0 T T
ff :
. 1 . '
. f It's Complete : - v
Watch' your Oregon State-
,' : Y7ealher
'occasJoaal rata today aawl
Saturday; slightly . wanner
ftaturday. Max.. temp. Fri
day, 58, ml a. 27. Northwest'
wind, Rain .49 iach. ' Hirer
-a foe. Cloudy.
Be bow It cover tb
. . news completely! . presents' :
'. It interestingly each day.
- with dN attention to local .
happenings.
tnzimzm YEAB
Scdn Oregon. Friday MorzUn'griMxxibr 23. 1340
Prica.3cj f?wsskmda 5c
No. 223
7 k ; vCs.I!u'
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'A
Arms Order Is
Britain's Plan
Will not : Be Placed Till
Credit Plan. Approved
by Congress, Said
High Command' of Three
Men to Speed Defense
, Program Talked
WASHINGTON, Dee, lf.-i5)-Great
Britain bas began negotia
tions. It was disclosed today, look'
In- toward ordering $3,000,060
000 worth of arms In this country,
possibly to be financed by the
United States under President
Rooserelt's "lease-lending plan.
- Announcement that the British
bad been told to go ahead with
negotiations on new war orders
was made by - Secretary :- Morgen-
thaa wbo said no contracts wonld
be signed until congress could, act
on Mr.-Rooserelt's proposal tor
putting aid to Britain on a new
too tin J.
- As outlined by the -president at
a press conference last Tuesday,
this idea is for .the United States to
take oyer British orders (or war
materials, pay , Us manufacturer
for thsir'productlon, and lease or
lend the products to Britain. When
the swar was OTer, tb British
would return "those arms which
were, In good condition and replace
those, destroyed, ' .
Morgtnthau gave bo ant as to.
the sjse Of the proposed aew Brit
ish, erdtrs. bat said the total was
upwfrd ef IS.000.000.OOt and In
cluds i the following; about 12,000
additional warplanea, to cost II,
12S.BO,000,kaBd.Seo to 100
tanktr guns -and ammunition to
cost about fl.700,000,000. Cur
rent British contracts are under
stood 4o total about fl.ltO.OOO,
000. yjy-i , j'.r zx
ArWjiieile: 'a-1'..--SpeaeoVup
Talked ,k1. . ..' "
h JttsaaJMry-1- eecYetarxTa a,
nojjjeaaeat -eaiae amid-Increasing
IirtfltStions that some steps would
be taken rery shortly In as effort
to speed arms production.
, Stephen , Early, presidential
press secretary, said' If r Rooserelt
waf studying, fire, or: sla plans,
j (Turn to page J, column 1)
IpU to Disband,
Vew One Planned
Compliance With NLRB la
Purpose; IWA Claims
It Will Prevail
' ' filLVKRTON, Dec. 19 Dis
tstabllshment of tHe Industrial
Employes union local In Its pres
ent entity was to ted at a meeting
tonight attended by 247 members.
It was decided that the local's
funds would be divided pro-rata
among the members.
i However. H. W. Burton, execu
tive secretary' of the IEU from
Portland, announced that a mass
meeting of all Silver Falls Timber
company employes would be held
at the WOW. hall Friday night
at 8 o'clock. It was understood
that a new IEU local might be
organized at that time.
Another meeting of Silrer Falls
workers was in progress simul
taneously tonight it the MWA
hall under sponsorship of the
IWA. affiliated with the CIO. Of
ficers of the IWA hare reported
that 'the Silver Falls Timber com
pany has entered Into a stipula
tion with the national labor rela
tions board that it will not bar
gain with the present IEU organ
(Turn to page 2, column f )
Salvationist Band
T Haled Into Court
And Given 10.81
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 1-JP)-A
sextet of Salratlon Army wor
kers was hailed Into court today
and collected $10.01..
Judge Harry IS. eDevitt of quar
tern sessions eourt sent for the
band because he said he was
tired of watching from a court
room window as hundreds of per-
sons passed the band without con
tributing to their Christmas fund.
