Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 43, Number 115, Decatur, Adams County, 15 May 1945 — Page 1

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UNHINGE JAP SOUTH OKINAWA DEFENSES

Slish Troops Bier Seat Os ilj Government y — a’»ce Atrocity Expert Germans Seized K American Army 1^H I1 ,l„n W 15-(UP)-ABrit-cnnunHilalor revealih.ii British occupation have .mcred Flensburg, (prman government sraml admiral Karl Doenie commentator said the | A |^H o , Status of Doenitz, selfsneiessor to Adolf '* ;l s ftmlirer. was ‘■unknown" had he any definite 8K lr da.> whether the occupanoops had seized gestapo jjeinri. 11 Himmler, now No. '• war criminal. He last was K r ~.,i in Flensburg or its R Allied sources reported Ki American third army troops captured Himmler’s ace - v Lt - ° f poiire \v. Kaltenbrunner. accused for the ghastly |Ks:an gas extermination prol dispatch to the London k said KaltenbrunS |Hwas seized by a special agent ■ HKu> Sinh division in a fortified in the Austrian Tyrol. set up his provisional §• * at Flensburg, Herman E base 75 miles south of the M Ksh border, after fleeing HamIS RH in the last days of the war. |||||Hie Bri,isll Hiilitui-y commentaiS|||l in admitting that Dornitz's Hllliv 3still was p o ' llll '' l |||||Hthat it was m-eessary in mass Hll^Brnki 's "to deal with someone has authority over surrenderI the same time, however, he it would not necessarily Me to be Doenitz in the present final explanation, he said, |Hld have to < otne from suheadquarters. Allied war crimes commiscurrently studying means of war criminals such as and reichsmarshal HerGoering, first received (tllMa oi Kaiienbrunner’s capture Hie majority of memos the crimes commission, believed to be in favor of — M American idea of a military W* the Russian ideas on the loltf^B ect sli " were obscure. the trials would ’ ■ de,ayed un,il al > the Allies agreed on the method to b<i alleged chief of program which was said jnil^B 1,1 '’' (~a imetl at least 4,000,000 llH*’ Ws considered one of the war criminals. ’as a shadowy figure, long to the war crimes com--00 ,0Q Aperts only as a “fat a singularly unpleasant jy under multiple To Page 2 . Column 3) rks» Representative Hearings ea Gallion, ft. jd representative jU® otate iboard of tax commisconducted hearings here toof real eeecatur all d a halt dozen Mr - Gallion also heard ■. '"' on lor making the addiap!,: ‘ o l ) iiati ()n s to pay the allowancefi anf l salary into county officials and their Btemoe AT therm ometer ■sm Rature reading IM* a ' W - 42 . rain and occac , n . hundePstor ms south ’ e i®*«n esd ’ th . e Ohio river w *’ b 'oommg partly '■ ,u day ■tin ton' L h and Centr al POF■out>hta"d extreme ‘fmer north 0 ” Wednesda yJBieMi, J rth P ort ion WedgljßgjK * a 'temoon.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Discharged Ik ' ,x> -ss' v ?' Sgt. Alvin E. Witte, son of Mrs. Louise Witte, Decatur route one, has been given an honorable discharge from the army, through the new point system. A veteran of the Pacific war area, Sgt. Witte served 30 months overseas and was attached to the signal corps of the 13th Air Force. He entered the army on January 27, 1941. Recently he was returned to the states on a rotation furlough and became eligible for release, following the army’s 85 point demobilization rating plan. His discharge was given through the Camp Atterbury separation center. Prisoners Os War Injured In Wreck Truck Sideswiped North Os Decatur About 10 German prisoners of war were strewn along U. S. highway 27 this morning, north of Decatur, near the Allen county line, when the truck in which they were riding was sideswiped by a passing car and upset along the right of way. The PW’s were not seriously injured, Sheriff Leo Gillig stated, but several of the men received severe cuts and bruises. They were returned to Fort Wayne, the sheriff stated. Donald Hart, 40, of 2616 Maumee Avenue, Fort Wayne, was driving the truck in whibh the German prisoners were riding. He had passed a truck and was back in the line of traffic, when another auto, driven by Gerald E. DeBolt of Geneva route two, attempted to go around the truck and the one loaded with German prisoners. 1 The Deßolt car caught on the left side of the bumper on the P. W. car as it swerved into the line of traffic. Sheriff Gillig stated that he understood the P. W.’s were being taken to Geneva or in that vicinity to work. The truck in which they were riding belonged

