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About La Grande evening observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1904-1959 | View Entire Issue (May 5, 1945)
A A in)d(gi See Columns 1-2 Weather Data (or 24 hours ending at 7 a. m. Temperatures: Maximum 7B Minimum 43 Forecast: Generally air to night, and Sunday. eruer ' 4 Wallow Cotmfrei ESTABLISHED 1K9B' LA GRANDE. OREGON SATURDAY EVENING. MAY 5. 1915 FIVE CENTS ' la (Brand Arrest of Capitulation of Big Norway Garrison of Nazis Expected Soon LONDON, May 5 (UP) An estimated 200,000 to 400,000 troops of the German army group defending Austria surren dered unconditionally to Gen. Jacob L. Devers today. The second mass German surrender in two days collapsed resistance to the American and Hritish forces on the con tinent except for Norway, Czechoslovakia, and some coastal pockets. Germans in Czechoslovakia, eastern Austria and the Dresden-Chemnitz area of Germany still were lighting the lius sians. In the last two major islands of German resistance, Czechoslovak sources in London reported that a patriot uprising had liberated Prague, and a na.i source said the commander of occupation forces in Norway had decided to surrender, with an announcement of capitu lation expected at any time. (The Swedish newspaper Stockhoim-Tidningen in a dis patch reported by the FCC said the surrender of German forces in Norway was expected today. "Agreement already has been reached" between the allied and German authori ties, it said, and "only technical details in connection with the evacuation of troops" remained.) The Exchanf.? Telegraph news agency said unconfirmed reports indicated the nazis wore negotiat ing for the withdrawal of all German troops iroin Czechoslo vakia. Big Area Cleared Supreme r Dadquartcrs in Paris announced the uncondition al surrender of the German army group "G" the first and l'Jth armies r to Devcrs, commander nf they I.. S -si-:'1 arm.'U ?ip Jt obliterated nazi ' resistance from the Czechoslovak border area north of Linz southwest ward to the Swiss frontier. Surrender of th-a German 24th army to the Ftench first army, was announced tonight by the Sec GERMAN . . . Page 7 Rainfall for Crop Year Is Below 33-Year Average A material deficiency in pre cipitation for the crop year to May 1 is revealed in the monthly weather summary of the eastern Oregon livestock experiment sta tion at Union. It shows precipitation of 8.27 inches, or .74 inch less than the 113-year average, while the water supply for the month and the calendar year both are above the average for the same period. The precipitation for the month was 1.52 inches, as compared with an average of 1.311, and that for the four month period was 5.77 inches, or .99 inch more than average. This included 4.2 inches of snow during the past month. Precipitation of .01 inch or more was recorded on 1H days during April, the greatest amount being .2!) inch on April 3 and 23. Highest temperature of the month was 79 degrees on April 2!l, and the lowest 10 degrees on April 2. There were 10 clear days, .even cloudy and 13 partly cloudy. Americans Waited at Elbe to Give Reds Time to Take Berlin WITH U. S. NINTH ARMY IN GERMANY, April 24 (De layed by censor) (UP) The Ninth army was on the march to Berlin on April 1 5th when it suddenly got orders to halt at the Elbe river, it may be re vealed today. Untold thousands of Ameri can lives were saved when it as decided by high authori ties to let the Red army alone take Berlin. American forces never reach ed Potsdam and withdrew, as reported in the United States. On April 13th. the date nf that false report, the most advanced elements of the Ninth were not more than 3,000 yards east of the Elbe. Froratlie) bridgehead, the orders issued to 13th and l'Jth crps said, aggressive recon naissance was to be carried out. OuWs like that when they Quisling Urges Norwegians to Fight Bolshevism LONDON. May 5 (UP) Radio Oslo said ioday that Ma jor Vidkun Quisling, head of the German-controlled Norwe gian government has announc d that, hl regime uwilLcarxy on to prevent Norway from be coming a battlefield. The Oslo broadcast said Quis ling appealed for support of all Norwegians aid asserted his government will continue io collaborate with German mili tary authorities to "save" the Norwegian people from "bol shevism." Earlier the nazi-controlled Scandinavian telegraph bureau reported that Quisling had been overthrown and that the Ger man garrison estimated at 250, 