Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 43, Number 127, Decatur, Adams County, 29 May 1945 — Page 1

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X DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT BJj Ps ™ g ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

I XLIH. No. 127.

OKOHOMA ABLAZE AFTER SUPERFORT RAID

Ip Defense On Lih Okinawa |sf Crumbling | w0 -Thirds Os Naha field By Americans; Lach Shuri Walls 1,,, May 29— (UP) -Japanlefenses in southern Okinawa t f d to be crumbling fast ■'the west coast, marines of ■sivili division captured twos' of the capital city of Naha, K el ] the north shore of Naha ■ r and sent patrols to Ono- ■ island in mid-harbor. Eteeninch guns of battleships ■ere breached the walls of ■ inland citadel of Shuri, ally outflanked and nearly ■fled. A number of Japanese | fleeing through the escape [still open. [venth division troops on the I coast drove another 1,500 Is south on a 3,000-yard front ■ reached the southwest corner I Uaten Bay. Reconnaissance Ips in landing craft reconnoitI the south and west coasts [he bay. [e gains all across the island | the best since Lt. Gen. SiI Bolivar Buckner's 10th army [s rammed into the Naha[iYonabaru defense line more | a month ago. [pacific fleet communique reled the Japanese renewed [ suicide air attacks on AmerI warships off Okinawa Sun- [ sinking one light unit and ling minor to moderate damI to 12 others. |lir enemy paid for the success 177 planes shot down, prelim[y reports showed. ■xth division marines met only Itered machine-gun and rifle I from enemy rear guards as p swept through the mined. Bile heaped streets of Naha to I shores of the harbor. they cleared all of Naha west I the canal running from the In harbor to the Asato river. I front dispatch from United Iss war correspondent E. G. lens said a patrol landed on f Onoyama island in the center I Naha harbor, but retreated |ier fire from Japanese guns [the south shore of the harbor, bland 1,300 yards, other marine Its struck southeast near Asato bn midway between Naha and fcpanesc troops in the Asato | fr area introduced a new SM-satchel charges swung k the end of poles. Their pique was to swing the pole in a hammer throw and let fly I marines appearing over the I of a ridge. pst division marines on the Fthwest edge of Shuri made kht gains and twice reached f crest of Wana ridge overlooks Shuri castle, but both times ft thrown back. Shuri s fate already had been however. While army (Turn To Page 5, Column 6) I — o Poppies Sold kfe Lost Saturday "J |! “ the Geneva report not inM the Legion auxiliary and the wr auxiliary, sold 4,000 poppies * Saturday,Mrs. Elmer Darwach- -. cininnran, reported today. The ■iw division sold 500, receiving ■ The Legion auxiliary memsponsors of the annual Poppy /M. sold 3J500 poppies, realiz,nnd3 are used to aid woundr veterans and their families. ' barwacMer expressed her s to the public for its patron- ° ‘*! e workers for their help this newspaper for the pulb- ‘ Attended to the sale. nS AT thermometer EMPERATURE reading . 00 ’■ m 55 m 60 weather * cloud y tonight and thowers ay With scattered W Jrm and thunderstorms. iig ht _ r n °cth portion totferth " cooler in extreme port, °" Wednesday.

