Evening Star Newspaper, December 25, 1936, Page 1

WEATHER. (U, 8. Weather Bureau Porecast.) Generally fair and slightly warmer; lowest temperature tonight about 34 de- grees; tomorrow, cloudy. Highest, 51, at 4 p.m. yesterday; lowest, 29, at 7 a.m. today. Full report on page A-8. New York Markets Closed. Today 85th YEAR. No. UNCONDITIONALLY BY REBEL LEADER Genezalissimo Returns to Honan Accompanied by Fo_rmer Captor. AGREEMENT ON CHANG DEMANDS NOT REACHED WNanking Says Freedom B'e'sult of “Expert Negotiations” by " Premier's Family. BACKGROUND— Immediate military operations against Japan, restoration of Man- chukuo to China and restoration of recognition of communism in China, first initiated by Dr, Sun Yat Sen, were among demands of Gen. Chang after he captured Gen- eralissimo Chiang Kai-shek Decem= ber 12 in Sianfu. Chang, former war lord of Man- churia before establishment of Manchukuo, rebelled at order to move to southern station when Nanking decided he was growing “friendly” with communistic forces. Chang has been condemned to public execution, but his present status is in doubt. By the Associated Press. NANKING, December 25.—General- issimo Chiang Kai-shek, held captive at Sianfu for 14 days by rebellious Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang, was re- leased “unconditionally” tonight, the foreign office announced. First information of the military overlord’s liberation came to Dr. H. H. Kung, acting head of the Nanking government, ‘by official dispatch from Loyang, Honan Province. Gen. Chiang returned to Loyang, the government'’s declaration asserted, in company with the “young marshal,” who rebelled against the Chinese premier for a supreme order trans- ferring him and his troops to a south- ern station away from ‘“friendly” Communist influences in the nerth- west. Accompanying the generalissimo were his American-educated wife, Dr. T. V. Soong, his brother-in-law, and W. H. Donald, Australian adviser to the central administration. Crisis Remains Unsettled. ‘The general's release, official sources declared, did not follow any settle- ment of the governmental crisis brought on by Marshal Chang’s de- mand for organized aggression against Japan. Government authorities were rep- resented as feeling his newly-gained freedom came as a result of “expert negotiations” conducted by Chiang’s family and his authoritariap admin- istration. ‘While details of the generalissimo’s release were not immediately dis- closed, the Central (official Chinese) News Agency reported the trip from Sianfu, in interior Shensi Province, was made by airplane to Loyang, in adjoining Honan. A Central news dispatch from ‘Tungkwan, on the Shensi border, re- ported a large plane passed oevr that provincial town. at approximately 4 p.m. escorted by four military ships. ‘The squadron was headed eastward, the Central news report declared, adding “it is believed here the big plane contains the generalissimo en route to Loyang.” An ‘earlier report from the Chinese finance ministry said the general was freed early today, arriving in Loyang &t 5:30 p.m. (4:30 am. E. 8. T, Capital Rejoices at News. The Chinese capital received news of the end of China’s civil war with rejoicing, turning what at first prom- ised to be a sorrowful Christmas ob- servance into an enthusiastic celebra- tion. Radio stations issued frequent bul- letins on official and unofficial reportt dealing with the Sianfu situation. Newspapers, long prepared for either doleful or happy developments in the tangled domestic crisis, issued extra editions. B FPirecrackers—the Chinese equivalent of American bells and whistles during celebrations—began to pop in many cities as the official announcement was flashed through the country. Some officials credited the general- issimo’s release on Christmas day to efforts of Mme. Chiang and her brother, who, disregarding government, warnings, flew to Sianfu several days 2go to negotiate on behalf of the over- lord's family. Speculate 4 to Terms. While the official announcement declared the generalissimo was re- leased “unconditionally,” well-in- formed Chinese and foreign circles credited his liberation to an agree- ment in peaceful setilement of the governmental crisis. Principal honor for the alleged ac- cord was given %o Dr. Soong and Gen. ‘Yen Hsi-shan, pacification commis- mnnw for Shansi and Suiyuan Prov- Authoritative sources reported be- et eummmuc include three 33,841, ‘Temperatures— Entered as second elass -llts‘r post office, Washington, D. @he” Eoeni ‘WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION .., Sta WASHINGTON, D. C, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1936.