The Los Angeles Times du lieu suivant : Los Angeles, California • 1

EQUAL jR RIGHTS 8 Am IN THREE PARTS 36 PAGES Part I GENERAL NEWS 20 Pages TIMES OFFICE 202 Wert Tint Street ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME LARGEST HOME-DELIVERED CIRCULATION LARGEST ADVERTISING VOLUME MAdison 2345 Th Times Telephone Number LIBERTY UNDER THE LAW TRUE INDUSTRIAL FREEDOM CC THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 26, 1942. DAILY, FIVE CENTS VOL. LXI mm Five Deaths Laid to Raid Blackout Traffic Accidents and Heart Arracks Take Lives of Quintette Storm Grows Over Delay in Alien Ouster Telegraphic Pleas Sent to Olson Urging Action; Navy Speeds Evacuation Roaring Guns Mark Blackout Identity of Aircraft Veiled in Mystery; No Bombs Dropped and No Enemy Craft Hit; Civilians Report Seeing Planes and Balloon Overshadowing a nation-wide maelstrom of U.S. Flyers Reap Indies Victories Sink Two Transports and Destroy Three Planes; MacArthur Breaks Lull by Successful Attacks; American-British Airmen Blast Foe in Burma Times Pacific War Summary Sharpshooting United States Army flyers notched new victories in the Battle of the Dutch East Indies yesterday, sinking two big Japanese transports and blasting at least three Jap planes out of the skies without a single loss to themselves. The triumphs were announced by the War Department in Washington which also reported that the all-quiet on the Philippines front had been broken as Gen.

Douglas Mac-Arthur's American-Filipino forces engaged the foe in "uniformly successful" local attacks. Destruction of the transports Spurred to action by yesterday morning's air-raid alarm here and bombardment of the Elwood oil field Monday by an enemy submarine, Southlanders yesterday demanded immediate evacuation of all Japanese aliens and Deaths of five persons three in traffic accidents, two as victims of heart attacks were listed as directly attributable to the five-hour blackout in Los Angeles County yesterday morning. The inky blackness also resulted in injuries to scores of other persons. Mrs. Zeulah Klein, 48, of 1097 Mayflower Arcadia, was killed when an automobile in which she was riding collided during the blackout with a milk truck driven by Mrs.

Goldie L. Wagner, 50, of 2510 S. 10th Arcadia, during the early. morning hours at 1600 S. 10th citizens.

Telegrams poured into Cover rumors and conflicting reports, the Army's Western Defense Command yesterday insisted that Los Angeles' early morning blackout and anti-aircraft action were the result of unidentified aircraft sighted over the beach area. In two official statements, issued while Secretary of the Navy Knox in Washington was attributing the activity to a' false alarm and "jittery nerves," the command in San Francisco confirmed and reconfirmed the presence over the Southland of unidentified planes. Relayed by the Southern California sector office in Pasadena, the second statement read: "The aircraft which caused the blackout in the Los Angeles area for several hours this a.m. have not been identified." Insistence from official quarters that the alarm was real came as hundreds of thousands of citizens who heard and saw the activity spread countless varying stories of the episode. The spectacular anti-aircraft barrage came after the 4th nor Olson's office urging him to request Fedecal authorities to "remove from this State all Japa was accomplished by six lying Fortresses which roared across the Java Sea to Macassar one of nese, both American-born and alien, at once." the enemy invasion nests on the Typical of the telegrams was a message from a Los Angele? southern tip of Celebes.

Greatly outnumbered Ameri woman, sent at 7:28 a.m., just seven minutes after the "all can pursuit ships challenged swarms of enemy bombers and Arcadia. LIGHTS OFF The victim's husband, Harry clear" had sounded. MAY REGRET DELAY fighter planes in two separate ac tions over beleaguered Java. The Jans came out second best in "Each new hour that a single Jap is at liberty in this State is F. Klein, 47, told deputy sheriffs he was driving with his car both battles.

