Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 1

Exclusive in Sunday's Free Press: Greatest Story to Come Out of the Solomons! A A Weather Report Snow and colder Saturday-Sun rises sets 6:11 iMETROPOLITAJN FINAL EDITION On Guard for Over a Century Saturday, January 2, 1943. No. 243 112th Year 18 Pages Three Cents rn en n3 VJ UVJ ri I WW New Governor's Family Shares Spotlight at Inaugural Nimitz Calls Raid on Wake a Sample Free French Balk Unity in Africa DeGaulle Refuses to Accept Council Says All Except Giraud Have Taint of Vichy Velikie Luki, Rail Center, Is Seized Key to Entire Rzhev, Smolensk Salient; Capital of District in Caucasus Retaken Decorates Army Fliers for Biggest Air Attack Yet Made in Pacific -Pi BY ROBERT TRUMBELL New Vork Times Service PEARL HARBOR, Jan. 1 kh 5 fv. to use Wake Island as an advanced base for offensive operations against Midway and Hawaii was demonstrated by the United States Army raid during the night of Dec.

23-24, when dozens of planes dropped 75,000 pounds of bombs in the, fortified atoll. "This raid is only a sample' of things to come," Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet, declared this morning at Hickam Field, headquarters of the Eleventh Air Force, where he presented awards to participants in the raid. The Admiral praised Brig. Gen.

Howard Ramey, of the Army Air Force, for the planning of the foray and Col. William A. Matheny, who led the raid, for its brilliant execution. Free Press Photo Harry I v. Kelly and Mrs.

Henry M. Kelly, his mother. In the rear row, left to right, are Henry M. Kelly, father of Governor; Harry, 11; Joanne, 12, and Mrs. Kelly.

This was the Kelly family group present at the new Governor's inauguration in Lansing Friday. In the front row, left to right, are Brian, 11 j'ears old; Larry, 'Roger, Gov. Kelly Dedicates State to Achieving Victory Air Fights Renewed in A leutians Navy Reveals Loss of 3 Planes After Japs Succeed in Reinforcing Kiska Bv the Associated Fret WASHINGTON. Jan, 1 The Japanese apparently have strengthened their hold on Kiska in the Aleutians and, in an air battle, have destroyed two American P-38 fighter planes and a medium bomber, the Navy disclosed today. The P-38's were downed by comparatively clumsy float-type Zero fighters, and the bomber was destroyed either by the fighters or anti-aircraft fire.

One Zero was lost in the engagement. ENEMY REINFORCED The Navy communique thus -revealed that the Japanese have succeeded in delivering at least small aerial reinforcements to an Island where their hold had been believed to be growing steadily less secure. The futility of any Japanese plan Apparently the Japanese did not expect an attack on Wake, accord ing to the announcement of the raid made here today by Admiral Nimitz. The enemy's defense was poor. "Ineffectual antiaircraft fire was observed after the first bombs had been dropped on Wake and Peale Islands," Ad-miral Nimitz's announcement said.

"Two enemy aircraft approached two of our planes, but retired when fired upon, with no damage sustained by our planes." Last week's raid was the most punishing- visited upon Wake since the Pacific Fleet air and sea bombardments of the Atoll in Feb ruary. In fact, it was the heaviest single bombing attack anywhere the Pacific in this war. THIRD ATTACK ON WAKE The sortie was the third attack on Wake Island since the Atoll fell to the Japanese on Dec. 2, 1941, after an historic fifteen-day stand by a heroic handful of Marines. Admiral Nimitz presented medals today at Hickman Field to six Army fliers who took part in the attack on Wake and to three of ficers and one chief petty officer of the Navy.

Admiral Nimitz presented Distinguished Flying Crosses to Col. William A.Matheny, leader of the force of Army bombers which at tacked Wake, and to five subor- awarded to the Navy officers and a silver star medal to the chief petty officer. GOOD START ON 1943 "I am glad to have this opportunity of starting the new year by making recognition of a splendidly executed mission by our Army Air Forces," Admiral Nimitz said. Without warning on the morning before Christmas, the Japanese on Wake Island were suddenly presented with 75,000 pounds of aerial bombs, most of which struck and damaged military targets. All of our planes attacked from low altitudes and returned to base on schedule with neither planes nor personnel harmed by the enemy artillery, which was finally awakened by the visitors.