000 men might give up at any lime. Gunman Indicted For Officer's Death VALE, Ore.. May 5 (UP) In dictment of Kenneth Bailey, 20, on charges of first degree mur der in the gun battle killing of Sgl. Ted Chambers of the Oregon slate police was returned here late yesterday. Chambers, formerly of La Grande, was killed and two other officers were wounded in a gun battle last Sunday at Weiser, Idaho. Bailey was wounded and his partner, Ronald Duffy, 22, was killed while attempting to es cape across a field after the shoot ing. Bailey, who reportedly began his crime career at the age of 13, was wanted by Idaho slate po lice for disarming two officers at Nampa, the day before the gun battle, when caught stealing gaso- I line. reach junior field commanders facing an objective such as Berlin certainly would be in terpreted as a green light to enler Berlin, if possible. But on April 15th, Gen. Omar N. Bradley, 12th army group commander, got new or ders. Lt. Gen. William H. Simpson, Ninth army comman der, was with him at the time. Those new orders which came from Shaef said that the Ninth should not cross the Elbe, except for the bridgehead the 83rd division already held. The orders left no room for loose interpretation. At that time one competent. American commander csiimat- ed that 10 dayV hard fighting would put the Ninth inside the city limits of Berlin. No official or authorized ex planation of the change in or ders, ever was issued. Poles Disrupts Demobilization Plans Revealed By Army Leaders Many in Europe To Get Home on Way to Pacific WASHINGTON, May 5 (UP) The U. S. army will be reduced from the present strength of 8,300,000 men to 6,068,000 within a year, the war department re vealed today in announcing its redeployment plan. Selective service calls will con tinue after V-E day at a level above that reeded for replace ment in order to make possible the release of more mm who have served long and arduously overseas, the announcement said. Many Due for Release About 1,300,000 mm will be eligible for release on the basis of long service and combat duty overseas, the war department said. About half, of these are now in the European theater, about one-third in the Pacific, and the balance in the United Stales on rotation after long tours overseas. Discharges for such causes as sickness, wounds, and age will continue simultaneously so that it is expected a total of about 2, 000,000 men will oc released from the army during the 12 months following V-E day. About two-thirds of the com bat units transferred from Europe to the Pacific will come through the United States and members of these units will have furloughs, the anouncemnnt . said. . It. did not give 'thb'lbngth of furloughs in prospect but it was learned they would extend up to 30 days. The war department said that while first priority will be given See DEMOBILIZATION . . Pg 7 300 B-29s Batter Jap Suicide Bases On Home Islands GUAM, May 5 (UP) Some 300 U. S. Superforts today smashed back at the Japanese homeland in a triple attack against bases of enemy suicide planes and ships which sunk five American light surface units in the costliest air and sea battle of the Okinawa campaign. The American ships were sunk and several others damaged in a futile but bloody attack yester day by Jap ships and planes shortly after some 600 Japanese troops attempted four amphibious landings on Okinawa behind U. S. lines. The suicide attacks cost the enemy more than 54 planes, 15 suicide boats and more than 300 soldiers whose bodies were strewn along the beaches and in the waters off the east and west coasts. Kyushu Airfields Hit For the first time in Supcrfort history the B29s hit Japan proper three times in one day, with a total of 17 airfields on Kyushu under attack. The latest strike was carried out late this afternoon against Chiran, Ibusuki and Kanoya air fields on Kyushu by some 50 B 29s. Earlier between 150 and 200 of the big bombers attacked the Hiro aircraft plant, five miles east of fthc great Kmc naval base on southern Honshu. From 25 to 50 Superforts irr an early morning raid hit Oita and Tachi arai airfields on Kyushu. Super fort crews on all missions bomb ed visually from medium alti Sce SUPERFORTS . . . Page 7 La Grande Soldier Killed in Italy Mrs. Hazel Evans Murchison has been notified that her hus band. George Murchison was killed while on combat duty with the armed forces in Italy. No de tails were given. