Evening Star Newspaper, December 24, 1935, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Fair tonight ané tomorrow, colder to- night, with lowest temperature about 15 degrees; moderate winds, mostly north- west. Temperatures—Highest, 26, at 6 p.m. yesterday; lowest, 24, at 6 a.m. today. Full report on page A-T. Closing N. Y. Markets, Pages 9,10 & 11 33,474. Entered as second class matter post office, Washington, D. C. POLICE WILL GUARD LINDBERGHS UPON ARRIVAL ABROAD British Officials, However,| Say Special Detail at Liver- pool Will Be Small. No. Thousands Swarm Shanghai BACKGROUND— Facing only futile protests from weak Chinese central government, Japan last month lent its support to “independence proclamation” of five North China provinces. Subsequently, Chiang Kai-shek emerged as “strong man” of China, was quoted by Japanese press as planning no resistance to auton- omy movement. “Independence” program later was concentrated in Provinces of Hopeh and Chahar, with principal opposition to Japa- nese penetration coming in form of student demonstrations. Meanwhile, “border incidents” on Manchukuo-Mongolia frontier have increased tension between Japan and Russia. SCOTLAND YARD IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE CALLED Press Interprets Sailing to Mean Family Was Obliged to Flee Be- cause of Crime Conditions. BACKGROUND— Charles A. Lindbergh has been in headlines almost constantly since May, 1927, when he completed first trans-Atlantic solo airplane flight from America to Europe. Two years later he married Anne Morrow, daughter of United States Ambassador to Mexico. In March, 1932, infant son of couple was kid- napped, never again seen alive by parents. In September, 1934, Bruno | Hauptmann was arrested for crime; | convicted last February, he is now | under sentence of death in week of January 13. Supreme Court has declined to review conviction; hopes of con- demned man rest in New Jersey Board of Pardons, of which Gov. Hoffman is member. Governor re- cently revealed increased interest in case, visited Hauptmann in cell. | By the Associated Press. SHANGHAI December 24.—Thou- | sands of singing and shouting students | descended on the North Railroad | Station today. forced their way in through barbed wire entanglements | and police cordons and held a huge | mass meeting of protest against North | China autonomy The student for throng pledged sup- their comrades who took BERLIN AN TOKIO WARNED BY SOV ssociated Press.) ch Chinese Students Force Police Aside, Protestir’tgv Autonomy Entanglements to Back Seizure of 24 —British authorities disclosed today that ex- tra police would patrol the docks of Liverpool when Col. and Mrs. Charles | A. Lindbergh arrive from the United | States. seeking sanctuary from threats of kidnaping their small son Jon Otherwise, officials said, the Lind- bergh's would be assured the same protection by the nation’s helmeted and blue-jacketed Bobbies and the plainclothes men as any other visitor to England. | The extra guard to be turned out at | Liverpool will be only a small one, | authorities asserted. demonstrating that British police have not the slight- est fear that kidnapers, or any other outside the law, will attempt to molest the Lindberghs. Expect to Land January 1. A plainclothes man and uniformed officer meet all boats docking at Liver- pool, where the famous American fiyer, his wife and child are expected by informed sources to arrive around Jan- uary 1. aboard the S. S. American Importer. Although police decline to disclose | their plans definitely, it was under- | stood authoritatively only a few extra | uniformed men would be detailed to patrol the docks. This was expected to constitute the entire welcoming party, with the ex- ception of the usual customs and im- migration officers. | Informed sources said there was | only a slim chance that the famous Scotland Yard men would reinforce the protective ring around the Lind- berghs upon their arrival to establish a residence in England. | Never Leaves His office. i The Scotland Yard commissioner himself. Sir Philip Game. is definitely an administrative official and never leaves his office, even to guard King | George, or to supervise personally police arrangements for arriving and departing royal visitors. | Although a few special men from Scotland Yard are assigned perma- nently to the jor ports, actually its authority covers only the London and metropolitan area | Its services in any other part of the | British Isles are given only if re- quested specifically by local police. The sailing of the Lindberghs from New York early Sunday was inter- preted generally by the British press to mean they were obliged to flee their own country because of crime conditions. The noted family was described as (See LINDBERGH, Page 3.) WYATT EARP BRAVES | TREACHEROUS ROCKS| | Plane Crew Works 12 Hours a Day to Prepare Ship-to Lay Ellsworth Depots. By Radio to The Star. ABOARD MOTOR SHIP WYATT EARP, December. 