The Morning News du lieu suivant : Wilmington, Delaware • Page 1

ft! Nete Delaware's Morning Paper First with the Latest Newt United Press Associated Press International News Service Latest City Edition Fair and warmer. (Weather Conditions, Tides, on Page 4.) WILMINGTON. DELAWARE, THURSDAY. JUNE 22. 1944 VOL 125 NO.

149 TWENTY-TWO PACES PRICE THREE CENTS KB FLEET PLA1S ATTACK 0. AP FALL OF CHERBOURG EXPECTED HOURLY Solemn Rites Held EIHLT BALLOT Leader of Fleet Facing Nipponese Forces in Pacific NAZIS IGNORE U. S. DEMAND TO SURRENDER ENEMY SHIPS ARE POUNDED OFF MARIANAS Nimitz Reveals Raid Made in Opening Stage of What May be Decisive Battle Of Pacific War; No Losses On Either Side Compiled So Far V-- By LEIF ERICKSON Associated Press Correspondent V. S.

PACIFIC FLEET HEADQUARTERS, Pearl Harbor, Jun 21 United States carrier planes swooped down on a powerful Japanese fleet between the Philippines and the Marianas Islands about dusk Monday, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz announced today, In the opening stage of what may develop into the decisive battle of the war in the Pacific. Contact with the enemy fleet, which included carriers and battleships, presumably was broken off at nightfall. Losses on either side had not been compiled, Nimitz said. There was no indication whether the battle had been joined again Tuesday.

Maneuvers of both armadas through Monday night proDaoiy would determine whether the long-awaited showdown test between the American and Japanese navies was at hand. Planes Spot Enemy Force Scouting planes from the United states Fifth Fleet, commanded by Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, spotted the enemy force Monday afternoon. Carrier bombers swept in for the attack. It was the first time since the Battle of Santa Cruz, in October of 1942, that American carrier pilots had a chance at a Nipponese fleet.

Admiral Nimitz, obviously without detailed information himself, promised additional communiques as quickly as possible. He told a press conference Tuesday night that the entire Nipponese fleet may have been deployed for an all-out contest near the Marianas, which American forces have invaded. A massive American force of hundreds of surface ships and more than 1,000 planes composed the invasion fleet, Rembert James, Associated Presa correspondent, reported. There were hundreds of landing boats and other craft to put many thousands of soldiers ashore. Saipan Invasion Going Wen That invasion, going well at last reports, was one of the immediate concerns of the warships under Spruance, for they must protect the Amer By Japs for Fliers Lost Over Yawata By The Associated Press A Japanese radio dispatch beamed to the United States yesterday said Japanese units had held solemn burial services for "the unfortunate American personnel" of a B-29 auperfo rtress shot down in the raid on Yawata last week.

Burial was said to have taken place on Wakamatsu. at the northern tip of Kyishu Island. The Domei account, reported by the Federal Communications Commission, did not state the number of fliers killed in the crash nor indicate whether any escaped. It said the ceremonial was conducted in "the traditional Bushido spirit." The 20th Bomber Command announced last Friday that four of the B-29 Superfortresses were lost on the Yawata mission, saying two went down due to accidents, one fell over the target and another was missing. PRICE CURB BILL I AS RECESS NEARS Congress Passes Act Extending Controls Until June 30, 1945 Measure for Methods To End War Contracts Also Given Approval in Senate By The Associated Press WASHINGTON.

June 21 Congress tossed on President Roosevelt's desk today legislation to prolong wartime price, wage and rent controls, breaking a legislative deadlock that menaced plans for a recess this week-end. Republicans immediately began packing their luggage des tination Chicago. A compromise, the price legisla tion extends wartime economic con trols for one year, to June 30, 1945, but changes the present law in sev eral particulars. Administration men called it iairly satisfactory and Democratic leaders predicted Roosevelt would sign it although he asked for reenactment of the existing law without major change. Scored by Murray But Philip Murray, president of the C.