(Tokio claimed four small fires were started and that one Japanese was killed. Four raiders aJso were claimed shot down. Nimitz said the fires were visible for 75 miles.) "This raid and others like It will not alone eject the enemy from Wake. Such raids will, however, serve notice on the enemy, as well as give assurance to our own countrymen, that we have the men with the spirit, resolution and skill to handle the tools that are going to drive the Jap back to his own island. "To those of us in the theater of operations there have been vexatious delays in getting ready.

The building of bases, the transport of troops and material are but a few of the tasks that have to be done before we could undertake such an operation as this raid on Wake. WHY FARMERS BECOME an the of an In the South Pacific, the rn- I dinate leaders under his command, pmy airfield at Munda on New including- Philip Kreig, of Oak Har-Georgia Inland in the Central bor, Mich. Navy crosses were BY JOHX A. PARRIS United Press Correspondent LONDON, Jan. 1 The "Vichy-packed" French Imperial Council in Africa must be elimi nated before Gen.

Charles de Gaulle will join forces with High Commissioner Gen. Henri Honore Giraud, a Fighting French spokesman said today. De Gaulle has no personal polit ical ambitions in North or West Africa, the spokesman said, but he will not consider a union of the Fighting French with other French forces outside France unless all persons even slightly connected with the Vichy regime are dis carded. Specifically, all members of the Imperial Council except Giraud must be ousted If there is to be any agreement, the spokesman said. The council includes I Auguste Nogues, of Morocco; Gov.

Gen. Yves Chatel, of Algeria; Gov Gen. Pierre Boisson, of French West Africa, and Gen. Alphonse Juin, who succeeded Giraud as commander of French forces fight' ing with the Allies in North Africa All held posts under Vichy at the time of the American invasion of North Africa. American diplomatic quarters in London said they did not believe any agreement between De Gaulle and Giraud was imminent, though both have expressed a desire for unity.

These American" "sources'." said the biggest obstacle to an im mediate union appeared to be the Fighting French desire that De Gaulle constitute the chief political element in North Africa with Giraud handling military matters An Algiers dispatch said that an agreement between the factions was a "foregone conclusion" with only the mechanics of a rapproche ment to be settled. lilies in Tunisia Spar for Opening Br the Pres LONDON, Jan. 1 Allied and Axis ground forces marshaling their strength for the developing battle of Tunisia continued their sparring tactics today while in the slow campaign 'of attrition in the Mediterranean three more enemy cargo ships and perhaps a destroyer were declared sunk. A British communique from Cairo headquarters announced that naval torpedo planes had hit enemy merchant ship off Sicily, setting her afire, and the British Admiralty disclosed that British submarines off the Gulf of Tunis and off Bizerte had sunk two more Axis cargo vessels, both big ones. An enemy destroyer off Bizerte was torpedoed and not seen again.

In the widespread Allied air action against the enemy a running offensive spread over the Mediterranean and from the Tunisian fighting theater back eastward to Libyan frontier regions one the strongest attacks was on the. big German-held air base at Candia, on the Greek island of Crete. The base was heavily hit and left alight with 20 fires. A communique from Allied headquarters in North Africa announced new Allied raids on the Axis-held Tunisian ports of Sfax, Sousse and Gabes and on Axis positions in Central and Southwestern Tunisia. Five Allied planes were lost, but the destruction of two additional enemy planes on Dec.

30 also was disclosed. Allie headquarters said Casablanca was bombed by enemy planes early yesterday morning, announcement that disclosed that the Axis apparently had Turn to Page 14, Column 7 GRAY like to slaughter so that he can use one-half of it for family use and sell the other half. "However, the rule states that farmers can sell only as much meat as they sold last year. Last year this man sold one hog and he has already sold one hog this year. "With the hogs he has already butchered for family use, his meat-ration would allow him to use about one-half of the heifer, but not the whole.

