Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 43, Number 128, Decatur, Adams County, 31 May 1945 — Page 1

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Xtlll. No. 128.

MERICANS TAKE CONTROL OF SHURI AREA

leal Britain ■ervenes In Irian Crisis Lders Troops Into lyria And Lebanon; I $. Backs Stand Lon. May 31- (UP) -Great Kin ordered her troops into ■' a nd Lebanon to halt the K Ar ab-French disorders toland served a virtual ultiKm o'* F rance t 0 cenße hostili|in the Levant immediately. ■ a move to resolve the Levant E and prevent a possible rup■of Allied communications | to the far east, Prime Min- | Churchill announced he had [red British armed interven- ■ between the warring French | Arab forces in Syria and ■non. ■ the same time, a terse memllum was dispatched to Gen. [les DeGaulle “requesting" ■ immediate withdrawal of all [ch troops in the Levant to E barracks "to avoid collision | ( >en British and French forIjtice firing had ceased and Er has been restored, we shall* ■prepared to begin tri-partite* lussions here in London,” the Ish note said. Ke sudden British intervention ■axed three weeks of spread- | disorder in the Levant, Ihed off by the dispatch of ■ch reinforcements to Syria I Lebanon to back up France’s land for strategic bases in the Ker mandated countries. Ke ancient city of Damascus I aflame from French bombing I shelling, and foreign secreI Anthony Eden announced in Inions that the situation there I become worse in the past 12 Its. ■den said late advices from the Bish minister in Damascus reted heavy and continued flghtlin the city throughout last In and early today. Be said two great fires were fning in the center of the city, ly were about a mile apart but Lading swiftly. fclen said the British and lerican civilian colonies were leuated from Damascus during brief armistice yesterday aftertn. Then the center of the f was subjected to a very try and cencentrated French fellwy bombardment and knch warplanes roared in to' Bl) the Syrian garrison. U. S. Approval Washington, May 31 — (UP) — hident Truman has approved pt Britain’s intervention to F bloodshed in the Levant, acts secretary of state Joseph C. tv said today.' Grew added, however, that he I s not prepared to say whether r British action meant that this F r y, too, may send military F es to the area. He said that the United States [(Turn To Pagie 2. Column 4) —o — fliirack Memorial fcrvice Postponed services for Staff Joseph P. Schirack, son of air. Andrew Schirack of 4-21 venth street, have been postto Monday, June 18, it was today. r «iuiein high mass at St. wsCaihoiic church was originscheduled for June 4. The meJ mass on the later date will JWiby the Rev. Joseph J. Sei- ■ Mstor. Sgt. 'Schirack jvas Jp er “iany on April 3. He attached to the 101st Evacuamy Pltal unit of Patton’s Third ,E tS c ** t thermometer at MPERATURE Reading *!:: Noon " 57 weather cloudy tonight with •orth L and thunderstorms t» 0 " d eatt portions. FriWth “XsU Udy With scatter ‘ tian, J* rstoPm s m north porfeniaht a .^ er in north Portion »oftL’.l d n<,rth and central