I. O. issued a statement say ing the measure 'will control neither prices or rents, because it cannot be enforced." The measure. Murray said, "sets a green light for violators and a dan ger signal for workers and every American family," by providing that violators of the law may escape penalty by proving that they did not do so "wilfully." A major new provision of the bill requires the Office of Price Ad ministration to set price ceilings on textiles to reflect a full parity return to cotton producers. Other Washington developments: May Ban Corn for Liquor Reports circulated that Marvin Jones, war food administrator, was displeased by the War Production Board's decision to permit whiskey distilling during August.

Supplies of feed grams have been tight. In formed sources said Jones probably would forbid use of corn in whiskey- making. This would leave wheat, rye and possibly molasses for the dis tillers' use. The first legislation for post-war economic demobilization moved to ward passage when the Senate ap- See CONGRESS Page 11 SENT TO PRESIDEN BOMBED BIG II. 5.

FIB SHUTTLE R. A. F. Hits Capital Of Reich on Heels of The Heaviest Blow of War By 1,000 Liberators American Planes Fly On To Russian Bases; Rocket Bomb Launching Platform In Pas de Calais Blasted By NED NORDXESS Associated Prest Correspondent LONDON, Thursday, June 22 The German radio said the R. A.

bombed Berlin again early today while fires still blazed from the heaviest aerial blow ever dealt the city by more than 1,000 U. heavy bombers, some of which flew on to bases in Russia. DNB said Berlin was raided "be tween 1 a. m. and 2 a.

This hammering of the capital twice in 12 hours came as other U. S. Liberators headed a stream of planes in a round-the-clock bom bardment of the comet bomb launching platforms in the Pas de Calais area. (CBS Correspondent James Fleming reported last night from Moscow that for the first time heavy bombers of the Eighth Air Force landed in Russia after attacking enemy targets in eastern Europe. Shuttle Raid to Russia (This new development in shuttle bombing, he said, followed the first shuttle raids by U.

S. heavy bombers and fighters taking off from Italy. This report coincided with earlier unconfirmed ones from Berlin that some of the fleet that raided Berlin flew on east.) The Americans' twelfth and heaviest blow at Berlin cost 43 bombers and 15 fighters as they plowed through clouds and flak. Their escort picked off 49 German planes. A report from the R.

A. F. said some rocket-launching sites on the Cherbourg peninsula had been captured intact, giving Allied scientists a chance to develop further methods of combatting the jet-propelled ex plosives which have been hurled at southern England for a week. The Budapest radio went off the air shortly before midnight, indicating the Mediterranean air force may be striking at the Balkans. Pas de Calais Bombed British Lancasters and Halilaxes, which usually do their bombing at night, flew their fourth daylight mis sion since D-Day, continuing the assault on the comet bomb grounds, after Liberators and mediums had unloaded their bombs and returned to base.

The Berlin raiders, with an escort of 1,200 fighters, bombed an aircraft factory at Basdorf, a Berlin suburb, the Berlin railroad yards, factories and other military objectives. There were some clouds but most combat wings bombed visually and reported results were good. As Berliners dug casualties from the smouldering rubble, the German radio called the raid a retaliatory blow for the jet-propelled bombs, which winged over southern England for the seventh straight day, and added: "But no matter whether bombs are being dropped on Ber lin or not, the bombardment of London with the new weapon will con tinue." German propagandists, admitting casualties and damage in the capital, threatened counter-action with See RAIDS Page 1 is Largest of Fourteen atre also held a special show last night, and throughout this week will give free tickets to "invasion bond" purchasers. John O. Hopkins manager, said last night that $4,000 worth of bond "tickets" has already been received.

Outstanding at the Warner The atre's colorful premiere last night was the G. I. show presented by men from Fort DuPont "only partly G. according to Cant. Ar thur E.

