Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 43, Number 192, Decatur, Adams County, 15 August 1945 — Page 1

Must Win theWar l !l Else Is Chores!

XLIII. No. 192.

USS Indianapolis Sunk-880 Dead Or Missing

WAR ENDS-WORLD ENTERS ON ERA OF PEACE

Decatur Celebrates End Os World's Greatest War

I Cruiser fictimOf pedo Blast ery Man On Ship osualty In Tragic isaster To Navy bi. Aug. 115—('UP)—Two tre[us torpedo explosions sank [avy cruiser Indianapolis Juand caused 1,196 casualties k- man aboard ship —While (as bound from Guam to I survivors reported today. i Navy announced that 880 e casualties were killed or |g in one of the worst U. S. (disasters of war or peaceistory. The other 316 casualfere wounded. 9,950-ton cruiser was sunk y after delivering essential e bomb material to .Guam, iivors said they watched 100 of their shipmates perish five days of helpless threshI the sea. Many of the men snail from drinking sea waIfore the group was sighted Ireh planes 280 miles -north Liu. |. Charles Butler McVay 111, iigton, D. C., commander of Idianapolis, said the cruiser, kdmiral Raymond A. SpruI former flagship, was torpekt 12:15 a.m. July 30. I matter of minutes the lufolis took on a 90 degree list ink by the bow, carrying al■oo of her crew to the bot- | first shock of the torpedo I men from their bunks, Lt. L Lewis L. Haynes, Fairfield, I eaid. puld feel the brush of flames Ft of the deck split and jam|to my room,” Haynes said, trabbed a life jacket and I for the deck. As flames ■from below I passed out. I I came to, something was k— it was my hand burning. Irybody got lost in the franIfusion of trying to get out, ’ b said. "Someftibw I grabbed | and pulled myself through bom to the deck.” the ship listed heavily, 500 F'abbe.d life jackets and ruble rings and literally walked be eea. In the water they I arms and strugged to keep leads above the oily surfacq. jes of the injured died bekwn. On the second day oth|pped from their, lifebelts Exhaustion and during halluIns hrowght on by swallow■t water. by of the men began to talk be, food and water,” Haynes ■They were babbling ‘going ■ galley for coffee’, or ‘ewimbver to that island where ■ s a beautiful native girl, js and tomato juice.’ Then began swimming toward the ■ that wasn’t there. Twehty- • them drowned. You could beir ravings growing fainter f n To Page 4. Column 6) r — o ;— li’al Electric z fed Two Days I Decatur 'General Electric remain closed all day |1 day Thursday, August 16, I Lankenau, superintendent bced late this morning, bations will be resumed with ■ginning of the third shift Bay flight. PCRAT THERMOMETER PPERATURE READING B-tn- — 60 la-m 61 I 62 I WEATHER ■ to day, tonight and Thurs■htcoming cooler In south B>n today and tonight! • i “ ,

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Sentenced To Die ’fl KaV > Yl |k 5 ' • 1 IB it & • 'Marshal Hsnrl Petain Paris, Aug. 15 —(llP) —Marshal Henri Phillipie Petain was reported enroute to a Mediterranean island prison today to await the word from Gen. Charles DeGaulle that will send him to death or life imprisonment as a traitor to France. The former Vichy chieftain was whisked out of the Paris high court of justice in the early morning hours today, immediately after a 24-man jury had condemned him to die for treasonable intelligence with the Germans. Army's Manpower Needs Cut Sharply Cut Draft Quota To 50,000 Per Month BULLETIN Washington, Aug. 15—(UP) — The war department announced today it has cut procurement of munitions and supplies by $23,500,000,000 a year. Washington, Aug. 15—(UP) — The army, left only with the job of occupation, cut its draft requirements sharply today and began preparations to demobilize up to 5,500,000 men in the next 12 to 18 months. The War Department was expected to announce during the day its plans for dismantling the bulk of the huge land and Air Forces that were being assembled to crush the Japanese. The navy’s demobilization will be neither co rapid nor so broad as the army’s. President Truman signaled the start of army demollziation with a statement that from 5,000,000 to 5/500,000 men would be released from the army during the next year or year and a half. He also announced that the army was cutting its draft quotas from 80,000 to 50,000 a month, with the new inductees destined to go into occupational duty to relieve war-weary veterans. Mr. Truman disagreed with congressional leaders who favored an immediate end of selective service with the close of hostilities. "In justice to the millions of men who have given long and faithful service under the difficult and hazardous conditions of the Pacific war and elsewhere overseas,” he said, “a constant flow of replacements to the occupation forces is thought to be imperative.” “Mathematically and normally, he added, the solution appears to be to continue the draft on a reduced basis. The bulk of the new inductees will come from the ’teen age group. (Turn To Page 3. Column 8) . Services Tonight At Lutheran Church Thanksgiving »ervices will be held at the Zion Lutheran church this evening beginning at fhlTty o'clock, it 1 the pastor. Rev- Paul w Schtrlf-

