Non-Political Croix de Feu
Sirs: As a reader of TIME and a member of the League known as the Croix de Feu, I write to protest against the term ''fascist" as applied to that organization or to its Chief, Lieut. Colonel de La Rocque [TIME, Nov. 4]. The Croix de Feu came into existence shortly after the end of the World War, as did many associations of veterans. In contrast to other similar organizations, however, the Croix de Feu restricted its membership to a selected group of men, in that it not only required that its members had fought in the War, but also that they had gained a distinction for valor, symbolized by some medal or cross. Hence the designation of Croix de Feu, meaning a cross won under fire and not a "cross of fire" or "fiery cross" as sometimes rendered in English and U. S. newspapers. The declared aim of the Croix de Feu is to unite their members in disinterested patriotism, clear and free from any and all political factions. When, two years ago, public scandal in France reached a pitch that aroused general indignation and brought to light the utter corruption of the party which has been in power for the past 60 years, the Croix de Feu paraded the streets of Paris as a warning that men who had exposed their lives to defend their country were prepared to do so again in another field. . . . The Croix de Feu cannot help but admire the splendid spirit and proud bearing of every Italian and German as compared with the despondent, anxious and embittered attitude of their own countrymen. But they refuse to be identified with "fascism" in the generally accepted meaning of that word since they are opposed to many of the fascist principles, beginning with the totalitarian state. . . . L. DE VALLOMBROSA Paris, France
sirs, . . . The Croix de Feu is entirely unpolitical, has no "platform" and Colonel de La Rocque has no aspirations of dictatorship a la Mussolini. . . . Its enemies are Communism and Free Masonry. (Here I remind you that Free Masonry in France has no resemblance to the very fine organization of the same name in other parts of the world. American and English Free Masons are forbidden to recognize this bastard branch of France to whose activities many dark pages in French history can be traced.) . . . Fascism is only the label given this fine organization by its enemies -- a false statement to spread unjust propaganda. . . . EVELYNE GREIG Paris, France
Hoare's Voice
Sirs:
An expression current (three weeks ago) in Rome, Italy, which may, or may not be of use to you. It struck me as a TIME type: "Hoare's is the voice breathed over Eden." 0. HASBROUCK Northampton, Mass.
6,000 Miles, Five TIMES
Sirs:
Leaving Buenos Aires Nov. 19 in a Panagra plane, the last issue of TIME I had received, Oct. 28 issue, was in hand for early reading. This was handled long before reaching Mendoza.
Next day Nov. 4 issue was on the plane between Santiago, Chile & Arequipa, Peru and readily consumed. The Commodore seaplane from Guayaquil North carried the Nov. 11 issue, and on the run between Cristobal & Kingston that of Nov. 18 was happily perched on top of the magazines offered by the attentive steward. Arriving here last evening I found the Nov. 25 issue on the hotel newsstand and before following Metropolitan Life's advice (advertisement p. 27*) I had proceeded well on the cover to cover march. Six days & 6.000 miles, five TIMES. Congratulations to Juan T. Trippe and his excellent Pan American Air Service & particularly as it keeps TIME on time. D. W. RINGWALE Miami, Fla.
Splendid Tribute
Sirs:
Congratulations on your splendid tribute to Bishop Rector Ryan [TIME, Nov. 25]. The esteem there expressed was evidenced by the largest attendance of bishops and priests at the Omaha installation ever recorded in the West. Catholic University alumni owe TIME a vote of thanks for its intelligent appraisal of Bishop Ryan's leadership. JEROME PRENDERGAST De Paul Academy Chicago, Ill.
Sirs, Congratulations on your timely account of Ryan's many achievements at Catholic University . . . Unquestionably, Bishop Ryan accomplished much--more considering Bishop his comparatively short tenure of office, than any pre rector. . . . VINCENT FLAHERTY Washington, D. C.
Also "Big as Life"
Sirs:
Re ''Big as Life" TIME, Nov. 25: The Cincinnati Post a few years ago devoted the length of two inside pages to a life-size portrait of a missing child and asked readers to display it as an aid to the police in their search. CLAY HOOBLER Portsmouth, Ohio
To the Cincinnati Post full credit for the double-truck picture of small Marian McLean which it ran Dec. 21, 1931; for its other efforts to solve the kidnapping. --ED.
Japanese in Uniform Sirs: On account of the acute war danger that is now hovering over China and Japan I would advise you to keep your personal opinions about that situation out of your magazine. You hinted very strongly in your Nov. 18 issue of TIME that the Japanese marine that was murdered near the Japanese naval headquarters was not killed by the Chinese but killed intentionally by the Japanese. When you make such a statement as this you have placed the U. S. in a very precarious position. Such propaganda as you are printing is one of the major causes of war between seemingly friendly nations. As I am only a youth of 18 I feel that I have a right to make the above criticism, because as you know, it is not the aged and hoary editors of magazines that have to go to war but we. the younger generation. GUY CANNON Austin, Tex.
