Marshfield News-Herald from Marshfield, Wisconsin • 1

Mar Remember Pearl Harbor! VOLUME 21, NUMBER 300 ASSOCIATED PRESS LEASED WIRE NEWS SERVICE MARSHFIELD, WISCONSIN, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1942 10 PAGES SINGLE COPY 5 CENTS iTTTT ield News Herald Uo S. Destroyer and Cargo-Shi Roosevelt Warns OfNe Setbacks Lost in Gale 0ff Newfoundland PUTS EMPHASIS ON PRODUCTION NAZIS PROMISE SAFE PASSAGE FOR FOOD SHIP Fires Upon Oil Refinery BRITISH BURMA RETREAT IDE Report Defenders Fall Back to West Banks of Sittang River COMMAND IS UNIFIED Enemy U-Boat California U. Republic Torpedoed by U-Boat; Five Lose Lives West Palm Beach, Fla. (JP) An American-owned tanker, the Republic, of Houston, Texas, was torpedoed by an enemy submarine off the Atlantic coast with an apparent loss of five lives. Twenty-eight survivors, two of them slightly injured, were brought ashore, the Navy announced today.

Locale Not Given The 392-foot Republic was owned by the Petroleum Navigation Company of Houston. The Navy did not make public the spot at which she was attacked by two torpedoes from the enemy raider. Three men were believed to have lost their lives in the engine room. They were Carter Ray Ebbs, third assistant engineer of Houston, Texas, Ernest R. Beverly, oiler, of New Orleans, and Jose Fernandez, a fireman, whose address was unknown.

The other, Herman Hilker, mess man of Houston, Texas, and Phil Dancereaux, messman of New Or-See TANKER Page 2 SUGAR RATIOII POST Named Deputy by Don T. Allen; State Teachers Get Instructions Milwaukee (JP) Elmer H. Grootemaat, Milwaukee real estate man, has been named deputy in charge of sugar rationing in Wisconsin. Don T. Allen, State rationing administrator, made the an nouncement yesterday at a meet ing of Allen and his aides; John Callarian, Madison, State superin tendent of schools, and representatives of the Milwaukee school system.

Grootemaat will relinquish his duties as Milwaukee County tire rationing head. Allen said Groote-maat's tire rationing duties might be handled by the State rationing office here. The State's elementary school teachers will issue ration books to consumers and handle the sugar rationing program. The first step, Callahan and Allen said, would be to Instruct teachers to estimate the population in elementary school districts with the aid of census figures. They also would estimate the number of persons who entered the district to do de fense work as well as those who left to join the armed forces.

The dead line for the estimates will be March 5. Complete details would be work ed out in further conferences, Al len said. TANKER SUNK, NAVY REPORTS GHEMAAT GIVEN Prime Minister Admits Japs Dominant in Orient at Present SHIPPING LOSSES HEAVY London (JP) Prime Minister Churchill told the House of Commons today that Japan rules the air and is exercising a temporary and "waning command of the sea" in the area of her operations, but he i predicted a final victory, which he said might come unexpectedly, over the Axis. The Japanese also are employing numerically superior land forces of about 26 divisions probably 390,000 combat troops and 100,000 additional men in supply and auxiliary forces in the ABDA (American, British, Dutch, Australian) area, he added, and their command of the air "makes it costly and difficult for our air reinforcements to establish themselves and secure dominance." Shipping Losses Heavy Efforts to reinforce the area are further complicated by Britain's "very heavy" shipping losses since 1939, losses which he admitted had shown a most serious increase in the last two months. "Our anti-U-boat flotillas and naval light forces of all kinds are strained to the utmdst limit," he asserted.

