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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 9, 1944)
K WHS 1 MS mm Weather Forecast: Fair with little change In temperature to night and Thursday. Temp. Highest yesterday .. Hi Lou est this morning ...... 5'i Precipitation past 24 hrs. 0 Thirty-ninth Year Sisters Accused of Treason ' t ! S ....V : , XW' "f,! 'to Tie vv i Here are the three American sisters of Japanese descent who are accused In Denver, Colo, Federal Court ot helping German prisoners to escape from war prisoner camp: Mrs. Florence (Flo) Shivze Otani (left, above), Mrs, Billie Shltara TaclKoshl (walking), and Mrs. Tsukuko (Toots) WaJ- Witnesses Contradict POWY In Trial of Japanese Women Denver, Colo., Aug. 9 (U.PJ Attorneys for the government suddenly rested their case against three Japanese-American sisters accused of treason, after only nine minutes of testimony at today's session of federal court. DRAFT QUOTAS TO CONTINUE UNTIL JAPS ARE BEATEN Salem, Ore., Aug. 901.13 There will be little chance of a material reduction In draft quotas Immediately after the end of the European war, Maj. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, director of selective service said here today. Replacement of battle-weary troops must be a primary con sideration now, he said. Those who have been in the fight the longest should have the first chance to get out, he said. There is the deterioration of trdops to consider. Demobilization is the one big Job now facing the draft set-up, General Hershey said. It must be done slowly enough so that millions of men are not put back into civilian life at one time, and this gradual release of men would be of great assistance to the process of reconversion. The selective service system in Oregon, under the direction of Col. Elmer V. Wooton, has done an outstanding job, Gen eral Hershey said. He had high praise for Wooton, and termed him a selective service expert of national standing. SIDE GLANCES By TRIBUNE REPORTERS Softball Player Earl Schilling reprimanding Umpires Howard Oden and Clint Baughman for being "blind as bats." Friends declining Tod Porter's offer to buy thfir morning cof fee and complaining that his voice carried a ' martyred'" tone. Aubrey (Tubby) Dean making a neat stack out of the salvaged cans brought to his service sta tion and patriotically urging ev eryone to add to the collection. Medford United Press t Arme TaUnhntnt Only two witnesses were called by the government this morning. They were Phillip Shuey, a former aircraft com municator for the Civil Air Patrol at Trinidad, Colo., and Thomas B. Canaday of Denver, an observer at the U. S. weather bureau. Both testified concerning the weather on the night of last Oct. 16, when Heinrich Haider and Herman August Loescher, two German soldiers escaped from the prisoner of war camp at Trinidad, allegedly with the help of the three women who are charged with treason. Shuey said that the night was clear, and Canaday said that the moon came up at 8:47 p. m. Loescher testified that he could not Identify the three women who met him and Haider in an automobile outside the prison camp, because it was too dark to see them. The three women on trial are Mrs. Tsuruko "Toots" Wallace, Mrs. Florence "Flo" Shivze Ot anl, and Mrs. Billie Shitara Tan igoshl. "Toots" Is Dreisy "Toots," who has been Iden tified by Haider as the person who provided civilian clothing and maps for the escape attempt, appeared in court today in the third outfit which she has worn In three days, a black net blouse and a black skirt. Billie, who prefers suits, wore the same grey suit that she had yesterday, while Flo appeared in a flowered print blouse and black skirt. Haider, who had his picture taken with Toots In his arms while both were working on an onion farm near Trinidad before the escape, was not In court to day. Neither was Loescher, who. testimony has Indicated, had never met any of the women until the night that he and Haider walked through a hole in the prison fence and entered the automobile in which the sis ters allegedly were waiting to take therftinto New Mexico. YANKEE MAID WINNER HAMBLETONIAN PURSE Goshen. N Y., Aug. 9 4J.R) Yankee Maid a bay filly owned by A. L. Derby of W ichita Kas., and driven by Henry Thomas of Lexington. Ky., captured two straight heats to win the $34,427 Hambletonian trotting classic before 1S.000 fans at Good Time track today. .'