Reader Cannon wrongly imputes to TIME an opinion current in Shanghai where police of the International Settlement have established that the ''Japanese marine in uniform," of whose death Japan has made an incident, was slain by a killer also uniformed as a Japanese marine. --ED.
"Ace" Ciano Sirs:
". . . led by Il Duce's ace son-in-law, Count Galeazzo Ciano" (Nov. 18, p. 16).
I have a vague recollection that an "ace" must have five or more planes to his credit. If this is so, does the Count qualify? If not, just what is an ''Ace?" ALLEN B. BROWN Des Moines, Iowa
Sirs:
When and where did Count Ciano become an ace? If he has earned this title in the present war, he must have shot down the entire Ethiopian air force single handed.
Though I admit that this feat might not prove so difficult for the Count, I was given to understand that his sole claim to distinction in the conflict had been the pinking of his tail surfaces. F. V. NASH Nash Conley Co. Minneapolis, Minn.
Count Ciano is an ace only as usage has pinned the title to such able airmen as Charles A. Lindbergh. Henceforth TIME will adhere to current military standards, bestow the rank only upon flyers who down five enemy planes and prove it. --ED.
Sensitive Dignitaries
Sirs:
In TIME. Nov. 25: "In Spring Valley, Ill., when Prisoners James Gardini and Felix Mayeski asked Mayor-Judge Tonelli for mercy on the grounds that they could have escaped from the jail had they chosen, the Mayor bet them their freedom they could not escape. . . ."
... It happened in a village two miles north of Spring Valley, Dalzell, Ill. Now I will admit that our jail is not much better than the one in Dalzell but the escapes in the past from our jail did not get the widespread publicity that this incident did. Then too our Mayor, the Hon. John Doyle, surely must feel hurt to have the Hon. Albert Tonelli mentioned as Mayor of Spring Valley. Remember, Sirs, that these dignitaries have their feelings hurt very easily, so watch your step. NORMAN H. LYNN D. D. S. Spring Valley, Ill.
To Spring Valley's Hon. John Doyle, apologies.--ED.
Election-Ridden Kentucky
Sirs:
In TIME, Nov. 25, Mr. Russell F. Wolters, of Houston, Tex., discusses the Kentucky gubernatorial election just ended. From the large Democratic majority polled in the election, he deduces that the President and his advisers have every reason "to feel elated and to have renewed confidence in next year's results." The elation and the confidence would be better justified if Mr. Wolters had been somewhat better informed about the nature of the campaign. . . .
The facts are that the Democracy of Kentucky had been aroused to unusual electoral consciousness by a bitter intraparty primary, and that the election, to an unusual degree in this election-ridden State, was an ever-present subject in the minds of our citizenship generally and particularly in the Democratic portion. . . . There came into Kentucky Democratic Senators Barkley and Logan, the scholarly orator. ex-Governor and ex-Senator Stanley, Mrs. Ross, a woman ex-Governor from the West, several of Kentucky's Democratic Congressional delegation and others, who. with our local orators, upon every slump proclaimed the glory of the President and how a vote against the Democratic gubernatorial nominee was a vote to repudiate the President. Naturally, this "pro" oratory excited the President's very large popularity in the State to unusual activity. . . .
But upon the other side: No single Republican voice was lifted in the campaign to assault or complain of the President and his alphabetical curiosities. . . . The result of this silence was that an antagonism to the President, deep-seated and smouldering, as widespread against him as is his popularity, was not blown into a flame. . . . ROBERT H. WINN Attorney at Law Mt. Sterling, Ky.
New Deal Dollar Wheat
Sirs:
Father Coughlin may change his mind as to the New Deal and the Republicans may find consolation in minor Eastern victories [TIME, Nov. 18, 25], but it will take much to make the wheat growers of this section forget 25-c- wheat.
The New Deal dollar wheat has been the salvation of this locality, one of the largest primary wheat markets in the West, and it is not likely that the wheat growers will risk a change in 1936. A. W. DEHNERT Chamber of Commerce Denton, Mont.
State's Armstrong Sirs: Michigan State College, oldest of Land Grant institutions, claims Alumnus Paul Armstrong, General Manager of the California Fruit Growers Exchange. He entered the Exchange direct from Michigan State in 1915 and not from the University of Michigan as stated on p. 66 of TIME, Dec. 2. ... GLEN 0. STEWART Alumni Secretary East Lansing, Mich.
Murder Prizes
Sirs:
Anent the comment made by Vice President Chauncey McCormick of the Chicago Art Institute (TIME, Nov. 18): "We are merely trying
(Continued on p. 12).
-Catchline: ''Time for Bed" -- ED.
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