Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 43, Number 209, Decatur, Adams County, 5 September 1945 — Page 1

SJXLIH. No. 209.

Japan's Torture, Murder Os Americans Revealed

DRMAL OCCUPATION OF TOKYO SATURDAY

■cuse Japs Os Violating Laws Hf Civilization

United States Lays B® Unsavory And 0 rfelievable Story QfSps' Barbarity Sept. 5— (UP) — St;il<'■ today laid bar.' ond unbelievable •rv jwflsr murder” id' American [sctjflS-a story that included account <d' the decapi<flh»i) Atiii-rii an aviator. Hate department eascljScusod Japan of virtually ~;Conccivaldo violation of the -* ion. denied starving IWrcßfetol noo.; shoes and win ■ SRn- in subzero w. itlier ,' bßjia d all prisoners of war in the closing days of i>j n<-s campaign kill-I 7 foOfed grenades into the hold i ship filled with 750 i Asoners . . . made a Hstdin- bonfire out of an containing U>o prisoner:', and buried alive. was told in the It* otestfl the United Slates made jBLn since June 21, 1911. dwt.Sft inhumane treatment of aeiflns. The protests were J flKk public until after V J ,y the state department 13. .!■ Japanese countered such ibiicirfl with the charge that is ,-■try was staging “atrocity " to discredit Japan. Thfflßapam si , lite department ded-gharged that such “camignsßkiade conditions “unfavnegotiating Um shipsui ■relief supplies Io Ameii- ” ißpimrs or the repat rial ion |HMMcan§. Tf!«Jpiii:inc treatment ol war is prescribed in detail ' wßneneva. convention to U. S. is a signatory, never signed hut the ment said she has maintained” she is 'Ptyut® it to the treatment of »S ■pbners. S‘>u<Bßu' beginning of the war “ IMpd Stales sent a total of V tO'Japan about violaing.Bthe prisoners of war eonatkijKbut with little effect upI authorities. The last HP* 0,1 •June 8 last and re■■Khat civilian internees in were "in grave danger “s<-®ar;' of state Janies F. !? Page 5, Column G) -fr To Resume rßloween Parade y ere October 31 Wigfen Bowers ha? been named •■fch airman and parade mar!>flthe Callithumpian parade '-■■ll be staged here on HalWednesday, October Tbi- is the first time since Decatur has planned a oi’Ben event. The merry-mak- > flB ccetume parade was susna’|fln 1942 because of the war. Fhßevent will be sponsor.ed by ■miber of Commerce and s!l 9 zes totaling $175 will be to winners in the varis features. cit * es are a ' so sta S' n S a “Mfo” campaign as one way of Halloween, asking young i! flyi to refrain from soaping U '^T S an d automobiles. >eEcrat thermometer ■wperatcre reading } XJfc.m. 74 ■K...- 83 : Sm „ 90 WEATHER "' !: B tonight and Thursday, ’'“’■her south portions toContinued warm T 'Bkiay.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

79th Congress Holds Initial Peace Session President To Send Lengthy Message To Congress Thursday Washington, Sept. s—(VP)—The5 —(VP)—The 79th Congre&s met in its first peacetime session today prepared at President Truman’s suggestion to cut the country's spending program by several billion dollars and to cope with the emergency problems of sudden peace. Shortly before the gravels fell in the lionise and the Senate, the White Houee announced that President Truman would send to Capitol Hili tomorrow a lengthy message outlining the administration's program for winning the peace now that the war has been won. Mr. Truman already has recommended to Congress, the White House disclosed, that it make cutbacks of $3,599,000,000 in 194 G fiscal year appropriations and in contract authorizations of 28 civilian war agencies. Neither House is expected to come to direct grips with a legislative program until next week. Meanwhile, it will study the President’s message with a sharp eye tomorrow, mindful that 1940 is a congressional election’ year and that the campaign its on as of now. The Senate met only briefly, adjourning at 12:17 p.m. to noon tomorrow out of respect for the late Sen. Hiram W. Johnson, R., Calif. Senate democratic leader Albeit W. Barkley told reporters after a meeting of congressional leaders with Mr. Truman at the White House earlier that no decision was made as to what legislation will be taken up first. “There isn’t any priority for any bill," Barkley eaid. “Whatever gets out of committee first will be acted upon.’’ He said it might be unemploy(Turn To Page 5, Column 5)