..,1 ' : - 'A i : s MB il '. ,!. . -.1 . 4 - -u ' Full Leaied Wlra MEDFORD, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1944. FIGHT FOR RIGA, Iron Ring Tightened On German Divisions in Bal tic States Doom Seen Moscow, Aug. 9 (U.R) Two Red armies opened the battle for Riga and tightened their en circlement of the remnants of 20 to 30 German divisions in the Baltic states today with con verging drives through swamps and massive forests on the south eastern and southern approaches to the Latvian capital. Front dispatches said the 1st and 2nd Soviet Baltic armies al ready have won the first round by smashing the most powerful German attempt yet to break out of the Baltic trap, and by knock ing out more than three German divisions in a fighting advance across the Aiviekstes river 65 miles southeast of Riga. Contest Every Yard Despite their initial setbacks, the Germans continued to hurl reserves, including guards regi ments, Into battle to contest every yard of ground on the Luban plains marking the ap proaches to Riga. Battles raged for every strongpoint, dispatches said, and in some sectors the Germans were counterattacking a dozen or more times a day. Only by penetrating the marshes and forests lacing the Luban plains have the Russians been able to execute sweeping flanking maneuvers that cracked the enemy's main bastions, the army organ Red Star said. Informed military observers said the Germans' Baltic armies apparently have decided against an attempt to escape by sea and intend to fight it out on land. The eventual collapse and de struction of the enemy units is certain, they said. HERBERTFBOTTS MISSING IN ACTION Tl Sergeant Herbert R. Botts, Medford man serving with a paratrooper division has been declared missing In action In France since the sixth of June, according to word received by his mother, Mrs. Mayme Botts, 312 S. Central Ave. The following message was received from the adjutant gen eral: "The secretary of war desires me o express his deep regret that your son, Sergeant Herbert R. Botts, has been reported miss ing In action since the sixth of June In France. If further de tails or other Information are received you will be promptly notified." A graduate of Medford high school with the class of '39, Botts enlisted in the service March 4, 1942. Luftwaffe Done, Belief Of Allied Air Chief Marshal Supreme Headquarters, AEF, London, Aug. 9 (U.R) The Al lies may have fought their la-t big air battle over western Europe, Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Lelgh-Mallory told a supreme headquarters press con ference today. The Luftwaffe disappointed the Anglo-American air com mander, by falling to resist in vasion when the Allied sky fleet was set and waiting for the Germans. Since then the Nazi air arm has failed to put up a determined resistance and Mar shal Leigh-Mallory said he be lieves it unlikely that they will increase their effort. "C will be very much surprised If the Luftwaffe stages a come back they have gone too far," he said. "They have still got good equipment, as In the last war, but even new equipment is not likely to pull the Luftwaffe out of Its tailspln." T TRUCKER STRIKE Union's Agreement With Army to Keep Supplies Rolling Reported Violated By United Press The government sought today to settle a strike of estimated 50,000 midwest truck drivers and freight handlers without is suing a presidential order seiz ing the motor freight lines. A White House spokesman said the dispute over the failure of approximately 125 firms to abide by a war labor board order for a seven-cent hourly wage increase had been put into the hands of several agencies for study. Although the union and the army had an agreement to keep war supplies moving, there were several reports of interfer ence with war shipments by motor freight. Companies Blamed At Minneapolis, Ray Wentz, labor representative of the war production board, said the union had stuck to the agreement but that the WPB has "had some difficulty" with trucking com panies. At Chicago, David I. Olin, president of the Service Whole sale Drug company, reported that he had not been able to make drug shipments to Minne sota and Iowa since the start of the strike. Other drug compan ies In the Chicago area reported they were having difficulty in moving supplies to drug stores and hospitals. Philadelphia, Aug. 9. (U.R) Federal Judge George