24—On her way to carry out the requirements laid down before Lincoln Ellsworth and Pilot H. Hollick-Kenyon left her, the Wyatt Earp is braving the dreaded Cockburn Channel—a few miles north of Cape Horn and through which boats pass only in emergency—threading her way through the East and West Furies, & series of rocks, some awash, some just above water and others lurking a few feet below the surface—a trap for the unwary. Luck was with us at the beginning of the journey, for the seas were calm and the light wind that blew at noon when we passed was astern. Today the airplane crew worked steadily from daylight to dusk and that means 18 hours at this latitude. There are numerous adjustments to be made to the new plane provided for depot laying on Ellsworth’s trail. She is carried on floats above the hatches. Canvas covers have had to be made to protect her from the spray; all oil lines on the engine have to be asbestos covered to protect them from the cold; the wireless outfit has to be readjusted to meet the needs of the moment and many other jobs of work must be done‘in order that the machine will be ready when needed. Perhaps in nine days from now ghe will drop 350 pounds weight of supplies and fuel at a point where Ellsworth might possibly but is not likely to require them. Once over the side the depot lay- ing flight should be made in less than two hours. T Emphasizes Naval Strength as Mongolia Demands Manchukuo Apology. By the Associated Press MOSCOW. December 24 —The So- viet Union, in a thinly disguised warn- ing to Germany and Japan, announced | today that its submarine and destroyer fleets have been made four times their former size in the last four years. A statement printed in the govern- ment newspaper Izvestia said the coast guard fleet had been increased 1.100 per cent. but gave no figures bearing on the actual strength The whole statement bristled with emphasis on Russia’s undersea power in the Pacific and Baltic and ap- peared to foreign observers to be par- ticularly significant, coming, as it did, on the heels of the alleged threat by Japan and Manchukuo to invade Outer Mongolia. Mongolia Asks Apology. The Mongolian government. whose war minister and prime minister have been here 10 days conferring with Soviet leaders, took a firm stand. Mongolia demands an apology from Manchukuo for the clash which Mon- golia claims resulted from an attack on a Mongolian frontier post. “Soviet Russia,” declared Izvestia, | “is always the bearer of the standards | {of peace, but it will answer threats | | of invasion with an increase of armed | been renewed. forces. Quick Mobility Claimed. “The enemy who dares attack the Soviet Union from the Baltic or the Pacific will feel the force of our sub- | marine and surface fleets, as well as | their quick mobility, “It will quickly be seen that no Rozdesventsky ese at the Battle of Tsusima in the Russo-Japanese War) is now in com- mand.” The Communist party newspaper been increased 435 per ceat since 1931 and that the destroyers had been | Increased by 370 per cent. COLD YULE IN BRITAIN | England Beset by Fog, Frost and Snowstorms. LONDON, December 24 (#).—British weather experts forecast today the coldest Christmas of the century for London, already beset by fog, frost and snow which disrupted last-minute shopping and caused many accidents. The unusual sight of ponds and lakes frozen so early tempted thous- ands to try the ice. Six skaters drowned. The fog conditions last night were described by the automobile associa- tion as the worst in 10 years. Land, sea and air traffic was paralyzed. — o MORATORIUM ON NEWS | White House to Devote Time to Christmas Activities. A moratorium on White House news from noon until the day after Christ- mas has been promised by President Roosevelt. The President himself will be busy most of that time in activities engen- dered by the holidays. (the admiral of the| Russian fleet destroyed by the Japan- | Pravda said the submarine fleet had | WASHINGTON, Over Barbed Wire| Rail Base, possession of the great terminal in a coup yesterday and paralyzed rail- way tr~fic, while demanding free transpcrtation to the Nanking capital to present their protests against northern separation to the Central government. The unarmed police were ordered by authorities to avoid violence, which it was feared might lead to anti- Japanese terrorism, and the demon- stration passed with' only occasional scuffles and no serious incidents. Settlement Gates Closed. Across the street from the railroad station, giant iron gates were swung | shut