Direct War Costs Now Over Trillion Washington, May 31 — (UP) — Direct war costs of all countries so far in this conflict exceed a trillion dollars. That is $1,000,000,000,. 000 -a thousand billion, a million millions. Money spent on this war since Germany began arming in 1934 would, if divided up, give more than SSOO to every man, woman and child in the world. — — Speed Up Drive To Destroy Last Japs On Luzon American Bombers Smash At Japanese Positions On Luzon Manila, May 31.—(UP)—American bombers poured over 500 tons of bombs on Japanese position, 3 on Luzon as the drive to wipe out the last enemy pockets on the island gained speed, it was announced today. The American air fleet flew over 400 sorties to drop 510 tons of explosives on Japanese installations and positions, mostly in the Cayagan valley in northern Luzon. The biggest enemy force left on Luzon, an estimated 30,000 troops, is in the north. The 32nd and 25th infantry divisions opened the attack on Cayagan valley after cleaning up its gateway, the crossroads town of Santa Fe. In the final mopttp 150 Japanese! stragglers were killed in the Santa Fe area. Today’s coinunique from General of the Army Douglas MacArthur's headquarters reported American troops reduced more isolated enemy pockets in the hills west of Santa Fe. To the south, in central Luzon east of Manila, the 38th division killed another 200 Japanese and cleaned out the last enemy remnants around Wawa dam, another source of water for the capital. On Mindanao MacArthur’s troops hacked their way along the KibaweTalomo trail in a move to cut off the Japanese escape route from the Davao sector. They were advancing southeast at a point about 55 miles northwest of Davao. Heavy, medium, and dive bombers supported the ground operations on Mindanao. Bad weather protected muchbombed Formosa from the heiivy planes, but 50 Mitchell medium bombers and 20 Mustang fighterbombers got through to plaster alcohol plants, railroads, and truck routes. For the second straight day the heavies hit the Indo-China coast and dropped 103 tons of bombs on the coastal rail line between Saigon •and Phan Rang. The heavy bombers also flew low to strafe freight cars and buildings, an unusual role for the big planes. New gains were made by Australian troops in the Wewak sector of (Turn To Page 2, Column 2) —_ 0 — Pfc. Dwighl Arnold Wounded In Action Second Wound For Adams County Man Pfc. Dwight R. Arnold, 25-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Arnold of Decatur route two, has been wounded in action the second time, his parents have been advised. He was wounded on April 22 on Okinawa by a shell fragment which pierced his left arm. The wounded soldier was moved to the Comfort, hospital ship which was bombed by the Japs. Now he is in a hospital in Hawaii. Pfc, Arnold suffered w'ounds in the face and neck on last June 29. in the battle of Saipan. He was returned to service shortly thereafter. The twice-wounded soldier entered the army on Oct. 6, 1941 and went overseas 1 in March, 1942, being in the first convoy of troops that was dispatched to Pearl Harber following the Jap attack on Dec. 7, 1941.

General Clark Gets Royal Welcome In Chicago

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GEN. MARK W. CLARK, commander of the victorious Allied armies in Italy, waves to the crowds gathered to greet him at the Chicago bunicipal airport on his arrivel in the windy city. The general (arrow) and 50 members of his Fifth Army flew directly from Paris, stopping only at Newfoundland for fuel.

Chicago Pays Royal Welcome To Clark Countless Thousands Welcome War Hero 'Chicago, May 31 —(UP) — Gen. Mark W. Clark, credited with routing the Nazis from Italy, was in full spiritual possession* of Chicago today. The general and 52 of his stih anmy heroes dropped out of the ekies yesterday and captured the hearts of Chicagoans. dark was the first to step from the silvery transport which set its wheels down in Chicago just 28 hours after taking off from Paris. For 18 Chicaigoans in the party, and for the general who attended high school here, it was a real homecoming. For all of them, however, it was the first sight of U. S. soil after the mud and misery of war. Long before the planes were due to arrive, thousands jammed the along the municipal airport and countless others lined the boulevards leading to Chicago’s loop. Finally, a cloud of 35 planes appeared on the horizon, shepherding a giant silvery transport. Another transport came into view. And a third. After a few words of greeting from Mayor Edward J. Kelly, the party paraded downtown, where Clark delivered a Memorial day address. He climbed onto the speaker’s platform with the acclaim of the crowd in his ears and the boom of a 17-igun salute echoing over Grant Park and the lake front. “We are deeply grateful for this fine tribute,” the warrior said. “But we also know that you are doing this to pay honor to the men who are still on the battlefields and and those who never will return.” The tumultuous crowd 'became suddenly hushed as the General requested a moment of silent prayer for “those who won the victory for us.” Not until Clark’s speech was finished did his eyes light upon his wife in the grandstand. He rushed to her, and before all the spectators, kissed her vigorously — the (Turn To Page 4, Column 5) 0 Cpl. Ralph Peterson Returns To States Cpl. Ralph C. Peterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Peterson of this city, has arrived in New York City, he has informed his wife, Mrs. Luncinda Borne-Peterson, of Fort Wayne. Cpl. Peterson, taken prisoner by the Germans on December 17, 1944, was released from a prison camp April 9. Peterson entered army service in September, 1942, and went overseas in September, 1944.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, May 31,1945.

