Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 40, Number 38, Decatur, Adams County, 13 February 1942 — Page 1

LllflsehChoret!

Ki XL No 38

NAZI BATTLE FLEET ESCAPES BRITAIN I. S. NAVY BATTERS JAPANESE SHIPS

devastating Blow ■)n Japanese Navy I Destroys 16 Ships

■Thrilhnq U. S. Raids ■Compensate Well For Ifarl Harbor Losses Lt Opening Os War Veh. H ~ (UP) — Kc-.lrti States n» v y'* <*<•***•“'• ■ on th" Japanese-coatroll-■b„tall »»d GUbert lalunds ■ 11 dnntroytat a 17.000-ton orrier f<Hir oih<*r wmiKT 11 jaUHary vessel* and <1 E,. w-ved ioday to l**»*n ■ 4a&|er ot a second attack on K. Harbor an<l to Increase th* Kfity of Allied shipping lanes In ■ Mtli«*«t Pacific K, JjpanMe. prior IO th* E’i thrillliiK raid*, had used Khali and Gilbert ba»es an Kfiw-da for attack! on Wake Ed and perhap* even for subEhe ••saalt* on intracoaatal Kr< along the Pacific coast Krmted Staten. It wan conKnd likely that the bomber* Ek attacked Pearl Harbor Dec Kt- baaed on carrier* *tatlon*d |tk Marthall Inland*. ■heraid on the Japanese Inland* Ktaaonnced on Feb. 1. but no Ku were available then. Lunt K la a special communique the Kaanmiuced the reaulta of the Kn which heralded the flrat Kr ofeailve by the U. 8 fleet pt Pactfir ■W announcement of the raid ■ week* ago wan balled here an Luen: newt, but no one had ■uted that the eitent of the ■uge Inflicted on the enemy wan luwaiive an now revealed. fee navy announced that In ad Ke to the warships and auxll- ■ traft dentroyed several ahtpn In damaged Severe damage ■ tee to hangar*, ammunition fuel nupplfea, industrial ■dingt and a radio building. Hr well-balanced American Ihg force of aircraft carrier*, p»n and destroyers under the baand of vice admiral William Ifcw; Jr., traveled more than ► allei from It* Pearl Harbor ► The attack* were centered IBoi Kwajaleln. Wotje. Taroa P Jtluit islands of the Marehall Fh *ad Makin island in the pn colony [* damage inflicted upon the pwmxtrßn on puon riv®, ■Canvass For flense Workers All Homes In County Be Canvassed F” houaibllity of a ho’taeAoP* caavaM in the city and coin--1“ effirt to enroll each home prreent in civilian defense was F l °day. following last night's r a < »f the Adam* county civb C.u i "* CoUß<:,,> held •* «»• l'*' I »P*tus waa given to the f** whereby each home which , ‘ b.led iOv percent In civllma ~ * work would be given a flag F*r te b« placed In the roaidof the county council * lß * the canvaa* poic'ed to i». ”* ot Ih * Protram In Fort r™*nd other cities, asserting hnu * pltn * oui d act a* a H !o Lilian defame preptThousands of the rickeru L. v** 1 "* dl, P*»r«d in Fort 'hey asserted. b,/„ C!Ti ‘' 4B d ’fense* regulation* , 1 ‘ h * Iwuance of »uch Inq,ri r " being studied by defease linn wo 1 CoUßtr “ro rationing lan "i u ! * r# P° rt 40 iha conntt,v disclosed that the V d*. ? board WM «««»ny te ,0 llM? roaeed task* ra - Greeting of rend ’■•treading tire* on ,Ut * ratteB * •—the late*t task* aa--1 two)

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

British Forces Continue Bitter Singapore Fight Furious Japanese Pressure Bearinq Down On Defenders Undon. Feb A— (UP)—British defense forces today were reported fighting With aid of airplanes and warship* at two key points on Singapore island abont three miles west and north of Hlngapore city. Furious Japanese pressure was exerted against the defense forces about Ang Mo Klo village, near the reservoir* three miles north of Singapore city, and at Paslr Panjang. which Iles west of the city and on the south coast of the Island, a communique said. “Enemy shelling today was frequent against our forward areas and on Singapore town." It added "iiavera aww peessuee wua maintained on the western front during the last U hour* and hl* attack I* being supported by In creased air and artillery forces," the communique reported There was no mention of British air action over the Island hut British planes were said by the Singapore radio to have defeated a Japanese air fleet over the Malayan mainland In an attempt to break up enemy communications. British warships were reported to have joined in the battle by shelling enemy tanks and troop*, presumably on both the Island and Johore coast while Brltl*h heavy artillery still was firing from the Island forts.

