Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 December 1940 — Page 2

PAGE 2

(This is the first of a series of Britain’s need for ships.)

By LUDWELL DENNY Times Special Writer

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.—Germany’s -warning against

American seizure of her ships voke such action, but neither

American shipping aid to Britain. This Government is not apt to seize German vessels until and unless it wants direct war with Hitler, which it does not want now.

So long as the Administration wishes to avoid direct war, there will be no great incentive to seize the two German and 27 Italian ships, for which no right has yet been found in American or Inter-

national law.

The more probable dispute with Berlin is over ships of occupied nations, which our Government is trying to help Britain obtain. The number of foreign marooned ships is an official secret. Estimates range from 85 to 140, including = bottoms of the Baltic countries now subject to Russia. Britain is particularly -anxious a : so 37 Danish ps. Mr. Denny Although eventual seizure is not impossible, either with or without the proposed Congressional authorization, officials hope they can be transferred by purchase. The present maneuvers are in that direction. The rub is that Danish and other owners in occupied countries are subject to personal punishment by the dictators. Apart from fear of reprisals, they are unwilling to sell when the proceeds would be converted into almost worthless marks.

Here's the Problem

Thus the problem is to find some device by which Britons or Americans, or their Governments, can provide compensation if necessary in absentia, to remove the odor of outright confiscation. Contrary to common assumption, none of these foreign merchant ships is interned. But those of the conquered countries are “frozen,” along with other assets, to prevent use or profit by the conquerors. If “sold” to us or the British, they would: be promptly unfrozen by the Treasury Department. : An alternative British suggestion is that the United States drive these ships to sea, and into the hands of waiting British vessels, by confiscatory port charges. But, without collusion by the crews, such ships might be scuttled rather than run into British tow.

Seizure Warlike Act

As to the German and Italian ships, while there is never unanimity regarding international law, few here doubt that American seizure would be a warlike act. It is recalled that certain Latin American governments in World War I declared war on Germany in order to acquire her ships in their ports, which they could not do legally as neutrals. : But the invariable off-the-record answer of Washington officials to any question of international law is that it has been destroyed by the aggressors and no longer exists. |

Thus {| Washington policy is not :

determined by international, or even American, law, but by what is considered expedient. Just as the destroyer deal would not have been made if the Administration had believed that Germany would declare war over it or that Congress would reverse the President, so the Presi-

U.S. ISNOT LIKELY T0 NAB NAZI SHIPS

Such Action Is Improbable Until This Nation Wants Direct War With Hitler; on His Attitude Depends Need of Our Policy.

dent now is not apt to force Hitlet's hand or precipitate a Congressional fight on the “seizure” issue. So policy-making is based largely on guesses as to what Hitler will do. Despite excuses connected with

DON’T GET JITTERY

‘Just Call RI. 9441

Our Telephone Switch.

board Will Be epen Until 10:30 P. M.

Christmas Eve.,

TUES., Dec. 24th

to answer any ques. tions on late deliverles or other servios

problems,

articles on the role of the U. S. In

in our own ports will not prowill it prevent more effective

JAPAN HINTS AT REICH-U. S. WAR

‘German Patience Taxed,’ Ishii Says, ‘and We Can Understand.’

TOKYO, Dec. 24 (U. P.).—American assistance to Great Britain has taxed German patience to the utmost and continuance of this aid means danger of war between the

United States and Germany, Koh Ishii, official spokesman for the Foreign Office, said today. Implying by indirection that continued American aid to Britain might cause consultation by Japan, Germany and Italy under their military alliance, Ishii said that*he did not believe the stage had yet been reached where invocation of the alliance pact was involvE&d.