Thus, as a result of Japan's entry into the war, Britain must reckon with "an evident prolongation of the war" perhaps until 1943 or 1944. But he announced that he shortly would submit a scheme for postwar reconstruction because "we cannot be sure as in the last war that victory may not come upon us unexpectedly." Attrition Helps Allies Even without sensational victories, he suggested a successful conclusion of the war might come for the United Nations through the effects of attrition. "It would not be necessary even to push back the German lines over all the territory they have absorbed Germany might be defeated more fatally In the fourth or fifth year of the war than if the Allies had marched into Ber lin in the first year." Announcing that Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek has accepted an invitation to join the Pacific war council, a body upon which Britain, the Netherlands East Indies. New Zealand, and Australia already are represented for the purposes of recommending war strategy, he declared that "if we can look forward across" the ini tial setbacks since Japan entered the war "we can see very clearly that our position has been enormously improved not only in the last two years but in the last few months." No Singapore Account He said he had no more news of. what had happened at Singapore upon the fall of which he would "not attempt to pass judgment which would be an unseasonable and a very ungracious task." Declaring he was satisfied with the present assignments of var ious cabinet members in the re shuffled government and the See CHURCHILL Page 2 POLITICAL FREEDOM 1AF Britain's Lord Cranborne Approves Chiang Kai-shek Message London (JP) The British Government "is in favor of India's political freedom," Lord Cranbome, colonial secretary, stated today in the House of Lords.

Cranborne, who became government leader in the House of Lords in the week end shakeup of the cabinet, declared that "His Majesty's government welcome the message of Chiang Kai-shek to the Indian government. "He expressed himself in favor of India's political freedom and so are we. If the Indian leaders would get together and devise some scheme which would be satisfactory to all. the Indian problem would be satisfactorily solved. It is hoped that this visit of Chiang Kai-shek will help them to take such a step." Chiang Kai-shek, who has just returned to Chungking from India told the Indian people In a message last Saturday that he "hopes and believes that Britain, without waiting for any demand on the part of the Indian people, will as speedily as possible give them real political power." "I am of the opinion that this will be the wisest policy which will redound to the credit of the Brit ish Empire," Chiang's message concluded.

I ID BY CHURCHILL FOB I AT LEAST 1 89 UY IN DIE World War Destroyer! Truxton and Stores Ship Pollux Victims RESCUE WORK DIFFICULT Washington JP) A Unit- ed States destroyer and a na- val stores ship 'have been, pounded to pieces off tha. rocky coast of Newfoundland in a roaring gale, the Navy; announced today, with a loss of at least 189 officers and men. Among the dead was Lt. Commander Ralph Hickox. 38, Washington, D.

who commanded thm. destroyer, the Truxtun. an old? four-stacker of World War vinU! age. The commander of the storej ship, the Pollux, was not identi-! fled but the Navy reported him, safe. Torn to Wreckage The heavy loss of life was at-t tributed to the fact that the two; ships, constituting a portion of convoy, were torn to wreckage un-' der the merciless battering of wind' and wave very quickly after they' ran aground.

The double disaster occurred in daylight but visibility was ex- RAPIDS SAILOR KILLED Wisconsin Rapids Julius Rude 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Rude, route 1.

was a fireman third class on the Destroyer Truxton, which sank In a storm off Newfoundland. Word of his death was received by his parents yesterday. His death Is believed to have been Wood County's first fatality of World War II. A graduate of Lincoln High School in 1940, he had been in the Navy a little over a year. tremely low.

The frothy currents set up by the dashing of the waters against rocks and reefs made the coastline indistinct and regular aids to navigation were obscured by low sweeping scud. The point at which the ships went a-ground was described as near the entrance to Lawrence Harbor on which is located the town of Lawrence, Newfoundland. Residents of that place were See NAVY Page 2 Bataan Bomber Fund Is Begun In Philippines BY CLARK LEE With General MacArthur on the Bataan Peninsula (Delayed) (JP) A "bomber for Bataan" fund has been started among the American-Filipino troops fighting the Japanese on the Bataan Peninsula and from Corregidor and other fortified Manila Bay Islands. The movement to raise funds to obtain at least one bomber from the United States started spontaneously after the troops had heard a broadcast reporting that production of airplanes by Ford and other American producers was running to astronomical figures. This slogan was adopted: "Better buy one bomber than be buried on Bataan." The campaign still Is In its beginning stages but organizers believe that inasmuch as many soldiers have indicated a willingness to contribute up to one month's pay it will be possible also to raise funds for a ship to bring the bomber here plus high war bonuses for the ship's crew and to purchase gasoline and bombs.