★ **★**★* Honorable Discharge ******** , Cpl. Barney Everett, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Everett of Pleasant Mills. He entered the service on May 5, 1942 and was ovenseas since October, 1942. He participated in the Normandy and North France campaigns and was wounded. iStaff Sgt. Cornelius Schirack, soft of Mr. and Mrs. Andred Schirack, 421 N. Seventh street. Sgt. Schirack served three years overseas and was a member of the “Red Arrow” division cavalry reconnaissance troop. He served in the Pacific area, including New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon. o Memorial Service Is Held Wednesday Adams Post Conducts Annual Service Here Homage to the heroic war dead and tribute to the men and women who are serving their country in the war against aggression, was paid in ritualistic service and speech at the Memorial Day services held here yesterday under the sponsorship of Adams Post 43 of the American Legion. The climax of the early morning serveies was the program held in front of the soldiers’ and sailors’ monument at 10 o’clock, preceded by a parade of Legionnaires, members of the auxiliary, the Decatur high school band, veterans of World War I and Boy and Girl Scouts. Earlier in the morning, the Legion members and friends visited the Decatur and Catholic cemeteries, where military rites were held over the graves of Harry Miller and James Ginley, veterans of World War 1. The meihorial address at the monument was given by Arthur R. Holthouse, who paid tribute to the 2200 men and women who are serving their country and homage to the more than three score dead in this war. “Men who die to preserve their nation’s honor, to restore liberty to enslaved peoples and to carry forth the flag as the emblem of justice and freedom, do not die in vain," the speaker emphasized. Many persons visited the two cemeteries yesterday, where graves of loved ones were decorated and cherished memories recalled. The Legion program was in charge of Albert; Rumschlag, post commander. The prayer for the dead was offered by Henry Faur(Turn To P*ge 2, Column 2)

Reduce Point Values On Vegetable Juices Warn Civilian Meat Supply To Be Lower Washington, May 31. —(UP) — Lower point values in June for tomato and mixed vegetable juices and higher values for canned tomatoes and canned spinach were announced today by the office of price administration The new values take effect June 3 and continue through June 30. Raising of canned tomato point values to 40 points, the highest for tomatoes to date, came as chairman Elmer Thomas, D., Okla., of the senate food committee declared that tomatoes and a lot of other processed foods should be off the ration list entirely. Thomas changed OPA officials of keeping canned goods rationed “ibecauste they want to keep their jobs.” Along with the processed food changes OiPA announced that point values for most meats, fats and oils would remain undisturbed for the June period ibut warned that there would 'be seven per cent less meat for civilians than the meager supplies available in May. IHe said there, would be 6,700,0*00 pounds less beef, 1*2,300,000 pounds more veal and 1,000,000 pounds more mutton. Values for fahback or salt pork were increased three points bringing them to eight points a pound, plate bacon the same and pork sides., aged and dry cured, one point to nine points a pound. Lard, shortening, salad and cooking oils were left at 10 points a pound, margine at I*2 points and creamery butter at 24. 'Canned tomato juice and vegetable juice combinations containing 70 per cent tomato juice were set at two cans (up to and including the No. 2% size) for one blue ration stamp (10 points.) 'Cans bought singly, however, still require one .blue stamp (except for the No. 10 size.) 'This made the .second fwo-cans-for-one-stamp deal O*PIA has offered. Green beans were first to gain that status last month. 'Spinach was increased 10 points for both No. 2 and 2M> cans — (Turn To Page 2, Column 2) —o 301 Are Enrolled In Daily Bible School Mrs. Russell Owens, dean of the Decatur daily Bible school, stated today that enrollment in the school has increased to 301 students. She emphasized that enrollments will be taken all next week. The offerings taken each morning at the school are sent to the interdenominational board for medical aid and supplies to lepers.

