The Capital Journal from Salem, Oregon • Page 1

Yanks Storm into Naha Unhinging Jap Okinawa Defense Lines bl Joni apital Infantry Drives Through Capital's Ruins Towards Dock Area As Marines Advance to City's Center Churchill and Truman Want Big 3 Meeting Hope Get-Together Can Be Arranged Soon But No Decision Reached Salem, Oregon, Tuesday, May 15, 1945 Price Five Cents I ooaio Opposite End of 6 Mile Front 96th Division Bloodv yres Airrieia ana Lays iiege to lonaDaru And Its East Coast Port Close Pincers on Shuri Guam, Wadnesday, May 16 (UR) Tenth army infantrymen fought through the rubbled streets and ruined buildings of Naha today in a fiercely-contested advance that carried to within 2000 yards of the dock area and unhinged the Japanese defense line across southern Okinawa. Marines of the Sixth division, braving a storm of Japanese mortar and machine-gun fire, crossed the Asato river and battled house-to-house to within 1000 yards of the heart of the capital city. On the opposite end of the six-mile battle front, troops of the 96th army division wheeled around captured Conical hill, consolidated their position at Yonabaru air field, and laid siege to Yonabaru city and its east coast port. Maj. Gen.

Pedro de Valle's First marine division and Maj. Gen. Andrew Bruce's 77th army division were closing a pincers on t. 1 fwi rvf kzi-im -nip Germans Act as Pallbearers (Pi Townspeople of Nuernburg, Germany, carry caskets containing bodies of Polish Jews slain by German SS troopers from the woods where they were shot to the town cemetery for burial services. American army officials ordered the townspeople to attend the services and to act as pallbearers.

Photo by Lee McCardell of Baltimore Sun. 57th Year, No. 1 16 Underground Fortress Yields Goebbel's Body Moscow, May 15 (U.R) The body of nazi Propaganda Minister Paul Joseph Goebbels has been found in a vast underground city beneath Berlin, the red army newspaper Red Star reported today. A Berlin dispatch said that Goebbels' corpse and those of his wife and children were found where they had committed suicide, before a microphone. The story said the under ground city, 20 meters below Berlin's surface and safe from the reach of allied bombs, con tained factories, offices, and arsenals linked by electric railroads.

Fortress Described Goebbels, Hermann Goering. and other prominent nazis had luxurious apartments in the subterranean Berlin. Entrances and exits to the rooms matched any fortress. The huge walls were made from special reinforced concrete armor plate. Berlin residents said Goebbels and Goering had built their shelters there many years be fore the war.

The underground city stretched beneath all the streets, boulevards, and alleys converging on the Wilhelmstrasse. In a house at No. 63 Char-lottenstrasse, a soviet correspondent rummaging in the debris found a narrow passageway below the surface of the ruins. It led to an enormous underground structure with massive doors and electric installations. The luxurious furniture, clothes and linen littering the floors of the rooms indicated an influential family had lived there.

Lived Like Moles In other subterranean dwellings the correspondent found large families huddled in corners beneath dim kerosene lamps. They had lived there like moles since 1942. From one such dwelling a narrow corridor led to a steel door, and behind that was a hand grenade factory, where women and children worked, the dispatch said. Another miniature city lay under the ruins of the main gestapo building. Innocent-looking sewer covers concealed the entrance to an elaborate transportation system connecting more munitions factories and residential quarters.

Cooperation to Replace Control Washington, May 15 (U.B Na tional Democratic Chairman Robert E. Hannegan told an audience of businessmen today that the post-war relationship of government to business would be keyed on cooperation instead of control. "Once the threat of a war inflation is lifted, government controls will lift, too," he said, "and I hope that in those years, under President Truman, old uncertainties that plagued our nation's business and those who managed it will disappear." Hannegan spoke to the Advertising Club of Washington at a luncheon meeting. 'n nviv Pass Ca.uiea By Americans Manila, May 15 (IP) Bloody Balete Pass fell to Americans of the 25th and 37th divisions Sunday after weeks of bitter fighting, Gen, Douglas Arthur announced today. Doughboys were fighting down the 80-milc mountain road leading to the extensive Cagayan valley or northern Luzon, a Jape stronghold.