"Under the circumstances, what should he do? It seems foolish to instruct him to sell the whole! heifer and then buy half of it back, which he will have to do if of he on BY HENRY SHAPIRO nited Press Correspondent MOSCOW, Jan. 2 (Saturday) The Red Army today announced the capture of Velikie Luki, great anchor post of the German line 275 miles northwest of Moscow, in perhaps the most significant Soviet victory of the entire war. A special communique also said Soviet troops swarming through the Kalmyk Republic had captured its capital, Elista, 170 miles south of Stalingrad. NAZIS WIPED OUT The entire garrison was wiped out by Soviet assault troops who stormed and captured Velikie Luki, hub of the railway system northwest of Moscow, the High Com-i iiand said. It was a jubilant new vear for the Russians.

The two resounding successes newly announced by the High Command followed hard on the heels of a year-end summary revealing that 312,650 Axis troops had been killed or captured on the broad Stalingrad front in the last six weeks, during which an unofficially estimated 1,000,000 men were knocked out of action. The fall of Velikie Luki exploded the Nazi propaganda myth that the German armies in Russia were merely falling back to "prepared positions" for the winter. It was A key point in their string of bases on the Central Front, and its loss gravely menaced the entire Rzhev-Smolensk salient. STRATEGIC LOCATION' Velikie Luki lies 140 miles due west of Rzhev, at the tip of the salient, 130 miles northwest of Smolensk, German headquarters for the entire Central Front, and only 90 miles short of the old Latvian border. The resounding Soviet victory climaxed a full scale offensive against the Rzhev-Vyazma-Veli-kie Luki triangle which the Red Army announced on Nov.

29. It topped the results of the 1941-42 winter offensive, which carried only to the environs of Velikie Luki. The reference to wiping out the German garrison after it refused to surrender suggested that Velikie Luki bad been encircled in the developing series of Soviet advances through strong points in that area. On Thursday the German High Command admitted that Velikie Luki was under assault from all sides.) SUPPLIES PERILED Besides increasing the threat to Smolensk and the German salient lying to the northeast, the fall of Velikie Luki mightily complicated the Nazi supply problem on the Central Front. Through it run the trunk railroads northwestward from Moscow and southward from Leningrad.

The town was one of the vaunted German "hedgehog" centers, theoretically impregnable with its defenses radiating out in strength for miles. It was on the hedghog strongholds that the Red Army winter offensive of last year was snagged. THOUSANDS KILLED In announcing the Central Front offensive, which swayed the 140-mile Rzhev-Velikie Luki line far to the south, the High Command said 10,000 German troops were killed at the outset, and subsequent communiques ran the figure up to 22,300 before the reports began dealing in smaller day to day numbers. The capture of Elista, 850 miles southeast of Velikie Luki, was itself a signal Red Army victory. The capital of the Kalmyk Republic had been surrounded and its fall believed imminent for two days.

Soviet advance elements already had struck on beyond Elista and appeared to be headed for the North Caucasus to tangle with the left flank of the German armies being edged back through the foothills of the towering mountains. The special communique also announced the capture of Chikola, an administrative center in the North Caucasus, indicating that the offensive there was rolling again after a temporary check southeast of Nalchik. In the vast area defined by the High Command as southwest of Turn to Page 2, Column 1 FBOZEN' FOOD For rent. 3900 16ia. TE.