He suspended trials while the
band four men and two women
played several tunes and a court
crier passed a tambourine among
attorneys and spectators.
oCZZZP
Three
Billion
x. l i aw - m
pms .:. k H 7 J
Sat sot Bwyfa 5 Z.-
CMtaM UmH to WW 1 t
, m mtm i Ma. ' ;twww,
Extortion
Tried
on DeTristch 5" umily
With Indecis, je Result
Suspect Seizes Cigar Box Supposed to Contain
Sidney, Gets Away Before FBI Can Grab Him;
: Once-Kidnaped Boy Believed Threatened
SANTA ROSA, Calif., Dec. 19 (AP) The Associated
Press learned tonight that another "lone wolf extortionist
had been frustrated by the FBI
from the Count and Countess
borough family whose three-year-old son was kidnaped only
three months ago in an unsuccessful ransom plot.
Paul ,. Hauter9 -Column
Mr. Zixile, the demon motorist,
has been worrying again lately.
Mr. Zitsle, who will worry at the
drop of a hat,
has worried cqr-
hIIt a.hnut thai
tendency of auto-j.
mobUe door - de-il
signers to follow Tt
a technique of
design sometimes
known as the &
barn door school, i A
.Automobile fle-i ; x
aimers w a r e
once a a 1 1 s fled
that a- door on
an automobile be
merely a meas
of if grass and rsai B. Hssmt. jr.
egress fashioned to fit the silhouette-
of a man et reasonable and
prudent poundage. If It was nec
essary to use a crowbar and any
spare Ure irons bandy to get Aunt
Heiebiah, who lored her grub, in
and out. that waa Aunt Hessy's
fault and not the car designer's.
Nowdaya though the deslgw
ers are making doors to automo
biles m the ban door or ChU"
- am style, ' They - make theml.
whit eMugJa fotbe J3Uee
army to walk . throoxh- six
breast. It improbable that the
aatOHtebile designers beard the
'old axiom about how the Chi
sese race could walk six abreaat
. nrer m ciresa spot a ad nerer qnit
padsiag and figured that the
pot for . the, Chinese to walk
six abreast over might as well
be the threshold of your aato
moblle. Or it may be, says Mr. Zizzle,
that' the designers are attempting
to make it possible for the auto
mobile salesmen to achiere a
grander effect when they fling
open the door and with one grand
sweep of the index finger point
out all the lush plush upholstery
in a single motion. 'Mr. Zlszlesays
be bas inside information from a
friend who is an ash tray fitter in
Detroit that the 19 4 S models will
be equipped so that at the com
mand "Open, Sesame" the entire
side will roll back.
Never one to stand la the
path of progress If he knows
progress is coming that way,
Mr. Zixxle bates to be carping
(Turn to page 2, column a)
Fined for Theft
Of WPA Checks
PORTLAND, Dec. 10-()-John
Henry Hoffman, 41, was sen
tenced to IS years in a federal
prison and fined 9400 today for
fishing WPA checks from mail
boxes with a stick and wad of
gum. ,
Hoffman admitted obtaining
the checks, forging endorsements
and then obtaining social security
cards in the name of persons to
whom the checks were made for
use i as identification in cashing
them.
Federal Judge James A. Fee
said Hoffman was accused of ob
taining two checks, totaling
14 1.S7, by this method.
Christmas Baskets Coming;
Advance Notice Is Sent out
Almost 200 families in the
Salem rlcinlty will hare received,
sometime today, the encouraging
message that they will, on Christ
mas ere or on Christmas day, re
eeire "Christmas Cheer" baskets
from soma one ' of tha rarlons
organisations which are assisUng
in this general program. Addi
tional earda of the same nature
will o out durlna each of the
remaining days through Monday.
Of coarse, It eliminates some or
that delightful Christmas ; sua-
- hnt - a family In actual
need of food will forego that for
the ; assurance that a suppir is
forthcoming. The notice tells them
where to call for the basket.
This is Inst one of the Im
provements in the general hand
ling of the Christmas Cheer' pro
gram in Salem , and vicinity tnis
year, made possible wnen me
Council of Social Agencies oz ins
Community Chest arranged for
the opening of a "Christmas bas
ket exchange" at the Salem cham
ber of commerce. ' Mrs. Helen
A
1W
in an attempt to obtain money
Alarc de Tristan, wealthy Hills
Authorities who declined to al
low their names to be used because
of federal secrecy in the case con
firmed that FBI agents, working
closely with state police and Santa
Rosa officers, had set a trap here
last night to catch the suspected
extortionist, but the man bad
eluded them In the murky dark
ness of a cabbage patch after
grabbing a cigar box which he
thought contained the demanded
money.
