La Grande evening observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1904-1959, March 30, 1945, Image 1

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La Grande evening observer., March 30, 1945, Image 1

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Newspaper Page Texto ii j- ir n n n n n Uifwas.Din) omeoainie Ofr Ja HI I Llffi) o ' U U O o 3 Weather Data for 24 hours ending at 7 a. m. Temperatures: Maximum 56 Minimum 2B Forecast: Portly cloudy tonight and Saturday. ESTABLISHED 1896 Danzig Is Captured By Soviets Resistance of Germany Grumbles Hordes of Are Takon m mm w w mmw J m aaavw As Rout Increases LONDON, Match 30 (UP) Rudio Luxembourg to- night broadcast that there is no longer a coherent Gcr I man front and that "there are only separate fighting zones'! with allied troops meeting but weak resistance. w I'AIUS, March 30 (UP) American tank columns were jV1 within a few miles of completely, severing' the Ruhr from central Germany tonight and both the first and third Amer-f- icun armies were closing in on Kassel and the Wester river lino 165 miles southwest of Berlin. The American ninth army broke loose today, shaking its i tank columns free for a long gain across the top of the Ruhr ' against light resistance, a security blackout prevented pin ;, pointing the advance but one report was that they gained 30 miles which would put them abreast of the east Ruhr center J of Hamm, 227 miles west of Berlin. Prisoners swarmed into the American prisoners cages with a bag of perhaps 70,000 in the past 48 hours by the first and third American armies. The third army reported it had put 230,000 Germans out of action since crossing the Moselle, in cluding 140,142 captured. J r Unconfirmed reports broadcast by the London radio said beaten, dispirited Germans were surrendering at the rate of 2,000 an hour today. Coupled with the capture of more than 33,000 nazis by the U. S. first and third armies alone yesterday, that indicated n bag of perhaps 70,000 enemy troops by all allied armies in 48 hours and the break-up of Germany's armies in the west. E. C. Sammons Is Named Financial Institution Head PORTLAND, Ore., March 30 (UP) The United States national bank of Portland, one of the larg est banking institutions in the nation, today elected Edward C. Sammons, manufacturer and war loan drive head, as president. Several other bank posts were sWtcd. Paul S. Dick, longtime president, becume chairman of the board of directors. Alexan der M. Wright retired as first vice president but remained on the board of directors; Abbot L. Mills, jr., a vice president and di rector, became first vice presi dent. Sammons Is vice president of the Iron Fireman manufacturing company, a post he will resign but remain a director. He is Ore gon chairman of the war loan drive. The parent bank and four branches are in Portland, with 22 cither branches In Oregon, includ ing one in La Grande, and an as sociate bank in Vancouver, WVish. Its combined assets are in excess of $472,000,000, ranking it 32nd in deposits among all the banks of the country. Started as Nowsboy At 53, Sammons has had a ca reer of selling papers, cash boy at Meier and Frank company, news paper reporter, assistant in the credit department of the Lumber man's national bank, captain of infantry in the first world war before being commissioned a lieu See E. C. SAMMONS Page 5 Nazis Pin Hopes From Defeat on PORTLAND, Ore.. March 30 (UP) A tiny gadget which could be placed in a rocket bomb is the last secret weapon of the Germans, a threat to powerful that the nazis are con fident it will WiR j out civiliza tion atftl save Hum from de feat. (' ,T This was rcvc.d by Jacob von Berkel, mcWlbcr of the Dutch (oMindcigro'fljj), in ')''r many Four years. ' ,. Using an assumed itfinv-- to" protect his identity Von Ber kel said the Gcrmm. are sav ing the new secret wiyipon until the leaders have lht; to letreat to the Bavarian Alps where a last stand has been planned for two years. The Dntrh spy said the rocket