Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 March 1942 — Page 1

FORECAST: Diminishing winds this afternoon and slightly colder tonight.

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I=="iowam] VOLUME 54 — NUMBER 5

roar. MARCH

17, 1942

Entered as Second.Class Matter at Postefice. Indianapolis, Tad. Issued daily except Sunday.

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LI

TAKES COMMAND OF ALI

——————Clapper in Cairo Ancient Cairo Now Center of Supplies

Americans Establish Air Route Which Cuts Time From New World to Old to 8 Days.

By RAYMOND CLAPPER Times Special Writer

CAIRO, March 17 (By Wireless) .—After the war is over, when the full story can be told of the air supply route across the jungles and deserts of Africa, it will ‘make a new chapter in the legends of American enterprise. Transportation is the -most stubborn difficulty of the united nations now that production is going into volume. The war has taken a turn that will make the Middle East the critical center of the united nations’ effort, but the siow ship route around Africa makes it

difficult to get weapons into this area. Therefore the air supply line -that is being operated across Africa as a short cut will assume the greatest importance during the next few months. Important because the first job is to hold this area as a center of supply for offensives in the . months to come. The Middle East has been a battleground for ages. It bears the footprints of Caesar and of Richard the lion-hearted. ,This is the bridge connecting Europe, Asia’ and Africa. It adjoins the Russian line on the south. It is east of the Libyan 3. desert battlefield, and west of the Japanese adMr. Clapper vance. It is the route to Russia, India and China. Thus the Middle East is the center where supplies can be assembled and shifted to any front. This is the place where the united nations can get the inside position, instead of being outside on the rim. » ” » ” #” »

Americans Mass Their Forces

’ OVER’ THESE ANCIENT paths ‘sunburned, Americans in -khakt: shorts are already appearing in increasing numbers, préparing for the day when the united nations will mass their forces for the Armagedden of biblical prophecy. I have just come over this new supply line that is being developed as a short cut. Part of the way our plane carried a cargo of spare parts. Within a ‘week after leaving New York I was on the banks of the Nile. ; The old world and the new meet as American planes come down over the pyramids and the sphinx to Cairo. Planes and materials and personnel that would be eight ‘weeks on the water reach here in as many days. : Washington announced the project last August. Now cargo planes large enough to carry automobiles, equipped inside with block and tackle to handle heavy goods, are plying the skies across Africa. On a certain recent short haul, planes carried in three days what trucks would have been 25 days hauling. » ” 8

Show Enterprise of Old West

. INTO THIS PROJECT Americans have put the same sort of imagination, the same sort of blood, large-scale planning and efficient execution, that went into the building of the American west, Those who thought such qualities dead in our country will know from this that it is not so. In four months, American enterprise has spread its wings across 4000 miles of Africa in the world’s biggest airline operation. The British had done the pioneering, thus making it possible to get going quickly. American pilots are flying across the trackless deserts by dead reckoning. Radio beams are not usuable in war. The jungle and desert have few landmarks. If a pilot loses. his way he must set his craft down among native tribes, some of Whom ¢ are friendly but others warlike, Laying down fuel along the route is one & the biggest tasks. Some Paints get their gasoline by camel. Fields are being cut out of the Jungle,

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Air Base Built in Junale

ONE OF THE MOST incredible sights I ever saw was a large air base built in the jungle in four months. We came down on a broad runway. The field was surrounded with native straw huts. Hundreds of natives, clad in G-strings, were working in swarms on other runways. I saw large modern road-building machines crawling over the great fleld in a race to get it paved before the rainy season. ‘ On the edge of the field was a large new building, of modern style, furnished with new metal-and-leather furniture. . Here tables were set with glistening China. Natives poured fruit juice from large ‘pitchers, keeping your glass always full. There were several kinds of . cereal, ham and eggs, and real American coffee. Also ice. Rows of refrigerator boxes keep the food preserved. Outside of the screened porch where the ice boxes are placed I saw a baby chimpanzee,

Mrs. Isaac Born, Leader in Fight Against Cancer, Dies

Funeral services for Mrs. Isaac leader of women’s clubs

:

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2 DIE, 33 HURT AS HIGH WINDS SWEEP INDIANA

Loss at Shelbyville and Goshen Is Near Million; 122 Killed in Nation.