—TWENTY PAGES. ##% (ARTHUR BRISBANE|EUROPE. UNEASILY DIES N NEW YORK AWAITS HITLER'S {OF HEART DISEASEIREPLY ON SPAIN ARTHUR BRISBANE. —Harris-Ewing Photo. INDUSTRY WEGH COMLCONTRDLBAL Producers to Meet Tuesday to Discuss Attitude on Legislation. By the Associated Press. Most of the Nation's leading soft coal producers will get together next Tuesday at White Sulphur Springs, W. Va,, to discuss what they want to do about a new Guffey coal control bill. 4 Out of the conference, Capital .ob- servers said today, may come deci- sions on two questions: 1. Whether the industry will pre- sent a united front in favor of regu- latory legislation. 2. What type of - legislation the operators will advance. Both operators who favorel the original Guffey bill, invalidated by the Supreme Court, and operators who fought its adoption are on the Con- ference Committee. All agree that legislation will be introduced. The United Mine Work- ers, the National Bituminous Coal Commission and some of their own | number already have made rough drafts for a bill. Senator Guffey, Democrat, of Penn- sylvania, repeatedly has called for replacement of the outlawed control act. The act set up labor standards and methods for stabilizing ces and production; it placed a on all producers, with a rebate for those who complied with the law's stand- ards. The attitude of the industry has not been determined, although some observers suggested the absence of a number of leading operators from a legislation conference in New York | several weeks ago indicated continued opposition. On the other hand, proponents of legislation contend they have won considerable numbers of producers to their camp. During the last fight in Congress each side claimed to represent a sub- stantial majority of the total ton- nage. KENTUCKY YOUTH MISSING IN FRANCE Swarthmore Student Who Went to Join Spanish Loyalists Hinted Return. By the Assoclated Press. LOUISVILLE, Ky., December 25.— The Joseph Selligman, sr., family spent a sad Christmas today because no recent word has been heard from Joseph, jr., who went to France early this month with the avowed intention of enlisting in the Spanish Loyalist army and fight in the civil war. The Swarthmore College student was 20 years old today. A week ago, young Selligman told his father over trans-Atlantic tele- phone that he had been denied en- trance into Spain and that “I sup- pose there’s nothing else to do but come home.” That was the first word his family had from him since he left school December 3. It also is the last since he_arrived in PFrance. Even the American Embassy had lost ‘trace of the youth, his father said, adding “we had hoped to have him home . for Christmas and his birthday.” —_— _STATE TRIMS DEBT North™ Carolina Cash Balance Raised During Year. RALEIGH, N. C., December 25 (#). —North Carolina increased its cash balance and feduced its debt during the last year. ‘The monthly statement of the audi- Teleased November 30 was $22,287,899.30, com- pared to $19,947,054.90 in the sime date last yesr. i Noted Journalist Succumbs Unexpectedly at Age of 72. COLUMN WAS FOLLOWED BY MILLIONS OF READERS Editorial Genius Had Meteoric Career Which Was Climaxed by $260,000 Yearly Salary. BY the Associated Press. NEW YORK, December 25.—Arthur Brisbane, 72, veteran' newspaper col- umnist and editor, died of a heart at- tack in his PFifth avenue apartment at 5:30 am. today. Death came peacefully as he was asleep in an oxygen tent, following an iliness of several days. His entire family was gathered in the apartment as the end came, cli- maxing a career of 53 years, which saw his rise from a “cub” reporter on the New York Sun to one of the most widely-read news commentators in newspaper history. His personal physician, Dr. Leopold Stieglitz, was at his bedside when the noted editor ceased to breathe shortly before dawn. Other members of the family present included his wife, his son Seward and four daughters, Alice, Emily, Eleanor and Mrs. Regan Mc- Crary. ' funera), it was announced, will be simple and strictly private, con- fined to members of the family, No date has yet been set. No hint of his illness had.been given out, and his sudden death came as deep shock to friends and even his closest newspaper intimates, including William Randolph Hearst, his long- time friend, who