It was learned that the ex tor
tionist bad mailed a letter to the
De Tristan family several weeks
ago from the Santa Rosa post
office, presumably demanding
money.
- Although federal agents refused
to reveal the contents of this let
ter or to make any comment on
the case, Santa Rosa authorities
bettered it threatended barm to
Mare De Tristan, jr., unless the
money was paid.
Marc, Jr., is the boy who was
seised from his nurse last Septem
ber by Wilhelm Jakob Muhlen-
broicb, a German alien, and taken
Into the mountains of El Dorado
county, Calif., while Muhlenbroich
was trying to obtain 1100,000
ransom.
Jirak Funeral to
Be at Warrenton
Salem High Gnid of 1933
Killed in Crash While
in Army Service
Although complete arrange
ments for the funeral of Cor
poral Frank J. Jirak. Jr., killed
Wednesday night in the crash of
an army four-motor flying fort
ress in the San Bernardino moun
tains, Calif., hare not yet been
completed, the family said yes
terday that burial would be at
Warrenton, Ore., where his grand
parents lired. Funeral arrange
ments are waiting shipment of
the body to Astoria, site of near
est funeral parlors. Sergeant
Frank J. Jirak, sr., US army re
tired, said ho would go to As
toria today to complete details.
Born November IS, 1914, at
Hammond, Ore., Jirak entered
school In Salem in September,
1920, and graduated from Salem
high school In 1933.
He was a member of Headquar
ters battery, 249th coast artillery,
ONG, from 1931 to July, 1933,
when he was discharged to en
list in the regular army air corps
at San Diego. Later he was mored
to March Field, Calif., and grad
uated from the air corps special
ist school at Rantone, 111., in
June, 1939.
At the time of the fatal acci
dent he was a corporal and me
chanic first class at March Field.
In addition to his parents Jirak
is survlred by his sister, Mrs.
Harry E. Eyerly of Salem.
Stores Stay Open
Until 9, Planned
A group of Salem merchants
catering to Christmas shoppers
agreed informally yesterday to
keep their stores open each night
untU 9 p. m. for the convenience
of buyers. The late closing will
prerail through Monday night.'
Foley, trained social worker in
charge of the exchange,, la send
ing out the notifications as fast
as families are allocated to the
rarious assisting agencies.
The . primary purpose of the
exchange is that of aroidlng dupli
cation, and in this it has already
had notable success. It is regret
table that a few agencies making
up food- baskets for Christmas
hare not seen - fit to cooperate,
but at any rate most of the du pli
cation that has occurred in the
past will be arolded.
- Still another adrantage of this
system Is that a clear picture of
the entire problem is afforded.
Names of nearly all the families
needing s Christmas baskets are
brought to the exchange, where
it 4 is possible to match : them .up
against the combined capacities
of the rarious agencies to fulfill
the need. .'
This has been done and the
result is not too encouraging
That is, the list of families is to
(Turn to page 2, column J ) ;
JNewber
Firm
Gets Contract
On Gates Span
Specifications Reduced,
Final Cost $13,688
for Steel Bridge
Old One to Stand Until
New Bridge Complete,
for Foot Traffic
The Marlon and Linn connty
courts agreed yesterday with J.
F. "Johnson, Newberg, on terms on
which a new steel-truss bridge
will be installed at Gates on the
North Santlam river.
The consulting parties agreed
to accept the original bid of the
Johnson firm, 115,988. less
11300, tearing a total cost of 813,
688 for the new span.
The reduction was made when
the county' withdrew from the
specifications a $1600 Item call
ing for clearing away of the old
bridge by the construction com
pany before work should start on
the new span. A credit of 8200
was then allowed the Newberg
firm, making the net deduction
$1300.
County officials indicated that
the new price for the span, $13,
188, fell weU within the 10 per
cent variation from estimated cost
which is considered a good cri
terion of value in such cases.