By UNITED PRESS Indiana today counted a toll of two dead, at least 53 persons injured, six critically, and a property loss estimated at almost $1,000,000 as the result of cyclonic tail-winds that swept the state last night, striking first at Shelbyville and later at Goshen. Goshen listed two fatalities, at least 50 injured and damage at approximately $500,000, including between $150,000 and $200,000 damage to the Penn Electric Switch Co., working on a four million dollar war contract for vital army and navy materials. At Shelbyville, three persons were injured, but. property damage was believed to be more than $300,000. The storms which lapped over into Indiana struck earlier in Illinois and Kentucky, killing at least 30 persons in the three states.

At Least 200 Hurt

Other tornadoes rolled across Mississippi and Tennessee, making the five-state death toll at least 122, The total number of injured was at least 200.

a path in a three-block area and leaving behind a twisted mass of between 15 and 20 homes. Two of the demolished homes went up in dames.

men, aided by the city’s newlyorganized civilian defense emergency workers, worked throughout the night digging in the ruins for possible ‘victims, using flashlights and flares.

Injured Fill Hospital

The body of Paul Gergely was recovered from the basement of his home where he was buried by falling debris. His wife Grace, the second death victim, was carried by the wind a half-block away. Her body was found early today in a vacant lot. Two of the Gergely children, first reported missing and feared dead, were found at a neighbor’s home, injured slightly. ° Red Cross workers and volunteers assisted in caring for the homeless, as the Goshen hospital filled to overflowing with the injured. Lack of illumination hampered the rescue workers when power in the siricken area was cui off to prevent workers and victims stumbling into live wires torn down and to eliminate fire hazards. At Shelbyville, the wind roared (Continued on Page Five)

Tornado Toll

DEATHS: Mississippi 70, Illinois 20, Kentucky 14, Tennessee 16, Indiana 2; total 122.

INJURED: At least 200, mostly in Mississippi, 53 in Indiana.

DAMAGE: Estimated in millions with Indiana alone counting $1,000,000.

3 SAFETY ISLANDS WILL BE INSTALLED

Set Up Downtown Zones To Help Pedestrians.

“The tornado raced through a]. ‘new residential district of factory] workers’ homes at Goshen, cutting]

Rescue squads of police and fire-| -

on the significance of the event.

the order in which men in the age groups 20 through 21 through 44, who registered Feb. 16, will be called for examination on their forces.

Tokyo Papers Please Copy .

n. Douglas MacArthur , , . a red-haired sergeant shouted gleefully: “Boy, oh boy! we'll gob: some

ALL-NIGHT LOTTERY BEGINS AT 5 TODAY

Nine Million Americans Wait Their Number.

WASHINGTON, March 17 (U. P.).—Approximately 9,000,000 men who registered for selective service last month will learn within the next 24 hours the order in which they will be examined for possible induction into the armed forces. The first war-time: draft lottery since Oct. 1, 1918—but the third in the last 17 months—begins at 5 p. m., (Indianapolis time), in the departmental auditorium. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, reaching into the historical “gold-fish bowl” which has been used for every manpower lottery since July 20, 1917, will draw the first number. During the few minutes precead ing, Brig. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, selective service director, will speak

With 7000 capsuled order numbers to be drawn, selective service officials expect the lottery to last all night, Tonight's lottery will deterniine

and 36

eligibility for the armed

Safety islands will: be constructed in Indiana, Kentucky and Virginia aves., to aid pedestrians in crossing those streets.

TIMES FEATURES

ON INSIDE PAGE

SE 7

Eddie Ash,...

Millett ...... 14 Movies (presse 6 ‘Mowrer ..... 12

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{Boor 53 1

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'Fox of Bataan

at the Helm

Hailed as Best News of War

By HARRISON SALISBURY

United Press Siaff Correspondent A surge of optimism thrilled -the embattled united nations today with announcement that Gen. Douglas MacArthur ‘had assumed supreme

command in Australia.