Prisoners hw A t? Virtually all the western lroiu was uncbr a military security blackout, but field dispatches ill tircd through the censorship made it clear that the greatest break-through of the western war was tearing the German linos apart. The American first army was loose on a wide front east of the Ruhr valley and racing north to ward nn imminent juncture with British second army forces on the Wcstpholian plain. British Reach Mutnsier Vanguards of the British force were reported in the Wostphalian capital of Muenstcr, 227 miles from Berlin, and fanning out to the northuast toward Bremen and Hannover. Muenstcr lies 52 miles east of the Rhine, the deepest penclra See GERMANS . . . Page 3 230,000 Germans Killed, Captured By Patton's Army THIRD AMERICAN ARMY GHQ, March 30 (UP) Lt. Gen. George S. Patton in a commenda tion Issued to his Third army re vealed today that since crossing the Moselle the Third army has put out of action an estimated 230,000 German troops. I he Third army has captured 140.143 Germans and killed or wounded an estimated 11(1,000 more. It has captured 6,484 square miles of territory and 3,072 cities and towns. It has crossed 24 rivers. In the past two weeks the Third has captured more than 05.000 Germans. for Escape New Rocket devica could be launched to strike- at the United States. He said the race of the allied aimies across the Rhine and on thiough Au.'itria j one against time which will determine whether the, nazis can get their devastating weapon in opera tion. . ; . ' , - - Von rjt-.rkel feels that "Hitler j is no more Insane now than he hn( Vrrn sirjee his ri)j? to power The German cnnccpHoli ,of is a os-.iie lor Y-xisiencs ly casnmg 'f))givif nnv.-qi) i(ti or "non-existence againstulho n lr,tmeht hejck't'from h'usliimds in aIfS)i, who(S)t(i believe (6) be ('the(tr,metOfore WfcUh over- gangsters . . . incApj saju ne oneo-ine iney, irvinjju. oiosorg, aisim.s'c underground W-cr the Gifi'iMbe charges ,ft grounds "the in- bombing of Rotterdam (And managed to smugglerput platStP for the rorkrf)"omf (o) r iiji'HMMiiHi;;:! LA. GRANDE. controversy oomsjU-Boats Of BigThree U. S. Delegates Arc Critical of Extra Vote Agreement WASHINGTON, March 30 (UP) The big three's secret agree ment on extra voles for Russia and the 'United States in the world assembly poinled clearly today to a bitter fight bclwoen the big and little nations at Hum San Francisco conference. It is certain to stir up a violent controversy among the American public and to split the U. S. dele gation op the eve of the confer ence to create a world organiza tion for keeping the peace. Delegates Dissent Immediate unofficial reaction was disillusionment. Sen. Joseph U. Ball, R., Minn., characterized it as a "giatuitous slap at the small nations," Sens. Arthur H. Vandenborg, R., Mich., and Wal lace H. White, R.; Me., denounced it and opposed extra votes for the United Stales as much as for other countries. If the deal agreed to at Yalta is approved, Russia and the United States will get three votes each in the assembly. The Brit ish .empire will have six through the United Kingdom, the four dominions', ' and India. All the other nations will have one each. Stalin Proposes Increase The first proposal for more than one seat on the assembly was mado by Premier Josef Stal in who, a year ago, granted a de gree of autonomy in foreign af See CONTROVERSY . . . Page 3 Yanks Bottle Up Approaches To Big Cebu Harbor MANILA, March 30 (UP) Ele ments of the Americal division secured the approaches to Genu's big harbor in the central Philip pines today with invasions of nearby Cauit and Maclan islands. The main city of Opon on Mac tan island, where Magellan died in the 16th centruy, was seized by the assault troops while tiny Cauit, a former seaplane base just outside Cebu city's harbor, was completely occupied. The islands were the 20th and 30th invaded by American forces in the Philippines. At the same time other units of the Americal division contin ued to fan out on Cebu