Old Bridge Renaalae
For Foot Traffic
- They also pointed out that un
der the contract as agreed upon,
the old bridge will remain stand
ing until the new span Is com
pleted, and during the interim
will afford a foot-way acrosa the
river for Gates residents In spite
of the fact that the old bridge
haa been condemned for wheel
traffic.
rVmatrtiAtinn will berln aa soon
as materials are receired. It is an
ticipated that a aeiay oi irom v
tk o - will fallow tha order
Vnn 1rn lieeansa of tha
press -of defense orders la - Iron
founderles. ana as u very is simi
larly expected for lumber ma
terial. The' agreement was reached be
tween Commissioner H. W. Coo
ley, representing the Linn county
onnrt and Jndre J. C. Slegmund,
Commissioner J. E. Smith and En
gineer N. C. Hubbs, all of Marlon
county, and representatives of the
Newberg contractors.
Eastern Seaboard
Has Severe Quake
Felt From New Jersey to
North New England; No
Grave Harm Known
BOSTON. Dec. 20-tiPY-An earth
tremor ranrlni from central New
Jersey to the northern section of
New England today shook build
ings and caused excitement among
thousands of persons.
Scores of nersons in Worcester,
Mass., awakened by .the rumbling,
rushed scantily clad to the streets.
Tn almost ererr citr and ham
let, lights flashed on in homes as
Wripri arose to learn what
caused their dwellings to tremble.
NewEDaner offices and police
stations were tied un as hundreds
of telephone calls poured in from
all directions.
First renorta care no indica
tion of serious damage to build
ings. The shock was felt as far west
as eastern New York.
Northern and central New Jer-
ut and Staten Island in New York
harbor experienced the temblor.
Man Found Slain;
Question Woman
PORTLAND. Ore.. Dee. lt-iPr-
Pollce broke Into a bouse to find
the butchered body of Paul Not-
sold. 12. lifeless on a bed tonight.
Detectire w. C Fetters said
Mrs. Julia Carlson. SO, was found
lying on the floor la a stupor and
waa arrested. , ;
It was in answer to her moans
that police broke lato the house.
Inside the room they found a
blood-spattered raxor and axe with
which Notxold had been slashed.
Fetters also said two. empty
whisky, bottles and several beer
bottlea were la the room.
District Attorney James R-'Baln
questioned the woman tonighC '
Senator Mtaryy-. I
Leaves Hospital
After; winning his three weeks
battle - with pneumonia Senator
Charles L. McNary was discharged
from the Salem General hospital
yesterday; afternoon, hospital at
tendant a rerealed.iThe senior sen
ator from Oregon i will , rest at , his
Fircone country home until com
pletely recovered, i He expects to
leaTe for .Washington, DC, after
the first of the rear. . -.
Dies Few Hours
After Term End
1
KYOSTI KALLIO
Ovation Precedes
Kallio's Collapse
Dies Shortly After Ryti
Succeeds Him; About
to Board Train
HELSINKI, Finland, Dee. 19-
(AKyostl Kalllo, who broke his
health in leading Finland's lost
cause against the Russians in
1939, died tonight of a heart at
tack in the arms of the country's
greatest military leader. Baron
Gustaf Mannerheim, just as he
was saying farewell to Helsinki
and to public life.
A few hours beforehand. Rvto
RyU had been elected his succes
sor, as president, and Kalllo, ill
and tired at 17. had been driven
to the railway station with his
wife through streets ringing with
'(Turn to page Z, column 7) .
iThtee aleiri Men
tyiven Promotions
Allen, Kerney and Welbes
Sergeants; Clatsop
Exams Are Held
CAMP MURRAY. Wash., Dec.
19 Three Salem men are included
In a list of 22e men from nine
regiments who received non-commissioned
promotions here today.
The three are Sergeant Rich
ard H. Allen to staff sergeant.
Private First Class Richard T.
Kerney to sergeant and Private
Dick A. Welbes to sergeant. AH
are members of Company B,
162nd Infantry.
, CAMP CLATSOP, Dec. 19-Twenty-three
enlisted men today
completed examinations by the
plans and training officer of the
249th coast artillery for tem
porary appointments as second
lieutenants. Recommendations
based on their grades will be
made to ninth corps area head
quarters for filling three present
officer racancles in the regiment.
