Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 254, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 March 1932 — Page 1

jSCRIPPS - HOWARD \

LINDY OFFERS TO PAY RANSOM

CHINESE ARMIES FALL BACK TO NEW DEFENSES Shanghai Front Is Evacuated in Good Order and Strong Positions Are Held Miles to Rear. READY FOR RENEWAL OF CONFLICT Japanese Face Handicap of Fighting Away From Base, With No Roads to Aid Supply Movements. By (jniled firms SHANGHAI, March 2.—Chinese defense troops evacuated their fortifications around Shanghai under a withering lire from the Japanese today, and re-established positions miles to the rear, for another dogged stand. Chinese commanders of the Nineteenth route army, principal defense unit, declared “the fight is just begun” as troops completed an orderly retreat to second defense lines. The evacuation began shortly before expiration of a Japanese ultimatum threatening to blow up the main Shanghai railway line.

Within a few hours, the Chinese troops were solidly Hehind fortifications twenty kilometers (12*/-> miles) away, just outside a zone around the international settlement which the Japanese had demanded they evacuate. “If the Japanese choose to attack us here, we will defend ourselves," a spokesman for the route army said. “Far from ending the battle, it just is beginning.” Positions Are Stronger Chinese leaders claimed that whereas the advantage of tactical position was with Japanese attackers in the fighting around Shanghai. the defenders now held the upper hand. The Japanese must carry the fight away from their supply bases and warships, and there are no roads to aid them. The spokesman claimed the evacuation was a “foregone conclusion." ‘ The original battle line at Chapci and Woosting was not a military one,” he said. “It was adopted only because of the exigencies of the political situation and presented no possibilities for an offensive. since the Chinese were loath to attack near the international settlement." % Japanese merged land, sea and air forces for a driving offensive, seizing quick advantage of the opportunity offered by the Chinese retreat. Soldiers from the Tazang battle sector closed in on a field arsenal at Hsukong, capturing quantities of Chinese arms and munitions. They continued in the line of the Chinese march, and at Nanziang joined a second column of troops arriving from Chenju. The Japanese began raining heavy artillery fire into the evacuated Chinese positions at Chapei at 2 p. m., fearing that they might advance into a trap or that the district might be mined. Ruin Is Completed The heavy shelling appeared destined to complete the ruin of the once prosperous Chinese town, subjected to daily artillery and aerial bombing for more than a month. While the Chinese were preparing to withdraw to Quinsan, just outside the twelve and one-half-mile evacuation zone, Japanese naval airplanes bombed and destroyed a bridge on the Nanking-Shanghai railway two and one-half miles east of Quinsan. This is between Shanghai and the place to which the Chinese agreed to withdraw Ten airplanes participated in the bombing. Foreign observers estimated the total number of missiles dropped at about 130. The Japanese landing operation added 10,000 men to the expeditionary force, already estimated by the Chinese at more than 100,000. The Kuo Min News agency said the Chinese movement was a tacit withdrawal toward Chenju, designed to test the sincerity of the Japanese promise to end hostilities if the Chinese would withdraw. The Chinese felt they could withstand the Japanese better at Chenju, if the Japanese broke their promise. Chenju is about nine miles from Shanghai. The wireless station owned by the radio corporation is there. Evacuation Is Complete The Woosung and Kiangwan areas, scenes of heavy bombardments and bitter hand-to-hand fighting, were evacuated completely at 1 p. m., Shanghai time (1.1 p. m.. Indianapolis time). Evacuation of Chapei. just outside the international settlement, almost was complete. The Japanese had announced capture of Tazang just before the Chinese evacuation order * became known. Landing oi 10.000 men of the Japanese Eleventh division at Liuho, above Woosung in the Yangtze

The Indianapolis Times Mostly cloudy tonight and Thursday, with probably rain tonight; not much change in temperature; lowest tonight about 36.