at the entrances to the Inter- 1D (e e WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION BRITAIN TIGHTENS NOOSE ONTALIANG INMEDITERRANEAN Discussion of Extension of Sanctions Quieted in Preparations. |EDEN FORMALLY TAKES FOREIGN OFFICE POST Spain and Po.rtugal Are Reported Planning to Put Selves Under British Protection. | national Settlements. Riot vans, | armed with machine guns, stood in readiness to check any attempt to re-enter the foreign-controlled areas. | Some of the students had clashed with police earlier in the day on| busy Nanking road, while the others marcheu on the terminal to veinforce | | the 1,000 who had seized the station. | Many students suffered injuries in the e clash, and several were | arrested by police, who sought to prevent the demonstrators from shout- | (See CHINA, Page 4.) JURY HEARS LOVES OF THELMA TODD | Actress Friend Tells of | “Marvelous Romance’ With San Francisco Man. ' BACKGROUND— BACKGROUND— Touched off by Italian plans for conquest of Ethiopia, Europe has been in military foment for months. October invasion by Italy brought November rebuke by League of Na= tions, with decision to exert eco- nomic pressure against aggressor. In early December Britain and France submitted joint peace pro- posal. Storm of criticism brought withdrawal of plan, resignation of Britain’s foreign minister, appoint- ment of Anthony Eden. Next move was British effort to assure co-operation of Mediterranean na- tions in firm stand against Italy. Meanwhile, 11 Duce’s troops are encountering unexpected opposition in slow advance from north and south into Ethiopia. By the Associated Press. LONDON, December 24.—Great | Britain pursued its policy of pre- paredness in the Italo-Ethlopian conflict today, authoritative sources disclosing after conclusion of “satis- factory” conversations between the British and French general military and naval staffs that similar contacts were being made in other important capitals. Thelma Todd, blond movie co- medienne, attended party in her lonor on Saturday night, Decem- ber 14. On following Monday morning her maid found her dead in automobile in rear of home. An autopsy showed carbon mo- nozide poisoning, a coroner’s jury reached verdict of accidental death Subsequently, Los Angeles police | cccepted this finding, discontinued investigation. More inquisitive members of county grand jury. however, re- | fused to agree immediately. pressed | further inquiry. Two friends claim | contact with Miss Todd after hour | of supposed death. { | By the Associated Press. | LOS ANGELES. December 24.— Two loves of Thelma Todd, an old |and a new “marvelous romance,” | were studied by grand jury inquis- | itors today in an effort to find a pos- sible murder motive in the actress’ strange death December 15. Alexander Hounie, head waiter at the restaurant where Thelma Todd attended her last party. told police today that threats against his life had | | Hounie declared he received a tele- | phone call last night saying he would be killed “unless you stay out of that Thelma Todd case.” Last week, in the midst of police investigation into the death of the blond comedienne, Hounie said he re- | ceived a threatening post card and was later warned by two men in an automobile. Police radio cars were sent to guard | Hounie’s home. Another threat apparently arising { out of the Todd case was reported to police. Jerry Cummings, proprietor of a Christmas tree lot in Santa Manica, asserted a man approached him on his lot and said: “Well, you've got a good memory on the Todd case, but don't stretch it too far. There's been a lot of talking about it and if I were you I wouldn't have much more to do with it.” Waiting to appear before the grand jury, Ida Lupino, screen actress, and her father, Stanley Lupino, English comedian, told the district attorney's office of a “vacant chair” at Miss Todd’s last party and of a fresh ro- mance with “a man from San Fran- cisco.” The Lupinos were hosts to the blond film funmaker at the Cafe Trocadero the Saturday before her body was found lying in the front seat of her big chocolate-colored phaeton in a seashore garage. Tells of Conversation. “Thelma and I slipped off by our- selves for a moment during the party,” Miss Lupino related. “She said to me, rather coyly, ‘How’s your love life?"” “‘Oh,’ I replied, ‘I haven't any just now. I'm too busy at the studio.’ “‘Well’ she said, ‘I am in the midst of the most marvelous romance I've ever had, with a man from San Francisco who is just too grand for words.” “‘Surely you don't have to go all the way to San Prancisco,’ I asked. “'Oh, yes, I do,’ Miss Todd con- (See TODD, Page 5.) Mars Obscures Other Stars Shining Down on Bethlehem BY ROBINSON MACLEAN. By Wireles. to The Star. BETHLEHEM, Palestine, December 24 (N.AN.A).