Council Continues Study Os Budgets Continue Session Here On Thursday The members of the county council have made a thorough check of the items in the county budget, but up to noon hart done very little pruning. The council hoped to conclude its examination of the budgets this afternoon, but will meet again tomorrow to pass on special appropriations and requests for transfer of funds in the 1944 budget. Representatives of the county welfare department and the highway department were heard by the council today. No decision in regards to the levies asked by these two departments was forthcoming when the council reconvened this afternoon. The welfare department is seeking a three-cent increase over the 13-cent rate applying this year, and the highway department is requesting a special five-cent levy on each SIOO of taxable property, in addition to the receipt of $114,800 from the state gasoline tax. Based on the estimates and the amounts requested by the highway department, the county surveyor and county commissioners, road, (Turn To Page 4, Column 3)

Army Increases Exemption For Overseas Duly Sokiis Press For Quicker Releases And End Os Draft Washington, Sept. 5 — (UP) — Congressmen continued to press for an end to the draft and faster military discharges today as the army sharply boosted exemptions from future overseas duty. The army announced last night that it would not send men overseas who had 45 points as of May 12, who were 37 years old or who were 34-36 years old with a minimum of one year's honorable service. Meanwhile the house military affairs committee hoped to coinpie the legislation today to make army enlistments so attractive as to render unnecessary a continuation of the draft or peacetime conscription. The committee has already agreed to permit army men to retire at the end of 20 years service at half pay—comparable to navy provisions—and at full pay after 30 years. It is also reported to be agreed on a provision permitting two instead of three year enlistments. Leading senators were said to favor one-year enlistments to stimulate volunteering to the point where further drafting would be unnecessary. Sen. Richard B. Russel, D., Go., said he would introduce a bill for one year enlistments unless the army reduces its present threeyear term voluntarily. Chairman Elbert I). Thomas, D., Utah, of the senate military affairs committee agreed one year enlistments would probably be more attractive. He said he, would introduce legislation this week offering volunteers the benefits now provided draftees and granting overseas veterans who wish to reenlist expense-paid furloughs home. Sen. Homer Ferguson, R., Midi., called for a moratorium on the draft until it was seen how many (Turn To Page G, Column 6) —~ ■■■■ -■■ ■ ■ -

Denies Permission To Tap Into Sewer Petition Denied By City Council The street and sewer committee of Hip city council last evening turned down the petition of Giles Porter for permission to tap into the Marshall street sewer, with a lino running from Porter’s proposed building site, corner of North Tenth street and Dayton avenue, for the reason that the main sewer was already overloaded. The report of the committee eliminated the filing of a remonstrance by Marshall street property owners against the proposed drainage project. Earl Blackburn, Fred Blosser, Adrian Wemhoff and Morris Pingry were present and presented to the members of the councilmanic committee remonstrances which property owners had signed. The objections were not placed on record, due to the prior action of the committee. A second petition for a street light on Stevenson street, and the completion of the sidewalk from Elm to Winchester streets, was filed by property owners who live on Stevenson street. The petition w*as referred to the street and sewer committee. Three petitions for rural light extensions to their farms were filed before the council and referred to committee. One petition was signed by Samuel L. Beavers, Roy Rickord, Edison Rickord, Mrs. Faye Mutschler, Earl Martin and Earl D. Colter, for farms in Washington and _ = (Turn To Page 5, Column 3)

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur Indiana, Wednesday, September 5,1945.