“Patience Is Taxed”

Ishii’'s statement on the taxing of German patience and the danger of war was: “We can fully understand the German attitude regarding American assistance to Great Britain. We know that Germany's patience has been taxed to the utmost. If such American acts are persistently pursued there is danger they will lead to actual war between Germany and the United States.” ! The 76th session of Parliament was opened today amidst considerable popular misgivings over the obliteration of political parties and fears that freedom of speech might be curtailed under the “new national structure” of Prince Fumimaro Konoye, Premier. : Will Adjourn Friday Today’s session was largely organizational and the Diet will adjourn Friday until Jan. 20, when the business session starts. Since Japan’s diplomatic course has already been definitely tied to the Axis, Diet fireworks are expected principally on the Government’s plan to tighten economic control—called by industrialists socialistic—a proposal to disfranchise four million peasants and the largest budget in Japanese history,

Must Have Been Yuletide Spirit

MRS. LULA HILL was driving home from work last night and - stopped for a preferential street at Oliver and Warren Aves. A man shoved a gun in the car and said: “Give me your pocketbook.”

LINDBERGH SAYS WHITE ADDS TO

Feels Editor Has Offered Objectives Which Most Americans Approve.

NEW YORK, Dec. 24 (U. P.)— Col. Charles A. Lindbergh was quoted by the New York World Telegram today as asserting that yesterday’s statement by William Allen White, chairman of the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies, has “given us new hope for a united America at a time in our history when union is essential.” The Emporia, Kas., editor said

opposed to United States entry into the war, the repeal of the Neutrality Act,-and to the sending of a single American youth to fight in Europe.

- Position Clarified

“Mr. White has rendered a great service to this country by clarifying his position, and the position of his committee,” Col. Lindbergh said. “Many of us have felt in the past that Mr. White’s committee was intentionally leading u$ to war. We knew that certain supporters of the committee have discussed what steps ‘short of war’ would lead to war most quickly. “Mr. White has now clarified this situation. He tells us that the committee as a whole does not approve the interventionist views of some of its members. He offers us objectives upon which most Americans can unite. He asks us to stay out of the war.” He opposes convoying with our Navy,-the repeal of the Johnson Act, the carrying of contraband into the war zone on American ships.

“Disagreement Unimportant”

“He offers us as a slogan the motto ‘The Yanks Are Not Coming,’ and tells us that our intervention would lead to a 30-year conflict. In short he offers us a basis of national unity that every American should welcome as a sign of growing strength among our people. “That disagreement still exists about what aid we give to Europe is relatively unimportant. We can argue about that among ourselves as time passes. We can argue as Americans with divergent views,

offered with mutual respect. The

important thing is that we unite on the destiny of America; on the necessity of building strength at home and keeping out of war abroad. In this Mr. White has today given us an example of true leadership.”

Marshall Doubts White Wants Peace

CHICAGO, \ Dec. 24 (U. P)— Verne Marshall, ¢hairman of the No

Foreign War Committee, said last night that he “prefers the belief” that William Allen White, chairman of the Committee to Defend Amer-

“taking sides in the war.” Mr. Marshall, in a statement to the United Press, said he heard Mr. White say in a speech to the Union League Club of New York late last month that “it is time for us to take sides in this war... .. We would like to take this issue to the people and will introduce a joint resolution in Congress, which would give | a free hand to the Administration | in dealing with dictators, tyrants and aggressors anywhere in the world.” Mr. Marshall said that the day before Mr. White made that speech he conferred with President Roosevelt at the White House. “Was Mr. White by any chance

She did. He looked through it found no money, and returned it to her. . “I wouldn't rob .a woman,” he said. “Go on home.” She did.

KILLED IN SLATE FALL

CLINTON, Ind., Dec. 24 (U. P.) — Louis Calvetti, 49, Universal, was killed yesterday in a slate fall at the Sexton mine near Spelterville,

our nonbelligerent aid to Britain, he has not seen fit to declare or make war on the United States. Washington officials assume that Hitler will continue to avoid drawing us into the European war, unless we force him with a ‘national honor affront”—such as ship seizure or American convoys firing on German raiders. { Hitler, however, is trying to gray us into a Japanese war to diver our British aid and to weaken us for the future, Washington thinks. Therefore the Berlin dare regarding seizure—and the charge that the United States is guilty of “pinpricks, challenges, insults and moral aggression” against Germany —may be “making the record” for a reprisal by Japan as a member of the Axis triple alliance against us. Nevertheless, the Administration is determined to increase vital shipping aid to Britain; though probably not by seizure, certainly by providing her with more American ships and shipbuilding yards and maybe with partial naval convoys. f

| NEXT—Will ships save Eng-

repeating . . . the ideas given to him

[by the President the preceding afternoon?” he asked.