City Swimming Pool Opening Is Delayed The city swimming pool will not be opened until sometime next week, Mayor John Stults announced today. The pool is being cleaned. The cool weather prevents the opening of the pool this week, he Raid. 1 0 Syrian Crisis Termed Grave, 100 Are Killed Disorder, Violence Reported Widespread In Syria, Lebanon Beyrouth, May 29.—(UP)—One hundred Syrians have been killed end 300 wounded so far in widespread fighting with French forces in the Levant, Jemil Mardam, acting premier of Syria, reported today. Mardam said at Damascus that the crisis caused by an influx of French troops was “most grave." Disorder and violence were widespread in Syria and Lebanon, despite an apparent effort by the French to avoid trouble or keep it to a minimum. ' A train was derailed yesterday north of Hama. Among the injured were three Syrian deputies, Fathallah Asyoun, Agra Azrak and A'.i Yakoun. Reports reached Beyrouth that French forces had withdrawn from certain exposed points where local garrisons could not be quickly reinforced. Damascus reports said French Tanks' were sent to reinforce the garrison at Hama. (At San Francisco, the Syrian delegation to the United Nations conference issued a statement that many Syrians had been killed and wounded in Hama, and that over 30 had been killed and 70 wounded in Aleppo.) (The Syrian statement said that a clash in Hama occurred after the French occupied the railway station and French tanks entered the city. The Syrians claimed the fighting spread to Homs where the French were said to have shelled the government house. (“The number' of killed and wounded is increasing,” the statement said. (The Syrians accused the French (Turn To Page 6, Column 3) 0 Program Listed For Graduate Exercises Catholic Graduate Rites Friday Night The program for the annual commencement exercises of Decatur Catholic high school Friday evening in the school's auditorium was announced today. A 15-minute concert by the St. Joseph’s school band, under the direction of Frank E. Ashbaugh, will be given at 7:45 o'clock, preceding the processional. The Rev. Henry A. Lucks, Ph. D., president of St. Joseph's college, Rensselaer, will deliver the commencement adderss. Ihe Rev. Joseph J. Seimetz, pastor of St. Mary’s church, will award the diplomas to the 21 high school graduates, two of whom are already members of the armed forces. Two more are scheduled to enter the service in June. Diplomas will also be awarded to the eighth grade graduates. The program follows: Processional, “King Arthur. “Till we meet again,” graduates’ chorus. Address to graduates, Rev. Henry A. Lucks, Ph. D. “Spring is a Lady,” “Hark, Hark the Lark,” vocal solos. Presentation of diplomas and awards. Rev. J. J- Seimetz. “Green Cathedral,” eighth grade chorus. Recessional. Finale, “Symbol of ©Honor.” An entertainment for the graduates and their guests will be given following the public program and admission to it will be by ticket, it was announced.

Syrian Capital Scene Os Rioting, Crisis Grows F—JU, ’Wi niitu rfl gfe- |R i fix 9 - 1 Ik Wp MmPabfc,--... a ■■ ■ i HERE IS A VIEW OF DAMASCUS, capital of Syria, where a serious crisis has developed between French and government forces. Barricades were erected in Damascus as British and American diplomats sought to bring a solution to the crisis, latest in a long series in the Levant states, which includes Syria and the republic of Lebanon. The French government asserted that the two Arab nations were using routine French troop movements as a pretext for breaking off negotiations with France. Syria, former province of the old Turkish empire, w r as under French mandate in 1943 when an agreement was signed, transferring all powers hitherto exercised by France to the Syrian and Lebanon governments. Great Britain occupied Syria and Lebanon in 1941 under terms of an armistice with the Vichy government of France, terminating a five-week war. France turned her mandate over to the British and the Free French forces. On Sept. IG, 1941, Syria was proclaimed a republic by the occupying Free French authorities.

First Band Concert Here This Evening The first outdoor band concert of the summer series will be presented on the court house ramp at 8 o’clock this evening by the Decatur high school band. The band will also present a short concert in front of the Legion home Wednesday morning before the Memorial Day service, which will ,be held at the monument on the court house lawn at 10 o’clock. 'Lordlaw Haw' Is Captured By Allies Briton Turned Nazi Broadcaster Seized With British Second Army, Germany, May 29— (UP) —The British second army .held William (Ijord Haw Haw) Joyce, nasty-tongued Nazi who ranted at his homeland over the German radio in custody today and sought means to tyy him as a war criminal. (The authoritative British press association said Joyce ivouid be tried for treason in England despite his naturalization as a German subject, ilt was possible that Britain would refuse to recognize the naturalization on grounds that it occurred during wartime. Treason can be punished by hanging.) Joyce was captured in northern Germany by British second army officers combing the area for war criminals. (He was placed under close security guard for additional questioning. (Whether either ‘Britain or an international .war crimes court will have jurisdiction over hiim was! questionable. He became a naturalized German some time ago and as such presumably could not ibe tried as a traitor. Taken into custody with Joyce was a woman representing herself as his wife. Her full identity was not revealed immediately. Joyce’s real wife was believed to have remained in England throughout the war. Joyce gave the name of Wilhelm Frohlick, which translated from German means “William Happy." (Details of the arrpst were not made known at once. JJowever, British officers were closely questioning every' person moving through territory occupied by the second army. Among Nazis they still were seeking was Joaclfim Von Ribbentrop, Adolf Hitler’s foreign minister. (.Toyce was christened Lord HaNv iHaw by (British radio listeners early in the war because of his stilted, faked Oxford accent. His broadcasts, principally over the Bremen radio, were filled with race propaganda and exaggerated German victory claims. He was reported to receive ?1,2(W) a month for his work, which included praising the German afr raids on London. One such raid wrecked his father’s home.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday, May 29,1945.