Plenty of aviators already are here to fly the bomber. POINT YOUTH IS HELD ON DRAFT VIOLATION Milwaukee (JP) Herman B. Borski. 29. Stevens Point, was held here today on a Federal warrant charging that he failed to return his selective service questionnaire and that he failed to notify hi draft board of a change in address.

THE WEATHER Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1942 Wisconsin Occasional light snow flurries east portion this after-noon, colder tonight. Marshfield temperatures At noon today. 24. Maximum yesterday, 27.

Minimum during the night. 18. Sunrise, 7:46 CWT; sunset, 6:42 CWT; length of day, 10 hours and 56 minutes. London (JP) Germany has given safe conduct for a British ship loaded with wheat destined for Greece, but the Italian Government has not yet replied to a request for such assurances, a Government spokesman said today. He indicated that If the control of wheat distribution were satisfactory that Is, if it were certain that the wheat was not falling into Axis hands other ships might be sent.

(Travelers reaching Turkey from Greece this month have reported at least 500 persons were dying daily of starvation in that Axis- occupied country. The Budapest publication, Southeast Economist, further reported that hordes of starved and shivering Greeks roam the streets of Athens, living entirely on weeds and grass.) HEIL PLANS CD Governor Seeks to Raise $50,000 by Defense Plant Donations Milwaukee (JP) Governor Hell declared today that he would try to raise $50,000 for civilian defense in Wisconsin by asking defense plants for gifts. The Governor disclosed his plan after Civilian Defense leaders, in Milwaukee County declared that lack of funds was a principal cause for delay in setting up organizations. The Governor said the plan was to have his own firm, the-Heil donate $1,000 and then ask 100 others plants to give $500 each. "The Governor of the State can't dip Into the treasury to finance county defense activities," Heil said.

"If there isn't enough money in Milwaukee County, let them put on a drive to get it by popular subscription. I am not going to do what other states have done in getting big sums appropriated. That only establishes a spoils system. "If we can get Washington to give us one definite program and get the money by donation, then we can get all the WPA help we need to put the program over. Don't forget you can't organize this thing in a minute." The State Defense Board thus far has been given $2,000 by an appropriation by the last Legislature and $25,000 transferred to It by the State Emergency Board.

HAVE CLEi-TVPIST Office Hours to be Observed Five Days a Week in Future New office hours were announced today by Wood County Rationing Board No. 71-2 with headquarters in the old Armory building. The office will be open from 9 to 12 each morning and from 1 to 3 o'clock each afternoon excepting Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Pursuant to instructions from the State Rationing Administration to employ a typist-clerk, the board yesterday engaged Mrs. Doris Erickson, former School Board secretary, who will be at the rationing office during the hours it is open.

The local rationing board will continue to meet twice weekly, to pass on applications for new tires, retreaded and recapped tires, and automobiles. The meetings are held frcm 10 to 12 each Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Board members today requested the News-Herald to ask that persons desiring information and wishing to file applications, do so at the rationing office. The Board yesterday granted a certificate for a new automobile to Harold Machten, R. 3, Marshfield.

who purchased the vehicle from the S. S. Chevrolet Company here. Applications submitted by L. L.

Felker and Sam Marsh ak were rejected. PEARL HARBOR WANTS TO BE NAVY'S MASCOT Birmingham, Ala. (JP) Meet Miss Pearl Harbor and It's no kidding either. That's her name. An attractive waitress from CrossviUe, she hopes the Navy will make her a mascot.

FUND CAMPAIGN MM WILL vFDR Says U. S. Has 'Little Time in Which to Do So Much' 'TIDE WILL TURN' SOON Washington (PP s-Went Roosevelt admonished the American people last night to prepare themselves for further reverses on the war fronts, and even as he rpoke an enemy submarine was raking a spot on the California coast with gunfire. By the grimmest coincidence, Ihe bombardment opened up just fcefore Mr. Roosevelt reached that portion of his speech In which fce declared that the nation also could expect to suffer continuing losses at the hands of Axis raiders in both Atlantic and Pacific "before the turn of the tide." Stresses Production To speed the turn of that tide, Mr.