"The enemy carried <mt low level and dive bomb attack* in the forward area* and there have been many high level bombing attack* on the town area by large formation* of aircraft." the communique said. "Fighting ia now taking place about Ang Mo Klo village (Macrltcble reservoir) and Pasir PamJang." Both point* are several mile* west of Singapore city. Indicating that the Brltlah Still were holding their main position outside the town and on a line that extends from th* south central coaat through the center ot the Island to the area of the naval base. This was In contrast to Japanese claim* In the last 48 hour* that their troops hsd "entered" Blngapore cUr i.-* Authoritative quarters awaited anxiously detailed report* from British general headquarter*, but B was believed that for the moment the Japanese, despite their savage and ceaseless attack* and frightful casualties, had failed completely to break the imperial line extending through the middle coorrotuMD on faob two> New Registrants Fill Out Blanks The Adam* county draft board has requested that all men be tween 20 and 44 year* of age. whoJipve not previously registered for selective aervice. fill out the blank found on page (our of tonight s Dally Democrat and bring this blank with them Monday when they register at the Legion home AH information la to be printed In a clearly legible manner The blank la to be presented to the registrar on Monday From this blank the regiatrar will fill mil »*»e official reglattatlon card and then hand It back to the registrant for hl* signature after he has ascertained that all information has ben correctly irantferred.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN AD AMS COUNTY

German Battleships Escape In Channel Blitz HELGOLAND* / /amuMBAAM g A "**‘ i % usie M '> / j "urnMnMf/ \ /TT Z | maOTWMI ' •*»«'««> 1 Z ~ <z*/*e><Arr ** / \>ou*moo**e ,/»<*• 'lxvL’--'"'’ u f •*. i / ■> etuiM* _ V-*-'—-J, L>, •Mm. / • O PARIS •^ $ cT XI W , r /• » n t a — ■ The ’goooton battleships Onelsenau (topt and Scharnhorst (bottom) figured In the fiercest channel fighting since the evacuation of Hunklrk when they attempted to pas* through the Strait of Dover under a heavy aerial escort in a dash from Brest France, where they had irnen bottled up alflMMt a year Th. < ross on map indicates where the main assault occared. Arrows point to Heligoland Bight where the ships succeeded In heading after downing 42 British aircraft, biggest single loss of any navalair encounter of the war.

See Possibility Os Reduced Gas Rates Petition Hearing Is Held Thursday Fort Wayne. Feb. 13.—(UPl — Examiner Edwin B. Marsh, of the federal power commission, at the close of a hearing here yesterday on u petition by the Indiana Public Service Commission, set March 5 as the date for filing principal brief* and March 16 for reply briefs. The petition, filed on behalf of gas cunaumers In Columbia City. Decatur. Bluffton. Huntigton. Ouman. South Whitley. Prebie and Fort Wayne, asked a complete investigation of natural gas and pipe line contracts In the Fort Wayne are*. The Northern Indiana Public Service Co., which serves the area with natural ga*. buy* It* gaa from the Michigan Gaa Transportation Co., which in turn gets It* supply from the Panhandle Eastern Pipeline company. The Panhandle concern now hold* a controlfng interest In Michigan ga* transportation. At the hearing yesterday. D. H. Mitchell. Hammond president of Northern Indiana Public Service Co., testified that reduction In consumer rate* probably could be effected If the company could obtain from the natural gas field In Ohio. W. L. Flnhouaen. president of the Central SUtes Development company in the Ohio field, teetlfled the company was prepared to (CONTJNVWD ON PAGE TWO)

Decatur, Indiana. Friday, February 13,J941

Raid On Japanese Far More Damaging Than Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor. Hawal. Feb. IS. — • (UP) — Comparative damage done by the American raid on the Marshall and Gilbert laland* and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor: Japanexe losses: Fifteen to 17 ship* known to have been sunk or destroyed. Including a modern cruiser and a ‘ 17.000-ton liner. Five to eight ship* beached or heavily damaged and possibly sunk. Thirty-eight planes known to have been destroyed and an undetermined number of others probably destroyed. Five hangars destroyed. Four airfields damaged. Four radio stations destroyed. Three fuel and gasoline storage places set aflre. Two munition* dumps set afire. An undetermined amount of coast' artillery silenced One administration building destroyed. One living quarters area aet afire. One coyipcund of six building* deatroyed. Ona parking area bombed. (American loaae* on the Mar *hall and Gilbert Island* raids were 11 planes, one ship damaged by a light bomb hit and one ahlp super flcally damaged). American loeaea at Pearl Harbor: Battleship Arison* and deatroyera Cassln, Bhaw and Dowue* deatroyed. Target ship Utah deatroyed.