is now in New York. “Mr. Brisbane had not been really well for several weeks,” a close friend of the family said. “He suffered bronchial trouble last year and spent anost of the Winter in Florida. “He was the kind of a man who would never admit he was ill. He car- | ried on his work right up to the last, | writing his daily column and Sunday editorials, although his health was obviously not of the best.” Brisbane was known chiefly for his editorial columns “Today,” published in more than 200 newspapers, and “This Week,” informal chats with rural folk in 1,200 weekly newspapers. He was a native of Buffalo, N. Y., arid had been in newspaper work since he joined the staff of the New York Sun at the age of 19. He went from the Sun to the New ‘York World, where he was managing editor for seven years. In 1897 he deserted his $15,000 & year job for a post that paid $7,000 a year less, but gave him a chance to try out his journalistic ideas on the New York Jouraal. His salary was reported to have been $260,000 a year. His methods rocketed him to success. Within four months the Journal cir- culation was at & record height and climbing, and Brisbane, through his In recent years, he confined his editorial work to writing for the Hearst Syndicate. Two ventures into the publishing field, with the Wash- ington Times and the Evening Wis- consin of Milwaukee, ended in 1919, when he sold both papers to Hearst. He was married to Phoebe Cary, of New York, in 1912. Brisbane had .a claimed reading public of between 30,000,000 and 40,- 000,000 people. The popular picture of him was (See BRISBANE, Page A-9.) HUNT FOR 2 PLANES STILL IN PROGRESS Fog Prevents Flyers Pointing Way of Ground Searchers to ‘Wreckage of One. By the Associated Press. SPOKANE, December 25.—In the air and on the ground, Christmas was just another day of hopeful searching today by airmen and- ex- pert woodsmen two missing airliners that carried nine persons. Thirteen planes awaited favorable weather to scan high mountain peaks of Utah for traces of a Western Air Express transport missing since De- cember 14. Six planes were at Salt Lake and seven at Milford, Utah. of two ground parties in Northern Idaho and-prevented National Guard planes from flying over the region where a' Northwest Airlines transport went down last Friday. The weather was expected to Lieut. ‘Byron Wi the lost At N was Jorth red streamers dropped from the the missing one were found to guide ground searchers. = Cargo of Explosive Chemicals In Truck Stolen From D. C. Lot to Marshal Chang for expenses of his army. No 5:30 Star or Night Final will be no 5:30 or Night Final of The Star today -and to- morrow. Randolph had loaded the truck at Rosslyn the evening before, prepara- tory to proceeding to Baltimore yester- g ! E E | E | i g Reichsfuehrer Calls - Parley With Aides Before Reply to France. ROME PRESERVING “TACTFUL SILENCE” British and French Circles Regard Italy Displaying Less Interest in Spanish War. BACKGROUND— France’s warning to Germany to cease intervention in Spain, given several days ago, followed discovery of German soldiers fighting with Fascists against Madrid and gave rise to reports that many thoue sands more Germans were about to take the fleld under Gen. Franco. BY the Associated Press. LONDON, December 25.—Official Europe wondered today whether this day of peace might mark the begin- ning of a period of tranquillity and reconstruction or one of dangerous rivalry, possibly of war. Chancellories and foreign offices throughout the continent looked to Germany and to a snowy Bavarian peak -for the answer. There in his Berchtesgaden lodge, rested Reichs- fuehrer Adolf Hitler. What is his verdict on intervention in Spain? “War is possible,” said a spokesman of the French foreign office in Paris. Authoritative quarters in Whitehall believed French anxieties were due to “over-excitement” but all agreed the Spanish situation held dangerous potentialities. Well-informed sources in Berlin acknowledged the Reich was taking & serious view of the whole situation created by a reported request of Gen. Prancisco Franco, commander of the Spanish insurgents, for 60,000 German troops to support the attack on Madrid. Tactful Silence in Rome. Rome maintained a tactful silence and both British and French dip- lomatic circles remarked Italy was, di:pl:ytng “less interest in the Spanish: war. They interpreted the silence to mean Premier Benito Mussolin! was leaving g;ln Germany to' decide the extent of reign