Other developments yesterday an hour we might tragically re gret," she said. The drive to intern all Japa in the Pacific, as summarized nese was given impetus by news Rangoon Aces Bag 30 Planes Allied Airmen Vanquish Jap Sky Fighters and Strafe Invading Hordes RANGOON (Burma) Feb. 25. (JP) American and British pilots, brilliantly defending the air over Rangoon by smashingsome J0 enemy planes; struck out as well today in a wide offensive sweep against the packed masses of Japanese troops along the Sit-tang River while the imperial land forces reorganized their lines during a lull in action afield. Aside from this high score in the destruction of enemy craft and a communique tonight made plain that it might yet run be that 20 of them had been arrested during last night's 'air raid under extremely suspicious cir lights off when he collided with the milk truck, which was also reported driving without lights.

Mrs. Klein died at the scene. Klein and Mrs. Wagner received minor injuries, Police Sergeant Engebert Larson, 55, of 3205 Adriatic Long Beach, was killed in a head-on collision Itlr Long-Beach while en route to the police station for emergency duty. cumstances.

INFORMATION, PLEASE (Editorial) In view of the considerable public excitement and confusion caused by yesterday morning's supposed enemy air raid over this area and its spectacular official accompaniments, it seems to The Times that more specific public information should be forthcoming from government sources on the subject, if only to clarify their own so-far conflicting statements about it. The five-hour blackout was ordered by the Army's 4th Interceptor Command and the ensuing heavy and long-continued anti-aircraft firing was also on official Army orders. It seems -clear, then, that 'the responsible Army officials in this area were convinced that enemy aircraft were overhead and that no effort should be spared to shoot them down before they could attack, by bombs or otherwise. In its official statement, made public later yesterday from its San Francisco headquarters, the Western Defense Command said that "unidentified aircraft were reported in the area," that "there was a considerable amount of anti-aircraft firing," but that "no bombs were dropped and no planes shot down." It adds that "reports are conflicting and every effort is being made to ascertain the facts." But in Washington, Secretary of the Navy Knox told his press conference that his information indicated that "it was just a false alarm. There were no planes over Los Angeles last night; at least, that's our understanding.

None has been found and a very wide reconnaissance has been carried out." According to the Associated Press, Secretary Knox intimated that reports of enemy air activity in the Pacific Coastal region might be due largely to "jittery nerves." Whose nerves, Mr. Knox? The public's or the Army's? Further quoting verbatim the Associated Press report of the press conference: "In his discussion of various reports of enemy action along the West Coast, Knox said he 'suspected' that eventually vital industries in that area would have to be moved tosafer inland regions," as he (Mr. Knox) said he had been informed by Lord Beaver-brook that England has done, piecemeal, "to avoid disrupting production." Now, in the name of that considerable part of the Southern California public which it is privileged to speak for, and with all due regard to necessary restrictions on military information, The Times respectfully inquires what all this means. Apparently the Army's information was that enemy planes were here and preparing for an attack, then or later. Accordingly it blacked out, started searchlights, opened fire and kept on firing for a long time.

Secretary Knox's information, he says, is that there were no planes at all and that the whole thing was a false alarm and due largely to somebody's nervous jitters. On this basis he apparently predicates expression of a belief that such things will make it necessary to remove Pacific Coast war industries inland. The reasoning is at least extraordinary. If there were no planes and no danger, wherein does this particular incident in any way support the theory that our great aircraft industry should be moved inland? Is it supposed to be damaged by false alarms and jittery nerves on the part of others? And are false alarms confined to the Pacific Coast? And just where, if the question is a fair one, did Secretary Knox get the information leading him to believe that the air raid was a phony? The official and only official source of such information in this case is the Army. What the Army's information was has been made very clear, both by its own statement and by its vigorous action.

