of which are SOS miles apart, without plenty of preparation?or do it in a day. You can't launeh such an assault as has been made on Dew mark and Norway any more rapidly. It is curious that toe allies would have so clearly brvaded Norway's neutrality on too exterior route when the disappearance of ice on the In terior route will so soon make that IN OSLO AIR RAID SHELTER -TIU rights of neutral* are oily what they hove the strength to make them." mine-eowing activity superfluous. There most have been another rea son. In other words, while both prepa rations were kept secret from the world, they were not kept stent from either belligerent to pieeeni the other from knowing and acting instantly upon their revelation. It Is too early to blame Denmark for not resisting Hitler's "protec tive" invasion. On the face of cur rent reports, she could only have crucified her country?as Finland and Poland did. o m m ?AMERICANISTS' The most cockeyed reaction to the outburst in Scandinavia is that it i sets the ?'isolationists" back so their heels. It doesn't even bear an the I question. I hate sloganeering labels, yet I would rather be called an "Ameri : canist" than an "isolationist"?al though I sincerely believe that they are the same thing and, U they are, "what's in a name?" My suggestion is addressed to the amateur military kibitzers who in sist in our taking partners in this dance of death and who call people it my opinion "isolationists" be cause they believe in arming our own dugout to whatever extent is necessary and staying in tt. My suggestion is that these people proudly label themselves "interven tionists"?and, since they glory in their opinions, be proud of the de scriptive title which far mora aptly distinguishes them than the word "isolationist" describes our train of thought. It is absolutely fair to label them as "interventionists." but maybe it isn't fair without distinguishing be tween two dear classes of them. One group presses for American inter vention on purely idealistic grounds. They are the do-gooders. They want to send other people or other moth er's sons or other people's money into this bloody shambles to main tain "decency" en earth. Even that statement might, en the surface, seem to carry an element of unfairness. Some of them are willing to embark themselves and their own sons on audi a crusade. But whatever nnfali ii?? aptiuga from this is only superficial. There is ample opportunity for this kind to do this right now. All they have to do is to go across the Canadian border and enlist. But most do-gooders and "great liberals" are not considering per sonal sacrifice. They get, if they do not seek, the crown of public ap proval of their bleeding hearts with out bearing any cross or personal sacrifice to achieve it. They want to make "government" do iV-which
The Alamance Gleaner (Graham, N.C.)
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April 25, 1940, edition 1
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