assistance to panish Fascists. i The French took a lead the situation, beuevln.nirtonv‘lhlly l‘l,: fected the peace structure of the whole continent, and the British disclosed they were holding “urgent consulta- tions” with Paris on the question of haliing outside interference in the Spanish civil war. German sources took the view Anglo-French impatience in demand- ing & showdown on the problem was due to resentment over the recent al- liance of Germany and Japan against eommunism. Autheritative sources said the whole international situation would be re- viewed at Hitler’s retreat, where Der Fuehrer was said to have summoned :‘h ablest lieutenants over the holi- ys. Hitler's alternatives—to. send aid openly to the Spanish insurgents or to abandon them altogether—was con- sidered in authoritative French quar- ters as the corner stone of future European diplomacy. The latest incident was a report from Bilbao, Spain, that the German freighter Palos was taken there after two Spanish government gunboats had captured it. Admiralty Office Closed. Because the admiralty office in Ber- hin was closed for the Christmas holi- day it was not possible to learn the official German reaction to the re- ported seizure. If Der Puehrer decides on outright intervention in Spain, well-informed sources said, he might find the Reich's economic plight would receive g(hc consideration in London and o 4 1, on the other hand, he chooses APARTMENT FIRE MARS CHRISTMAS Man, 79, and Son-in-Law Hurt as Score of Families Rush From Building. More than a score of families were routed from their Christmas day cele- brations this morning when a three- alarm fire broke out in the Lynton Apartments, 3149 Mount Pleasant street. Two casualties—the injury of a 79-year-old man and the slight burn- ing of his son-in-law—were reported by police. Neither required hospital treatment, the officers said. ‘The elderly man, John H. Bowser, suffered injuries to both legs when bhe tripped after descending three flights on a fire escape and fell from the first-flloor landing to the ground. The other victim, W. B. Tottén, was reported burned about the face when he opened the door to a shaft of a dumb-waiter, where the flames centered. ‘The blaze, police suid, started in & pile of trash in the basement of the four-story apartment house and flufl quickly up the dumb-waiter t. ‘The fact that the doors of the shaft were constructed of metal prevented the fire from spreading to other apart- ments. The fourth-floor apartment in which the Bowser family lived was damaged badly, while smoke drove residents of upper floors from the building. Besides Bowser and his father-in- law, others in their apartment at the time were Prancis Totton, 18, and Bowser’s wife, Mildred. . Police said the door to the dumb- waiter shaft was opened by Mildred after she smelled smoke and tried to find the source. Totton, it was understood, was burned when he tried to-extinguish the flames and then close the door.to the shaft. : Although quickly brought under con- trol, the fire attracted hundreds of curious and tied up traffic in the (See FIRE, Page A-2) e LINDBERGH FAMILY SPENDS QUIET HOLIDAY By the Associated Press. WEALD, Kent, England, December 25.—The Lindbergh family—the colo- complete neutrality, they predicted, he nel, would be assured of a sympathetic hearing on Germany’s needs as part of negotiations for a new Locarno agreement. They suggested a complete “hands- off-Spain” policy by Germany might lead to a reorganization of European collective security, maintenance of the status quo in the Mediterranean and a grant of colonies to the Reich. Anglo-French ' initiative, informed sourcés said, appeared to place Ger- See WAR, Page A-3) Editorial ... A-6 | Soclety - Lost & Found A-3 | Sperts - A-8| Woman's Pg.-A-11 DECEMBER 25 ! The only ] i in Washington wi Associated Press News and Wirephoto Services. evenixig aper the Yesterday’s Circulation, 130,745. {(Some returns not yet received.) (P Means Associated Press. Grandchildren Seeking Gifts Awaken President Near Dawn Members of Roosevelt Family Assemble in His Bed Room to Join in Yule Merriment. BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG. * Like millions of other fathers and grandfathers throughout the country today, President Roosevelt was awak- ened from a sound sleep soon after dawn by the yelling and romping of several wide-eyed grandchildren, who were looking for Santa Claus and what he had left for them during the night. President Roosevelt was not in the least annoyed or surprised at this early awakening. As has been a cus- tom since the first Roosevelt grand- child was old enough to know about Sants Claus, it has been the practice on Christmas eve for all of the grand- children, as well as the grown-ups of the Roosevelt family, to hang their POE EXHALSTED BY RADID APEAL Is Happy, However, Over ‘World-Wide Acclaim Ad- dress Received. By the Associated Press. VATICAN CITY, December 25.