Roosevelt called for "unin-Itrrupted production" to build up an overwhelming superiority of war supplies for the ultimate grand offensives of the United Nations. The President's voice was sharp he stressed the two words "uninterrupted production" although he made no specific mention of the series of work stoppages which, for various reasons, halted war production in some industries yesterday. Mr. Roosevelt was unaware of the California coast bombardment while he delivered his 35-minute radio "address to the nation and to much of the world, but he said early in his talk that the battle ahead was "warfare in terms of 5 ery continent, every island, ev-rv sea. every air-lane in the lorld." Sporadic Raids Foreseen The capital was not unduly surprised to learn of the bombardment indeed the likelihood of such sporadic raids was foreseen In competent quarters here early In December when the first Japanese submarines appeared off the Facific Coast.

The immediate reaction was that such forays showed a poor understanding of American psychology, and that, instead of creating mortal terror, they would have the opposite effect of making the people fighting mad. And a fighting mad people, many thought, would rise at once to the "prodigious effort" to which President Roosevelt summoned the United States last night. "The task that we Americans now face will test us to the uttermost." the commander-in-chief declared. r- i. v.

little time in which to do so See ROOSEVELT Page 2 The WA Today BY DEWITT MACKENZIE Wide World War Analyst Such a flood of letters pro and con has poured in since my recent column on the dangers of complacency towards the war that I am Impelled to return to the subject. especially since a considerable number of correspondents, protest that there Is no complacency in their communities, and cite chap ter and verse to prove it. Obviously there are two sides to the question and it's only fair to ftive the non-complacency view. This is that the people of the com munities cited are doing everything which has been ordered or sug gested in support of the war-effort they are gladly going into the armed services, sending their sons Into the services, standing in lines to buy defense bonds, and otherwise contributing to the cause. Almost without exception they write me: "If we are lacking, it's because the authorities haven't given us guidance.

We are eager to serve, but we'd like officialdom to tell us what is wanted." Well, that surely is a fair re Quest. As a matter of fact that word "complacency" always has seemed to me not quite accurate. Many sections undoubtedly are being charged with complacency when their real fault Is lack of (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) tYAf? PPS PALLID PIAM A GAPPEAf- ZALAP. 25 Shells Hurled by Submarine; No Damage or Casualties Reported Santa Barbara, Calif. (JP) An enemy submarine fired its reply to President Roosevelt's war address in the very middle of his chat last night 25 shells badly aimed toward an oil field and refinery near Goleta, seven miles north of here.

Witnesses said the presumably of the shrapnel exploded large volumes of dirt from beaches and pastures, frightened horses Into screaming madly but hit only one well. The pumping plant and derrick of that well were damaged. However, no fires were started. No one was killed or injured. First Attack on U.

S. Soil It was the first attack upon U-nited States soil In this war, a-though Japanese submarines off the Pacific Coast and German submarines off the Atlantic have sunk some ships and damaged others. Once before, in the World War, a German submarine disguised as a freighter, shelled the mainland in an attack on a tug and a string of barges off Orleans, Mass. Only casualty was a helmsman, who lost part of a hand. Witnesses said the first shell was fired at 7:10 m.

(9:10 p. CWT) and that the attack continued until 7:35 p. m. twilight. The coast was blacked out at 8 p.

from Goleta 25 miles south to Carpenteria. Radios only were silenced in the remainder of southern California. The all clear was given at 12:12 a. 2:12 a. CWT).

Several Flares" Seen Several flares were sighted just off the coast during the blackout. Police at Ventura, 27 miles south of here, presumed they were dropped by U. S. airplanes searching for the submarine. However, Army officials gave no Information regarding the flares or whether planes were sent In search of the submersible.