—There's a stone Christ Child in the manger here. The shep- herds are gone, and no star in the heavens shines brighter than Mars. ‘There's a cast iron cover on the well where the three wise men saw their star, and Calvary, which was 30 years of sorrow from this spot, now is a half hour by motor. Archeologists say the site of the manger is probably 100 feet from the spot now indicated. Orthodox Jews say Christmas is really a fortnight away. The Roman Catholics say it is not “peace on earth, good will toward men,” but “peace on earth to men of good will” and the Anglicans have picked themselves an- other site for the holy sepulchre. 1 The villages on the road to Bethle- hem where Mary, bearing her child, walked her holy steps, now are owned by Arabs or.Jewish immigrants from Poland or Germany. Only in the little village of Peklin, far to the north, have dwelt the Jews continu- ously since the time of Christ. The wealthy Christians of Jerusa- lem are not here. They are at home decorating “genuine Christmas trees imported from: Europe.” And hotels in Bethlehem, for the first time in 1935 years, are almost empty. There are no inns turning wayfarers from the doors, as they did on the night He was born, because the tourist Christians, sprung from those who rode into the holy city in blood up to the bridles, have canceled their holy land tours. They are trying the T (See BETHLEREM, = | tary, Tightening all loop-holes in the | Mediterranean against any possibility of an Italian attack on nations ap- plying sanctions, it was learned the British government sought through the military and naval attaches at the various capitals information con- cerning the readiness of the other | countries to act. With Anthony Eden formally tak- ing up his duties as foreign secre- the government desgined its actions to bring into solid, practical form the present abstract status of mutual support under the covenant of the League of Nations. Sanctions Talk Quieted. Discussion of an extension of sanc- tions against Italy, for its invasion of Ethiopia, was quieted amid the defense preparations. Eden, whose fame as a negotiator is coupled with a reputation for the strongest belief in the League of | Nations and its measures, was ex- | | pected generally to proceed cautiously | for the present, to avert fresh un- certainties. Any definite action for imposition of further penalties on Italy, therefore, was expected to be delayed at least | until late January By then, responsible sources be- lieved, Premier Mussolini would be | forced to act—either for peace or fur- | ther war—by the pressure of sanctions | and the approaching Africar rains. As part of the preparations for mutual assistance, in the event that act should be toward war, Turkey was reported in Paris advices to be ask- ing France's consent to fortification of the Dardanelles, between Europe | and Asiatic Turkey, which were de- | militarized under the treaty of Lau- sanne after the World War. French officials indicated that na- tion was little inclined to support ‘Turkey's reported fortification request | because it would involve the contro- | versial question of treaty revision. 2 Spain Delays Reply. French sources also said Spain had delayed its reply to British soundings on preparation for aid, in case of any Mediterranean attack, because of in- ternal complications. Madrid advices, however, said a treaty was reported under considera- tion by the Spanish and Portugese governments interpreted by informed sources as a, mutual defense move, tending virtually to eliminate the boundary line between the two coun- tries and place the Iberian Peninsula under British protection in the event of war, Informed sources pointed out that Portugal already enjoys a large degree of British protection while, under present conditions, Spain’s position might prove extremely vulnerable if 2 Mediterranean conflict arose. The treaty reparted under consider- ation would provide for mutual Spanish-Portuguese defense, if either should be threatened with invasion, and Spain would join Portugal in ac- cepting, to a lesser degree, British aid in any Mediterranean clash. ITALY REPORTS 700 KILLED. 2,000 Ethiopians Are Wounded, Rome Communique Says. ROME, December 24 (#).