War's End Is Hailed By Cily Last Evening Citizens Celebrate For Hours Following Surrender Os Japan Today and tomorrow are the “victory holidays.” V-J day will come later, and it will not be a holiday. It will be proclaimed after the Japs have signed the surrender papers. The V-J proclamation will be largely a legal matter for the purpose of setting a date for the end of hostilities as required by various laws. It was atomic! Jubilation reigned supreme. The war was over — the hoys would be coming home. Nearly four years of pent-up emotion and war-time strain gave way to joyous hilarity and celebration in Decatur last evening when the word was flashed that the Japanese war had come to an end. A few minutes past 6 o’clock, while broadcasters were reading the message of President Truman that Japan had surrendered unconditionally and that the war was over, employes at the city power plant gave the signal by wild-catting the fire siren. It shrieked and shrieked, hitting a cresendo so shrill that it almost tore off the top of your head. The children began to yell, "The war is over.” The dogs barked as their ear drums were almost split from the shrill blasts of the wild cat whistle. A parade formed almost immediately and headed by the old fire truck of World War I vintage, scores of cars loaded with happy persons paraded through Second street and in the residential district. It was the real thing and as the mile-long string of cars grew in length, the tempo and happiness of participants also climbed in high pitch. Shot guns began to bark, youthful and daring drivers sent out a thundering noise by back-firing their cars. A light shower fell, (Turn To Page 3. Column 6) George L. Bobilya Dies Tuesday Night — Funeral Services Thursday Afternoon Gqorge L. Bobilya, 90, well known former resident of Decatur, died Tuesday night at the Lutheran hospital in Fort Wayne following an extended illness of complications. Mr. Bobilya was born in Monroeville but lived for 58 years in Willshire, 0., and vicinity, where he was prominently engaged for many years in various business activities, including hardware,, livery, real estate and farming. Following his retirement from active business, he resided in Decatur for a number of years until his health failed. He is survived by one son, C. F. Bobilya, of Fort Wayne, and two daughters, Mrs. John F. Johnson of Fortville and Miss Pearl Bobilya of Bloomington. Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon at the United Brethren church in Willshire, with burial in the Willshire cemetery. The body will lie in state at the church from 1:30 p. m. Thursday until funeral services. Friends "may call at the Cowan & Son funeral home In Van Wert, 0., until 1 P- W Tbuiad»y.. i

ONLY PAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, August 15, 1945

Allied Supreme Commander H ■ ■’' . ' Jal’ f HF' ■ Gen. Douglas MacArthur

BULLETIN Washington, Aug. 15 (UP) — Gasoline rationing is ended, the office of price administration announced today. Nor will canned fruits and vegetables, fuel oil, and oil stoves be rationed any longer. OPA said. Russians, Japanese Continue Fighting . No Cease Fire Order On Russia War Front London, Aug. 15—-(UP) —Marshal Alexander M. Vasilevsky announced Japan’s surrender in a broadcast to his Soviet eastern armies today, but gave no “cease fire’’ order and hostilities apparently Still continued. London sources believed the Soviet armies would continue their advances in Manchuria, Korea and the Japanese half of Sakhalin island at least until Japan formally signs 'the Allied surrender fbrms. Russia’s tirans-JBaikal army already was threatening Manchuria's inner Citadels of Harbin, Mukdeeli and Chaangchun after caving in the enemy’s western defenses with a 93-mile advance in the past 24 hours. More than 8,000 Japanese prisoners were taken in the first six days of the far eastern campaign, a Moscow communique said. Vasilvesky told his Red Banner armies over the Khabarovsk radio that they, together with their great Allies, had .smashed the “nest of imperialism and aggression in the far east.” “At last, the peoples of the world can look forward to peace and peaceful toil,” he said. “Having carried out the order of our Fatherland and of our great leader Stalin, the heroic Red army meh have secured the safety of our far eastern frontiers.” “You have fought courageously. You went info battle with the name of our Fatherland and of our comrade Stalin on your lips and won. “Today we are giving the solemn oath to vigilantly guard our frontiers and make certain that peac* ■ ful toil is again possible in our invincible country.” Marshal Rodion Y. Malinovsky’s trans-Baikal army, bursting from the outer Mongolian deserts, swept '62 to 93 miles across western Manchuria along a 300-mil« front. Overrun in the advance were (Turn To Page 3, Column 8)