A. Welsh, charging a grand jury to investi gate every phase of the Phila delphia transportation strike, today told the Jury to remember "what happened in Philadelphia can determine the outome" of the national elections in Novem ber. Warning the Jurors that retri bution to the ostensible leaders of the six-day strike was only one part of their duty, Judge Welsh ordered them to Investi gate every reason behind the strike and to carry their investi gation as far back as three years in a study of the corporate struc ture of the Philadelphia Trans portation company. Remember Election 'The reason given for the strike," Judge Welsh said, "is one of racial intolerance. I hope that is not the real cause. We must be cognizant of the fact that a national election is lying neid this year, and what hap pened in Philadelphia can deter mine the outcome of that elec tion." The strike started when the PTC upgraded eight negro em ployes in an operator training program. All operating em ployes of the company immedi ately walked out. John L. Mum on Window Entrance Boise, Idaho, Aug. 9 (U.R) Glowering, bushy eyebrowed John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers, today de clined comment on momentous national and International af fairs, but his sister-in-law, Mrs. C. P. Charrier, suggested he might tell reporters how he gained entrance to her home by climbing through a bedroom window last night. Lewis, visiting Boise en route to the west coast, did not think that matter worth discussing, either. DIME STORE DAUGHTER WILL WED CHINA BOY San Francisco, Aug. 9 (U.R) Miss Velma Lowe daughter of Andrew Lowe, vice-president of the National Dollar Stores, will become the bride of Tse Kiong Sun, grandson of China s first president. Dr. Sun Vat Sen, here Saturday. Sun, a graduate of the Uni versity of California, Is a mem ber of the staff of Consul Gen eral C. T. Feng He Is the son of Dr. Sun Fo, chairman of the legislative yuan of the Chinese government T A T "B- ? . American JCHEHBOUR f - ' WVLM UHovreeXROUEN Gull of St Molo """""Sv j rK&CWylyjf La Flth . ., J,r, .' ' Anger Le Ludt Chombord ; ST. NAZAIRESgnV vX Menu Tttepholo) American armored columns Imperil the entire German Seventh Army u they over-run the tiriluuiy Penin sula and send last-moving spearneads toward Paris in swliieit moving attack In France eluce U-Day. Key towns on the peiuusuia are expected to tail niuuiuiiuruy aa the drives on Le Mans. Laigle, Falalse and ParU meet with siiaai re&iauim Fibber and Molly Picture Barred From Army Screens as "Political" Washington, Aug. 9 U.R) The Washington Dally News In a copyrighted story said today that the army had banned the film "Heavenly Days," starring Fibber McGce and Molly, from army camp screens here and overseas. "This Is the first Hollywood, feature to be put on the shelf as not conforming to public law 277 (the soldier vote law) which bars pictures which have a poli tical import from servicemen," the News said. "The army calls It a satire on the New Deal and thumbed It out." Tho News said administration of the law may also bar-the film on the career of.Woodrow Wilson from army camp screens. "If it Is presented on the enmp screens," the News said, "there certainly will bo a howl that servicemen are seeing a motion dcture that has definitely poli tical implications. Editorial corr ment has already Interpreted the film as helpful to President Roosevelt, politically." Thi. News snld the Fibber Mc Gce and Molly film advertised as a "one-man war on congress to set things right for Mr. Aver age Citizen with Molly in there pitching for the housewives." Medford Girl, 15 Says Her Husband Has Another Wife Suit seeking the annulment of n marriace performed at Reno, July 28, was filed yesterday by Irene Medley, 15, througn ner guardian ad litem, Gladys M. Waltermire, against incoaore Medley. The complaint sets forth that at the time of the Reno wedding, the defendant had another wile from whom he has not been di vorced. It Is further claimed that within the past six months, a suit for divorce from this wife has been filed at Reno but no decree has been granted. The comnlalnt further claims both the first wife and the defendant are bona fide residents of Jack son county. The complaint also asks that the plaintiff be restored her maiden name of Irene Walter mire. Attorney George M. Rob erts represents the plaintiffs. MEDITERRANEAN CHIEF REVEALS ITALY MOVE