island against only disorganized Japan ese resistance. MacAilhur's communique said there was only minor action in the ground campaign on Luzon, in the northern Philippines, where an additional 1.331! Jap anese bodies were counted in the mopping up operations cast of Manila. Mitchell medium bombers and fighter planes continued steaiiv attacks on enemy positions throughout Luzon and Liberator:, dumped another 200 Ions of ex plosives at Lcgaspi, on the south eastern tip of the island. Trial Is Set foi Much Married Vilma SACRA MNTO. Mar. 30 (UPl Federal Judge Martin I. Welsh today set for April 10 the trial ol Mrs. Vilma Subcrly, 2li, w ho the FBI sa.vfj acquired at least vjjfilii husb:uids witht'Ut a comparable number of divorces, on t.-i1 J charges of using the midli; to tlo- Iraud. -Mb. SulrtM Iv cleailtd1 n'lt nn- ruia i(W9)inoucii.v p)- ner aiv.r-ew.lll n. ((gienl do not show the d'rVV fendanCtias committed any r.i;0) I fr-'.' Unina nd Wallowa Covnrtl OREGON FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 30, 1943 Taken by Red Army LONDON', March 30 (UP) Russian forces captured the former free port of Danzig oil the lialtic today while other Red army troops were report ed sweenimr a nnir five hiirh- ways south of the Danube in a drive on the Austrian capi Uil ol Vienna Al ii r s h a 1 Konstanlin K. ! Rokossovsky's Soviet troops cleared Danzig of e n e m y troops and are in complete possession," Marshal Stalin said in an order of the day an nouncing the city's capture. The conquering Russians seized 10,000 prisoners and 45 U-boats in the port area, Stalin announced. The order of the day said that the Polish national flag had been raised over the city. 30 Miles from Vienna Russian forces driving into Austria for Vienna were reported only 30 miles from the Austrian capital al Sopron which was re ported besieged. Maishal Stalin announced in his third order of the day that Soviet troops, driving west o Lake Balaton, have captured Za laegerszeg, 20 miles from Austria, and other west Hungarian cities protecting the Nagykanizsa oil basin. The German high command admitted the fall of Danzig and Gdynia. The Germans, however, claim ed the Soviet drive into Austria had been halted. At Sopron the Russians were only 18 miles from (he huge Aus trian manufacturing and war cen ter of Wiener Neustadt, often a target for American heavy bom bers, and the rail line's linking See BALTIC . . . Page 5 Livestock Show Entries Limited To Sale Animals Directors of the Eastern Ore gon livestock show, meeting Wednesday night in Union, adopted a rule thai only fat stock that will be offered for sale in the auction will be exhibited at the show to be held in Union June 1 and 2. To comply with ODT regula tions only cattle, sheep and Irigs raised by 4 -II club members and Future Farmers will be exhibit ed and judged. Participants are e-xpected from Baker. Umatilla, Wallowa, Mal heur and Union counties. Premi ums will be given for prize win ning animals, and the board of directors are seeking the same judges tJ serve this year. On tiu.' board of directors of the association are Herb Chandler, Baker, president; G. I. Hess, Un ion, vice-pi esiflcnl; Arch Parkev ai d C. W. Hunting. La Grand.-, Clyde McKcnzic, Summerville, Sherman Gui ridge, Prairie City. Winnie Mires, Raker, Dick Rich ards, formerly of Union and re cenlly :f Prairie City, I. G. (T-xl KniglM, and C. K. Pete Davis, of Union. Tony D. Smith and Lester Bramwell, both of Union, are .sec retin y and treasure.", respectively- Sanity of Carbarn Lothario Undecided KAN' .FUAN'C'l-SCt'V March 3K I fft--The ianitv tria.' )if KiiMV ciu Van) Wie. (wHinQilreadv illas I been u)iVM,'ted on Wire biganf (c,'iaigc - s; vCtis) '() today until vft)iiduy wheclosmg ai giiin(fl be made i ne iesiitii ists ye.iUrd.