— Pope Pius XI spent this Christmas day in bed, physically exhaused from the effort of his Christmas eve world-wide radio appeal for peace in a troubled world. ‘The ailing pontiff was jubilant, how- ever, dver having defled his doctors, who said the energy expended in his address yesterday might have serious consequences. His attendants today said he seemed to be happy over the world-wide ac- claim his address received. This ap- parently had a beneficial moral effect, and Dr. Amanti Milani, who had sought to dissuade the holy father from his exertion was visibly relieved. ‘This morning he assisted from his bed at Christmas mass. Throughout the day, scores of Visit- ors flocked to the papal ante-room and signed the register in token of Christ- mas wishes to the holy father. ~Sheafs of messages were handed the pontift by secretaries, many of which were from Americans who listened to his radio peace appeal in the early hours of the day before Christmas. ‘The only sad aspect of the Pope's Christmas was Dr. Milani’s repested orders the Pope must remain in bed at least another month. HERRERA, EX-PRESIDENT OF CUBA, IS INJURED stockings on the mantel above the fireplace in Mr. Roosevelt’s bed room. ‘There are six grandchildren visit- ing President and Mrs. Roosevelt this Christmas. Several of them are too young to understand about hanging stockings, and Christmas, but the others, headed by Sistie Dall, who is now 9 years old and prefers to be call- ed Eleanor, and Buzzie, her 7-year-old brother, whose réal name is Curtis, the two children of Mrs. Anna Roose- velt Boettiger, were up a‘ an early hour and romping about the Presi- dent's room. Soon afterwards Mrs. Roosevelt and Mrs. Sarah Delano Roosevelt, the President’s 82-year-old mother, and (See PRESIDENT, Page A-4.) MRS. ROOSEVELT VISITS SICK SON Hurries to Bedside of Frank- lin, Jr., in Boston Hospital. By the Associated Press. BOSTON, December 25.—The Na- tion’s First Lady hurried here today from Washington to the bedside of her convalescent son, Franklin D. Roose- velt, jr., to brighten his Christmas day. Mrs. Roosevelt stepped off a New York train at the Back Bay Station, alone, and hastened by taxi to Phillips House of Massachusetts General Hos- pital, to find that her son, recovering from a streptococcus throat and a sinus infection, Hiad spent & “comforta- ble night and is improved.” Dressed in a smart gray coat and red hat, she spoke to no one as she walked rapidly through the Phillips House lobby and to her son's room, carrying a large suit case and another large bundle. Fiancee May Pay Visit. ‘Young Roosevelt, hospital officials said, is also expecting a visit today from his fiancee, Miss Ethel du Pont. It was learned, however, that she can- celed s reservation she had made on a New York plane due here late to- day. Franklin, jr., & Harvard senior, had planned to spend the holiday at the ‘White Hcuse, where dhe Roosevelt family gathered yesterday, but his physicians declared he was not strong enough to make the trip. A source close to his case said a (See MRS. ROOSEVELT, Page A-2.) —_—— DAUGHTER IS BORN TO DUCHESS OF KENT By the Associated Press. LONDON, Décember 25.— The Duchess of Kent, wife of the late King George V’s youngest son, gave birth today to a daughter, her second child. The Christmas baby was born at 3 Belgrave road, town home of the Duke and Duchess of Kent. An official announcement of the birth said both the mother and daugh- ter were doing well. The duchess was atiended by Dr. W. Gilliatt, Dr. E. A. Gow and Dr. H. A. Recovery Pi'edictéd for Boy Thought Doomed Before Yule . | said today that Salvador de Mada~ By the Associated Press. KANSAS CITY, December 25.