Rome Aug. 9 U.R) Gen. Sir Henry Maltland Wilson, supreme Allied commander in the Mca Iterranean theater, announced tonight tho removal of Allied headquarters from North Africa to Italy. The transfer was made some time ago but not previously an nounced The shift included headquarters of the Royal and U. S. navies, the Allied air force, the Mediterranean Allied coast- air force and tho U. S. army. NEW WHEAT RECORD LOOMS FOR NATION Minneapolis, Aug. 9 U.R Cargill, Inc.. one of the nation s biggest grain firms reported in Its crop bulletin today that the United States is on the verge of an all-time record In wheat production. It predicted that the govern ment rpport, scheduled Thurs day, will show a small decline In the wheat crop, but not enough to prevent the new mark. Tribune United Preu Full Armor Overruns Brittany CONQUEST L PHASE; 1010 JAP DEAD By United Press The American conquest of Guam was entering its final phase today while. Liberators struck again at Halmahera, 250 miles south of the Philippines. Marines and army troops, scoring new gains, were closing a death trap on beleaguered de fenders of Guam in the cam paign to take back the first American territory seized by the Japanese In the Pacific. More than 10,000 enemy dead already had been counted and the remaining Japanese faced the prospect of being cut In two as U. S. forces drove to within a mile of the north shore. Admiral Chester W. Nlmltz disclosed new widespread air raids against bases extending from the Central Pacific to the Kuriles In the north. Gen Douglas MacArthur's communique revealed that Lib erators pattered two Japanese airdromes on Halmahera with 48 tons of explosives Monday. The Liberators, without meet ing opposition, destroyed 13 en emy planes on the ground. GEN. EISENHOWER NOW QUARTERED IN FRANCE Supreme' Headquarters. AEF, Aug. 9 (U.R) Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower announced tonight that he has moved his Allied su preme headuuartcrs from Eng land to France. Warm Welcome by French Delays Yanks Taking Town By Henry T. Gorrell UP War Correspondent Laval, France, Aug. 9. (U.R) "If it hadn't been for the mob of celebrating French Includ ing some of the prettiest gals I've ever seen we"d have cap tured Laval far sooner than we did," Capt. Charles Freeman, Hackensack, N. J., asserted to day. He was speaking for his chief, Maj. Joseph Novelllno, Pater son, N. J., who was busy at the moment directing final mopping up actions against the still-resisting German rearguard. "With bullets flying In all di rections and with German staff cars racing around In an effort to get away from the crowds, the French refused to get off tho streets, rushing out with American, French and British flags, anxious to kiss and hug th liberating Infantry," Free Leaied Wire NO. 118. BASH STUTTGART IN BAD WEATHER London, Aug. 9 (U.R) More than 1500 American warplancs defied bad weather and fierce enemy fighter opposition today to bomb the German railway hub and Industrial city of Stutt gart, while BOO heavy bombers based in Italy attacked an oil refinery, an aircraft factory and two airdromes In the vicinity of Budapest, Hungary. Liberators In the fleet from Italy attacked the oil refinery, second largest In Hungary, at Almas Fuzlto on the Danube river, 30 miles west of Budapest. Flying Fortresses smashed the Mcsserschmltt fighter plane as sembly plant at Gyor, between Vienna and Budapest. Meet Luftwaffe The fleet from Italy encoun tered no enemy fighters, but the formations from England met the first serious opposition the Luft waffe has offered for days. A fleet of 750 Flying Fort resses and Liberators, escorted by 750 Thunderbolt, Mustang and Lightning fighters, encoun tcrcd at least 100 German single- engine fighters in one area. Returning American fighter pilots reported the Nazi planes were attacking the bombers when they arrived on tho scene. The American and enemy fight er planes Immediately became locked in a battle which In a few minutes brought the com batants from an altitude of four miles to tree-top level. The Americans destroyed a number of the enemy planes without loss to themselves. TITO IN ROME Vatican City, Aug. 9. (U.R) Marshal Tito, leader of the Yugo-Slavian partisan forces, has arrived In Rome with his staff and visited the Church of St. Peter yesterday, the semi official news agency announced today. man said. "German officers deserted