“Doolittle” Flyers Home At Last ISS ' I. '. SC BP .. 'JHH fl fl b' . H 9~-■■■■ A . V .Bgjr.’i. i I . J | • 9 ’ .... S K 1 \ I ! ■ THREE GAUNT YOUNGSTERS, who gave the Japs the first taste of what was coming Io them, set fool on American soil for the first tinv in 41 months as they alight from a giant C-54 that flew them from India to Washington, I). C. Members of the Doolittle band of flyers who bombed Tokyo in 1942, they are, shown top to bottom, Staff Sgt. Jacob de Shazer, Salem, Ore.; Lt. Chase Nielson, Hyrum. Utah, and Lt. Robert Hite, Earth, Tex. Rescued from Jap prison camps following the Nip surrender, the airmen are now at Walter ifeed hospital undergoing examinalion.

Labor Dissension Sweeping Nation 80,000 Workers Idle In Scores Os Plants By United Press Labor dissension swept, the nation today, laying off more than 80,000 workers in scores of plants. Violence was reported in Cleveland where police battled strikers. A strike at the Keteey-Haye.s Wheel Co., in Detroit led to moi'?, than 19,500 being laid off throughout the Ford Motor Co.’s vast assembly system. A United ‘k’ress survey showed that almost 80 plants and 82.300 workers were affected by labor disputes growing out of postwar reconversion problems. The Ford Co., was forced to shut down some operations because of the strike of 4,500 Kelsey-Hayes employes. Ford reported that IS,000 were jdle at its River Rouge and Highland Park plants near Detroit, and others were idle at plants in Louisville, Ky., Edgewater, N. J., and Dallas, Tex. The Ford officials said workers would be laid off if production of wheels is not resumed immediately. The other majew labor disputes were in Akron, ()., and Orange, Tex. The Goodrich rubber plant in Akron was only 35 percent normal "with 11,000 workers idle in a* foreman’s strike. The Consolidaied Shipbuilding Co.’s yards in Orange had been closed down will) a strike of its 15.000 employes. Many Consolidated employes were loading household goods into automobiles and heading for home. Police said that 500 pickets at (Turn To Page 6. Column 4) o — Comrru sioners End Monthly Session The county commissioners adjourned their session last, evening. Action on the appointment of a county service officer, whose services are designed to aid G. I.'s, was not taken before adjournment. A petilion for improving a Iwomile stretch of county highway in Kirkland township with blaek top, was filed with the board. The petition, which was in two sections and headed by the names of Rex Andrews and Sarah Arnold, asked that the road one mile south of Magley and extending two mile:', south be resurfaced.

Decatur Stores Open All Day Thursday Due to the stores closing all day Monday, Labor Day,, the majority of the stores will remain open all day Thursday for the convenience of shoppers. British Occupation Forces In Singapore Britain Gibraltar Os East Occupied Singapore,- Sept. S—(UP5 —(UP) —British and Indian troops swarmed ashore at noon today to reoccupy Britain’s Gibraltar of the east while throngs of Chinese cheered. The occupation forces, including the famous fifth Indian division, met no difficulty from the Japanese although only four days ago he would fight any landing attempt unless he had specific orders from Tokyo to lay down his arms. Tho 60,090 Japanese troops in Singapore had been removed to the suburbs and were being transferred to the mainland at the British occupation began. Some Japanese Guards remained at their posts Iml paid little altention -to the occupation forces. The Union Jack was quickly lioisted once more over the Royal naval ya ids and British troops spread out through the Wharf a'T-a which was almost empty of commerce. First efforts were to rush aid to prisoners of war and internees, many of whom lay near starvation on the skimpy rations the Japanese had provided. Since March the prisoners have received only between eight and nine ounces of food a day. The number of prisoner of war deaths in the filthy Japanese camps of Malaya and Thailand was believed very high. In addition to littel food, horrible overcrowding and lack of sanitation, the Japanese worked the prisoners at gruelling tasks. It was estimated that 13,090 of the 31.500 prisoners of war in Thailand have died and another 5,000 prisoners are feared drowned on sunken Japanese transports. The first troops to go ashore at the great naval base which once was called the Gibraltar of the Pacific were men of the fifth Ind(Turn To Page 5, Column 5)