-fe' ly of three alien- Itte vr.: .r. ... . I I w:. r. old street car Lothario to be sliuMUSh the psychopathic side huP-riot ihsane. NETH Hi '"'V''" CV.KLEMBURO NETH. Af . ftoaow wSBP 6oMjT'GERMANY , , .:' S,MuMlHiumi 9"C vA IwenoehJ , DRWOtf . jj "57 V"bc'9' ? - '(,yKorl.,Ul,o Sbll.9 V, Slroibouoj STUTTGART 1.2?" r,L 5fVURTTEMEKG S AVAHa'n, GERMAN ARMIES ON THE RUN Virtually surrounding the great German industrial Ruhr, and racing eastward all aloig a wide front, allied troops woro reported today to be 18S miles from Berlin, aid pushing toward a junction with westbound Soviet armies. Third army troops were reported to be nearlng the iam ous shrtae city of Nuernborg, while other units of tho U. S. forces were reported nearing Hanover. Crucifixion of Prince of Peace Commemorated As La Grande Lays Aside Personal Affairs Bright sunlight, softened by the large stained glass windows, filled the First Baptist church, and floral decorations created i peaceful selling for the Good Fri day service conducted this after noon, under the auspices of the La Grande Ministerial associa tion. A capacity crowd that filled the church heard a preliminary program of three numbers, "Mel ody" and "Poemc D'Amour," by Reynard, and "Andante Canta bile" bv Tschaikowsky, presented by a high school string quintet. The quintet, under the direc tion of O. P. Wcigel, included Ir win Wright, -Beverly Smith, Alyce Gordon, Mary Jasper and Melody Barnes. . The invocation was given by W B. Stunner, and .sitriplure readings by Rev. R. E. Stanley Hunt, Itev. O. A. Crofford and Rev. R. W. Tomeraasen. The prayer was offered by Ilev. Mark A. Talney, and the Good Friday message by Rev. B. Ross Evans. Rev. Irvin S. Mot, gave the bene diction. Hymns were sung and silent 111 Health Causes Former Soldier To Take Own Lite Despondency over ill health contracted overseas, and which resulted in his discharge from the armv, lodav was blamed by Coroner L. L. Snodgiass for the suicide yi'strrd.-ty of Vance Vic tor Johnson, 20, at his home at 25(13 North lliri-h street. The coroner said death was caused by a pistol shot in his head. Johnson was born in La Grande and had lived here all his life with Ihe exception of the time he was in the service. He en listed in the armttfi .service in Apri I, 1030 and was a member of II'.-:- national guards, the 1 Willi infantry, and served through the rough fighting in the south Pa cific until he bi canie ill and as sent back to the United States, lie was discharged October 31. 104). at Walla Walla. His ineUier died whi n he wos See ILL HEALTH . . - Page 5 Enterprise Youth Honored by WA ' (Gcixild h'.-iVtlin of Cno-rprisi'. Vtav1 Aa-' y-l'ctrd .vice-president !P the Oregon Association of Kuluie Fanners of America at the 17th annual convention whicCJ) c iieh d today in Portland. Other (st)U o f f i c c r ilccl(csl weirJtobert Taylor, Grants J'afS, preiiient; Leonard Pc r lich, Salem, secretary; Leonard Hop kins, Cloverdale, treasurer, and Orville Ohling. Albany, repoi le-r. tWtT FIVE GENTS meditation observed. Mrs. Retta Ehlers, accompanied by Dr. Hen ry J. Ehlers, presented a soprano nolo,, and Frances Voruj playod the piano poslludc. Many La Grande business firms suspended all aclivities in observance of the Good Friday program, opening later in the afternoon for business. A public observance of Good Friday will be held at 7:30 o'clock this evening at the First Presby terian church. As a prelude to Hie service Mrs. Harvey Carter, organist, will play "Idylle" by Oberholt, "At Eventide" by Har ris, and "Theme From Symphonic Pathetique" by Tschaikowski. The spiritual "Were You There" will be sung by Mrs. Edith Wforley, and the choir will sing "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" by Bach. Rev. Mark A. Tiilney will de liver a meditaliun on "The Con queror of Calvary." The chancel choir of the First Presbyterian church will re hearse al 7:30 o'clock tonight al the close of the; Good Friday, services. Of Diphtheria Wane OREGON CITY, Ore., M.'mh 30 (UP) Dr. Dan P. Trullinger, Clackamas county health officer, today said the diphtheria epi demic at Mohilla is believed to have run its course as there have been no new cases reported sine" Mondav. when the lotal was 53. He