Yanks counted 7,000 enemy dead in the narrow 75-foot defile between towering mountains, Associated Press Correspondent James Hutcheson reported from the field. The toll is expected to mount to 20.000 when Japanese dead sealed in the network of caves interlacing the Pas walls are counted. Heavy Losses Exacted It was from these caves, many of them large enough for an en tire company, that enemy troops held off the Yank drive into Luzon's breadbasket. The enemy exacted "sobering losses" on our troops, Maj. Gen.

Charles L. Mullins, reported. But the way now lies downhill. When doughboys reach the valley floor, tanks, heavy artillery and flame-throwers can be brought to bear. The 25th and 37th were driving toward Santa Fe and juncture with the 32nd division pushing along the Villa Verde trail from the west.

They were two miles apart. Tighten Lines on Dam East of Manila, the 43rd division, preparing for the final assault, tightened its ring around Japan near Ipo Dam, which supplies one third of Manila's water. On i Mindanao, Japanese fiercely resisted the Yank drive near Davao City between the Talomo and Davao rivers. Americans hurled back six banzai charges in company strength Saturday and Sunday. Japanese naval guns on the northern tip of nearby Samal island, invaded by doughboys, shelled American lines on the mainland.

The 31st division liquidated a reinforced company of bypassed Japanese between Ki-bane and Maramag in north central Midanao, 60 miles up Sayre highway, near the north coast, the 40th division consolidated the captured Del Monte air, center. Guerrilla forces seized Cagayan port, bringing the entire north coast under American control. On Tarakan Island, off Borneo, Australian and Dutch troops scored local gains. Aneta, Netherlands news agency, said 300 tons of paraffine refined from Tarakan oil was being used in repairing an airfield on the island. Molotov Flies Home With American Crew Moscow, May 15 UP) Foreign Commissar Vyachcslav Molotov returned to Moscow today from the United Nations conference at San Francisco.

He arrived in his special plane piloted by a U. S. crew, whose members promptly went on a sight-seeing tour in the Russian capital. Rural Schools Leading In 7th War Bond Sales Grinding work on the Seventh war loan is now under way at the loan headquarters, 477 Court street, in conjunction with the Lee Ohmart real estate offices. County Chairman Douglas Yeater now has his committees practically all named, the first reports from various districts are beginning to filter in and the mechanics of the drive are getting pretty well put together.

-This is the heaviest war bond drive yet undertaken and a little atmosphere of tensity is lingering over headquarters as the real tough part of the job faces the committee following the big official opening staged in connection with the chamber of commerce luncheon Monday. Lawrence Fisher, who audits the reports as they are received, stated that those in so far are merely scattering and it will be a few days before the early results are made public. Mrs. Carmelite Weddle in charge of the rural school section of the drive reported subscribed as early returns on bond and stamp sales. At Hayesville school where the drive got underway over a month ago with a $1000 goal two teams were selected, "The Tojo Headaches," led by Janice Bonsall and "The Victory (Concluded on Pare 10, Column 6) Seek Discharge Of Vel Fathers Washington, May 15 (IP) A move to force the army to discharge all men with more than three children began on Capitol Hill today.

It is under the leadership of Representative Engel who said he will seek a house vote on the proposition when the annual war department appropriation bill reaches the floor within several weeks. As a member of the appropriations sub-committee handling army funds, Engel will ask the committee to write into the bill a ban against payment of funds to any serviceman who has more than three children. Its acceptance, he said in an interview, would force the army to discharge such men, since no one can be compelled to serve without compensation. Should the committee turn him down, Engel added, he will submit the amendment to the house itself. Chairman May of the military committee said he would resist any such move because "we must have confidence in the judgment of the army's leaders." Lilienthal Approvel Washington, May 15 MP) David Lilienthal's nomination for a new term as TVA director was approved by the senate agriculture committee today, 13 to 2.

Congressmen Report on Nazis' Torture System Washington, May 15 HP) A congressional mission reported today its inspection of German concentration camps forced the conclusion the nazis carried out a "calculated and diabolical program of planned torture and extermination." The mission, composed of six senators and six members of the house of representatives, flew to Europe April 22 and spent most of a fortnight looking over the notorious camps at Dachau, Buchenwald and Nordhausen, Germany. Rep. Mott Ore.) was a member of the mission. In their report, the group termed the nazi program of starvation, torture and unhon-ored death for slave laborers and political prisoners "no less than organized crime against civilization and humanity." Organized Crime "Those who were responsible should have meted out to them swift, certain and adequate punishment," the report advocated. In view, however, of the existence of the Allied War Crimes commission, the committee said it did not believe any additional agency need be created.