13 Leave Today For Pre-lnducfion Exam Contingent Is Sent For Physical Exams (Thirteen Adams county men left (Decatur this morning for pre-induc-tion physical examinations under selective service. Those from the group who are accepted for the nation’s armed forces will be returned home to await call to active duty. .Deane Dorwln McMillen was leader of today’s contingent, which ■was sent by bus to Indianapolis for the examinations. Other members of the contingent were as follows: (Howard IW. Eox, John Phillip Eicher, Robert Lewis August, Irvin (Melville Worthman. Ivan Dale Fuchs, Junior A. Huser, Frederick Wayne Genber, John Frederick Yoder, Esteban Ortis iCantu, Marvel Laverne Johnson, Donald Harold Harvey and John Otto Miller. The local selective service board announced that no other calls for active induction or pre-induction examinations have been received. Limited Service Washington, May 29—(UP) — The army plans to induct a few men under 26 with minor physical defects for limited service assignments. Selective service announced that a limited number of such men would be drafted in addition to the monthly quotas for general service. The new policy also covers conscientious objectors. Those under 26 who are physically ac(Turn To Page 4, Column 8)

Music, Specialty Acts Os Navy Thrill Big Crowd Here Monday

A crowd of nearly 2,000 persons thrilled to the music and specialty acts presented by members of the United States navy in the naval bond review at the junior-senior high school last evening. The program wae one of the most highly rated ever given in this city, the musicians and actors of national fame being members of the USS Helena band, under the able and artistic leadership of Lt. Robert K. Adams, a former radio and stage star. The crowd was enthusiastic in its applause and enjoyed every minute of the two-hour program, w'hich was concluded with the band playing (he Star Spangled Banner. The crowd stood in deep app-e---ciation of the patriotic and moving program that had been presented in recognition of this county’s records in previous war loan bond sales. The appearance here of the navy band and sailor-musicians and actors, also served as the midway stimulant to put the seventh war

Sgt Harold Sauer Is Home From Italy (Master Sgt. (Harold G. Sauer, son of IMr. and Mrs. Phil Sauer of 110(4 Nuttiman avenue, arrived home today after serving 18 months with the 115th Air Force in Italy. He entered the army in January, 1941 and was stationed in South America for many months before moving to the European theater of operations. IHis arrival was unexpected, which further added to his mother’s happiness an her birthday anniversary today. o — -262 Are Enrolled in Daily Bible School School Held Daily At Lincoln School The enrollment in the daily vacation Bible school, conducted school from 8:15 to 11, Monday each morning at the Lincoln through Friday, has reached a. total of 262 pupils, it is announced' by the dean of the school, Mrs. Russell Owens. Under the supervision of the Decatur ministerial association, the school has a full corps of teachers and each morning a minister from one of the local churches conducts a halfhour of worship. The Rev. F. H. Willard, pastor of the Evangelical church is in charge of the ministerial arrangements; the director of music is Rev. William Feller, pastor of the Zion Evangelical & Reformed church; director of girls’ rccrca(Turn To Page 5, Column 5)

loan drive over the top. It was announced from the stage that Adams county now leads the fourth district in percentage of sales towards its E bond quota, which is $441,100 of the $1,294,900 quota. Lt. Adams announced that with the exception of four men, the band was composed of survivors of the USS Helena, which was sunk in Kula gulf in July of 1943. In addition to the band, the program was highlighted by the Musical Meehs, a Bluejacket quartet headed by Jack Sheer, who, before he joined the navy, directed his own orchestra in New York City. Seaman Bill Thompson, a mimic and character impersonator, pleased the crowd with impersonations of the roles he played on the Fibber McGee and Molly program and skits on Hitler and Hirohito. There were others equally as entertaining, including Joseph Shies, saxophonist; Clarence Higgins, mandolin; J. G. Mueller, bass player; Martin Johnson, trumpet player; Al(Turn To Page 5, Column 4)