Vanguard Units Moving Into Japanese Capital To Prepare Occupation

Catholic Schools Enrollment Higher Increase Os Five On First Day Os School Enrollment in the Decatur Catholic high and St. Joseph grade schools has increased five over last year; totaling 373, the registration of the school disclosed today. Classes were organized this morning, following a high mass in honor of the Holy Ghost at St. Mary’s Catholic church by Msgr.elect Joseph J. Seimetz, pastor. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given after the mass. Msgr.-elect Simetz spoke to the sludent body, stressing* the privileges as well as the responsibilities of the pupils. Sister M. Fidelis, principal of the school, taught by the Sisters of St. Agnes, released the high school and grade enrollment for the opening day. There is an increase of three in the grades, totaling 257, and two in the high school, boosting that enrollment to 116. Thei;e are 123 boys and 134 girls in the eight grades. In the high school the enrollment for the four years follows: Freshman, 27; sophomore, 28; junior, 32 and senior, 29. Regular classes will be resumed tomorrow, Sister Fidelis announced. The total number of school children in the city so far enrolled for the September term now stands at 1,453, the public school enrollment being 1,080, Walter J. Krick, superintendent, announced yesterday. o

Private Funeral For Mrs. Martha Frost Private funeral services for Mrs. Martha. Ellen Ball Frost will be held Thursday at 2 o’clock at the Gillig and Doan funeral home with the Rev. Carey R. Moser, pastor of the Baptist church, officiating. The change to a private funeral services was made today by the relatives. Wake Island Is Back Under American Flag Other Japanese To Surrender Thursday Guam, Sept. 5 — (UP) —Wake island was back under tho stars and stripes today and tho last 139,000 Japanese in New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland and the Solomons will surrender tomorrow. It was at Wake, 2,000 miles west of Hawaii, that 385 American marines made an epic 14-day stand against the Japanese at the outbreak of the Pacific war. Their artillery silenced, their planes destroyed, and facing overwhelming Japanese forces ashore, the marines on Dec. 22, 1941 flashed their famous last message to the United States: "The issue is in doubt.” Seventy-five American marines and seamen from destroyer escorts Levy, Greer and Lehardy went Ashore on Wake yesterday to avenge that defeat. They ran up tile American flag at 1:50 p. m. (Wake time) while the Japanese commander and his staff stood at attention and saluted. Only a few hours earlier, the Japanese commander — Rear Admiral Shigetraatsu Sakaibara — (Turn To Page 4, Column 4).

Japan Leaders Admit Appeals Made To Russia Overtures To Save Dying Empire Were Ignored By Russia Tokyo, Sept. 5— (UP) —Japanese government spokesmen admitted before an extraordinary session of the imperial diet today that they had appealed for Russian intervention last June in a last-minute attempt to save Hirohito’s dying empire. In a frank review of the disasters that led to Japan’s downfall, Premier Prince Naruhiko Higashi-Kuni and his aides told the diet that the first reply to their peace feelers was the Potsdam ultimatuijp. of July 26 — demanding the empire’s immediate and unconditional surrender. Soviet. Russia, they said, ignored the Japanese overtures until Aug. 8 when it handed a declaration of war to Japan’s ambassador in Moscow. "It became obvious that continuation of the war would entail calamitous destruction and relentless slaughter of our peoples’ existence and annihilation of the cause of human civilization,” the spokesmen said. “We are now tasting the bitter cup of defeat," said Higashi-Kuni in a somber appeal to the Japanese people to admit their downfall and accept “manfully and faithfully and with broad-minded-ness” all the Allied surrender terms. The premier and his official spokesmen acknowledged tacitly they were ready to capitulate when the Potsdam ultimatum was issued and before the first atomic bomb fell upon Hiroshima. The actual surrender was withheld, however, in the hope that Russian mediation would enable them to preserve some shreds of their stolen empire. Finally, on Aug. 10. the decision to yield unconditionally was reached at an unprecedented dawn meeting of the cabinet. Higashi-Kuni revealed surpris(Turn To Page 4. Column 5)