Included among those taking
the examinations were:
Headquarters battery, second
(Turn to page' 2, column 2)
Rosewood Plant
Damaged by Fire
KEIZER, Dec. 19 Fire start
ing from lumber piled on a brick
inclosed boiler to dry slightly
damaged the frame and .sheet iron
structure housing the steam plant
of the Rosewood mill, half a mile
north of Kelxer school, at 9
o'clock tonight.
More extensive damage was
believed prevented by Mr. and
Mrs. Chris Wagner, route two,
who were driving by and gare the
alarm. The Salem fire department
extinguished the .flames.
The present Rosewood mill, re
placing one that -burned dowa on
South 13th etreet la Salem a year
ago, produeea pluga for paper
rolls for mills aa far south as
Los Angeles. , Tonight's fire will
not interfere, with production,
Mrs. Fred Rose, who with her
husband owas . the- plant, : said.
Vessel of f Coos
T Day iii Distress
r.-S, ; , v ?.-
" v SAN FRANCISCO. Dee. 1 9-VPS
The steam schooner West Coast
waa in minor distress with eight
feet of water In her forward hold
tonight' fire, miles off the mouth
of the Umpqua river, near Coos
bay. Ore., .the San Francisco ma
rine exchange reported. - : -
Heary ' weather apparently
caused the . ship's difficulties, . it
was believed, although radio mes
sages from the West Coast tailed
to : explain. f I -a
- The West Coast, en route' from
Paget sound ports to San .Pedro,
is owned by the West - Coast
Steamship- company of Los An
geles. ' v - ,
Grew Explains
US Viewpoint
Not Sentiment
Blunt Speech Delivered
as New Ambassador.
Gets Sendoff
"Actions" Judged Here,
Asserts ; Matsuoko's
Pledge Praised
(By The Associated Press)
TOKYO, Dec. IS In a blunt,
unscheduled speech before the
American-Japanese society, U. S.
Ambassador Joseph C. Grew took
Issue today with the assertion of
Japanese Foreign Minister Yosuke
Matsuoka that "the fate of China
is largely a question of sentiment
to Americans." ,
The ambassador's forthright re
marks were made after he heard
Matsuoka's exposition of Japanese
foreign policy at a farewell lunch
eon for Admiral Kichisaburo No
mura, new ambasador to the Unit
ed States.
Matsuoka, who had been intro
duced by Grew with the statement
that the foreign minister "Has the
same sort of personal affection for
our country as I hare for Japan,"
asserted in his speech:
'.The fate of China is largely a
question of sentiment to Ameri
cans; to us it is truly a vital issue
affecting the rery existence of our
empire.
"We believe we hare . a great
mission as a cirllixlng and stabil
ising force for peace and honor.
We shut our door to no one. Any
naUoa that desires to take a hand
in this task is welcome."
He concluded with a plea for
America to stay out "of the war
lest it bring on the world an "Ar
mageddon", that would destroy
civilisation. v . .
'.Arising after the address. Grew
took immediate exception to the
foreign; minister's 1 interpretation
of US Interest la China. -
"f think I must relieve the min
ister of his misapprehension that
the interest of Americans in Chi
na is largely sentimental." be said.
"I am glad to learn that In the
Japanese program the door is to
be shut nowhere and to none, and
this program envisages no con
quest, no oppression, no exploita
tion
"Tbo foreign minister knows
the American people stand for cer
tain things, among which, on one
hand, are their obligations and on
the other their rights."
The . United States. Grew con
tinued, must consider not only
"expressed intentions, regardless
(Turn to page 2, column 0)x
Many Bundists in
US Forces, Claim
CHICAGO, Dec. 19-A)-An In
vestigator on the state's attorney's
staff reported ! today that a book
seised in the Chicago headquar
ters of the German-American bund
indicated between 1500sand 2000
members were4n US military or
naral service.
The book was examined by fed
eral bureau of inrestigatlon agents
who did not comment and there
was no definite word as'to wheth
er the men' listed were now in any
branch of this nation's armed
forces, or had served at some pre
vious time.
The investigator, who declined
use of his nanie, made the state
fent after Sergeants Steve Leddy
and Joseph S ponder of the state's
attorney's police had gathered up
an armload of books and records
at' the bund headquarters.