Japan's Fifth Largest City Is Laid Waste By 3,200 Tons Fire Bombs

Biller Public Debale Likely On Velo Issue Secretary Os State Discusses Position Os Leading Power San Francisco, May 29 —(UPJ —Battle lines were drawn at the United Nations conference today for a bitter public debate between the big and little nations over the Yalta voting formula for the new world organization. Tempers in some quarters of both sides were getting short — over both the issue of the big power veto in peaceful settlements of disputes and the big power delay in letting the conference start work on it.Secretary of state Edward R. Stettinius. Jr., discussed the big power position last night in a radio address in which he also defended the U. S. delegation’s vote in favor of admitting Argentina to this conference and reviewed in general the work of the conference. He predicted completion of the charter early in June. The final decision on the voting formula is expected to be in line with what the big powers want. Even the most bitter opponents of the plan admit that the little powers will not use their plentiful votes to defeat the big five on such a basic issue. But before they acquiesce, they will have a lot to say. In defending the U. S. vote to admit Argentina to the conference over Russian objections, Stettinius emphasized that this country was not necessarily giving blanket endorsement to Argentine policies. Turning to the veto question, Stettinius confirmed again that all of the big powers would stand by the Yalta formula, proposed by the late President Roosevelt and agreed to by Prime Minister Churchill and Premier Stalin. He emphasized that nothing in the formula would prevent any nation from bringing a dispute to the security council and having (Turn To Page 5, Column 5) O Mrs. Lester Everett Is Taken By Death Funeral Services On Thursday Afternoon (Mrs, Crystal Grace Everett, 59, wife of Leister V. Everett, died unexpectedly Monday at her home in Wolcottville following a stroke. Although she had been in ill health for several yeans, her condition had not Green regarded as serious. The family lived near Decatur for about 2i> years, moving to Wolcottville five years ago. Surviving in addition to the husband are seven daughters, Misses Verdella and Francetta Everett and Mrs. Evangeline Merriman, all of Decatur; Mrs. Winona iSteinhoff of Fort Wayne, Mrs. Glorine Hudson of New Jersey, the Misses (Betty and Alice Everett, at home; three sons, Arthur of Fort Wayne, Albert of Hudson and Gaylord, at hoime: two sisters, (Mrs. Hazel Poling of Wren, 0., and Mrs. Gladys Case of Lima, O.; and five grandchildren. 'Brief funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Thursday at the home in Wolcottville. The body will then be 'brought to Decatur, where services wilF he held at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon at the First Evangelical church, with the Rev. George Holston of Linn Greve officiating. Burial will be in the Decatur cemetery.

Board In Statement On Canning Sugar The Adams county war price and ration board announced today that applications for canning sugar, which are received after May 30 will not be processed until after June 30. Canning sugar adjustments will Ibe considered after June 30, the board also stated o

Norlhern Luzon Town Falls To American Army Santa Fe, Gateway To Cagayan Valley, Taken By Americans Manila, May 29—(UP)—The 25th division headed for the open, tank grounds of northern Luzon today after capturing Santa Fe, gateway to the rich Cagayan valley. Most of the remaining Japanese forces on Luzon were scattered across the northern areas of the island. Once in the open the Americans could use their overwhelming mechanical superiority, which has been little good in the hili fighting so far. The 25th by-passed Santa Fe on Saturday and took the town, little more than a crossroads, on Sunday. The 32nd division driving eastward along the Villa Verde trail was within three miles of the 25th. Jap | anese troops between the two were cut off hopelessly. The Japanese had withdrawn into the hills north of Santa Fe, which lies on route number five, a highway tiiat runs ail the way to Aparri, on the north coast of Luzon. The 25th was about 24 miles south of Bayombong, capital of Nueva Viscaya province, where the hills begin to break away into more favorable fighting country. The breakthrough into the Capagan valley was aided by a blistering bombardment of enemy positions and rear areas during which 450 tons of bombs were dropped by planes of all types. Light bombers zipped back over target areas to strafe whatever Japanese personnel remained above ground. A new battle shaped up in central Mindanao, where the Japanese remnants in the hills managed to reform some sort of line running north and south, parallel to the (Turn To Page 5, Column 6) Pfc. Paul W. Wagner Reported Liberated Local Men's Brother Freed From Prison Pfc. Paul W. Wagner, a paratrooper, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Wagner of Cloverdale, Ohio, and a brother of Isaac and Charles Wagner, of this city, and Staff Sgt. Mark C. Wagner, in Italy, has been liberated from a German prison camp, Earl B. Adams, chairman of the home service committee of the Red Cross, was advised today. Pfc. Wagner, who entered the army in March, 1943 and went overseas in January, 1944, was taken prisoner by the Germans on D-day (June 6," 1944) in the invasion of France. He was held captive in Stalig Camp 4 in Germany. His brother, Sgt. Wagner, has been overseas since August, 1943. Another brother, Charles Wagner, was wounded in action with American troops in the Sicily campaign and is now discharged from the army. Isaac Wagner is employed by the city water department. According to information given by General Eisenhower, liberated prisoners of war are to be speedily sent back to the United States.