Sloker Bought For Use At City Plant Work Is Started On Stoker Installation Work started today on the installation of a new Illinois forced draft chain grate stoker at the city light and power plant, which will supplant the Stowe stoker, formerly attached to the Wick’s boiler, Lester Pettibone, plant superintendent announced. The new stoker has a capacity of delivering approximately 100 tons of coal each 24 hours to the boiler. The Wick's boiler supplies the steam for the 5,000 K. W. generator. The Stowe stoker proved unsatisfactory and after many months of neglecting, a settlement was reached, whereby the city was allowed a deduction of $6,500 from the original bill. . The council-then proceeded to get a new stoker and the Illinois stoker was purchased for $12,500. Local workmen, under the direction of a superintendent from the stoker company, will install the machinery. i

Price Four Cents.

Veteran American Cavalry Units To Occupy Capital Os Defeated Japanese General MacArthur’s Headquarters, Yokohama, Sept. S—(UP5 —(UP) —■ Eighth army reconnaissance squads entered Tokyo today to prepare the city for its formal occupation by the veteran U. S. First Cavalry division Saturday. Vanguard units moved into the bomb-shattered capital to select buildings for the permanent occupational headquarters of Allied forces in Japan. Maj. Gen. William C. Chase, Chevy Chase, Md., commander of the famous first cavalry, will lead his battle-seasoned men into Tokyo late morning or early afternoon Saturday. It was regarded as certain that Allied supreme commander Gen. Douglas MacArthur will move into the capital with the troops and that he will transfer his headquarters quickly from Yokohama to Tokyo. Forces that will initially occupy Tokyo included the seventh and fifth regiments, a combat reconnaissance squadron, and artillery and service troops of Hie first cavalry. • Two other first cavalry regiments occupying four air fields and other territory nearby will bo relieved by the American division, probably Saturday, and will move into Tokyo later to join the vanguard elements. The seventh regiment began selecting an honor guard from its ranks today to escort Gen. MacArthur into Hie capital. Gen. Chase said he expected to take over the center of Tokyo. Japanese will continue Io operate public utilities and Tokyo radio and other installations “as long they run them well," Ciiase said. It was learned reliably approximately 100 counter-intelligence men will take over censorship of the Japanese press and radio, but. that the Japanese will be given virtually a free hand as long as they avoid inflammatory statements. Gon. Chase announced the fifth air force began landing men and planes today on Tachikawa airdrome, one of the four seized by the first cavalry yesterday. Tachikawa was a Japanese technical air center, but American forces found no new types of aircraft or baka bombs there. Tiie first cavalry, veterans of the Admiralties and of Leyte and first American troops to sweep into Manila, will march into the Japanese capital within approximately 4S hours. Thej' will lie the vanguard of tile American occupation force

(Turn T () Page 3, Column 6) 0 _... Nominate Wainwright As Four-Star General Washington, Sept. 5 —(UP)—Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright, recently liberated from the Japanese. was nominated by President Truman today to be a four-star general. The 62-year-old survivor of mora than three years imprisonment under the Japanese is scheduled ta arrive here Monday in the last leg of his journey home from the Pacific.

Business Meeting Is Held By Lions Club The weekly meeting of the Decatur Lions club Tuesday evening was devoted to a business session, with Herman 11. Krueekeberg, president, conducting the meeting. Reports of officers and committees were presented and future plant? of the service club were discussed.