2 INVESTIGATORS OF A. B. C. RESIGN JOBS

The resignation of two field investigators of the Alcoholic Beverages Commission to accept other positions ‘was announced today by Hugh A. Barnhart, Commission chairman. Guy Keely, Goshen, resigned to accept a position in private business and Lewis Morris, Evansville, resigned to accept a position with the city of Evansville. Paul Jamison, Claypool, now employed in the gasoline tax division of the State Auditor's Department, was named to fill Mr. Keely’s job, while William H. Elmendorf, former Mayor of Evansville, was named to. Mr. Morris’ position. ’

Provide Baskets For 25 Families

TWENTY-FIVE NEEDY families in Indianapolis tomorrow will have Christmas dinners because of the generosity of employees of the East Side Chevrolet, Inc. From voluntary contributions by the employees, baskets of food were purchased. They were distributed this morning by C. V. Tobey, salesmanager, and Frank McWhorter, salesman for the

land?

firm.

Bells Ming

BETHLEHEM, Dec. 24 (U..P.).— War news blaring from a loudspeaker in the public square ‘will mingle ironically with the sound of

the bells of the Church of the Nativity on Christmas Day as they peal out a message of hope to a warring world—hope of “peace on earth, good will toward men.” The Holy Land is not in the war zone, but air raid wardens stand by siren sounders, strict blackouts are observed, and as a constant reminder of the conflict, exiled. soldiers of Czechoslovakia, Poland and France stroll about the streets.

journey astride donkey and afoot the five miles from Jerusalem past the tomb of Rachel and the shore of the Dead Sea to the courtyard of the Nativity. . Carols will be sung .in all European languages until the. start this afternoon of the pontifical mass. The Christmas Eve ceremony

The pilgrims who are here will|

War News and Christmas le in Bethlehem |

proper will begin later in the evening back of the Church of the Nativity, a Just before midnight, high mass will be started. The bells will ring out as the sacred day arrives and at the climax of the ceremony the curtain above the tabernacle will be withdrawn, revealing a figure of the Christ child as the assembly intones: “Blessed be he who cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosannah in the highest.” 3 1 The crowd will prostrate itself as the patriarch raises the figure and leads the way down the narrow stairs to the Holy Crypt where tradition says the Son of God lay in a manger. Smoky lanterns will light the crypt. The star of Bethlehem in the pavement is illuminated by. an everlasting flame. The patriarch will place the little figure reverently in a manger apd mass will be repeated. More masses will be celebrated until Christm: Day is over. \ .

HOPE FOR UNITY,

yesterday that his committee was|

ica. by Aiding the Allies, favors|}

ih I eeey (

"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through . the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there,

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads; And Mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there rose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, Gave a luster of midday to objects below; When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. . More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name. ™ “Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer! Now, Vixen! ;

. On, Comet! On. Cupid! ‘On, Donder! and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall! Now, dash away, dash away, dash away, all!

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So, up to the housetop the coursers they flew, With a sleigh full of toys—and St. Nicholas, too!

vo o~

And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof, The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. VIIL As I drew ily my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound,

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, 2 And he loolied like a peddler, just opening his pack,

I “» - oz His eyes hoy they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks. were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up-like a bow And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow,

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it eneircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a round little belly That ‘shook, when he laughed, like a bowl full of - jelly. ’

He was chubby and plump—a right jolly old elf— And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself, A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And led all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And ii ‘they all flew like the down of a thistle; But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

heistmas Jo (UL

and to (Il a Good Sight”

This Immortal Poem Is a Part of Every Child’s Christmas For several years it has been the pleasant privilege of L. S. Ayres & Company to make it available to our younger friends.

{ ° {4

The Night Bebo Christmas