—Sunday’s battle at Abbi Addi, in the Tembien area, cost the Ethiopians 700 killed and more than 2,000 wounded, the Ital- ian government announced today. In the engagement, said the an- nouncement, the Italians lost 157 men, (See WAR, Page 4.) Readers’ Guide TUESDAY, DECEMBER ¢ Foening Star 24, 1935—TWENTY-TWO PAGES. THAT'S A GOOR DISGUISE. wisH 1 COUL! SO THAT FOLKS WOULDN MAKE UP, Y, RECOGNIZE ME! / i L g E= s News Note—Mr. Garner Complains of People Recognizing\Him and Interrupting His Daily Exercise Strolls About the Capitol Grounds. ,The only evening paper in Washington with the Associated Press News and Wirephoto Services. Yesterday’s Circulation, 129,406 Some iceturns Not Yet Received TWO CENTS. | ROOSEVELT LIGHTS YULE TREE TODAY N PARK SERVEES Pressing Button Also Will Start Chimes Ringing Throughout U. S. CHRISTMAS PURCHASE VOLUME SETS RECORD KKk (#) Means Associated Press. { Franciscan Friars and Lincoln, Nebr., Cathedral Choir to Sing in Community Rites. blending of ancient Yuletide tradition with the wonders of modern science, President Roose- velt, amid the singing of time-honored carols, will light the national com- munity Christmas tree in Lafayette Park at 5:09 p.m. today and in the same motion will start the ringing of chimes which will be heard by radio throughout the Nation in signal that the Christmas observance has begun. There was every sign that the rec- ord-breaking volume of Christmas shopping would continue in local | stores until doors were closed tonight In a happy ROOSEVELT BANS RELIEF EXPANGION ‘U. S. Can Care for 3,500,7 000 Employables Only, ’ He Says. BACKGROUND— Expression of policy made by administration officials last Sum- mer was that all employable un- employed would be given jobs un- der Works Progress Administra~ tion; responsibility for needy un- employables would revert to States and localities; Federal dole would end. On November 30, F. E. R. A. an- nounced no more grants for direct relief, only for works program. As for financing, public debt hit record high of $25,482,034419 in 1919; was about $21,000,000,000 when Roosevelt took office. By the Associated Press. | The Roosevelt administration set its | face today against any change in the | policy under which the Government | cares for 3,500,000 employables and turns responsibility for other destitute over to local agencies. Expressing the belief 3,500,000 was an accurate esti- mate of able-bodied persons in need, President Roosevelt, at his press con- ference late yesterday, said the $4.- | 000,000,000 work fund was designed to take care of them and no more To care for more, he indicated, would mean the fund would not be large enough to go around. A recent statement by Harry L. Hopkins, Works Progress administra- | tor, that Winter conditions and ex- many jobless had “adversely” affected the relief situation in cities had aroused conjecture as to whether the more of the burden. The President's remarks yesterday apparently pre- cluded any such move. Jobless List Indefinite. ‘When reporters said some estimates placed the total of unemployed at 11,- 000,000, the President held that it was often difficult to say whether a person should be classed as unemployed. He cited the case of people who have re- courses, but desire part-time employ- ment for suplemental income. He also said, in discussing unem- ployment further, that 5,000,000 per- sons had found employment since the Spring of 1933 in industries which re- port such statistics. He said there was no doubt the total figure was greater than 5,000,000. The President also discussed financ- es, seeking to show the real public debt is much less than the sum the Gov- ernment owes. When the Treasury recently bor- rowed $900,000,000 to finance future expenditures, published accounts told of the debt jumping $900,000,000. They were based on Treasury figures. The President argued that the ac- counts were deceptive. He suggested that if a man borrowed $10,000 to meet a payment coming due months hence, and kept the money in the bank, it would not be fair to say he had gone into debt. Debt should be considered as a net figure, he argued—outstanding obliga- tions minus cash in hand. Figured (See RELIEF, Page 5.) TYPHOON DAMAGES ISLANDS IN PACIFIC Group South of Manila Swept—30 Fishermen Marooned Off Rosario. By the Associated Press. MANILA, December 24.—A destruc- tive typhoon swept across islands to the south of Manila today. Communication with Southern Lu- zon, Marinduque, Tayabas, Cavite, Laguna and Batangas Provinces was interrupted. No casualties were reported but officials believed property loss would be_enormous. ‘The town hall at Pandan, Province Province of Cavite. Their boat cap- sized. High waves prevented rescue .mmmmbflnoeplu | haustion of the private resources of | toward Pampanga, already hard hit during the past six-months. A wind, 1 pelting rain, accompanied by high MORE SILVER SHIPPED Chinese Government Banks Send 10,000,000 Ounces to U. S. SHANGHAI, December 24 ().