It is not for a moment to be believed that the Army did not act in good faith in the matter. It is equally incredible that Secretary Knox would even remotely intimate anything of the sort. Least comprehensible of. all is what the Navy head sees in the case to abet the desire of some government officials and some inland communities to transfer Coastal industries to the latter. These are matters on which, in the view of this newspaper, the public is entitled to enlightenment.

It does not appear that such information could in any way or degree prejudice any military effort or aid the enemy. Many of these Japanese were reportedly flashing lights in sig nal patterns. Others refused to DRIVER SUCCUMBS A psdestrian, Jesus Alferez. 55. of 1658 Pomeroy died at Geor gia Street Receiving Hospital from injuries he received when he walked into the side of an automobile driven by Henry W.

Graveson, 2G, of .11232 Duncan yond the announced 30 when all reports were in two Japanese Lynwood, during the blackout in the 900 block on Mission Road. Graveson was not held. river boats were sunk near fallen Moulmein on the Salween River, a rearward operational base for the invader. INDIANS EVACUATED More than 400 miles north from United Press and Associated Press dispatches, included: BURMA Imperial land forces reorganized their lines along the Sittang River during the lull in field action during a smashing offensive of American and British pilots over Rangoon which bagged 30 enemy planes. All except military forces had been sent out of the Burmese capital in a compul-sory evacuation, and the fight for Southern Burma appeared to have settled down to a delaying action.

EAST INDIKS Java was reported completely encircled and cut off from normal shipping communication with Australia, but the Dutch claim that the Japanese are spread over such a large area that if Java receives air and sea reinforcements it will be possible to obtain local superiority and wipe out the invaders. Americans Sink Jap Ships WASHINGTON, Feb. 25. (JP) American pilots and bombardiers fighting in the Netherlands Indies sank two large Japanese transports, shot down at least three enemy aircraft and damaged several more in three separate actions, the War Department reported today. There were no American losses.

transports were reported sunk by a flight of six Army Flying Fortress bombers at Macassar, Japanese-held port on the southwestern tip of the island of Celebes. Over Soerabaja, the Java north coast port and the last major Turn to Page .1, Column 3 west of Rangoon, certain areas of the Chittagong district of India, nearest to Burma on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, conform to the rigid blackout and left their market lights on until police and air-raid wardens took forcible steps to douse them. NAVY TAKES ACTION First to take action was the Navy. In an order signed by Capt. Richard B.

Coffman, commandant of the naval operating base at Long Beach, all residents, aliens and citizens alike, of two areas on Terminal Island were given notice to evacuate by Friday midnight. The areas, occupied by about 1000 Japanese, were defined as follows: Area 1 40 acres between Seaside and Ocean Aves. and lying north of Reeves Field, Navy air base; Area 2 100 acres. Fish Harbor, west of Reeves Field. NOTICES POSTED Notices were prepared by Irl D.

Brett, special attorney in the Lands Division of the Department of Justice, and officers began posting them in the designated areas at 3 p.m. yesterday. The Navy took over Terminal Island last Saturday and was given exclusive possession of privately owned areas within the island by a Federal court order. Japanese on the island already had been served with notices to evacuate by March 11, but Tuesday night's air-raid alarm evidently prompted the decision to change the deadline to Friday. The eviction notice stated that Japanese aliens were not freed from their obligation to report their new addresses to U.S.

Dlst. Turn to Paze 7, Column 1 were being evacuated, a Madras While driving a station wagon loaded with ammunition for the California State Guard unit in Hollywood, Henry B. Ayers, 60. slumped over in his seat and died of a heart attack before medical aid could reach him. Ayers suffered the heart attack while the blackout was in full force and anti-aircraft fire was piercing the sky.

HK.ART ATTACK While busy on duty as an airraid warden George P. Weil. 3fi. of 2834 Forrester Drive, suffered a heart attack. He was taken home and died there a short time later.

He leaves his widow, Mrs. Retty Weil( and a son Robert, 8. Weil was an accountant. Forest Lawn Mortuary will have charge of funeral arrangements. William Prince, 71, of 384 N.