Flood, master of cere monies, for one of the entertainers See WAR BONDS Page 11 TO Pi UIDOISITS Unnamed Delegate Of Pennsylvania Also Predicts Governor Will Be Convention Choice G. 0. P. Platform Expected To Advance International Policy as Major Issue Of Presidential Campaign By The Associated Press CHICAGO, June 21 As party platform discussions formally got under way, two prominent Republicans forecast today that Gov. Thomas E.

Dewey of New York, would be nominated for the Presidency on the first or second ballot by next week's national convention. A third said Gov. John W. Bricker of Ohio "has a good chance." Alf M. Landon.

former governor of Kansas, 1936 Republican stand-art bearer, arrived with this prediction: "Dewey will probably be nominated on the first ballot certainly not later than the second." Landon attacked the Administra tion's foreign policy and in response to queries as to his Vice Presidential nomination choice said the running mate should come from a field com posed of Gov. Earl Warren of Cali fornia, Governor Bricker. and Gov. Simeon S. Willis of Kentucky, but not necessarily in that order.

Bricker is due here tomorrow. The second pro-Dewey prediction came from a Keystone State delegate high in the councils of the party who preferred not to be quoted by name. When asked how the 70- vote uninstructed Pennsylvania dele gation would vote, he replied: There is no other course con ceivable than that our delegation will go for Dewey." The Pennsylvania delegation, sec ond largest in the convention, will caucus Sunday night. It was Senator Taft of Ohio who declared "Governor Bricker has a good chance" for the Presidential nomination. Clarence B.

Kelland, Arizona, and Lew H. Wentz, Oklahoma, national committee members, also expressed the belief Dewey would be a first or second ballot winner. They gave their views informally to reporters. as did the others. Taft, slated to become chairman of the resolutions committee, met with that group to organize and work out a preliminary platform draft.

Indications were general that agreement would not be difficult to reach on a plank favoring international cooperation to keep the peace, backed by military force if necessary. Senator Austin (R-Vt), who brought to Chicago a one-pagp typewritten declaration of foreign See REPUBLICANS Page 4 MOTOR INDUSTRY PLANS 2 MILLION CARS YEARLY Sloan Calls Care Necessary In Re conversion to Peace Schedules NEWARK, N. June 21 yp) Al fred P. Sloan, chairman of the board of the General Motors Corporation, said today he believed plans being prepared by his company for the War Production Board would result in returning "very quickly" to civilian production of 2,000,000 cars a year. If we are slow in converting from war to peace, if we fumble the job, if we are not as fully prepared as we were when we went from peace to war, it may be a tremendous influence on the pattern of the economy for a long time to come," he told guests at a luncheon meeting of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce at the Essex House.

Sloan predicted a "tremendous aggregation of purchasing power" after the war and declared avoiding postwar inflation would be a more seri ous problem than producing goods. He said the automotive industry expected possible sales of 6,000.000 cars for a number or years after the war. WILL ROGERS' WIDOW DIES AT SANTA MONICA HI Several Months, She Recently Returned from Oregon SANTA MONICA, June 21 (jp Mrs. Will Rogers, widow of Uie famed humorist, died tonight. She was 65.

HI several months. Mrs. Rogers returned recently from a trip to Oregon. Death occurred at the Sun set Boulevard ranch. Funeral services, it was announc ed.

will be held at the Little Church of the Flowers at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale. ican Deacnneaa ana assault forces which already had conquered virtually the southern third of the island. The ground forces were advancing north on Saipan, Nimitz reported. Progress also was being made against Japanese pocketed at Nafutan point, on the southeastern corner of Saipan. Severe fighting continued as the ground troops fought to clear the island that will provide a base for bomber strikes at Japan Itself.