Witnesses at Goleta said the submarine seemed to head south after it ceased firing. The Rev. Arthur Bushman of Pomona, visiting at Montecito, saw a vessel he thought was a submarine flashing signal lights as it left Santa Barbara channel about 8:30 p. m. The Los Angeles district press relations office of the 11th Naval District made public the following account of the shelling, obtained from S.

W. Borden, superintendent See SUB ATTACK Page 2 Hold First Aid Class at New Armory Tonight The first aid class sponsored by the local Council of Civilian Defense will be held tonight, at 8 o'clock, at the new Armory and Community Building, according to an announcement by Donald Schmelter, instructor. The class, usually held on Wednesday, will be held each Tuesday during Lent to avoid conflict wtih church services, he said. "To pass from the realm of rumor and poison to the field of facts: The numbers of our officers and men killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th was 2,340, and the number wounded was 946. Of all the combatant ships based on Pearl Harbor battleships, heavy cruisers, light cruisers, aircraft carriers, destroyers a submarines only three were permanently put out of commission.

"Very many of the ships of the Pacific Fleet were not even in Pearl Harbor. Some of those that were there were hit very slightly; and others that were damaged have either rejoined the fleet by now or are still undergoing repairs. When those repairs are completed, the ships will be more efficient fighting machines than they were before. "The report that we lost more than a thousand airplanes at Pear. Harbor is as baseless as the other weird rumors.

The Japanese do not know just how many planes they destroyed that day, and I am not going to tell them. But I can say that to date and including Pearl Harbor we have destroyed considerably more Japanese planes than they have destroyed of ours. London (JP)B ritish troops have withdrawn to the west banfes of the Sittang River after inflicting heavy casualties on the Japanese troops invading Burma, the All-India radio said today quoting official accounts. "Our losses have been heavy but our troops are now in good positions," the official account continued. Japs Launch Attack The report covered land fighting for the last four days.

On Feb. 22, the report said, the Japanese "made a heavy attack on our troops holding a bridgehead on the east bank of the Sittang River. "Yesterday after savage fighting during which the bridgehead was penetrated we made repeated counterattacks inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Our troops withdrew after which the bridge was demolished." The Japanese thus were within 20 miles of the Rangoon-Lashio railroad that supplies the Burma Road. Telling of earlier phases of the fighting in the four-day period, the All-India report said: Enemy Reinforced "On the southern front our troops withdrew on Friday after several days of heavy fighting a-gainst fresh, reinforced enemy forces.

"Much of the fighting along the Bilin River was of hand-to-hand nature. Our troops counterattacked fiercely with bayonet and on may occasions inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy." London (JP) Britain made her commander-in-chief in India responsible today for operations in Burma, indicating that the steady advance of the Japanese had made the defense of the two great British possessions a single military problem. An announcement in New Delhi said the Indian commander, Gen. Sir Alan Fleming Hartley, had assumed direction of the bitterly-contested campaign iA which the Japanese are approaching Rangoon and the railway that feeds the Burma Road. The shift in command was said to have been one result of the visit to India of China's Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.

The Japanese have thrown fresh troops into a mounting Burma offensive which has driven the British back upon the Sittang River, last natural barrier guarding the Rangoon-Lashio Railway which feeds the Burma Road, a military commentator declared today. Presumably Japanese forces freed by the fall of Singapore now have joined the invasion of Burma. Withdrawing from the 30-mile sector between the Bilin and Sittang Rivers in a stubbornly-fought rearguard action, the British now hold positions within 25 miles of the railway town of Pegu' and within 70 miles of Rangoon itself, which lies to the southwest around the head of the Gulf of Martaban. The commentator said there was "confused and heavy fighting" throughout the area with "heavy casualties." There still Is communication with Rangoon, he added, and the Japanese have made no attempt to flank the British left, where "all quiet" was reported. There was no confirmation here of reports of Japanese landings in the wide delta of the Irrawaddy River, west of Rangoon.

INJURIES PROVE FATAL Milwaukee (IP) Frank Palcic, 18, died In a hospital here yesterday. He received a broken neck and brain concussion in an automobile accident Sunday. CLASSIFIED AD RESULTS BROOD MARE Arc 12 yn. 100 Whit Leghorn R. O.