said a few scattered other' cases had no connection will) the , Molalla outbreak. I Molalla schools will reopen Monday and previously-cancelled Raster church services are being revived. Superforts Bomb Nagoya Industries WASHINGTON, March 30 (UP) A small force of Superfortresses today attacked an industrial tar get In Nagoya, Japanese airciat production center. The city previously bad Ijeen twice subjected to heavy fire bombing, by B-20's. The mission was flown byvB 20 s from Maj. Gen. Curtis K. Lemay's 2!slri,niiiijV command basal in the Warianas. W Ltiliis "Club Chqnjjes I' lace of Meeting Horace Nelson, president of the La Grande LlonjclubiSiin nounced today the club will meet Monday in the Steinxlub cafe in the Hotel Foley bui.ViHig on Ad ams avenue at noon Monday. The club has been meeting rrcenllv in the IOOF hall. Big Allied Fleet; Is Reported for Okinawa Blow GUAM, March 30 (UP) Japanese reports today said that five allied task forces, spearheaded by 18 battleships, have steamed within 25 miles of Japan's home waters in pre paration for invasion of Okinawa island the Ryukyus. s Tokyo reports said that the American forces appeared near Tancgu Xliima, only 25 miles from the Japanese homeland, and hinted that the remnants of the main Japanese fleet might emerge from hiding to attack the Americans. - The Japanese report, however, did not indicate that any counter-measures were taken against the daring American fk-et when it approached the coast. One U. S. naval force appeared near Ashizuri Zami, at the sovthura tip of Shikoku island, on Thursday, Tokyo reported. It was mi Shikaku that Japan first established its major pri- soier-oMvar camps. "Part of the enemy task forces made its appearance near Tanega Shiina," Tokyo said. Tanega is only 25 miliis from the coast of Japan. Ashizuri Zuki lies across the Bungo channel from Kyushu, site of some of Japan's biggest, industries and naval bases. Botwnt Clamed bv Tokyo . The enemy said tho task force off Aahizuri Zakl "has made its retreat." There was no reference to u bombardment or of any counter-measures. "Japanese forces,!' said Tokyo, "arc still hunting down tho ene my' task forces in tho neighbor ing waters of tlie Japanese home land." Presumably the tusk forces mentioned in today's enemy ro peirta went those which hurled swarms of carrier aircraft against cities and naval base's of south ern Japan. Never before, how ever, had American surface com bat craft been reported so close to Japan's mainland In this war. Estimates Are Erratic Japanese estimates of the task forces which the enemy said has been hitting installations- ull the way from Japan proper to the Sakishimas, 000 miles to the southwest, ranged from 150 sur face ships to 2,000, including transports and laneling craft. One Tokyo broadcast said "al most the entire American Pacific fleet" was mobilized for the as sault. SlW-saw Though the assault asxo.ntof- ing base1 ,se island 330 miles tKt Japan, Tokyo said one task ...I !.., Ki.iM ttnA In- of force appeared last night and to I day "around" Tanega island, only 25 miles off the coast of Japan itself. A penetration to Tanega would be the closest approach to Japan by allied warships of the war and would represent a ringing chal-leng-.; to the remanants. of the Japanese fleet to come out and fight. ' War Labor Board Moves to Prevent Coal Mine Strike WASHINGTON, Mar. 30 (UP) The war labor board today called the united mine workers and soft coal operators to a pub lic hearing at 10:30 a. m. tomor row to explain their refusal to continue working under an ex tension of their existing contract. It 1'xpires at midnight tomorrow. The board's order for the hear ing technically called on the, UMW and the operatorn to show cause why they should nol ex tend their present contract un til they agree on a new one. It also called on them to show cause if any why they should not agree on a retroactive date from which any benefits finally agreed to would be effective. Prwumaoiy tnal dale would ue "''! , ' . , " , railure of the miners and oper- i aiois 10 agree 10 cominuc wum under terms of the existing con- tract undoubtedly would li'ad to ouick government seizure of hi tumiiiuiis mines In prevent a strike, it is believed. Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins asked the WLU to step into the wage-hour controversy late last nigiit after the operators rejected her compromise propos al for settlement, which had been accepted by UMW President John L. Lewis. Miss Perkins said it was "ob See WL1I ACTS . . . Page 5 Nursing Aide Is , Given jew Term SAI.KM, Ore., March 30 (UP) -.-Ulster Mary Alexis, of fei Grandr, has been reappointed for anotl. three year termn the slate board for examination and rcgi;HCiilion of graduate nurses. Gov. Kim Snell an nounced today. Her leim begins April 2. Sister Mary Alexis came to La Grande in August, 1044, from St. Anthony hospll.il in Penjrtv lon. w Massing Powerful British Fleet Puts to Sea To Battle Japan WESTERN PACIFIC BASE, March 22 (Delayed) (UP) A powerful British task force, in cluding battleships and aircraft carriers,' sped out from thin American base early today to land the first major British naval blow against the Japanese in this war. The task force, twice' abandon ed by tho British since (he' last war us unnecessary, was headed north to join the American fleet in fulfilment of Prime Minister Churchill's pledge that Britain's navy would fight until tho final annihilation of the Japanese. Its' target is the Ryukyu is lands, the long slopping - stone chain leading directly to the enemy's homeland. (A Pacific fleet communique announced today that carrier planes from the British task force raided the Sakishima group, southwest of Okinawa, Monday and Tuesday.) As tho hulking gray shapes of the -British warships moved out into tho Pacific, Commodore Wor rall R. Carter, USN, commander of service squadron 10. for the Pacific flcot service force, sent a blinker message to tho task force. "Good hunting, good luck and riMI'WMiteBcUigh broth ers,- B c I -SS .H41DV : ii'n&'jW, MOvW task f0" T'ulieu 'v I . ' i Thank you vory much.. I hope wo meet again, commodore nearer to Tokyo." Tho messages were significant for tho task force was destined to hit the Japanese within 500 miles of their home islands. . Tho task forc-3 is a potent unit, spearheaded by tlie most power ful and newest vessels of the British fleet, such as tho 35,000 ton battleship, King George V, and the 23,000-ton carrier, Illus trious,, , Nazi Government Reported Moved To Hitler Hideout LONDON March 30 (UP) A Vatican City dispatch said today that, the German government has begun functioning at Eichstatt, a final! town in the Bavarian Alps about 120 mile's northwest of Berchtesgadcn, after evacuating Berlin. A carefully-buried itSm in Os servatorc Roinuiit, official organ of the Vatican, revoaled Jl4ajl. Mgr. Ccsare Orsenigo, aportoiic nuncio, to the German goVeiSl mcnl, held fl special celubiathjji al Eichstudt Wednesday in' ob servance of the anniversary of thu pope's coronation. f ...- The dispatch thus conslifttwj, the most authoritative indication yet thin Adolf Hitler has written off Berlin as capital of Germany for a last stand in the Bavarian and Austrian Alps surrounding his mountain-top home at Berch tesRiiden. The disclosure came while nazi propagandists wore attempting to whip up German morale in the face of admittedly disastrous al lied break-throughs in the west. Senator Assails Manpower Bill WASHINGTON, Mar. 30 (UP) -on. C. Wayland rcjlrooks, R , III., today dertflunced the White II o u s (Kippnivc'd compromise manpower bill as a plan "to slekle both labor and industrial mani(g)mcnt to future govern ment edict." Brooks opened the third day of senate debate on the measure willed unillrl irlun Mobilivnl inn Erector James F. Byrne.&ilmosl unlimited power to impose em ployment ceilings on industry aiijTJo freeze workers in essential jobs. Administration lenders were openly pessimistic over chances for passage of the bill. .; 1