"The agencies now dealing with the problem are responsible and competent and will approach the subject from the standpoint of practical justice in every area and in all categories of crimes that may be involved," the report said. In general, it recounted the same shocking story of calculated misery and degradation made familiar by scores of articles from the scene. Buchenwald Atrocities Treating in detail on the establishment at Buchenwald, the lawmakers said: "Pictures and descriptions of the conditions at this camp can not adequately portray what we saw there, and it is only when the stench of the camp is smelled that anyone can have a complete appreciation of the depths of degradation to which the German nazi government and those responsible for it had dropped in their treatment of those who have failed to embrace the doctrines of the 'master Dachau Executions A macabre detail of the Dachau camp was related. There "prisoners of distinction," including those with military records, were permitted to kneel on a small boardwalk as they were executed by gunfire. Women and common political prisoners knelt on an earthen bank to received their death bullets.

"Since we had seen no coffins at other camps visited, we inquired why coffins were used at Dachau, and were informed that these coffins were reserved for prisoners of distinction." The committee visited Dachau within 48 hours after its liberation by American forces. Rows of Murdered "When we arrived there were many prisoners lying dead between the inner and outer barbed-wire fences," the legislators, said, "apparently shot by the guards. Lying in rows, were about 300 bodies of those who had died and had been (Concluded on Page 10, Column 3) for individuals. That was the word from Ted Gamble, national war finance director. Of the V-mail gift certificates, the treasury told retailers that tests in 30 states during the sixth war loan proved it "the most popular and successful ever used to stimulate sales of extra war bonds." Therefore the V-mail idea has been made an important feature of the 7th war loan.

Yesterday was "B-day" (B for bonds) in retail stores. Gamble said the nation's retail stores and their 5,000.000 employes "are engaged in the strongest and most extensive war bond campaign they have ever undertaken." Washington, May 15 (Pi President Truman and Prime Minister Churchill today expressed hope that a "big three" meeting can be arranged soon. It would be Mr. Truman's first get-together with Churchill and Marshal Stalin since he succeeded the late President Roosevelt in the White House. The president told his news conference he discussed such a meeting with British Foreign Minister Anthony Eden yesterday but said no definite decision was made.

At almost the same time Mr. Churchill told a meeting of commons in London that he devoutly hoped" that a big three session could be arranged soon. Favors Free Press At his news conference, Presi dent Truman: 1. Declared that "absolute in surance against German or Ja panese rearmament ever again comes first with us" in work ing out a settlement of reparations. 2.

Said he and General Eis- enhower agreed that a free press should prevail in Germany "in a manner consistent with military security." He said OWI Director Elmer Davis, while act ing in good faith, had misun derstood the situation in an nouncing last week that allied newspapers and magazines would be barred from circulat ing in Germany. 3. Declared himself opposed ii any reduction in taxes until fter Japan has been defeated. 4. Called for repeal of the Johnson act, which places re strictions on private loans to countries in default on World war I obligations.

5. Disclaimed any plans for an immediate shakeup in the veterans administration. He did say, however, that the organization will have to be expanded and modernized. 6. Declared the government will take whatever steps are necessary to end the anthracite mine work stoppage, now in its third week.

Devoutly Hoped By Churchill London, May 15 Vft Prime Minister Churchill said today he hoped for a meeting soon with Marshal Stalin and President Truman and, in reply to another query in commons, refused to commit himself on the question of whether Hitler is dead. He also disclosed that King George VI early during the war had practiced daily with a rifle and tommygun in the Buckingham palace garden, and expressed belief the king would have joined the men on the firing line if the war ever had brought a last-ditch stand in London. The prime minister further said Britain would not hold formal victory parades and celebrations until Japan is defeated. Asked whether a meeting of the Big Three was contemplated in the near future, Churchill said: "I devoutly hope so. It would be very odd if such a long, fierce war ended without any settlement even among the victors." When one member inquired Whether Hitler's death had been established "beyond all shadow of doubt," Churchill replied that he knew no more "than any other member who reads the newspaper." "There I have only my own opinion to go by," he said.