— Chinese government banks sent an- | other large consignment of silver to the United States today. A shipment weighing 10,000,000 ounces was placed aboard the liner President McKinley. It was reported to have been purchased through the Chase National Bank of New York. The shipment brought the total of the silver exports for the week to 20,000,000 ounces. AMOSKEAG MILLS FILE UNDER 77-B | Petition for Reorganization * Cites Drain of Interest on Bond Issues. By the Associated Press. BOSTON, December 24. — The Amoskeag Manufacturing Co. of Man- | chester, N. H. largest single cotton textile unit of its kind in the world, filed a petition for reorganization under section 77-B of the Federal bankruptcy act today. Payment of interest for bon the company stated, impaired its credit The bill, filed in the United States | Distric Court in Boston, asserted the mill, which closed last Summer, had paid $2.936,000 during the past five vears for interest on bonds. “The existence of outstanding bonds has required the continued payment | of interest out of capital, has impaired the credit of the company and has resulted, together with other condi- | tionx, in making the company, in the opinion of the trustees, insolvent,” Federal Government would shoulder | the petition stated. The company's statement accom- panying its petition for reorganization said the mills had operated for the past five years with a large deficit in every year except 1933. The total deficit during this period amounted to almost $5,000,000. Amoskeag has outstanding at present $11.379.000 in debenture bonds due in 1948. and 378,151 shares of common stock. The bonds a month ago were offered about 50 per cent of their face value, and the shares at about $1.75. The mill, principal industry in Man- chester. once employing 12,000, had a tax bill last year of $416,000, which the city recently agreed to reduce an unspecified amount. CESRE FRENCH SENATE ACTS Passes “Political Troops” Bill Without a Struggle. PARIS, December 24 (#).—The French Senate today adopted, without a struggle, the bill for disbanding “po- litical troops™ by government decree. Premier Laval, who had sought to make the courts responsible for the dissolution, avoided any fight over the issue. It was this bill which stirred the Chamber of Deputies two weeks ago. It now, with senatorial amendments, goes back to the chamber for final acceptance. TUNE IN Tonight at CEREMONIES WELCOMI WASHINGTON WI FOUR-WAY PROBE on the last belated shopper and store | employe, after a final check on the | results of one of the greatest sales periods in local business history, hurry home to prepare for their own Christ- | mas celebrations. There was a real Christmas atmos- | | phere as Washington turned from it | daily tasks to the celebration of what | | is expected to be the gayest Yuletide i Officials Seek to Place Re- | sponsibility in Hopewell, Va., Accident. | By the Associated Press. | HOPEWELL, Va. December 24— Four investigations moved today to | establish responsibility in the tragic | | death of 14 persons in a Greyhound | bus under the icy waters of the Ap- | pomattox River early Sunday. Hospital chemists were completing tests from an autopsy report on the body of L. G. Alford, driver of the bus which plunged through a bridge guard rail into the river. Capt. H. B. Nicholas, State police commander, worked on an official re- port for John Q. Rhodes, jr., Motor Vehicle Department director. John Goodman, commonwealth attorney, | and the State Corporation Commis- | sion also were conducting inquiries. The coroner’s inquest has been set for Thursday. Thirteen of the 14 bodies have been identified. A sodden Christmas card inscribed “Miss Laura Davis” led to tentative identification of the last as Laura (Haney) Davis of Merediths- ville. Also identified were the bodies of | Miss Ruth Perline Goodwin, 21, of Route 1, Cary, N. C. A brother, Kermit Goodwin, said she was en route from New York to her home to spend Christmas. She will be buried there, | probably tomorrow, he said. Another victim, Mrs. Alma Parham of New York and Lumberton, N. C,, was on her way there for a surprise Christmas visit to her 8-year-old son. Mrs. Parham, 27. a waitress, was definitely identified by Miss Charlotte Shon of Washington, a close friend | One of the Richmond residents who | died in the crash was Mrs. Ruby Mat- thews. She had been given a week's vacation by her employers and was on her way to spend Christmas with | her parents and 3-year-old daughter |at Durham, N. C. She also will be | | buried Christmas day. | In addition to Alford, Mrs. Parham, | Miss Davis, Mrs. Matthews and Miss Goodwin, the death iist includes: Mr. and Mrs. Martin E. Smith, Richmond; Mrs. Anne W. Duncan. Pittsboro: | W. Massey, . " Fairfax, Superior, Wis., | Elizabeth _ Fairfax, Superior, Elizabeth Fisher and Gertrude Fisher, colored, McKenny, Va. ENGLISH ACTOR DIES Hopewell, Mrs. | World War. LONDON, December 24 (#).