P. Sired pallets. Clover hay Sc torn silage. Marvin Grimm, R-l, City. (Old Paape farm).

"Evrrrthing sold through the md," that was the report of Mr. Marvin Grimm, who placed the above News-Herald Classified Ad for three consecutive appearances on oar Classified Page. Livestock, farm machinery, feed, poultry, etc find buyers in a hurry when advertised through a News-Herajd Classified Ad. If yoa have a snrplus on hand, phone 1000 or mail your ad today to the NEWS-HERALD CLASSIFIED AD DEPT. fNEA Telephoto.) NEW WAR CHIEF Sir James Grigg, 51, named War Minister in British cabinet shakeup after reverses in the Orient.

rnninr ROUTEPERILED Reds Recapture Dorogobuzh, 15 Miles From Moscow-Smolensk Railway (By the Associated Press) Russia's Armies drove a spearhead against the heart of the German "escape corridor" from Moscow today, sharply threatening the main Nazi route of retreat with the capture of Dorogobuzh, only 15 miles south of the Mos cow-Smolensk railroad, midway between Vyazma and Smolensk. Dorogobuzh is 50 miles east of Smolensk, key German base on the Moscow front. Reds Retake Panino At the same time, the British radio reported that the Red Armies had also captured the town of Panino, 14 miles north of the beleaguered Nazi base at Rzhev which in turn is 125 miles northwest of Moscow, and guards the north flank of the withdrawing See RUSSIA Page 2 A. J. RECTUS SEEKS Alderman and President of Council Announces Candidacy Today Arthur J.

Reeths, alderman of the Fifth Ward and pres ident of the Common Council, to day announced his candidacy for the post of Mayor of the City of Marshfield at the Municipal Elec tion tec be held April 7. Now serving his third consecu tive term as alderman, as well as his second term as Council head and his fourth year as chairman of the Finance Committee, Reeths is the second candidate to an nounce his intention to seek Marshfield 's highest elective office. Mayor George J. Leonhard Sr. announced his candidacy for re-election Saturday.

Reeths, who lives at 805 S. Cedar street, is married and has six children. Now 43 years old, he came to Marshfield from Kau-kauna when he was four years old. He is employed as cashier at the Chicago, North Western and Omaha Railroad office. During his time on the Common Council, he has served on every committee with the exception of the Board of Public Works, and was an unsuccessful candidate in the 1934 mayoralty race here.

Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Elks, the Knights of Colum bus, the American Legion, the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks and the United Commercial Travelers. At the present time he is senior councelor of the Local U. C. T. organization.

He has also been active rin sports here, particu larly in baseball. WAR VETERANS RECALL MACARTHUR SIDELIGHT Fond da Lac (JP) Several members of the 32nd Division recalled a World War I story of Gen. Douglas MacArthur today. MacArthur, then a colonel and division chief of staff, approached Mess Sgt. Ted Vogt about food.

The sergeant directed MacArthur to a place a short distance away where other officers were eating. MacArthur answered: "I'll eat here with the men I can eat with officers any day." NAZIS LOW ELECT OK AS MAYOR Only 3 Ships Destroyed At Pearl Harbor: FDR Washington W3) President Roosevelt's report on Pearl Harbor last night indicated American losses considerably lower than the previous official totals. Here is the comparison: FDR Previous Ships lost 3 5 Men killed 2,340 2,897 Men wounded 946 879 Secretary Knox's report had said that the Navy lost the battleship Arizona, the target ship Utalv. the destroyers Cassin, Downes, and Shaw and the minelayer Oglala. This list was reduced by one when the Shaw was reclaimed and reached the West Coast under her own power for repairs.

The President did not indicate which two of the remaining five vessels might also be restored to service. The previous official casualty total came from combined Army and Navy reports. "The American people want to know, and will be told, the general trend of how the war is the President said. "But they do not wish to help the enemy any more than our fighting forces do; and they will pay little attention to the rumor-mongers and poison peddlers in our midst. .0.