(Turn To Page 2, Column 2) 0 Miss Alice Archbold Joins Navy Nurses Given Commission As Ensign In Navy Miss Alice Jatw Archbold, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Archbold of this city, who enlisted recently in the navy nurse corps, has received her commission as an ensign and is awaiting call to active duty, expected later this month. Miss Archbold has resigned her position, effective today, as a member of the health staff at Hillsdale county, Mich., and will visit with her parents until ordered to report for duty. The navy nurse graduated from the Decatur junior-senior high school and after attending Purdue university for a year and a half, enrolled at the Indiana Medical center, where she graduated as a legist ered nurse in 1940. After two years on the Indianapolis public health staff. Miss Arch bold received her B.S. degiee in nurse education from Indiana mi versify in 1943. She was award-, ed a fellowship by the Kellogg foundation in Bary county. Mich, and after its completion accepted the position in Hillsdale county.

Truman Hopes For Conference Os Big Three Truman Expresses Hope To Meet With Churchill, Stalin Washington, May 15. — (UP) — President Truman said today he hopes there will be a meeting of the allied big three soon. The president told a news conference, however, that he could not say that such a meeting actually will be held, nor when nor where. *But he left no doubt that he expects to meet with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Russian Premier Josef Stalin as soon as conditions will permit. He said he hoped that there would be opportunity for the three allied leaders to meet and discuss coming peace plans. Mr. Truman said that was one of the things which he discussed yesterday with British Foreign Minister Anthony Eden. Eden stopped at the White House en route from the San Francisco security conference to London. Asked whether such a big three meeting might be held in San Francisco, the president said it definitely would not be. Churchill View London, May 15. — (UP)—Prime Minister Churchill told commons today that he« devoutly hopes a meeting of himself, President Truman and Marshal Stalin is contemplated in the near future. When asked in commons if a big three meeting is contemplated, Churchill said: “I devoutly hope so. It would be very odd if such a long, fierce war ended without any settlement even among the victors.” — o— — —— Molotov Arrives Back In Moscow London, May 15 —<CUP) —'Foreign commissar V. M. Molotox arrived in Moscow yesterday after flying from the San Francisco world seity conference, a Soviet broadcast isaid today. o Navy Postwar Plans Related Io Congress Call For Two Thirds Os Present Fleet

Washington, May 15. — (UP) — Congress had before it today the frame work of the navy’s postwar plans, calling for two-thirds of its present fleet and a standing force of 500,060 bluejackets. Here are the details of that framework, as outlined by Navy Secretary James V. Forrestal before a congressional committee. 1. The nation’s mighty battlefleet will be cut by “at least 30 percent” when the war with Japan ends. Only those vessels that have “real combat value” will be retained—but there will be no “spectacle of sinking the navy” after this war. 2. Peacetime naval personnel will be about 500,000 men and 50,000 officers. The navy now numbers around 4,000,000 men and 300,000 officers. 3. The navy feels “very strongly” that universal military service will be necessary to “maintain the size of the navy we are going to need. If congress enacts universal service, there may be a training navy” as well as a regular navy. 4. The navy wants to retain bases in the Atlantic and the Pacific and has already put in a bid with tha state department for “firm options” on Philippine bases. The “framework” was contained in a voluminous report of hearings before the senate appropriations committee. Witnesses included Forrestal, Adm. Ernest J. King, chief of naval operations and ViceAdm. F. J. Horne, vice-chief of naval operations. Other disclosures: 1. The navy will spend a billion dollars on advance bases in the Pacific this year. Forrestal finds it “a comforting thought that a substantial amount of this money “is being spent where, we hope. (Turn To I‘age 6, Column 7)

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday, May 15,1945.