— Two weeks ago it was thought 5-year- old Charles Mendenhall might not live to see his first real Christmas. ‘Today, however, the TWO CENTS. CAPITAL OBSERVES JOYOUSCHRISTMAS; SALES RECORD SET Stores Report Unprece- dented Activity—Postal Volume High. PRESIDENT VOICES APPEAL FOR PEACE Special Significance of This Yule- tide Season Is Cited in Broadcast. After 1935 rehearsals the Capital joined with the world today in enacte ing that long-awaited lavish drama, “Merry Christmas,” as an audience of one—a pack-weary, foot-sore old man in a fur-trimmed red suit—looked on. Intetmission comments—talk about the shattered records for spending and mailing and the apparent absence of a forgotten man, woman or child— indicated the show had been well pro- duced. Never have the Capital's stores been 50 busy as during the past week. All-time postal records have been shattered, attesting to an all-time volume of Christmas packsges, let- ters and cards. The poor, the homeless and the needy have been remembered, fed and warmed. And for the whole of the Western Hemisphere, President Roosevelt pointed out in his Christmas eve mes= sage yesterday evennig at the come munity Christmas tree lighting, it is a Christmas of special significance, The people of the Americas, the President said to the thousands who gathered around the tree at dusk and to millions of radio listeners, “have this year rendered special tribute to the spirit of Christmas.” Faith Pledged Anew. “We have,” he said, “pledged anew our faith in the arbitrament of rea= son and the practice of friendship. To that faith we bear witness tonight. May that faith make us happy today and tomorrow and through all the coming year.” The President brought to the Nae tion from his fireside, where he had been reading to the Roosevelt children and grandchildren the old Dickens’ Christmas Carol, the message of the reformed Old Scrooge, into whose heart had come the spirit of Christe mas. He also called on his fellow men to heed the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount, which he termed “as adequate to the needs of men and of nations today as when it was first proclaimed among the hills above the Sea of Galilee.” “In such measure as its spirit is accepted,” he said, “men and naticns may lay claim to be seekers after peace on earth.” Surrounded by members fo his pere sonal and official families and by the great, the near great and the ordinary among Washington's citie zens, the President just at nightfall pressed a silver switch which turned the big tree into a blazing symbol of Christmas joy and at the same time signaled to the Nation the official beginning of the yuletide season. Marine Band Plays. A half hour of Christmas music by the United States Maine Band preceded the arrival of the President and his party. In the opening prayer Rev. Oscar F. Blackwelder asked for the blessing of world peace in a troubled world. i The President was introduced as “the greatest and most beloved man in America” by Melvin C. Hazen, president of the Board of District Commissioners, chairman of the na- tional committee in charge of the celebration. Before pressing the button which lighted the tree, the President paused (See CHRISTMAS, Page A-8) FIRECRACKER STORE BLAST KILLS TWO Ten Persons Are Injured When Noise Makers Explode in Charcoal Heater. By the Associated Press. ASHEVILLE, N. C., December 25.— Coroner George F. Baier, jr., sum- moned clerks and customers of a fire- works store today to testify at an in- vestigation into an explosion which killed 2 and injured 10 persons. Witnesses sald a stock of firecrackers, roman candles and skyrockets, stand- by of this region in Christmas cele- brations, were exploded in a charcoal heater, setting the mid-town building afire last night and hurling several persons through doors and windows into the street. The dead were identified as “Red” Corn, 30, clerk in the store, and Mrs. Maude Stepp, & patron. The blast tossed her 15-year-old son Lawrence through the main entrance into the middle of the street. Glass, flames and other objects rid- dled automobiles parked directly in front of the building. Show-windows across the narrow thoroughfare were broken. U. S. VIEWS SOUGHT ON SPANISH MEDIATION By the Associated Press. BARCELONA, Spain, December 25. —Well-informed political sources here riaga, former Spanish Ambassador to the United States, is on his way from London to America hoping to sound out President Roosevelt unofficially concerning his attitude toward plans of Britain and France for mediation been a technical attache to the In- ternational Non-Intervention Com- mittee in London. He has no official connection with any Spanish faction, but is considered friendly to the Socialist Madrid - Valencia governe ment. He resigned last July as spe= clal representative Spanish to the mulmm;