High American naval sources indicated earlier that a crucial clash between main units of the American and Japanese fleets may be under way. A Tokyo radio broadcast, recorded in London, said positively that It is, that a "fierce naval battle" rages off the Marianas. Navy Officials Confidant Calm confidence in the outcome of such an engagement, which probably will rival anything in the history of naval warfare, prevailed at fleet headquarters here as well as in Washington. Admiral Ernest J. King, commander-in-chief of the Navy: Navy Secretary Forrestal and Admiral Chester W.

Nimiti so expressed themselves. King had a word of appreciation for the "long expected cooperation" of the Nipponese navy in apparently moving into battle position. He said he was not worried about the outcome. "The sooner the Japanese fleet fights, the better we win like it," he commented. Forrestal reported the Japanese fleet had been spotted In the last few days to the westward of Saipan in the Marianas, the American invasion point.

There was "no definite information," however, as to th prospective showdown. He added significantly: "American forces may have succeeded in catching up with all or part of the Japanese fleet yesterday." Fifth Fleet Hunts Foe In a ringing statement last night, Nimita disclosed the enemy was massing his naval strength to accept the challenge so often hurled by the Pacific fleet but just as often passed up. He even hinted the first round had been fought. In the prospective battle area is the American Fifth Fleet. It is commanded by a tough, experienced admiral with a strrfg of stunning vic- See PACIFIC Page 7 German Losses Reach 7,800,000, Russians Declare LONDON, Thursday, June 22 UP) The Soviet Information Bureau, in a review on today's third anniversary of the German attack on Russia, reported tonight that more than 7,800,000 Germans have been killed and captured in the three years of fighting.

During that same period, said the review broadcast from Moscow and recorded in London by the Soviet monitor, Russian losses totalled 5,300,000 men killed or captured. The information bureau said the Germans had lost 70.000 tanks, 60.000 airplanes and more ttian 90.000 pieces of artillery, while Russian losses were 49,000 tanks, 30,128 airplanes and 48,000 guns. "In the course of offensive battles." the review continued. "Soviet troops have liberated some 1,500,000 square kilometers (579,200 square miles) of enemy-occupied territory and advanced See WAR LOSSES Page 7 SOLDIER KILLED; TWO ARE INJURED Gerald Farren Shot Down; Adam Adamo-wicz Dies in Italy Privates W. S.

Purnell Of Laurel, Preston Dyer Of Milford Reported Wounded Sergt. Gerald Farren, 19, Army Air Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Farren, 1108 West Sixth Street, who was reported missing over Germany on May 30.

is now reported killed in action on May 19, the date on which he failed to return from a mission over en territory. Sergeant Far ren's parents re ceived a telegram last night from the German gov eminent through the International Ger.id rsrrea Red Cross informing them that their son had been killed. A telegram that their son. Private Adam S. Adamowicz, 22, had been killed in action in Italy June 4, was received last night by Mr.

and Mrs. John Adamowicz of 1031 West Second Street, from the War Depart ment. Two other Delaware soldiers have been wounded in the Italian cam paign and a soldier from Penn's Grove was killed in the sinking of a troop transport last November in the Mediterranean area, according to latest announcements of the War Department. The wounded men are Private William S. Purnell.

son of Mr. and Mrs. George T. Purnell of Laurel, and Private Preston Dyer, son of Mr. and Mrs.

Albert Dyer of Milford. The soldier reported killed is Sergt. Technician Emerson Spears, whose wife is the former Miss Dorothy Heillg, 4 Sixth Avenue, Penn's Grove, Overseas Six Weeks Sergeant Farren, who was a waist gunner, ship photographer and as sistant radio operator on a Flying Fortress based England, had been overseas six weeks when he made his last mission. A graduate of Brown Vocational High School, where he studied Internal combustion engines because he planned to become an aeronautical engineer, he entered the Air Forces in Febru ary. 1943, and received his training in 14 different states.