Price Four Cents.

Cargoes Os Death, Destruction Rained On Shipyards, War Plants And Homes Guam, May 29 — (UP) — More than 450 superfortresses in a daylight raid on Yokahama today started fires which swept through Japan’s second largest port and sent clouds of smoke nearly four miles into the air. One returning pilot said Yoko hama, Japan’s fifth largest city, was “burning like all hell” after the 3,200-ton fire raid. Other returning B-29 crewmen said smoke rose as high as 20,000 feet over the blazing metropolis. Shipyards, war plants, naval installations and block after block of business buildings and homes in Yokohama were reduced to charred wreckage. The bombardiers laid their incendiaries In a pattern from the waterfront straight through the city. The assault was carried out from medium altitude with what pilots said was “relative ease.” First Lt. Frank Klassen, Ford City, Pa., commander of the bomber “City of Oklahoma City,” said Yokohama was “burning like all hell. Black smoke, such as would, come from an oil storage tank, was billowing high into the sky. A strong wind seemed to be blowing on the ground.” Sgt. Edward F. Bender of Newcastle, Pa., gunner on another plane, said “flak was only moderate but very accurate.” Maj. Carl H. McNeese, Fort Wayne, Ind., in the lead plans from Guam bases, said he could see smoke still rising from Tokyo, hit last Thursday and Saturday. Yokohama, a city of 1,000,000, was one of Japan’s principal naval bases and the main port for Tokyo and northern Japan. Devastated Tokyo itself, just north of Yokohama, still was smoking from the disastrous B-29 fire raids of last Thursday and Saturday. The big bombers struck from medium altitude at the 9 a. m. morning rush hour and, Tokyo accounts said, unloaded their cargoes of deatli and destruction in a steady rain for two and a half hours. Mustang fighters from Iwo —• estimated by Tokyo at 100 to 150 strong—ran interference for the superfortresses and tangled with enemy fighters high over the port ,city. Tokyo said Japanese antiaircraft batteries also wpre in action. A Japanese communique said 30 B-29s were shot down and 40 heavily damaged out of a force it estimated at 500 B-29s and 100 mustangs. It said the raid lasted an hour and a half with some bombs also falling on Tokyo and Kawasaki, midway between Tokyo and Yokohama. “Considerable damage was caused in the city of Yokohama,” the communique said. The raid was the first in strength on Yokohama, a modern city of 72 square miles packed with shipyards, motor vehicle plants, steel plants and assorted aircraft, rubber, radio and petroleum works. ’ Bombs were aimed at three main areas, Yokohama harbor ' (Turn To Page 3. Column 6) v l o ★ *★***★★ Honorable Discharge ★ ★★★★★★★ I r T/5 Daniel A. Byerly, son of Mr. E and Mrs. Dean Byerly, South Third i street. He entered the army on Oct. 5, 194i2 and went overseas in July, ! 1943. He also served four fonths , in the navy in the Vjs air corps eer- , vice. i Sgt. RaymondLjSmith, son of Mre. > Marie Smith, 116 W. Water street, I Berne. Inducted on March 11, 1941, he was the first man from Berne to i enter the army through the local I selective service board. He served • as a medical technician in Africa, Italy and England.