VOLUME 43—NUMBER 254

Fire Sweeps Native City of Shanghai

By United firess SHANGHIA, Thursday, March 3.—The native city of Shanghai was in flames today, as torch and incendiary bombs were applied to Chapei in the wake 'of the retreating Chinese army. Qfrapei was burning along a mile front in the North station area. Huge cotton mills exploded with terrific detonations, the flames shooting high in the air. American observers claimed the Japanese were setting the fires because of snipers and machine gun nests remaining after the general Chinese withdrawal to twelve and one-half miles from the city. Fortunately, there was no wind and the flames did not menace the international settlement. river, appeared to have been the final blow which forced the Chinese withdrawal. Occupation of the Liuho area endangered the Chinese defenses to the south, w-hile the Ninth division and marines hammered away at the Chinese positions at Tazang and Chapei. The entire Chinese movement was orderly. It was reported in the settlement that the Nineteenth army had commandeered all available transportation. PLEADS HOOVER CAUSE Lloyd Claycombe Asserts President Is Best for Post. “There is no one as well qualified for the presidency as Herbert Hoover." declared Lloyd D. Claycombe, former state representative, Monday night at a meeting of the Warren Township Republican Club, 8500 East Washington street. “This is no time to experiment with affairs of government.” declared Claycombe. Mrs. Bloomfield Moore will speak at a meeting Friday night, which is planned for women members. Hourly Temperatures fi a. m 36 10 a. m 40 7a. m..... 36 11 a. m 44 Ba. m..... 37 12 (noon).. 47 9 a. m 39

Above is an artist’s conception of the kidnaping of the Lindbergh baby Tuesday night. The house faces the east, a gable-roofed section at each side extending to the rear. * Vtfi nursery is on the second floor, under a gj£>e-roofed section,

Kidnaped Child and Relatives

* ' ' ■' ip.t 5 : Wi ‘ * • IH dH i jgpi—n. .4fI9BHHHHNMIiMk'

,est to right, Mrs. Dwight Morrow, grandmother: Mrs. Charles Long Cutter, Cleveland, great-grandmothei Anne Lindbergh with Charles A. Lindbergh Jr.

U. S. GOVERNMENT JOINS IN SEARCH FOR CHILD

Complete Co-Operation of All Branches Extended Flier’s Family. By United Press WASHINGTON, March 2.—The force of the federal government today was thrown into the search for the kidnaped baby of the Charles A. Lindbergh family. The department of justice offered it’s complete co-operation in the search. The coast guard of the New York and New Jersey divisions was instructed to offer it’s aid to the New Jersey police. The department of commerce prepared a request to all commercial airpor tauthorities to watch incoming and outgoing planes and for their pilots to report anything which might be of value. Assistant Treasury Secretary Seymour Lowman, in charge of customs, announced customs agents at border points or elsewhere will give all possible aid. “I hope the guilty parties will be caught and when they dre caught that they are hanged,” said Lowman. The kidnaping stirred official Washington. President Hoover read early accounts of the affair and was deeply shocked. He asked to be kept informed of developments. Attorney-General Mitchell called J. Edgar Hoover, cihef of the department of justice, bureau of investigation into conference immediately upon reaching his office. Soon theerafter, instructions were jent to all department of justice (Turn to Page 2)

ARTIST GIVES HIS CONCEPTION OF LINDBERGH KIDNAPING

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2,1932

LINDY CANCELS REWARD OFFER $25,000 Price for Kidnap Gang Is Withdrawn. By United Press TRENTON, N. J., March 2.—After Governor A. Harjy Moore had announced a reward of SIO,OOO for the capture of the Lindbergh baby kidnapers and the state senate had resolved to increase the amount to $25,000, the reward was canceled, out of consideration for Colonel Lindbergh. Moore telephoned the distraught father and told him of the proposed state action. Lindbergh expressed the fear the reward might endanger his child, whereupon the reward plans were canceled. COURT GAG FAVORED Senate Group Seeks to Restrict The Hague on U. S. Questions. By United Press WASHINGTON, March 2.—A resolution refusing the world court the right to give advisory opinions on matters in which the United States is interested, unanimously was adopted today by the senate foreign relations committee. It was agreed the resolution should be incorporated in the senate article of ratification of the Root-Hurst formula.

which is in the northeast corner of the home. It has windows on the east side, which is the front of the home, and on the north side. The baby supposedly was taken from the room down a ladder, placed against the house under that window on the north side. When the kidnapers came out they left the ladder near the window. There were foot|*ints under the window, made apparently by

Congress Plans Prompt Action to Curb Gangs’ Ransom Forays. By United firess WASHINGTON, March 2.—Demands for prompt action by congress on bills empowering the federal government to act in kidnaping cases were made in both the senate and house today by speakers, who called attention to the Lindbergh baby abduction. Senator Barbour (Rep., N. J.) who succeeded the late Dwight W. Morrow, spoke from the senate floor while Representative Seger (Rep., N. J.) made a similar plea from the floor of the house. The house postoffice committee acted promptly today on a measure aimed at kidnapers, reporting out thte bill of Representative Cochrane (Dem., Mo.) which fixes a penalty of twenty years in jail and $5,000 fine for sending threatening, blackmail or kidnaping letters through the mail. Senator Bingham (Rep., Conn.), a close friend of the Lindberghs, said the kidnaping “brings vividly to the minds of the American people the need for some legislation to curb this growing crime.” Senator King (Dem.. Utah), a member of the senate judiciary committee, said the “horrible situation may call for legislation. “The Lindbergh case emphasizes the necessity for the government stepping in, without encouraching on state powers, to help stamp out the most cruel and vicious racket in the nation,” Senator Patterson said.