Main Japanese Defense Line On South Okinawa Collapses Under Drives

Chiang Resigns As Premier Os China Retains Concurrent Post As President Chungking, May 31. —(UP) —Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek resigned as premier of China today, but retained his concurrent post of president. Reliable sources said a plenary session of the Kuomintang’s central executive committee appointed T. V. Soong, Chiang’s brother-in-law, as premier—a post officially known as president of the executive Yuan. Soong had been acting premier since last December, when Chiang turned from political problems to urgent military matters, including a Japanese drive toward Chungking. The plenary session also accepted the resignation of Dr. H. H. Kung, another brother-in-law of Chiang, as vice-premier—vice president of the executive Yuan — and named Wong Wen-Hao, economic minister and chairman of the war production board, to succeed him. A Washington dispatch said Dr. Kung resigned because poor health prevented him from returning to China from the United States at this time. Dr. Kung also resigned from the concurrent post of governor of the Central Bank of China, but remained Chiang’s personal representative to President Truman, Washington said. Both Chiang and Kung also retained numerous other lesser offices in the. Chinese government. Chiang also is supreme commander of allied forces in China. The changes were believed the first of several in China’s government. Allies On Upgrade Chungking, May 31.—(UP)—Lt. Gen. Albert C. Wedemeyer, commander of U. S. forces in China, said today that the Allies were passing from the defensive to the offensive in China. “We now are on the upgrade," he told a press conference. “I am very optimistic over future military developments in China.” Even as he spoke, Chinese forces seized control of possible 180 miles of the Japanese lifeline corridor across China. Still greater victories appeared imminent. The Japanese were re(Turn To Page 2, Column. 6) 0 War Bond Sales Go Over Half Million Sales 20 Percent Os County's Quota War bond sales in the seventh war loan drive up to last Saturday totaled $503,758.50, the chairmen reported today. Purchase of E bonds and other securities amounts to or less than half of the $566,300 quota. E bonds total $273,750 and other issues purchased by individuals amount to $126,812. Bonds purchased by corporations, church groups and other organizations amount to $103,196.50, compared to the $428,600 quota. On the basis of the county’s entire quota of $1,294,900, sales to date represent about 40 percent of the total. “While many people may think the war is over, the fact that more than 10 million men are still members of the armed forces, is proof that it is not,” Theodore Graliker and Earl Caston, co-chairmen of the county bond staff, said. Men are being returned from the services and if two million are released this year, an expenditure of nearly a billion dollars will be necessary, the chairmen pointed out in explaining the still further need for funds by the government.

War Casualties For Nation Go Above Million Combat Casualties For United States Over Million Mark Washington, May 31. —(UP) —U. S. combat casualties in this war passed 1,000,000 today. Military losses aa announced officially here reached 1,002,887, an increase of 6.798 over a week ago. The total included 890.019 army and 112,868 navy, marine corps, and j coast guard casualties. The overall total, including only those casualties which have been tabulated and announced in Washington, was nearly four times the world war I total of 259.735 for all services. The week's increase was almost evenly divided between the two major branches. The army's total rose 3,494 while the navy’s, reflecting heavy losses off Okinawa, climbed 3.304. The casualty total for all services includes 227,097 dead, 607.468 wounded, 63,455 missing and 104,867 taken prisoner. Os the prisoners, about 90,000 were in Europe and have been liberated. The missing total ineludes about 44,000 army missing in Europe. Undersecretary of War Robert P. Patterson told a press conference | that there was little hope that many of these would turn up alive. Patterson disclosed that five infantry divisions —the Third, Fourth. Ninth, 45th and 36th — suffered among them a total of 133,394 casualties. Each, he said, suffered losses greater than its total strength at (Turn To Page 3. Column 6) __ o Son Os Former Local Residents Is Killed T/5 Grade Eugene H. Melchi, 21. son of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Melchi of Sturgis, Mich., formerly of this city and a nephew of local persons, waa killed in Italy just 13 days before the European war ended. Melehi was killed on April 25, the war department notified his wife and parents. He has been overseas since February, 1943. Police officer Seph Melchi was a great uncle to the youth and Eugene Melchi was an uncle. The family moved to Sturgte a number of years ago. o Little Nations Irked At Big Five Delays Veto Issue Chief Confab Headache iSan Francisco, May 31. —4UP) — The “little” United Nations displayed mounting impatience today at the Big Five delay in answering their questions about the YaPa voting formula for the United Nations world organization. , The nearly t'wo-wcok delay has slowed other conference progress. Nothing more can he done on almost half of the major unsettled questions until there is a decision on the 'big five veto issue. The little nations conceded privately that they probably will have to acquiesce to the veto power as it stands. As a result they are preparing to direct most of their fire against the Dumbarton Oaks clause which gives each of the Big Five a veto over any future amendment of the charter. Evidence of how the lack of a final decision is slowing conference progress came at the first working (Turn To Page 5, Column 6)