A Private Does The Questioning Fv ? w-W' - lite A iSE* ; -' - ‘- 1 .’i • ■ W - i ■' SHORTLY AFTER THEIR ARRIVAL in the United States, some of the 3,000 German war prisoners, shown behind the screening above, are questioned by Pfc. Herbert Salomon, a refugee from Berlin and an Interpreter. After being searched ana questioned they were shipped to various prison camps in this country.

Cablegram Received From Sgt. LaFonlaine • - Prisoner Os Nazis Believed Liberated More happiness was brought to Mr. and Mrs. Harve La Fontaine of east of Monroe today, with the receipt of a cablegram from their son, Sgt. Richard M. LaFonlaine, who presumably was released from a German prison camp after being captive since last December 17. The message read: “Have you read letters. All my love. Love to all the family.” \ This morning the parents also received one of the regulation German prison pest cards from their son, dated last February 11. It was mailed from Camp Stalag 111 A. His last line read, “Hope to be with you again soon,” ISgt. L a Fontaine, whose father was superintendent of the Adams county infirmary,, was taken prisoner in the battle of Ardennes bulge, when the Germans broke through the American lines. He was reported missing in action and no word was received from (Turn To Page 5. Column 4)

French Cross Is Awarded To Staff Sgt. Charles A. Kruse

The French Croix De-Guerre has been awarded to Staff Sgt. Charles A. Kruse, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Kruse of Decatur route four. The above picture shows Col. Louis Renouard, chief of the French military mission in London, pinning the coveted medal on Sgt. Kruse. As far as known he is the only Adams county soldier to receive the French medal, which Webster’s dictionary describes is of bronze, “suspended by a green ribbon with red stripes.” It is awarded for “gallant action in war.” The picture was sent to this newspaper as an official photograph taken by the array signal corps, with cut lines, but no further information. The parents had not been advised of their son’s recognition by the French government, prior to the telephone conversation which a representative of this newspaper had with the mother this morning. The photostat lines on the back of the picture read: “S/Sgt. Charles A. Kruse, Decatur, Ind., Signal Section ASCZ, is presented with the L’Ordre De La Regiment (Croix De Guerre Avec (Etoile De Bronze) by Col. Louis Renouard, chief of the French Military Mission in London.” Sgt. Kruse entered the army hi November, 1939 and took training at Fort Yocum, N. Y. He went overseas in December, 1941, and was among the first American troops to land in Iceland. Later he was transferred to England, France

Over Half Os Taxes Paid Here To Date •More than half of the taxes due in 1945 were paid in the May installment, the county treasurer’s office announced today. The, total of current, delinquent and special taxes collected up to May 7 was $277,854.9'6. Tlie amount of delinquent tax collected and Hie. amount unpaid May taxes, will not be known until the credits are posted at the auditor’s office, preparaIn Decatur-Washington, which includes a greater part of the city, taxpayers paid in $69,779.72. In Decatunßoot, the amount was $9,479.98. —o Area Rent Director In Decatur Thursday John E. Williams, area rent director for Adams and Allen counties,, will be in Decatur at the posit office on Thursday, from 9:30 A. M. to 3:30 p. m. for the purpose of assisting landlords and tenants in ausiwering questions relative to rent problems. Any one having a problem about leasing or renting a property in the county is invited to confer with Mr. Williams.

S'- X. and Belgium, serving throughout the European war. Last March, Sgt. Kruse was married to Mlle. Neola Didiot of Namur, Belgium, in St. Luke’s church, Namur. A picture of the wedded couple was sent to this newspaper following the church ceremony. The parents do not know if their son and daughter-in-law will be returned to the United States in*th<3 near future. In view of his long service in the army he probably has sufficient credits for a release, but there was no speculation on that point by the parents.