Japs Attack Fleel Despite Surrender Nimitz Orders Fleet To Cease Operations Guam, Aug. 15 —(UP) —Japan sent planes against the U. S. third fleet today—as late as eight hours after her surrender was announced. At the same time, Tokyo warned Allied warships not. to enter Japanese home waters pending an official Japanese ‘ cease fire” order. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz announced at 4 p. m. Tokyo time — eight hours after he had ordered his Pacific forces to cease offensive operations — that the third fleet had shot down five apprftaching Japanese planes off Honshu since noon. The five planes —a bomber and four zero fighters — were shot down during an “abortive enemy assault” that lasted 14 minutes, a fleet dispatch said. The third fleet was 110 miles off the Japanese coast at the time and ready, .in the words of its commander, Admiral William F. (Bull) Halsey, “to takd prompt and profitable advantage of the surrender.” Nimitz said Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the new supreme Allied commander, had been asked to infonm Japan that defense measures required American naval forces to destroy “any Japanese aircraft approaching our dispositions.” Almost simultaneously, radio Tokyo broadcast that no imperial “cease fire’’ order had been issued to Japanese forces as yet, though one was expected "soon.” “Meanwhile, enemy and other vessels are warned against entering Japanese home waters so as to avoid untoward incidents,” Tokyo said. There was no immediate word whether Japanese planes which approached the third fleet actually attempted to attack the American warships. In x any event, American anti(Turn To Page 2 Column 3) o Feast Observed At St. Mary's Church The feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven waa celebrated today as a holy day obligation in St. Mary's church. Masses were said at 5,7 and 9 o’clock. Tonight at 7:30 o’clock a thanksgiving prayer hour service will ba held, followed by benediction.

Gen. MacArthur Named Supreme Commander To Accept Jap Surrender

MacArthur Orders Japanese To Halt Hostilities-Send Delegate To Manila Manila, Aug. 15— (UP) —Gen. Douglas MacArthur, taking over as Allied Supreme today ordered Japan to cease hostilities immediately and send a "competent representative” to Manila to receive surrender terms. MacArthur already has established radio communication with Emperor Hirohito ami the Japanese government, a spokesman revealed. Allied forces throughout the Pacific and Far East will be directed 4o cease hostilities only after the enemy has. complied with similar orders, MacArthur said in a radio message to Tokyo. Allied forces already have been ordered to cease offensive' operations, but no formal order to cease all fire has been issued. MacArthurtordered that, weather permitting, the Japanese representative and advisers from the Japanese army, navy and air force fly from the southern tip of Kyushu to an Allied airfield on ie island, just weet of Okinawa, on Friday between 8 and 11 a.m. Tokyo time 7 and 9 p.m. Thursday CWT.) From le, the Japanese delegation will be taken to Manila in an American plane. MacArthur said tile party would return to Japan in the same manner —an indication that the enemy party would take the surrender terms back to Tokyo before the formal signing ceremony occurs. He directed tlmt Japan, in communicating with him regarding the flight, use the single code word, “Bataan”—a word that recalls MacArthur’s worst defeat and one that spurred him to his greatest victory, the liberation of the Philippines. The Japanese air force advisor accompanying the main surrender (Turn To Page 2, Column 2) —o Jap War Minister Commits Suicide Entire Japanese Cabinet Resigns San Francisco, Aug. 15—(UP) — The Japanese cabinet resigned today and one member already has committed hara-kiri in the first of what may become a wave of suicides among Japan’s beaten war lords. The official Japanese Dome! news agency said war minister Gen. Korechika Anami, 58, took his life at his official residence to “atone for his failure in accomplishing his duties as his majesty’s minister.” Domei said Premier Kantaro Suzuki tendered his resignation of his cabinet at 3:20 p. m. Tokyo time (1:20 a. m. CWT) because of “the new situation created by Japanese acceptance of the Potsdam declaration.” Japan’s surrender required a new cabinet of men “with fresh ideas,” Tokyo said. The cabinet’s decision was reached at an extraordinary meeting at the premier’s official residence. Disclosure pt Anajni’s suicide touched off speculation that oth«r members of the Suzuki and past cabinets similarly would “atone for their faiiurq’’ to win the war. Jfext to, carry out Japan's tra(TArn To P»a« 2, Column 8).