The raid was carried out under
orders from Municipal Judge Os
car Sr. Caplan to expedite a search
for assets of the Chicago branch of
the bund and the Teutonia Pub
lishing company. Both are being
sued in an. effort to collect $380
In delinquent personal property
taxes.
Legislative Problems Eyed
By Valley
' Legislatire matters which af
fect Oregon counties- and which
will probably appear during the
1941 legislative session were dis
cussed here yesterday by judgea,
commissioners - and legislators
from six surrounding counties. .
. The meeting, sponsored by the
state county Judgea and commis
sioners association, waa -presided
orer-by F. L. Phipps, The Dalles,
secretary of. th association. ?
Delegates attended from Linn,
Lane. Polk, Benton . and Lincoln
counties In addition to Judge J.
C Slegmund, Judge-elect; Leroy
Hewlett,. . Commissioners J. E.
Smith and R. S. Melson and Commissioner-elect
Ralph Glrod, all
of Marion county. - i
Discussion centered .about the
legislatire program of the' judgea
and . commissioners association,
already elaborated at the organis
ation's state convention held last
month in Portland. ... ,
- One new Item, however, was
Introduced tp the group' in the
BieM
anes
. .... . ." CX. i- -
Italian
To
Brenner Railway Reported Cleared to
Let Nazi Troop Trains Through;
No Confirmation at Berlin
' p - ' " 1 '
Arrivals in Italy Declared Resented;
Rear Guard in Bardia Sector Is
Said Trapped; Bomb Road T
LONDON, Dec. 19 AP) The British Broadcasting
Corporation, quoting a "neutral observer" in Rome, said to
night that large numbers of German anti-aircraft gunners
and other German army units described as "specialists" have
arrived in Rome.
Italian officers told the neutral observer, the BBC said,
that "these arrivals are the beginning of a German attempt to
reduce Italy from the status of an ally to that of a vassal."
The BBC also quoted Rome reports which said the coun
cil of the fascist militia today, passed a resolution calling on
Italians "to form a bloc strong enough to meet all trials
around II Duce, while one of the greatest crises in history is
nearing its conclusion." i
Minority Reports
On Compensation
Making It Compulsory in
Hazardous Occupation
Is Recommended
Three laior - members of the
interim committee to atudy the
tat e workmen's compensation
law, In a : fspwtlWed with Gor-
emor- Cbarlsa A.8nrgue here
yesterday,' recommended' thatthe
act be made compulsory in con
nection with all hasardousNrccu-
catlons.'
The committee ' further recom
mended that benefits be Increased
and rolced opposition to the ma
lorltv renoTt of the committee
recommending that the legisla
ture abolish the right of jury
trials in appeals from awards by
the commission.
There wonld be no difficulty
fn lnereasina the benefits, the
minority report said, prorlded all
employers in hazardous occupa
tions were compelled to come un
der the law. The labor members
of the committee recommended
that widows of workmen who are
killed be paid $45 a month In
stead of 130, and that workmen
who are disabled permanently be
paid $50 a month Instead of $30.
Commenting on the proposal
to abolish jury trials, the minority
report said:
"This right of Jury trial la fun
damental. The minority report indicated
that if the legislature abolished
jury trials, the matter would be
referred to the voters.
The majority and minority
reports agreed on the recommen
dation to substitute a manager
for the three-member industrial
accident commission.
The minority members are G.
O. Hunter, Roscoe Crayeroft and
C. W. Boardman, all of Portland.
Expansion of Air ,
Base Is Proposed
ASTORIA. Ore., Dec. 19-HWV-
Naval and WPA officials discuss
ed possible expansion of the
Tongue Point naral air base here
today. .