$50,000 DEMAND MADE BY NOTE LEFT IN CRIB WHEN BABY IS KIDNAPED

Child, Suffering Cold, Stolen After It Is Put in Bed for Night. WOMAN IS IN GANG, Widespread Search Made Throughout East After Alarm Is Sounded. By United firms HOPEWELL, N. J., March 2.—Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr., blue-eyed and fairhaired, 20-months-old child of Colonel and Mrs. Lindbergh is held today for $50,000 ransom. Seized in his crib Tuesday night as he lay slumbering and ill of a cold, the baby was taken away by kidnapers, one of whom is believed to be a woman. With cold daring, the actual kidnapers crept up a short sectional ladder into the second-floor nur-j sery some time between 7:30 and 10 p. m., took the child down the ladder, and left behind the ransom j demand, a note dropped in the empty crib. Lindy Willing to ray Colonel Lindbergh is willing to pay the kidnapers the ransom they demand, it was stated authoritatively here today, “if they will make known the means and the occasion ! lor so doing.” The note, demanding the $50,000 for the child’s freedom, was reported to have said in substance: “We will be back tomorrow (Wednesday) to talk business. Don’t talk to the police or the papers.’’ i Colonel Lindbergh, grim and reticent, aided in searching for the kidnapers, and was represented as ready personally to enter direct negotiations for the child’s return. Sensation Is World-Wide Meantime, the kidnaping created a world-wide sensation. Literally thousands of police and state troopers were put oh alarm guard, watching highways, and state and national boundary lines. Over the teletype wires of the eastern .states and up along the Canadian border flashed word that i one of the nation’s most famous babies had been stolen. The kidnaper apparently had not realized the furore and resentment their deed would cause. Police everywhere went to work with a will to come up with the kidnapers, while the federal departments of justice, commerce and treasury in Washington offered to do all within their power to track down the criminals. President Hoover manifested his interest.. Aviators from many parts of the country offered their services, and an air comrade was sent aloft this morning to see if from the skies he could see anything along the roadways of valuue to the search. The commerce department was ready also to help with pilots. Colonel Leads in Search Colonel Lindbergh, worn by the anxiety of his predicament, worked side by side with the state police. During the night he helped to trace | down tracks on his property in the | fastnesses of the Sourland mountains. During the forenoon he went on a mysterious errand with Lieutenant John Keaton of the New Jersey state police. They sed away

two men. One of these had approximately size 10 feet; the othei size 8. There was mud on the window sill and inside the nursery on the floor. There were no fingerprints on the window sill. The kidnapers apparently gjore gloves. One man probably entered the room, while ar*her watched outside, and they departed byrauto f 4

Entered ns Second-Class Matter at Postoffice Indianapolis, ind

‘Dislike for Strangers’ May Betray Abductors By United firess MEADVILLE. Pa.. March 2.—Strong resemblance of Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr. to his father, and his “hearty dislike of strangers” may lead to early return of the child, his grand-aunt, Mrs. Hilda Morrow- Mellvaine, Meadville, sister of the late Dwight Morrow believes. •The baby looks so much like his father that no one could mistake his identity,” Mrs. Mellvaine said. -‘And he heartily dislikes strangers. "I know he will cry and fuss and be unmanageable with his kidnapers, possibly betraying them. “He is unusually bright, walking and talking in a way far beyond his twenty months. His aunt, Miss Elizabeth Morrow, takes him to her nursery school in Englewood, N J., frequently. “After his first shyness he was at ease in the kindergarten, playing w-ith older boys and girls. He even learned to count to five. “He can walk faster than many adults. He has some clever little tricks, too, such as talking on the telephone. If he ever gets into a room where there is a telephone he will persist in taking dow-n th receiver, perhaps giving the operator a clew to his presence.”