their men, who because of the crowds were unable to get away on foot, although they ran like hell with their tongues dragging out." Freeman said the several hun dred prisoners taken apparently were of top caliber young, husky, and wearing brand new uniforms. He said our forces captured a big-time French collaborator named Milon, responsible, ac cording to the French patriots, for sending thousands of French to German labor camps. A special cordon of troops had to be thrown around "this little scared rabbit of a man" to pro tect him from vengeful crowds who strove to string him up Im mediately. Freeman said. He was handed over to French po lice. ALLIES PRESSING AS U. S. Columns Roll Swiftly, Ahead 25 Miles After Cap ture Important Le Mans Supreme Headquarters. AEF, Aug. 9. (U.R) Canadian shock troops broke through' the first and second German defense lines) more than 15 miles below Caen today whilo American armored columns to the southeast storm ed up beyond captured Le Mana in a surge that the Nazi radio said had carried to within 87 miles of Paris. The two main enemy defense) lines covering Paris had been breached in a day of furious al lied attack and the Americans and Canadians were pressing their twin break through to tha full. Nasi Lines Break The Nazis' Sarthe river line, their strongest natural barrier on the southwestern approaches to Paris, broke wide open with the fall of Le Mans and a front dispatch from United Press War Correspondent Ronald Clark said German resistance below Caen was cracking under tha blows of the Canadian first army. German reserves were report ed streaming to the American. front in a desperate attempt to stem the wave of tanks and rifle men closing on the French capi tal, but front dispatches said the Yankee columns were rolling ahead at a pace almost rivalling that of peacetime maneuvers. The German radio said ad vanced American elements wera some 87 miles from Paris In tho Le Mans sector, Indicating that tho eastward drive of Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley's armor had penetrated about 25 miles be yond Le Mans, La Mans Easy Le Mans, an industrial city and five-way railroad Junction on the Sarthe river 112 miles southeast of Paris, was taken almost without a fight by tank forces thnt broke into the city before the hard-pressed Nazis had time to organize Its de fenses. There was nothing to Indicate any serious obstacles In the path of the Paris-bound Americans, but headquarters spokesmen said they were moving cautious ly pending destruction of tha enemy pocket of resistance at the hinge of the American and British lines cast of Avranches. The German attempt to sever the allied lines at that point ap peared to have been frustrated, however, after two days of bit ter fighting that cost the coun terattacking Nazis about 20O tanks destroyed or damaged. On the Canadian assault front, the Dominion troops deepened their breakthrough by another five to six miles and captured "Bald Pate Ridge" near Potig ny, about five miles north of Falalse. Allied artillery already had brought Falaise under fire and the fall of that ancient Norman town, birthplace of William tha Conqueror, apparently could not be long delayed. In less than two days ot fight ing the Canadians had broken the first two German defense lines before Falaise and Clark' dispatch said the Nazis were surrendering In increasing num bers. "For the first time the allies have cracked into a major Ger man defense without the usual determined casualty-making re sistance, and for the first time it appears that there Is a sub stantial Inability to ward off our blows," Clark wrote. "There is an Increasing number of prison ers and an Increasing resigna tion among troops who know they have 'had It'." Mother-in-Law's Picture Alibi In Alimony Relief, Washington, Aug. 9. (U.R) Harrison Bates, 48-year-old foo mcr war production board offi cial, today filed his mother-in-law's picture as an exhibit in connection with his district court plea to be relieved of pay ing alimony. The mothcr-In-law Is Mrs. Jessie W. Nicholson of Chevy Chase, Md., former prohibition crusader. Bates' motion read: "It may Be If the court will observe exhibit E (the photo graph). In connection with the composition of exhibit D (a let ter by Mrs. Nicholson), that the court may be able to properly conclude that the defendant never was able to make suc cess ot his marriage."