Price Four Cents.

Two Pincers Drawn Around Thousands Os Japs; Critical Stage Os Battle Is Near Guam, Friday, June I—(UP1 —(UP) — Tenth army marines and soldiers took control of the Shuri area in southern Okinawa today, drawing two separate pincers around perhaps thousands of Japanese near the conquered citadel. Radio Tokyo conceded that its main defense line had collapsed and said the critical stage in the 61-day battle for Okinawa was imminent as the Americans slashed at enemy soldiers seeking to escape to the southern tip of the island. Army troops drove in from the north of Shuri to meet the marine conquerors of Shuri castle and complete one pincers. A larger encirclement was being forced by marines driving southeast from captured Naha, now approximately 1,000 yards from doughboys at the town of Guam, in the center of the island below Shuri. Advanced elements of the seventh division were reported moving down the east coast to within two miles of .the southern tip of Okinawa. In Shuri itself, marines of the first division raised the Stars and Stripes over 15th century Shuri castle, shell-pocketed former Japanese army headquarters, at 1:45 p. m. yesterday. The American flag was run up a short time after Capt. Julius Dusenberry, Charlotte, N. C., had hoisted the Stars and Bars of the confederacy over the ancient structure. Dusenberry led the marine company which took the I castle. Brig. Gen. Pedro Del Valle, commander of the first division, said his marines now controlled the whole of the ruined city of Shuri, though “actual physical occupation” had not been completed. Japanese suicide squads still clung to strong positions northwest, north, east and southeast of Shuri, but the 77th division collapsed the northeastern defenses and plunged ahead to within a few hundred yards of a junction with the marines at Shuri castle. A junction of the 77th division and first marines would encircle the Japanese still holding out on Wana Ridge northwest of Shuri and other enemy units north of the city. The second ring of encirclement was being forged by the sixth marine and the seventh army divisions in the Kokuba river valley more than a mile south of Shuri. The marines, driving southeast from captured Naha on the west coast, were less than 2.000 yards from a junction with the seventh division slashing across Okinawa from the east coast last night. A linkup of these forces would trap all remaining enemy forces in the Shuri area. Most of the 25,000 to 30,000 Japanese still surviving on Okinawa had taken up new positions in the hills south of the Kokuba river valley. Pbyschological warfare experts broadcast appeals over loud . speakers to them to surrender, but they replied with heavy ; machine-gun fire. With complete American conquest of Okinawa now within sight, the Japanese threw more , suicide planes against the American fleet off the island in a hope- . less effort to delay the inevitable. Two more light American warships were damaged by suicide planes Tuesday. Adverse weath- . er reduced the scale of the at- , tacks, however. Eight enemy ■ planes were shot down. American carrier planes struck . back at Japanese bases in the Sakishima and Amami islands , south and north respectively of Okinawa the same day. A front dispatch from United Press war correspondent Edward Thomas said the marines who took ancient Shuri castle yester(Turn To Page 2, Column 1)