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Murchison of La Grande, and leaves 12 brrtthers and sisters. Murchison has been in the army two years, had been overseas since January )this year. Prior to entering thcTirmy he viis in the forest service, stationed' Jrtjthc Summit ranger station. RED FLP.Z FLIES OVER REICHTAG Tho Soviet armies achieved the greatest objective of their famous drive into Germany when they planted their hamme r and sickle emblem atop tho Roichtag, former seat of the German government in Berlin. The picture abovo shows the Russian flag flying proudly over the building, marking victory. Gradual Easing Of Lumber Curbs Planned byWPB Many in Europe To Get Home on Way to Pacific - PORTLAND, May 5 (UP) National WPB lumber adminis trator J. Philip Boyd said today civilian controls on lumber will be eased gradually in the next few months but the industry still faces a major production prob lem in Pacific war demands. The goal is to remove all civil ian controls by the end of Sept ember, Boyd said, but price ceil ings will continue until the Jap-, anese war is completed. "Now that the war in Europe is ending, government will pro vide the lumber industry with all the tools it needs, including cauipmcnt, tires and manpower," Boyd said. "More than any other industries, lumber and textiles must work even harder in the shift of armies into the Pacific, and I can say that Both will be the 'fair haired boys'." Boyd said the lumber industry is eager to car ry on the war and still assist in prompt reconversion to permit civilian construction. He added that an orderly lifting of civilian controls while keeping strict supervision over war de mands would make it easier to resume competitive peace lime production when the war ends. Boyd said military lenders estimated that 75 per cent of the European war equipment can be crated and redeployed to th? Pacific, in the next six months. Heavy Demands Remain "The lumber industry faces in creased demands from the; army and navy, a relatively small cut back in the military program, ex tremely heavy demand for domes tic production, legitimate demand for reconverjion, the desire of everybody to build a house or remodel, and emergency de mands for foreign uses adding up a See GRADUAL . . . Page 7 Baseball Results NATIONAL LEAGUE first game It. If. K. 10 II I 1 5 5 Schanz, Karl, and Pearock, Brook Ivn . .. Philadelphia Davis and Owen; Ripple, Chelkovich Seminick. First game Boston New York 5 13 .15 II Tobin, Hutchings. Cozart. Fette Cardoni and Masi; F c I d m a n. Adams and Lombardi. AMERICAN LEAGUE New York - 7 11 Boston 3 8 0 Dul(l and M. Garbark: Cecil. Terry, Barrett and R. Garbark. Cleveland 2 6 0 Chicago 3 7 2 Smith, Klieman, Henry, Reyn olds and Ruszkowski; Lee and and Tresh. Music Week Observance Opens With Sacred Concert Tomorrow ' Opening the official observance of National music week in La I n..-.n,tA it... n.nu;n,.i .....I L.,.l..iu(L. ,.r il. n i -.ii.... n.. c,.iniL- Methodist and Presbyterian churches will oppear tomorrow after noon in a sacred concert in the First Methodist church. It will begin at 4 o'clock. In connection with' the week's observance, under the auspices of the Neighborhood club, and with concerts Tucse'vij', Thurs day and Friday evenings, T. H. Gaither. president of the La i Grande city commission, issued a . . ,. . . proclamation urging the people! An outstanding mus.eal pro of the community to cooperate in ''" was enjoyed by an audience the occasion "a notable and con-1 ?f more lnan 500 Persons when structive one in the advancement j ot the art or music and the pro motion of its enjoyment," and pointing out that music is a vital factor in maintaining wartime morale. Roosevelt Commends Move The late President Roosevelt also was one ef the leading spon sors of national music week, and less than three weeks before his death he wrote C. M. Tremaine, secretary of the national music week committee, giving it his wholehearted endorsement. In part he said "the celebration . . . at this momentous period in the world's history has special significance for all who are work ing and fighting so that the great achievements of civilization may be preserved." "In the western hemisphere, the Americas' increasing appreci ation of musical and artistic at tainments of their neighbors has contributed greatly to mutual bonds of friendship and under standing. ". . . Music in its many forms has given untold inspiration and comfort to our fighting men, to our workers in industry and on the home front . . ." A