Vernon Pasadena, received critical injuries when he was struck by a car reported driven by Raymond C. Parker, 21, of 1301 N.Los Robles rasa-dena, at the intersection of Garfield Ave. and Colorado Pasadena. Trince was treated at the Huntington Memorial Hospital for a possible fractured skull and other serious head injuries. Various accidents caused In- Turn to Fnge Column 5 official statement said, as a "purely precautionary measure." Chittagong is just east of Calcutta and the mouth of the Ganges.

The Madras statement said there was no reason for panic. ENEMY FILLING GAPS On the Sittang's west bank-in an area only 60 miles short of Rangoon, a city all but depopulatedthe British field command deployed its forces for a fateful stand along that last natural barrier short of this ancient capital. For other news and pictures of yesterday's air raid alarm, see Pages and D. Interceptor Command ordered the blackout when Strang craft were reported -over the coast line. Powerful searchlights from countless stations stabbed the sky with brilliant probing fingers while anti-aircraft batteries dotted the heavens with beautiful, if sinister, orange bursts of shrapnel.

CITY BLACKED OUT FOR HOURS The city was blacked out from 2:25 to 7:21 a.m. after an earlier yellow alert at 7:18 p.m. was called off at 10:23 p.m. The blackout was in effect from here to the Mexican border and inland to the San Joaquin Valley. No bombs were dropped and no airplanes shot down and, miraculously in view of the tons of missiles hurled aloft, only, two persons were reported wounded by falling shell frag-ments.

Countless thousands of Southland residents, many of whom were late to work because of the traffic tie-up during the blackout, rubbed their eyes sleepily yesterday as they agreed that, regardless of the question of how "real" the air-raid alarm may have been, it was "a great show" and "well worth losing a few hours' sleep." COAST STAYS ON ALERT The Army's Western Defense Command in San Francisco issued a noncommittal statement to the effect that there was a blackout and shooting, and added that no bombs were dropped and no planes were shot down. The text of the official announcement read: "Cities in the Los Angeles area were blacked out at 2:25 a.m. today on orders from the 4th Interceptor Command when unidentified aircraft were reported in the area. "Although reports were conflicting and every effort is being made to ascertain the facts, it is clear that no bombs were dropped and no planes were shot down. "There was a considerable amount of anti-aircraft firing.

The all-clear signal came at 7:21 a.m." The announcement brought no relaxation of the Pacific Coast's vigilance in the wake of an Axis submarine's shelling of a Santa Barbara County oil field Monday night. ROUNDUP OF ENEMY ALIENS TRESSED While military aircraft patrolled the land and sea approaches to this strategic area, authorities pressed their roundup of enemy aliens and other persons whose activities during the emergency period were questionable. Thirty persons, 20 of whom were Japanese, were arrested during the night and morning. Police and Sheriff's deputies who rounded up the Japanese Turn to Tage Column 4 Attention Subscribers! Because of the blackout yesterday between 2:25 a.m. and 7:21 a.m., delivery of The Times to many subscribers was delayed in some cases until late morning hours.

The movement of motor vehicles is forbidden during a blackout, hence the trucks which carry The Times from IXs building at First and Spring Sts. to dealers stationed throughout the city and environs could not move until after 7:21 a.m. Further delay was caused by the fact mapy delivery boys had departed for school by the time the newspapers reached the dealers. The Times makes this explanation because of the many calls complaining of late delivery, and trusts its readers will realize the circumstance which caused the delay was beyond its control. No fighting was reported on that front; the enemy, too, was seeking to fill the great gaps cut in his columns in the furious Turn to Page 2, Column 7 IN THE TIMES' TODAY THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26, 1942 Knox Raid Just 'Jittery Nerves' By Times Staff Correspondent Rubber in Corsets Ordered Banned WASHINGTON, Feb.

25. (JP) After more than a month of in-decision the War Production Board today finally made up its mind and prohibited use of rubber in corsets and girdles. Then, to balance bad news for the women, the board threw In a general prohibition broad enough to cover men's garters and suspenders. Arthur Newhall, chief of the. rubber branch, and R.