Mine layer Oclala, destroyed. Battleship Oklahoma capsized, but can be repaired. "Intensive damage to the army’s land-based plane*’’ and "some damage" to hangars. (The navy said Japanese lo«»e* at Pearl Harbor were three submarine* and 11 aircraft. O —— Green's Condition Reported Unchanged Practically no change wa* reported by bonpitai attaches in th con dltkm of Lawrsaeu Green, local highway worker who waa seriously hurt In an auto-train craeh on Fete ruary 1. Hl* condition remains critical, It wa* reportted. O — —— Liquid Air Uses Shown Students The students of the Decatur jun-ior-aenior high school wltnswstyi an unusual and scientific demonstration of liquid air usee this afternoon. presented by Elliot James Guests were the Decatur Catholic school student* Principal W. Guy Brown waa In charge. . ——o Special Meeting Os Red Men This Evening There will be a special meeting of Red Men at the lodge ball tonight at 7:30. All member* are requested to be present.

Successful Dash Os Powerful German Fleet Through Dover Strait Hard Blow To Allies

Radio Industry Told To Convert To Defense Jobs Facilities Ordered To Be Converted To War In Four Months Washington. Feb. IS. — (l’P» - Th* war production hoard today ordered all radio manufacturers to convert their facilities to war production within four month* Il R Guthrie, assistant chief of the WPB bureau of Industry branches, told 55 radio set manufacturers that If they have not couverted within "three or four month* from now." the government might have to break up their plant, equipment, labor and management. and shift them "to other part* of the economy where they could be mobilised for war production." Guthrie said it la expected that • major pert of the conversion will be accomplished by May. Order* Survey Washington. Feb IS. — (UP) — President Roosevelt today direr ted bead* of non-military government agencies to determine at once how many men they r an release for war work. He said that excess personnel must be "effectively channeled" Into defense job*. But he placed on congress the responsibility of eliminating the functions of non-mlll-Ury agencies which may be considered unessential. Mr Roosevelt told a press conference be had went a directive to "survey" every operational uctlvagency heads ordering them to Ity and determine those employes who may lie promptly released tor employment In other agencies "more directly involved In the war.” Actual elimination of services ’ KtONTINCRI* ox PAOE TWO) Plan Registration Rally For Women Date Tentatively Set For March 12 Preliminary plans for a volunteer registration rally to he neld by the women of Adam* coun'y In conjunction with civilian defense preparations were announced last night by Mr*. Saylc*, women* division chairman of civilian defense at the regular meeting of the county defense council. The rally will likely be -te'd at the Decatur Catholic high school auditorium and the date has been tentatively set for March 12. At least one or two prominent defense leader* and club women of the state will headline a brief speaking program, preceding the actual registration, under the plans now being formulated for the meeting. All women attending the rally will he asked to volunteer so- civiian defense registration. Kind of work which they desire doing In aiding the defense setup Is to be designated by each lady. Mr*. Schwarts Named Mra. C. W. R. Bchwarta ot Monroe was named last night by director V. J. Bormann as DU'.ritloo chairman of the county civilian defense. This phase of civllhn defense Is one of several being delegated to the women's division. Victory garden*, firet aid and other activities are also being planned by Mrs. Saylor* and her city and township chairmen.