Bloody Battles Raging On Island; Defense Os

Japanese Is Unhinged

Yanks Mopping Up Mindanao, Luzon Smash Through Pass To Northern Luzon Manila, May 15—(UP)—Twen-ty-fifth division doughboys today smashed through the 75-yard wide Balate pass leading to the relatively open ground of Cayagan valley, gateway to northern Luzon. As the 25th secured the narrow defile of Balete, 32nd division units advancing through the twisting, torturous Villa Varde trail also crashed into open ground west of Santa Fe. Only two miles separated the two columns, both closing in on Santa Fe. 25 miles south of Bayoma, capital of Nueva Viwcayo province. At the same time Gen. Douglas MacArthur announced that Filipino guerrilla forces had captured the Port of Cayagan on Mindanao and won control of the entire northern coast of the island. In the middle of Mindanao, American columns driving from north and south steadily were closing in on the last Japanese units being compressed in the hills in the center. The southern column was nearing Valancia, site of a large Japanese airdrome. The northern arm still was 30 miles or so above Valencia. Around Davao, steady progress in mopping up enemy strong points was reported in the Talomo river sector. The capture of Balata pass on Luzon by the 25th climaxed weeks of bitter fighting in the forested country of the Caraballo mountains. Last week dive-bomb-ers and fighters attempted to blast open the mouth to the narrow pass. The Japanese defending Balate were dug in. on the cliffs rising sharply on either side and entrenched in caves. However, their final defense undoubtedly was shortened by the 32nd’s advance from the west, which threatened to trap them from the rear. Far to the south, the 43rd division was poised for the final assault on surrounded enemy units defending Ipo dam, source of one-third of Manila’s water supply.

Jacob 6rimm Dies At Daughter's Home Funeral Services Thursday Afternoon Jacob Grimm, 72, a resident of Decatur and community most of his life, died Monday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Zanona Hovarter, of Terre Haute, where he had been living for the past several months. Death was attributed to heart disease following an illness of eight months. He was born in Mercer county, 0., November 29, 1872, but spent most of his life here. He was formerly employed by the Moose lodge and the Central Soya company. He w r as a member of the. First Methodist church of this city. Surviving are the wife, formerly Lilia Bailey; the daughter, Mrs. Hovarter; one. son, Harry Grimm, of Fort Wayne; three brothers, Dallas and Oliver Grimm, both of Fort Wayne, and Charles, of Ossian, and two grandsons. Two brothers and five sisters are deceased. Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Thursday at the Zwick funeral home, with Dr. M. O. Lester officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 o’clock this evening.

Sugar Applications Deadline Is May 30 iMfes Mildred Wortliman, chairman of the food panel of the Adams county,war price and ration board, today announc'd that the deadline for filing canning sugar applicatics is Wednesday, May 30. The application forms may be obtained from grocers or the ration board. No applications will be considered after the .May 30 deadline. 0 , Fourth Os Nagoya Believed In Ruins Record Superfort Fire Raid Monday Guam, May 15 — (UP) — One quarter of Nagoya, Japan’s biggest aircraft manufacturing center and third largest city, was believed in ruins today following yesterday's record 500-plane superfortress fire raid. Official estimates of damage awaited reconnaissance photographs. But returning crewmen said they believed their bombs burned out an area twice the five and a quarter square miles devastated in earlier attacks. If confirmed, that would mean approximately 16 of the city’s 61 square, miles had been destroyed. A communique said crews reported results of the attacks had been “excellent.” Two planes were lost 'to enemy action. The Japanese radio said Allied task forces had turned south after launching carrier planes against southern Japan for two straight days. Tokyo broadcasts said 660-odd American carrier planes raided Japanese air bases on Kyushu and other targets yesterday, following up raids by more than 900 carrier planes the previous day. Fifteen were shot down ami more than 10 damaged in air battles, Tokyo said. Japanese suicide planes count-er-attacked the carrier task foriw southeast of Kyushu yesterday and either sank or damaged two aircjgft carriers, a battleship (.Turn To Page 6, Column 4) — ( ) Kirkland One-Room Schools For Sale Trustee Harvey R. Mankey of Kirkland township will sell two one-room school houses, along with atliout an acre of land with each building, on June 12. Tlie schools are known as numbers five and six and are located in the south half of the township. They were Abandoned several years ago. —o Fined And Sentenced On Contempt Charge