R. Guthrie, head of the textile branch, issued a joint an-'nounccment that rubber no longer will be available for the rubber thread used in making corsets, girdles and other foundation garments, or any type of elastic bands uced in clothing. Surgical-type garments, made to W.r.B. specifications, are RADIO. Tage 13, Tart I.

COMICS. Page" 0, Tart II. FASHIONS, CLUBS, SOCIETY. Pages 5, 7 and Tart II. ri'ZZLE.

rage 15, Tart I. MOTION PICTURES AND THEATERS. Pages 10 and 11, Part II. BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGE NOTICES. Tage 16, Part 1.

PICTORIAL TACE. Tage B. FINANCIAL. S.E.C. ruling on utility debenture premiums sets precedent.

Stock and commodity prices decline. Oil news. Pages 14 and 15, Part I. THE SOUTHLAND. Pomona takes disaster census.

New defense setup adopted at Rakers-field. Page 10, Part I. SPORTS, rhilllps Qilers He. font Fox cagers, 4M.1. Page 11, Tart I.

Hollywood Stars begin spring training today. Page 11, Tart I. Louis to face" Simon next with Tamor bout In offing. Tage 11, Part I. THE CITY.

Unldentiaed planes over I.os Angeles 'during airraid alarm, Armv says. Page 1, Tart I. Five deaths attributed to blackout. Page 1, Part I. "Dud" anti-aircraft shells and fragments damage homes.

Tage A. Blackout trouble explained by Mayor Dowron. Page D. Many accused of violating blackout regulations; some fined. Page C.

Thousands stranded at home and many late to work In traffic tie-up following blackout. Page D. Storm grows over delay In alien evacuation. Page 1, Part I. Dr.

IIu Shin, Chinese Ambassador here on speaking tour, says China won't quit. Tage 1, Part II. Airlines to use I)ckheed Terminal for duration of war. Page 1, Part II. Assembly Speaker urges removal of all Japanese to Interior.

Tage 7, Tart I. Academy Awards dinner, sold out for tonight, expected to draw 1500. Tagt 1J, Tart 1L GENERAL EASTERN. Secre-tary Knox says Ixs Angeles raid just "jittery nerves." Page 1, Part I. WASH I Woi k-or flRht legislation expected If production interrupted.

Page 0, Part I. Senate votes to ban government sales of farm products below parity. Page 6, Part I. Expansion of synthetic rubber program promised by Jesse Jones. Tage 7, Tart I.

THE WAR. United Stales Fly Ing Fortresses sink two enemy transports off Macassar. Page 1, Part I. American and Allied pilots shoot down .10 Jap planes over Hurma. Page 1, Tart I.

Hrltlsh putting torch to evacuated Rangoon. Page 2, Part I. Reinforcements may turn tide In Rurma. Page 2, Part I. Japanese transports set aflrt oft Java.

Pago 3, Part I. Russians tighten trap on Nazis below Leningrad. Page 5, Part WASHINGTON. Feb. Navy Knox Indicated today that this morning's reported air raid over Los Angeles area was due largely to "Jittery nerves." The Secretary when asked during his press conference concerning the Army's Western Command statement that an unidentified air raid had been ire-ported over the West Coast area his Inormatlon Indicated that It was "Just a false alarm." "There were no planes over Los Angeles last night, at least that's our understanding," the Secretary declared, "None have been found nd a very wide re connaissance has been carried out." The Secretary then Intimated that the reports might be due largely to Jittery nerves.

He related that during the World War when, a new outfit moved up to the front the horns used to warn gas attacks were "going all the time'' for the first three or four nights, when actually no gas attack had been made. In his discussion of various reports of enemy action along the West Coast Knox said he "suspected" that eventually vital industries in that area will have to be moved to safer Inland re-Turn lo Pag Column 1 4.