suggestion was made thai some of the late' president's fa vorite hymns be sung in tin churches tomorrow and that the high school pay similar tribute on Friday. Lee Miller Goes A shore as A ussies Invade Borneo "Swosh!" and a Jap shell welcomes Lee G. Miller to Bor neo. Millor makes a running dive into oily vegotation and slays there while Japs plunk shells around him. Miller was among the first to set foot and lie flat on Bor neo. Big stews is breaking on that big island right now. Mil ler is on the scene, in the midst of the smoke, the haie and the shells, to tell you fresh, crisp, thrilling details of the fight. His story appears on page 8. CHILD BURNS TO DEATH TILLAMOOK. ()rc., May 5 (L'ty Four-year-old Lynn Robert I Van Winkle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rob ert Van Winkle, died today from fc)ns received when his night clothing caught tire while he played with matches and candles. Security Parley Central School Singers Are Hit in CnrtOUrt PrfiiTl'MlYI MJIlLCll I TUgl dill uirry uruneuo, music instructor at Central school last night pre sented his students in a musical at the high school auditorium. On the program were the La Grandolicrs, a mixed choral group, The Hancheros, a boys' group in western attire, and the Moelerncttes, girls dressed in pas tel formal dressers with earrings and glittering throat nrnamimls. A highlight of the event was a solo by Carol Nichols, 14-ycar-old eighth grade student, who has had only three months voice training. Her number was "A Bird Sang in the Rain," by Wood. Other soloists were Jean Hoov er, Donna Mae Dalstrom and Margaret Greene, all 13-ye'ar-old eighth grade students, Nancy Lamb, 12, a seventh grader, and Marlene Roc and Donaleleen Bull, 11-year-old sixth grade students. Outstanding selections prescnt ed by the La Gondoliers were "Praise Be to Thee" by Paleslrina, "Play to Me Gypsy" popular, Smait's "The Lord Is My Shep herd" and Hola! finale from light ope'ra, Toi'eadors. Accompanists were- Dorothy Hart and Phyllis McLaughlin. Jap Remnants in Burma in Flight CALCUTTA, May 5 (UP) -The remnants of Japanese forces in virtually liberated Burma were reported fle'eing eastward from I he Imiwaddy toward the Thai land today will) allied troops in rapid pursuit. At the same lime oilier allied fi,M"s were mopping, up isolated Japanese pockets, trapped in the ana between the lirawarlrly and Hie west coast of Burma. Admiral Lord Louis Mounlbal ten in an order of the day on the capture of Rangoon, capital of Burma, estimated that the Japa nese suffered 2g0,0Q0 i;sualtrs, of which 90,000 were deod, in the Burma campaign. The southea.st Asia cWninonder paid tribute M the work of Am erican and Royal Air forces and told his troops: "You have won the race for Rangoon and have beaten the monsoon as well as the Japanese. "The fall of the capital 10 days before the rains and storitrji will be upon you, brings to an end the battle of Burma, fur although iso lated pockets of the enemy remain their doom is now sealed." Soviet Reveals 16 Emissaries to Moscow For Divertionist Activities ;! SAN FIIANC1SCO, May 5 (UP) Big three talks on the long-deadlocked Polish issue were broken off today on dis demure that 16 Polish Democratic leaders have been arresttjd by the Red army. News of the arrests was revealed by Soviet Foreign Com missar V. M. Molotov last night in a long: and stormy confei,J once with Secretary of State Edward H. Stettinius., jr., and Hritish Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden. Molotov was said to have treated the matter in a casual, off-hand manner and to have brushed off repeated demands by his two confer for further information. i ; Molotov said simply that the 16 Polish leaders, who din? appeared more than it month ago after starting' talks with Soviet officials on reorganization of the Warsaw government, were arrested on charges of diversionary activities against the Rod army. Pressed by Kdon and Stettinius, ho said further details would be brought out at the trials. ; ;., Hannegan Faces G.O.P. Opposition To Cabinet Post WASHINGTON, May 5 (UP) Hints wore raised today that churges of political corruption muy be leveled at Democratic national chairman Robert, E. Han negan by a group of Republicans seeking a block his confirmation at poslmustor general of the U.S. A fight is definitely shaping up, spearheaded by a number of GOP senulors who fear Hannc': gan will use his job to organize for President Truman as well-gc-arcd