—Robert Loraine, 59, lieutenant colonel of the Royal Air Force during the World War, died here last night following an operation. Loraine, who made many notable airplane flights during the early stages of aviation and received military cita- tion for exploits during the Boer and World Wars, had peen an actor in motion picture productions in Holly- wood and in the legitimate theater in England. He is survived by his widow, Winifred Lydia, and three daughters. ON WRC Seven-T hirty NG SANTA CLAUS TO LL BE BROADCAST Listen in to the Christmas eve party arranged by the National Broadcasting Co., The Evening Star and Warner Brothers’ Theaters as the final scene of the fifth annual toy campaign the Copital’s needy famili MAKE THE R bringing Yuletide cheer to es. OUNDS WITH SANTA TONIGHT! Don’t Miss This Novel Broadcast! For Further Details Read Today's Star | the old Chr Capt. John Belch, Hopewell: Mrs. J.| Miss Lillian | Wis.; | Robert Loraine Was Flyer During | in years. One of the oldest and bes: | beloved of Christmas carols tells us that “the good King Wenceslas looked out upon the feast of Stephen when the snow lay ~ound about, deep and p and &ven.” Washington, too, had the Wenceslas outlook, and there was something of the happiness of istmas in the local prgpa- rations. Community Tree Focal Point. The community tree near the nor edge of Lafayette P the foca point of Washington ristmas Eve celebration. The ceremonies will beg there at 4:30 o'clock with a program of Christmas music by the United States Marine Band, led by Capt Taylor Branson, leader. At 5 pm. President Roosevelt, accompanied by the entire presidential family, will arrive from the White House. Nine minutes later, after an invoca- tion by Dr. Frederick W. Perkins, troductory remarks by First Assistant Secretary of the Interior Theodore A. Walters and greetings to the President on behalf of the people of Washington by Alice Joy Webster, Girl Scouts of America, and Richard Miller, Boy Scouts, the President will press a but- | ton which will flood the living Christ- mas tree with light, while chime | carry the Christmas message to th Nation. The President's Christmas greeting to the Nation will be carried by radio into every part of the land. Before and after the President’s address there will be carol singing by the Franciscan Friars of Washington, directed by Rev. Bonaventure Simon, and by the Lin- coln Cathedral Choir of Lincoln, Nebr., | directed-by John M. Rosborough. The | ceremony will close at 5:30 with bene- | diction by Right Rev. James E. Free- man. Episcopal Bishop of Washington. For the fourth season, the La- fayette Park tree will be a singing |tree and. immediately following the | benediction this evening. Christmas carols will be heard coming from the | branches of the tree, to continue at intervals throughout Christmas week Greeting Cards Distributed. More than 1500 greeting cards | have been distributed by the American | Automobile Association inviting strangers in Washington to attend the lighting of the tree and this year, in addition to the regular 300 seats on the President’s stand, there will be 400 seats in front of the stand for the use of honored guests and the general public. The community tree will remain lighted each night until January 2 and each nignt the tree will “sing.” The first National community Christ- mas tree was lighted here in 1923 and the celebration begun at that time has grown until today it ranks as one of the highlights of the Capital's Christmas, _ Within_the snow-blanketed White (See CHRISTMAS, Page 5.) NEW VENE.ZUEI.AN RULERS HOLD GRIP Gomez' Successors Claim Dis- orders Quelled by Firm Measures. By the Associated Press. CARACAS, Venezuela, December 24.—The Venezuelan government an- nounced it was in full control today of the situation arising here and in all states of the republic after the death last week of the President-dic- tator, Gen. Juan Vicente Gomez. (Unofficial reports to Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, had said rioting was under way in half a dozen Venezuelan cities, in a contest for the rule left vacant by Gen. Gomez. One report said a virtual state of war prevailed.) The government expressed its en- tire confidence in acting President Gen. Eleazar Lopez Contreras and Gov. Felix Galavis. Considerable disorder cropped up late last week, including the shooting to death Saturday of Gen. Eustoquio Gomez, cousin of the late dictator, when he invaded the governor’s office, but the city later became orderly. The governor had broadcast an order that pillaging must halt imme- diately, under pain of “severe meas- ures.” Many shops which closed Saturday, therefore, resumed their normal busi- ness. Officials expressed confidence that the uncertain situation woufd end after Congress meets Thursday, probably to elect Gen. Lopez Contres ras to Al Gen. Gomez unexpired term,