He received his gunner's wings at Laredo, Tex Army Air Field. His parents had received a letter from him dated May 18. one day be fore he made the mission over Germany from which he did not return. See CASUALTIES Paje 4 FORTRESS GUNNER Ultimatum to Head Of Garrison Calls On Him to Give Up Fight or Die Americans Drive To Within 1,500 Yards Of Port's Docks In Steady Advance By JAMES M. LONG Associated Press Correspondent SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE, Thursday, June 22-American infantry patrols probed into the southern fringes of Cherbourg yesterday, reaching points less than one mile from the waterfront ax the main army massed an overpowering weight of men and metal on the sur- rounding ridges in preparation for the final destruction qf the Germans trapped in that vital Normandy seaport.

German troops defending the besieged port apparently elected today to ignore an. ultima turn to surrender, which the British press said had been broadcast by ths Allied Army field radio station in Normandy last night. At 9 a. British time (3 a. m.

Eastern Wartime), there still was no indication that the German commander had replied to the reported ultimatum, which pre sumably was a prelude to an all-out Allied attack upon the vital port. Whether the Allies struck im mediately after the zero hour re mained uncertain. A Vichy broadcast received earlier, however, declared the battle of Cher bourg was raging in full fury with Allied troops attacking with the support of a heavy naval and aerial bombardment. MIf you do not stop the fight now, you will never see your homeland again," the ultimatum said. "Your situation is desperate Thousands of planes are waiting for the signal to rain death on you.

Guns of the Allied navies are aimed at you. You have no other wav out than to capitulate "Should you, the commandant, not surrender, you will bear full responsibility for the lives of vour men. "Should you surrender, send your emissary to our staff under protection of a white nag me crossroad on the Valognes-Cher- man at the village of Sloave at 8 a. headauarters in its mid Tio-Ht rnmmunicme said "Allied for made further progress in the battle for Cherbourg, and the area heM bv the enemy is steadily di minishing. Our advance up the en tire peninsula has been rapia.

Fall of the port appeared to be but a matter of hours. Reports reaching headquarters during the day said the advancing Americans had found a soft spot along the Cherbourg inland road and railway that leads up from the south between the bristling Forts du Roule and Octeville, and had penetrated to within 1500 yards of the Cherbourg watenront. Don Whitehead, Associated Press correspondent, in a dispatch wirelessed from the scene late tonight, gee INVASION Page 7 BIRTHDAY CAKE FLOWN TO SOLDIER IN FRANCE Mother Sent $5 to Roosevelt Asking Gift be Delivered on Time TJ. 8. NINTH AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS, England, June 21 OF) Sergt.

Donald Kantner had a birthday cake for his 21st birthday today because his mother sent five dollars to President Roosevelt with a request that Kantner get his cake on time. The letter, marked "immediate action," was forwarded to Kantner's commanding officer. Lieut-Col. George L- Wertenbacker, Jr, of Charlottesville, Va. A cake, with "happy birthday" on the icing, was flown from England to Kantner's base in France.

ft- Admiral Raymond Spruance The commander of the Fifth V. S. Fleet is leading the American forces against the Japanese fleet between the Marianas and the Philippines. STANTON 'CHASE FEATURE TAKEN Gl M. A.

Cushman Jumper Leads Knight's Quest In Georgetown 'Cap Earns Purse of $6,250 By Victory; 10,963 Fans Bet $822,342 on Eight Races Rouge Dragon, belonging to M. A. Cushman of Virginia, became a strong contender for top honors in the steeplechase division, when he won the Georgetown Steeplechase Handicap at Delaware Park yesterday. The two-mile Georgetown was the first of two infield stakes programmed for the meeting. The other is two and one-half miles Indian River Steeplechase Handicap set for next Wednesday.

These 'chase stakes are decided over the Delaware Park "stakes course," reputed to be the most difficult at any track in the country offering both flat and jumping races. 10.963 See Card Yesterday attendance of 10,963 was the largest on any week-day since the meeting opened. The total wagered on eight races was $822,342. Rouge Dragon might have been just a trifle lucky because it appeared Jockey W. Leonard, who had the mount on Lieut.