90-Day Sentence At Indiana State Farm Benjamin Harrison Morningstar of Geneva learned today that it didn’t pay to ignore a court order and be cited for contempt of court. Arraigned before Judge J. Fred Fruchte in Adams circuit court, he was found guilty of contempt of court and was sentenced to 90 days at the Indiana state farm and fined SSO and costs. The contempt of court charge was placed against Morningstar following several failures So pay an allowance of $lO a week to his wife and children, as ordered by the court in the divorce proceedings filed by his wife, Laura Morningstar. He was cited several times and last Saturday appeared in court, Judge Fruchte hearing the case today, following which he meted out the 90-day prison sentence and heavy fine.

the Wat . £ffor * Buy:Bofiai

Price Four Cents.

Americans Fighting Through Streets Os Naha, Within 2,000 Yards Os Dock Area Guam, Wednesday, May 16. — (UP)—Tenth army infantrymen fought through the rubbled streets and ruined buildings on Naha today to within 2,000 yards of th‘> dock area and unhinged the Japanese defense line across southern Okinawa. On the opposite end of the sixmile battle front, troops of the 96th army division wheeled around captured Conical hill, consolidate! their positions at Yonabaru air field, and laid siege to Yonabara city ami its east coast port. The center of the line proved as tough as either the Naha or Toiiabaru flanks. Progress of both the army and marine divisions still was being measured in fractions of miles. Marines invaded Naha at the Takamotoji district after spanning the Asato. During the crossing. Maj. Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr.'s leathernecks were under almost constant lire. The capture of Conical hill, announced yesterday by Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nitnitz, split the Naha-Yonabaru line and opened the way for outflanking movementfl against Naha and Shuri. •Overrun in the advance wag Yonabaru airfield, the four of Okinawa's five airfields to be by the 10th army. The hrust put troops due east of both the inland town of Shuri and the west coast port of Naha, ruined capital of Okinawa, and exposed the cities to attack from the rear. Both were holding out. against savage American frontal attacks. Marines of the Sixth division were reported blasting deeper into the northern outskirts of Naha with grenades, flame-throwers and ma-chine-guns, but a security blackout cloaked details of their progress. The rubble of Naha was alive with snipers an d machine-gun nests, front dispatches said. There were indications that the city had a system of defenses connected by underground tunnels. House-to-house lighting was underway in some sections. Equally bloody fighting was underway for Shuri, under assault by the First Marine and 77th army infantry divisions. A battleship supporting the drive scored 25 direct hits on a gray stone barracks building in the heart of Shuri yesterday, hut allied shelly bounced off the thick wails like so many rubber balls without apparent damage. It was believed that the enemy’s substerranean defense system may radiate from the building, christened “Shuri castle” by the doughboys. Conical hill, a 500-foot clay height from which the Japanese had stalk'd the east coaflt drive for more than a week, fell to the 96th division. Only one. airfield on Okinawa remained in Japanese hands. That was the Naha field, south of Naha itself. With Conical hill in t’ueir hands, the Americans were in a position to wheel south and west to envelop Shuri and Naha from the rear. (Turn To Patoe 2. Column 4) — o Dr. Beavers Rites Held Here Monday Funeral services were held at the First Presibyterian church Monday afternoon for Dr. S. D. Beavers. Rev. John W. McPheeters had charge and chose for his subject, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, 1 have kept the faith”, applying them to the long and useful and honoralble life of the deceased. During the service Dr. Fred Patterson sang “Going Home.” Physicians of the comity attended the services in a body. Pall bearers were fellow elders of the church; W. H. Lee, W. I’. Sahrock, M. A. Frfeinger, Fred Smith, Kenneth Runyon and J. L. Kocher. Interment was in the Decatur cemetery.