They planned relocation ef the
Columbia highway to gain more
room for the air station, and drew
up a - tentaure lanascaping pro
ject which would make necessary
the establishment of a WPA camp
in Astoria.
form of a proposal to remove all
load limlta for trucks operating
In the service of the armed f oreea
of the nation,, or for trucks of
contract carriers handling prod
ucts for the exclusive use ef the
military or ; naral service, V : ' w
- Form of a bill containing these
provisions waa circulated among
the eourt members and legislators
present together . with a general
statement of purpose: behind the
measure. The latter waa original
ly drawn up and adopted by the
Clatsop county eourt,: and more
recently haa been approved by
the - Tillamook ; and Washington
county courts. . ; 1
The proposal ' was , not . without
Opposition, however, for several
delegate pointed out that major
damage might - result ' for, county
roads should excessively heavy
loads be permitted on them from
whatever cause. " ' . C x
Among , the Items - discussed
which were already on the pro
. (Turn to page 2, column t) -,
Officials
Gorivev
Troops
up
A Ibanian Front
(By The Associated Press)
Adolf Hitler waa reported
Thursday night to have : stepped
into the Italian debacle in Albania,
responding to purported - urgent
pleas by his- axis partner, Benito
Mussolini, with a fleet of nasi
transport planes to carry fascist;
troop reinforcements to the battle :
front.' a- ' 'fi if:-.A.-i :;avv.
Ditpatcbes from' Strnga, on the-Yugoslav-Albanian
frontier,- said
giant nasi Junkers planes were J
shuttling Hallux Alpiaa troops
20 soldiers in a load across the
Adriatic ; sea arud Mandlag . them
close up to the JlgiUag. Jrout, -Poaeible.
further, aid , for the
i gfafane, i sorely harassed - both ta '
the war. with Greece and in the
U-day-old battle of North Africa;
was Indicated in dispatches from
Basel, Switzerland. v
These dispatches I quoted ' the
newspaper Le Democrat of Delo
mont aa aaying freight and civilian,
traffic had been auspended on tha
Brenner railway line to permit' tha
passage of German divisions en
route to Italy.
There was no confirmation of
any such nasi troop movements
either in Rome or Berlin, although
for the past week rumors have
persisted that German soldiers
aa many as 50.000 have already
arrived in Italy.
Fresh Italian reverses were re
ported on all fronts.
Fascist troops were said to be
abandoning l three key towns lav
Albania Klisura, Tepelenl and
the Adriatic seaport of Palermo
and Greek soldiers told of finding
the bodies of hundreds of lU-clad
Italians f rosea in snowstorms. M
In North Africa, , British war
bulletins said the Italian rear
guard still fighting in the Bardia
sector, 15 miles Inside Libya, was
trapped and that the Italian sit
uation "can now be regarded aa
precarious.?
British warships were reoorted
heavily shelling the escape road
from Bardia to Tobruk, some 80
miles west of tha Egyptian fron
tier, while! RAF -warplanea keot
the route, under constant vlgiL
British general headquarters in
Cairo listed 31,540 Italian prison
ers, including 1620 officers) and
said several thousand, more cap
tives .were Deing lea irom the bat
tle zone. Only 1000 British sol
diers were reported killed, wound
ed or missing In the desert cam
palgn. ; " . . :
In London, Prime Minister Win
ston Churchill commented dryly
one cannot say that the Italians
have shown ? high fighting : spirit
of quality in t h 1 s battle." The
British, he said had won against
odds as high aa five to one. .
In a sterner . mood, Churchill
warned Britons anew of the "su
preme danger, the moral dangers, .
of German invasion of England.
"Hitler haa great need of dolus
something now, or at any rat rav
the next two months," . Churchill
said; then I added confidently:
'We are hot afraid of any blew.
Our defense of the beaches is com
plete. ' :. -4-". , : ,; . ;
With . the ' help ef Amerlea'e
great - supplies," he declared. "
Britain in 19 41 will be well-
armed nation and then we shall
Dad opportunities of using our
forces . j, in other theatres en.
terms ef moderate equality."
Premier Mussolini's high com
mand, acknowledging for the
first time that the British counter-
invasion from Egypt has reached
Bardia, asserted that the Italian;
troops had successfully counter-
attacked "notable concentrations'
of British mechanised units which
attempted to t o r m. the fascist
stronghold. ' - ,
Crash Kills Engineer
ZEPHYR HILLS, Fla., Dec IS
(P-A Seaboard Air Line passcar
ger train, me eunoeam, and ti
Atlantic Coast line freight trr
eolUded at a right angle cross! - -j
near here early today, killing t
Sunbeam's engineer and lnjurfs
10 of the passengers ana crerrfc
1 1