Japanese Renew Patrol Activity On Bataan Front Fiqhtinq Increases In Effort To Soften MacArthur Defenders Washington. Feh. IJ—fUF)— Aggressive Japanese patrol action ' against Gen. Douglas MacAr hur’* , forces on Bataan, peninsula was re- j ported to the war department today during which two en-my div.Iximliers were downed by our antiaircraft batteries. A war department communique | on the military situation in the • Philippine* as of S 30 A. M EWT ( reported the increase in fighting on the Peninsula during 'he past 24 hour* after a lull of several day*. The communique said Iha* during active Japanese dive bomber assault* enemy pilot* ml-b-kenly bombed and machine gunned their own infantry with *a»ualtic». "The victim* of the erroneous attack were element* of th.. 122nd Japanese regiment of Gen. Akira Nara's <stli division." the communique said. A* in previous communique*, the exact position of the fighting was not given. The resumption of dive bombing and patrol actions by the Japanese was ocn*trued as part of the program to "soften up" MacArthru's outnumliffred forces in a determined campaign to wear them <cnNTtt»trier» nw fagic fivig War Bulletins Washington. Feb. 13—(UP> —Sen. Millard Tydings. 0, Md.. in the senate today called for reinforcement of American forces in the Philippines, asserting that Japan at present is “winning the war" through its large scale offensive operations. London, Feb. 13 — (UP> — The Singapore radio transmitter resumed transmisoion this afternoon, broadcasting news bulletins and a brief commentary—most of it inaudible to London listeners because of static. Rangoon. Burma. Feb. 13 — (UP) — British army headquarters reported tenight that a new and heavy battle ia raging in the critical Pa-An sector of the Salween river front and that the situation “la obscure." The new battle is being fought in the area where yesterday the army reported Japanese forces bad been badly defeated and put to flight by British troops which inflicted heavy casualties on the Invaders. Washington, Feb. IS—(UP) — President Roosevelt today signed the bill appropriating 5500.000.000 for a loan to China. ■ ■ i o — - TKMPKRATURE READING DSMOCRAT THERMOMETER 8:00 a. m - 14 10:00 a. m. tl Noon 28 2:00 p. m. 35 3:00 p. m. 3S WEATHER Little change in temperature thia afternoon and tonight, except not aa cold In extreme northwewt portion tonight.

Buy Defense Savinas Bonds And Stamps

Prict Two Cents

Strong Force Os Nazi Vessels Escapes Rain Os British Attacks To Reach Safety Ixmdon. Feb. 13 (t'P) -British pilot* officially reported today that three or four torpedoes struck home *g*in*t the German battle i fleet that eM-aped homeward through the Dover Strait and that a l>lg exploNiou wmk seen around one of the 24.mN1.t0tl eU'-my buttle •hi lie 8< h»mhor*t and Gnelaetiail. British aircraft and w«r*hlp« i still Rearcbed the North Sea fur crippled euemy ve«*el«, but naval ' aource* acknowledged that the , greater part of the *quadron must I have reached the eafety ot Emden, ' on the German < oa»t or a Heigo land bay port. The Nucceaaful daah of th** strong enemy warsblp force from I Brest through the Dover Strait ,!*• I spite a Ave-hour British air and i sea attack touched off a blast ot I criticism of the cabinet of Prime Mlnhiter Winston Churchill and raised the threat that powerful German surface raiders might soua be turned loose again to strike at allied shipping Th*- surprise dash fur safety btrgely wa* aucrswsfiil and may lie of tremendous importance In the struggle for sea power In both the Atlantic and Pacific, hut British pilots expre**ed confidence they bad struck damaging blows. "The pilots of one of the squadrome escorting our torpedo bombers reported seeing what appeared to lie torpedoes striking one of the battleship* and *aw an explosion around the ship." the air ministry announced. "The coastal command Beaufort squadron* claimed three torpedo bit* " The statement did not specify what ship* th*- Beanforts hit but it did tell of direr l hit* with t.M*. pound bomb* on a , r iO<>-ton enemy ship which broke In two and sank and awmallet ship which war left aflame. The German Hl.Ooo-ton cruiser Prinz Eugen and other etrong air and sea escort forces protected the enemy battleships during their dash tiirough the channel at a time when p<ior visibility Interfered seriously with the British alrcnNTtNttien nt* F*r»ie rivm — o —— - - - Scrap, Waste Drive Is Set For Feb 23 County-Wide Cleanup Will Be Conducted A city and county-wide cleanup I* to be conducted February 23 for the purpoae of gathering all scrap metal materials and cleaning out waste materials. Plana for the county drive have been underway for «everal day* under the guidance of L. E. Archbold. county agricultural aven' and co-ordinator of farm groups. A meeting of committeemen fretn the six northern townships is to b>held in the Lincoln tebool tonight to discuss plans for the drive, while a meeting will be held Monday night for those from the southern half of the county. Farmers are to lie asked to state when and where they can I* liver scrap materials and how much they ■will have. This will lie -<ol<i to dealer* at price* ceilinged liy Ihe federal government. A similar plan will likely *i. followed in this city. The program will Ih* furthered next W-d'tr*day night at the meeting of thn city civilian defense council. Endorsement* of the county health nurse program repo-trd to the council last night Inr'udrd those from the Union Chapel church ladles aid and the Psi lota XI sorority.