Bayard Sharp's Knight's Quest, became confused about the proper finishing lane. Rouge Dragon was only a neck ahead of Knight's Quest at the end of the two-mile journey. There were six starters. Knight's Quest beat Thomas Mott's Mad Policy six lengths. Good Chance was a well-beaten fourth nd Iron Shot, the strongly supported favorite, was never better than last.

There was one mishap. Deanslaw, from the stable of Mrs. E. duPont Weir of Wilmington, winner of the Georgetown in 1942, lost his rider at the wide and high Liverpool jump in front of the club house. Jockey J.

McGee had the mount on Deanslaw. He escaped with a shaking up. Rouge Dragon was timed for the two miles in 3:51 3-5, the second slowest time in six runnings of the stake. Rouge Dragon had beat Iron Shot and other good ones in See RACES Page 15 PETER ARRIVES IN ROME FOR TALK WITH ALLIES New Prime Minister of Yugoslavia Accompanies Monarch ROME, June 21, (JPy King Peter of Yugoslavia is in Italy with his prime minister for conferences with the Allied Supreme Command, it was announced late tonight. Premier Ivan Subasic said Peter was conferring with the Allied command on unification of fighting forces inside Yugoslavia.

The premier's announcement said Peter had visited in Malta while Subasic held conferences with the Yugoslav Partisan Marshal Tito which resulted in "agreement on many points" between the Partisan group and the royal government-in-exile. BYROU DRAGON Reds Open 2 New Drives Against Finns in North By RUSSELL LANDSTROM Associated Prest Correspondent LONDON, June 21 The Red Army launched two new surprise offensives today against Finland's tottering defenses, driving both from the northeast and the southeast in an effort to knock the Finns out of the war, Moscow announced tonight. Springing into action on the new fronts less than 24 hours after announcement of the fall of Viipuri. Finland's second largest city, soviet $1,350,000 BONDS SOLD drive which started 12 days ago on' the Karelian Isthmus plunged well beyond the burning ruins of Viipuri, probing within 120 miles of Helsinki, the capital, and capturing more than SO additional places. Combined with the threat to Helsinki from the south, the new Rus- See RUSSIA Page 4 FOR MOVIE'S PREMIERE Program at Warner Index of the News Held Simultaneously in State; Rally At 7:15 Tonight in Rodney Square troops struck north or Lake onezns-- koe (Onega) with a powerful thrust that broke through Finnish lines east of Medvezhegorsk and also opened another drive along the Svir River between Lakes Onezhskoe and Ladoga.

These offensives were along the Murmansk-Leningrad railway, which the Soviet high command apparently is bent upon clearing as soon as possible. The front at Medvezhegorsk is approximately 240 miles northeast of Viipuri and the one along theJSvir is 150 to 200 miles due east of the captured Finnish port. The broadcast Russian communique said in the first day of the attack along the Svir, Soviet units occupied more than 200 populated places, including Voznesene, a district center of the Leningrad region. Another Moscow broadcast stated Soviet troops, hitting westward from the top of Lake Onezhskoe, have closed in on the town of Medvezhegorsk and already are fighting in its outskirts. At the same time, the Russian Pages Amusements 16-17 Births 4 Classified 19-20-21 Comics Deathi 4 Editorials Ernie Pyle Financial jg Marquis Childs Obituaries 4 Sadie Society News Sport 14-15-1S Travel and Resort News 12-IS Westbrook Pegler With the' Service Men 18 Woman's Page 1 A total of $1350,000 in war bond purchases was realized last night at the Fifth War Loan premiere at the Warner Theatre of "Up in Arms," plus a special show from Fort Du-Pont.

The premiere was one of 14 conducted simultaneously throughout the state, in a plan unique in Delaware. Results of the other premieres will be totaled today. Two other theatres, the Pike in Claymont, and the Crest in Wood- crest, are planning special shows a amission aiso oy war oonas oniy later this week. The National The-.