"I really do not feel that any particular duty lies upon me to make guesses." At anothei point, Churchill was asked whether Hitler was being hidden by Prime Minister de Valera's Eire government, and drew laughter with the remark that he would have "inquiries made on that." The Weather (Released by the United States Weather Bureau) Forecast for Salem and vicinity: Showers will decrease to only widely scattered showers and partly cloudy skies tonight and Wednesday. Temperatures will remain about the same. Min. tonight. 48.

Some dusting will be possible Wednesday morning. Max. yesterday. 64. Min.

today, 50. Mean temperature yesterday. 56. which was normal. Total 24-hour precipitation to 11:30 a-m.

today. .44. Total precipitator the month. 2.84. which is 1.78 inches above normal.

Willamette river height, 6.7 ft 480 Nazi Ships Surrendered Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force, May 15 tP) At least 480 German ships, perhaps half of them sunk, damaged or scuttled, have been found in German ports surrendered to the allies, supreme headquarters disclosed today. The vessels include the liners Europa and Bremen and two cruisers. The Eprope is in relatively good condition but silted in, and the Bremen is a total loss. The 8-inch gun cruiser Hipper was found sabotaged In her dock at Kiel, and the 6-inch gun cruiser Emden was stranded and burned out. A dozen submarines were found scuttled at Kiel.

At least 31 U-boats were taken over fairly intact, while at least 21 were scuttled or damaged, a preliminary, incomplete and unofficial count showed. But 110 warships ranging from destroyers to gunboats and minesweepers were found fairly serviceable, along with more than 65 merchantmen of various sizes. Fifty-eight or more merchant ships were sunk, damaged or scuttled. Dock facilities at Bremer-haven nn Wcstermuende were found to be less seriously damaged than expected. Berths for approximately 20 liberty ships appear to be available, the announcement said.

Thirteen medium and large cargo ships were found but only five were seaworthy. Approximately 25 trawlers, 24 tugs and 100 barges were discovered and most were serviceable. At Bremen, the harbor works were damaged badly but berths for eight liberty ships were found to be available. Sixteen prefabricated U-boats were found on stocks. Nine were completed but sabotaged.

Favor Administrator For Food Problem Washington, May 15 Creation of "a supreme administrator of food" was recommended by the senate agriculture committee today in a report sharply critical of OPA's administration. The committee approved the report by a 13 to 2 vote. Senators Lucas 111.) and El-lcnder La.) dissented on grounds the report was too criti cal of the administration. "The committee believes," the report said, "that the office of price administration has failed miserably to enforce price and ration-control regulations." Life in Germany German cities are in chaos but German countryfolk are picnicking on the hanks of (he Rhine Germany faces a threat of winter famine hut Germans are no more concerned than the grasshopper of the fable Thus does Daniel De Luce, veteran Associated Press correspondent, spotlight the contrasts and contradictions of defeated Germany. He has written five special stories, reporting on conditions in Germany ax he found them in traveling hundreds of miles from the frontier zone to the nazi heartland.

The first Is published in the Capital journal today on page 10. Shuri village, the enemy anchor point in the center of the trans-island fortifications system. The center of the line proved as tough as either the Naha or Tonabaru flanks. Progress of both the army and marine divisions still was being measured in fractions of miles. Span the Asato River Marines invaded Naha at the Takamotoji district after spanning the Asato.

During the crossing, Maj. Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, leathernecks were under almost constant fire. The Japanese garrison, estimated between 30,000 and appeared determined to resist bitterly to the inevitable end, as they have in virtually every Pacific campaign.

The capture of Conical hill, announced yesterday by Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, split the Naha-Yonabaru line and opened the way for outflanking movements against Naha and Shuri. Airfield Captured Overrun in the advance was Yonabaru airfield, the fourth of Okinawa's five airfields to be captured by the 10th army. The thrust put troops due cast of both the inland town of Shuri and the west coast port of Naha, ruined capital of Okinawa, and exposed the cities to attack from the rear. Both were holding out against savage American frontal attacks.