Business Suspended In Decatur Today Decatur retail atoree, public and private offices were closed today in observance of the peace holiday. The taverns, which closed last evening at 6 o'clock, will remain closed for a 24 hour period. i 4 was not known if local stores would remain closed Thursday, as contact could not be made with the retail committee and individual merchants declined to be quoted. It ia likely that certain etores will be closed, with grocery and meat markets opening on Thursday. 0 — Abolish Federal Manpower Control Lift All Control Over Employment Washington, Aug. 15—(UP)—All federal eontrola over employment were abolished today. Removal of wartime manpower restrictiona was ordered by the War Manpower Commission as President Truman made his V-J day announcement. Frank L. McNamee, acting WMC chief, said the action lifts all controls and restores a free labor market. He added that a new “voluntary community action” program will be started at once to speed reconversion. The announcement removed controls that were started in May, 1 1943, to prevent employes from unauthorized moving from one job to another and imposing ceilings on the number of persons an employer could hire. Workers no longer need to obtain “certificates of availability’’ in order to change jobs. The War Labor Board’s wage controls remain in effect, but may be modified soon. The new program, McNamee said includes: 1. Immediate lifting of all manpower controls and substitution of a “voluntary community action (Turn To Page 3, Column 5) O — Carl Newton Hower 1$ Taken By Death Lifelong Resident Os Decatur Dies Carl Newton Hower, 48, lifelong resident of Decatur, died Tuesday afternoon at the Irene Byron sanitorium. Death was attributed to carcinoma. A native of Adams county, he was the son of Joseph and Marie. Barnhart-Hower. Surviving are the wife, formerly Ada Hakes; 10 children, Mrs. Georgia Shaw, of Decatur: Joe Hower, a paratrooper stationed in the Pacific theater of war; Den, Lewellyn, Irene, Catherine, Bryce, Sarah, Dale and Johnny Hower, all at home; one brother, Frank of Decatur; a sister, Mrs. Mary Waters of Huntington, and four grandchildren. Two sisters and one brother preceded him in deatp. Funeral arrangements have not been completed, pending word from the son in the Pacific. Friends may call at the Black funeral home after 7 o’clock this evening.

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Price Four Cents.

World Enters Bright New Era Os Peace; Americans Ordered To Cease Operaions Washington, Aug. 14 — (UP) — The world today entered a bright new era of peace in which Gen. Douglas MacArthur summarily ordered Japan to send representatives to Manila to receive Allied surrender terms. lie acted as supreme Allied commander. MacA|rßhur te expected to announce that Japan will sign on her home soil or in territorial waters—perhaps Tokyo Bay. Radio Tokyo announced resignation of Premier Kantaro Suzuki s war cabinet shortly before MacArthur’s order was dispatched. Suzuki’s war minister already was a suicide. American forces were ordered to cease offensive action last night. Tokyo broadcast to Japanese troops at 11 p. m. CWT Wednesday Japanese time, the announcement of agreement to surrender. MacArthur’s message also “directed-' the Japanese immediately to cease hostilities. But Admiral Chester W. Nimitf announced that Japanese planes attacked the U. S. third fleet after 3 a. m.. Wednesday, EWT. Five were shot down. It was not immediately clear whether the attacks were continuing. Nimitz tusked McArthur to tell the Japs that, we will shoot down any planes approaching our fleet. MacArthur previously had radioed Emperor Hirohito to arrange to end the fighting "at the earliest practicable date,” His message went to the imperial Japanese government and to Japanese imnerial headquarters as well as to Hirohito. The victors at home already were on a two-day holiday binge and celebration of the peace — a peace beyond which lie the graveet conceivable dangers of reconstruction. But at long last there is peace in our time. Italy. Germany and Japan were beaten. The Axis is dead. President Truman announced Japan’s agreement to unconditioni al surrender last night at G o’clock CWT. There arose from the vast homelands of those who love Democracy a shout heard 'round tha world. With the consent of the Allies. Mr. Truman named MacArthur supreme commander for the Allied powers. MacArthur, who fled in tihe night from Corregidcf, will receive the surrender. He will command the forces which occupy designated areas in Japan. He will tell the Japanese Emperor what to do and say. Hirohito, a puppet now, was on the air tour hours after Japan’s agreement to surrender was announced. He told his people tha war wae over, and why. He and his premier said that, our atomic bomb had blasted them to defeat. .Before that, Hirohito and his adviser had detected a trend. "The war situation,” said Hirohito, "Ha® developed not necessarily to Japan’s advantage. The general trends of the world have all turned against her interest. More- « —- ' ■ —— (Turn To Page S, Column *) First State Bank To Be Open On Thursday Officials of the First Stata Bank, which was closed today in observance of the end of the war, announced that the bank will ba open for bueinees Thursday a* usual.