political machine as tho one that four times delivered the presidency to the late Franklin D. Roosevelt. The fight against Hannegan is oxpected to start out as some thing of a family battle. Hanne gan is from Missouri and he was nominated by Missouri - b o r n President Truman. Missouri's Republican senator, Forrest C. Donnell, is slated to fire the opening gun when the senate! meets on the nomination on Monday. Missouri's Demo cratic senator, Frank Briggs, is expected to be on hand to reply. Donnell reportedly will move that the nomination be recom mitted to the post office commit tee for hearings on "certain mat ters, possibly indicating corrup tion" in connection with llanne gan's political record. Former La Grande Soldier Killed Weird has been received in La Grande of the death of Cpl. George John Evans, U. S. mar ine corps, formerly of this city. He was wounded in action on Iwo Jima on March 20 and died later as the result of his wounds. He was born at Roundup, Mont., was 20 years old ami the husband of the former Mildred Pinkley, of Eirtchprise. Evans attemded Eastern Oregon college while living here. Victory Garderi Contest to Be; ; Sponsored by Local Lions Club In ri'sponse to the appe al of Secretary of Agriculture; Claude Wlekarel for a nationwide in crease in victory gardening this year the La Grande Lions club pledged at a rlirrctors' meeting last night to do all in its power to stimulate local interest through a prize.- contest for outstanding achievements. Jesse; Rosenbaum, chairman of the club's special agricultural cornmittie, announced thatmem-i hers will provide substantial merchandise prizes through the businesses, assisted by the club. Prizi-a will be awarded as fol lows: O First st prize for best family home garden, Lorec's building service offers ($)!5 credit toward home construction or repair. Second prizo for best family home garden, Lions club, year's membership in tljgAAA Oregon slate motor association, value $15. First prize for best organiza- Detention Eden and stettinius Uisciosea the arrests publicly in parallel slatcmc.its. ' The revelation torpedoed the-. Polish discussions here which : were formally suspended by-i the British and Americana tin" till Molotov provides them with further information on the in.: cident. It also was feared that it would have serious repercussions upon tho work of tha whole UnitaeJ Nations conference. The Anglo-Americans had been trying vainly for weeks to pry an answer out of Moscow as ;to what had happened to the Po, Jish leader iho had gona fridiW Interior Poland ' to confer ..with Soviet authorities in Moscow; Radio Moscow said today, however, that the 16 Poles had', been arrested by Red army', authorities on charges of optr-J ating an illegal radio in the rear oi Russian forces. ., The sudden development came after the big three had reach-sd a wide area of agreement ' $5 amendments to be submitted to lhe Dumbarton Oaks charter. Agroe on Amendments However, the Polish develop ment, coming on the eve of Mo-, iotov's departure from the con ference is expected to fcffcct gravely the attitude and opinion of delegates to the conference, particularly those whet already See SECURITY . . . Page 7 v " - i Russians Capture Big Baltic Port ; LONDON, May 5 (UP) Rus sian troops have captured the by passed Baltic port of Swinnc muendo, Marshal Stalin announc ed in an order of the day today. - Elements of the Second White Russian army, which caplurcB Pcenemuendc, look 11,700 pris oners in that area and on th'p Baltic islands, the communique said. . .; Olhcr Soviet troops advancing southwest of Brandenburg, 30 miles west of Berlin, seized sev eral German towns, including Burg and Rosslau, and took 2,000 prisoners. '-',. lion garden, Home Lumber and Coal company, $10 merchandise e rdcr. First prize for best garden grown by a person dwelling in an apartment house, Radio anc Music Supply company offers'a $10 merchandise order. .'.! Second prize for best garden grown by a person dwelling '.in an apartment house, Rosenbaum Elcctric, 10 merchandise order, First prize for best garden I grown by a boy 15 years of "jRc or younger, $10 merchandise or der, Trotter's. '". Second prize for best gardcH gftiwn by a boy 15 years of agf (By younger, $10 meu-handise or r.T.... t ti I"! First prize for best garden grown by a girl 15 years of gc or younger, $10 merchandise or der, Payless Drugs. " Second prize for best gal-den grown bv a girl 15 years of age See VICTORY . . . Page S r