Marines of tie sixth division were reported1 blasting deeper into the northern outskirts of Naha with grenades, flamethrowers and machineguns, but a security blackout cloaked details of their progress. The rubble of Naha was alive with snipers and machinegun nests, front dispatches said. There were Indications that the city had a system of defenses connected by underground tunnels. House-to-house fighting was under way in some sectors. 35 Nazi Subs Surrendered Washington, May 15 Thirty-five German submarines have surrendered at North American and British ports or are being brought into port by United States and British warships, a navy spokesman said today.

Those which have surrendered include one brought into Cape May, N. two in Canadian ports and 18 in British ports. Four other are in the hands of U. S. naval escorts and are being brought to United States ports.

Ten arc being taken to British ports. The navy spokesman said it was believed there are from 10 to 20 others still at sea which have not yet indicated their intentions. the province from the Germans, ousted most Italian civil and even church officials and set up their own military government. The United States and Britain have taken the position that possession of Istria should be left to the peace conference. Yugoslavia, as an interested party, should not occupy the area in the meantime, they contend.

The Istrian peninsula, also known as the Slovene Littoral, totals only 3000 square miles and originally was part of the old Austro-Hungarian empire. It was ceded to Italy in the 1919 peace treaty. The population now is mostly Italian. Fate of Doenitz Still Unknown London, May 15 (U.R) A British military commentator revealed today that British occupation, troops have entered Flensburg, seat of the German government under Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz. But the commentator said the fate or status of Doenitz, self-proclaimed successor to Adolf Hitler, as fuehrer, was "unknown" here.

Neither had he any definite knowledge whether the occupation troops had seized Gestapo Chief Heinrich Himmler, now No. 1 nazi war criminal. He last was reported in Flensburg or its vicinity. Other allied sources reported that American third army troops had captured Himmler's ace atrocity expert, Lt. Gen.

of Police Ernst W. Kaltenbrunner, accused of responsibility for the ghastly German gas extermination program. A dispatch to the London News-Chronicle said Kaltenbrunner was seized by a special agent of the 30th division in a fortified chalet in the Austrian Tyrol. Koenitz set up his provisional capital at Flensburg, German naval base just south of the Danish border, after fleeing Hamburg in the last days of the war. 7th Army Denies Dinners to Goering With the U.S.

Seventh Army, May 15 (Pi The U.S. seventh army issued an official statement today that "there were no handshakes or chicken dinners at headquarters of the seventh army" for Rcichsmarshal Hermann Goering. "As for special quarters for Goering." the statement added, "upon arrival at the army headquarters he was confined at a seventh army detention camp." Gen. Eisenhower issued a statement Monday condemning the treatment of nazis and high German officials on a "friendly enemy" basis. British and American newspapers had criticized the reception of Goering, who surrendered last week to the U.

S. 38th division. The 36th is a unit of the seventh army. Allies Ask Yugoslavia to Buy Duplicate Bonds For Men in Service Washington, May 15 UP) The treasury says the "Mighty 7th" war loan drive is off to a good start in its $14,000,000,000 twin-assault against: 1. The Japanese.

2. High prices that cal result Withdraw Forces from Trieste London, May 15 (U.R) Diplomatic sources said today that the United States and Britain formally have asked Yugoslavia to withdraw all her forces from Trieste and the rest of Italy's pre from plenty of money and not much goods. As the second day of the May 14-June 30 campaign opened, treasury officials invited the public to buy a bond for some one overseas and send him a duplicate by V-mail. Bond buyers were told they can get special V-mail certificates for this purpose wherever bonds are issued. The certificate is captioned, "Another bond between us from the folks back home." No sales figures in the bond drive will be ready for announcement until tonight.

But opening day reports from everywhere indicated the country has the enthusiasm and determination needed to reach the record-high $7,000,000,000 goal war province Istria without delay. Identical, strongly worded notes were delivered to Marshal Tito's government in Belgrade by the American and British ambassadors, informants said. Though the notes set no time limit for the withdrawal, they were tantamount in every other respect to an ultimatum and could not leave any doubt in Tito's mind about the unity and determination of the two governments, these sources said. Premier Stalin had been informed of the action taken, it was understood. Both Yugoslavia an Italy have laid claim to Istria.

Yugoslav partisan forces liberated.