in a fast car and came back a couple of hours later on foot through the woods. Rumor had it that they had visited Flagtown where a group of suspected bootleggers were believed to be. Meantime. Mrs. Lindbergh, deeply stirred, bore up with the courage of a Spartan mother. The first word prostrated her, but it was not long before she was exhibiting the same courage as her husband, and she helped authorities. Once she joined searchers for a short period. Many Clews Traced Her burden was all the greater for she had been nursing the child several days because of a cold. And the kidnapers, without even trying to catch up some quilts, dragged the baby off, clad only in its “sleeper.” Moreover, Mrs. Lindbergh is again an expectant mother. Many clews were run down, only to end disappointingly. Before dawn, a Philadelphia truck driver reported sighting beside the rcadway, not fan. from the Lindbergh home, a bundle which appeared similar to a baby or a doll. Troopers hurried to the scene on fast motorcycles, but found that all the man had seen was a bundle of papers. More than a dozen motor cars were reported stolen in New Jersey yesterday, and these were checked in the hope of furnishing a clew. The only one which appeared hopeful was an abandoned car found near Hillside, N. J—a car stolen from a Brooklyn man. Its headlights were streaming, and it matched description of a blue Nash sedan in which two men at dark Tuesday inquired at Princeton for the way to the Lindbergh estate. Dog Fails to See Abductors Police thought the inquiries might have been the kidnapers or their advance men. But they were at a loss to reconcile this with evidence that the kidnapers were familiar with the field in which they operated. A faithful dog, always alert, made no sound, as far as is known, during the visit of the kidnaper to the nursery on the second floor. The man may have made friends earlier with the animal. The kidnaping visit was well timed. The baby had been put to bed and Mrs. Lindbergh had kissed him good-night at about 7:30. Later in the evening, the nursemaid, Betty Gow, was startled to find the crib empty, and the child nowhere to be found. She gave the alarm, and then the authorities were summoned. But by this time the kidnaper had a good start. The ladder the kidnaper used

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yielded little help. Evidently he had been gloved, and his feet either were stockinged or his shoes covered to blur the shoeprint. The ladder had cracked as he came down, and there is a chance he fell, injuring himself and the child. Had Woman Accomplice His tracks led out of the estate toward the main road, where a woman’s footprints appeared. This gave the clews that the kidnapers had a woman accomplice, who should watch over the baby until l such time as they could bargain for for their ransom. A chisel was found in the woods near the house, but there was nothing to link that definitely with the : crime. Workmen who had helped to rebuild the natural rock house on the mountainside were checked over to ! see if they had knowledge of any i prowlers, but so far as police re- | vealed there was nothing yielded, i All the present and past employes were said to have been exonerated. Beside the press and photographers, there came scores of autos with the curious, and these jammed the roads nearby for several miles. The milkman arrived at 10:30 a. m., evidently unaware of the kidnaping, and delivered four quarts of milk and two pints of cream, most of which was for the little baby. Mrs. Dwight W. Morrow, mother of Mrs. Lindbergh, arrived at the. Lindberg home early this morning to be with her daughter. She motored down from her home at Englewood and declined to comment on the kidnaping as she entered the big stone house. Fears Child Will Suffer “The poor child has had a cold and will suffer,” Mrs. Lindbergh said broken-hearted. “We have been doctoring him for several days.” Colonel Lindbergh, quiet but manifestly suffering from terrific strain, said he suspected no one, and observed: “They must have got through that window” pointing to a screened window which would not close because it was warped. Baby Lindbergh was tucked in his crib at 7:30 p. m. His mother kissed him good night, after trying vainly to fasten a loose, warped screen in the nursery on the second floor. About 10 p. m. the nursemaid entered to see that her charge was sleeping soundly. She found to her horror that his crib was empty. She though at first he might have fallen or crawled out. But a search of the room soon showed her that he had been stolen. She screamed to the Lindberghs. The police know only that the intruder had used a ladder, put up in sections, had scaled it into the nursery, and there left a note—a ransom demand for $50,000; then had scrambled .down the ladder, making his way to a point down “Featherbed Lane” toward the main highway. Joined by Woman On this path, according to footprints, the kidnaper was joined by a woman accomplice. The spot where the kidnaping took place is remote, situated up a rocky roadway off a main thoroughfare. Olie Whateley, chauffeur-butler, was convinced the kidnaping had been planned carefully. This conviction arose from the fact that a fox terrier, usually alert, was not heard to make any disturbance during the evening, leading to the belie that the intruder perhaps was someone the dog recognized. The authorities were dumbfound(Tum to Page 2)

Sale Section The Times today carries an eight-page section, advertising the quality merchandise on sale by Sears, Roebuck & Cos., during the big store’s spring value demonstration. Turn to the second section of this edition for complete details.

Outside Marion County 3 Cents