“That's wonderful!” said Wendell L. Willkie in New York and his sentiment was echoed by the little men in the street and statesmen

in high places wherever the flags of Out of the foxholes of Bataan had came the first real hero of the war in the Pacific to take the helm at an hour when the fortunes of the united antion’s seemed near ebb tide. In London, Britishers were going back to the glorious days of Drake -|and Hawkins to find parallels to Gen. MacArthur's exploits in the Philippines. Chorus of Approval In Washington a swellipg chorus of approval ran through congress. In the far stretches of Australia there was no need to wait for reaction. The cry: “We want MacArthur!” had resounded over the far dominion since the hour of Singapore’s doom.

NEW YORK, March 17 (U. P.). —Australian bonds jumped as much .as $40 today when it was

$200 in recent weeks because of Japanese invasion fears.

“There will be a real fighting man

the united nations fly.

BRITISH RAID AXIS BASE OFF TURKEY

Warships and RAF Pound Rhodes Stronghold.

By JOE ALEX MORRIS Unitéd Press Foreign Editor A Dbig-scale surprise attack by British naval and air forces on the eastern Mediterranean island of Rhodes was believed today to have disrupted axis plans for a possible SpHug offensive into the Near East. Meanwhile, in the southwest Pacific a Japanese invasion fleet, including transports, cruisers, destroyers and possibly an aircraft carrier, was being hunted by allied forces in the vicinity of New Guinea. Heavy damage was inflicted by British forces on the big Rhodes island base, off the Turkish coast, by an air and sea bombardment which dispatches said lit up the target “like a Christmas tree” as hundreds of shells and bombs found their mark. (Axis propaganda broadcasts, acthe attack, said also that the British planes had bombed Asia minor, including the

NEWEST A.EF. FIGHTS UNDER BATAAN HER

Wife and Son Accompany General on Secret Plane Trip; Gen. Wainwright Carries On in Philippines.

WASHINGTON, March 17 (U. P.).—Gen. Douglas MacArthur, foremost commander of the allied war chief tains, arrived in Australia from the beleaguered Philippines today and has assumed supreme command of the united nations forces there in Australia’s hour of peril. al The colorful defender of the Philippines reached Australia after a secret airplane flight, only a few hours after official disclosure that American troops—air and ground forces “in considerable numbers”—have landed jn Australia and are preparing to meet Japan's blows against the south« west Pacific bastion. : Gen. MacArthur, the war department announced, was |

ordered by President Roosevelt to leave the Philippines 23

days ago and go to Australia “as soon as ‘the necessary

arrangements could be made.”

as 48 ks I 5

of. Cabeguest, ional circles here cheered the announcement

: and said that Gen. MacArthur’s arrival in Australia

boost the morale of all the united nations fighting forces |

a critical hour.

-Chairman Tom Connally (D. Tex.), of the senate fore eign relations committee, predicted that the united nations troops ‘will “respond. gloriously” to. Gen. MacArthur's leadership, and said “it is fortunate for the civilized world that he is there.” Adoompaiied by Family It had been conceded by top military authorities for weeks while demands for. Gen. MacArthur's “rescue” from: the Philippines were made in congress and in Australia— that a presidential order would be necessary to make him leave his valiant little army that has held the Japanese at a ie standstill on the Bataan battlefront. Gen. MacArthur was accompanied: to Australia—nearly 2000 miles south of the Philippines—by his wife and son, who during recent weeks are believed to have remained in. Corregidor fortress at the entrance to Manila bay, Corregi= dor has been subjected to Progen Japanese aerial bome '| bardment. Gen. MacArthur takes over the post vacated recently by Gen. Sir Archibald Wavell, British commander, who was: relieved of the united nations supreme command in the Pacific. Still Commands Bataan No successor was named at that time of Gen. W: who was returned to his command of the, defense of and also charged with the defense of Burma. Gen. EE ia ght Australia by his. chief of ‘staff, Maj. Gen. Richard K. Suthers land; Brig. Gen. Harold H. George of the air ‘corps, and several other staff officers, the war department said. wo “He will be the supreme commander in that region, cluding the Philippine islands, in accordance with the of the Australian government,” it was said. a “On Feb. 22 the president directed Gen. MacArthur transfer his headquarters from the Philippines to Aust

carrying ot the order until he could Donates on Page Four)