2-66SS Adr, Solomons was heavily attacked late Thursday afternoon (Guadalcanal time) by Martin 11-26 medium bombers, and by both P-38s and Airacobras. "Results were not reported," the communique said. Land action on Guadalcanal Island, where American patrols are rapidly hacking away at the enemy's hungry and ill-equipped troops, resulted in the killing Thursday of 20 Japanese under circumstances which were not reported. Significant in the official statement of the raid on Munda was the absence of any mention of enemy fighter plane resistance. The communique that the encounter in the Aleutians the first in many weeks at Kiska in which our forces have suffered more damage than they inflicted began about 9:30 p.

m. Wednesday when a force of North Amer-Turn to Page 2, Column 4 Silence Hides Business Lays Its Plans for Post-War Jobs Starts on Program to Employ 29 Million By the Associated Press NEW YORK, Jan. 1 Creation of enough peacetime business to absorb- 29,000,000 soldiers" and war workers into normal pursuits is the objective of a group of busi ness men organized as the Commit tee for Economic Development, Paul: G. Hoffman, its chairman, explained today in announcing its program. Hoffman, president of Stude baker said winning the war was the first job for all "the war has, and will continue to have, triple-A priorities, but the job of winning the peace need not be neglected.

JONES CALLS MEETING The committee, he explained. grew out of a meeting of business men called by Secretary of Commerce Jesse H. Jones several months ago, at which time the Secretary suggested that such a group might accept the responsi bility of assisting commerce and industry to meet the problems to be faced when hostilities cease. War Production Chief Donald Nelson told the committee recently, Hoffman said, "If every citizen could know that business is quietly preparing to create after the war as many real jobs as it can, this knowledge should hearten us all to put our backs into the paramount task that now confronts us." It the conviction of many authorities that it is essential to start this planning work now, if chaotic condition which might put democracy to a more severe test than the war inself is to be avoided after the war. CALLED IMPERATIVE' While acknowledging- that there has been some feeling that post war planning now might interfere with the war effort, Hoffman re ferred to a statement of Charles E.

Wilson, vice chairman of WPB: "Despite the driving, time-con suming demands of the war pro gram, tne conviction is growing that planning for the peace is Turn to rage 4, Column 4 $300,000 STAMFORD FIRE STAMFORD, Jan. 1 (AP) Two three-story brick busi ness structures in downtown Stam ford were wrecked today by fire undetermined origin that sent several firemen to a hospital, overcame others and caused damage estimated by Fire Chief Victor H. Veit at $300,000. Ts to have enough meat for his family." The OPA was prompt: Tn the case in question, the farmer may not deliver to another person any portion of the meat derived fm the slaughter of the heifer, but there is no restriction his using all of this meat for his own use, should he so desire." Then the OPA tacked on this little joker: "However, the Government desires that each person voluntarily limit himself to two pounds, three ounces of meat per week." heifer, still munching, is making! the problem weightier day by day. F.D.R.

Hails Anniversary of United Nations Calls for Co-Operation After the Victory By the Tnited Pre( WASHINGTON. Jan. 1 Presi dent Roosevelt, hailing the first anniversary of the United Nations pact, declared today that this 'mightiest coalition in must remain united after the Axis is crushed to make certain that the "forces of barbarism can never again break loose." He told his first press conference of the new year that the 29 United Nations have passed from the defensive to the offensive and outlined for the Allies on this New Year's Day a threefold task: "FIRST, to press on with the massed forces of free humanity till the present bandit assault upon civilization is completely crushed "SECOND, so to organize the relations among nations that forces of barbarism can never again break loose; "THIRD, te co-6Vrate to the end that mankind may enjoy in peace and in freedom the unprecedented blessings which Divine Providence through the progress of civilization has put within our reach-' The President outlined the ac complishments and objectives of the United Nations ui a special anniversary statement. "One year ago, 26 nations signed at Washington the. declaration by United Nations," it "said.

LOOKS BACKWARD "The world situation at that moment was grim indeed. Yet on that last New. Year's Day, these nations, bound together by the universal ideals of the Atlantic Charter, signed an act of faith that military aggression, treaty violation and calculated savagery should be remorselessly overwhelmed by their" combined might and the sacred principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness be restored as cherished ideals of mankind. They thus created the mightiest coalition, in history, mighty not only for its overwhelming force, but still more for its eternal spiritual values. Three other nations have since joined tnat coalition.

"The unity thus achieved on the battle line is being earnestly sought in the not less complex problems on -a different front. In this as in no previous war men are conscious of the supreme necessity of planning what is to come after and of carrying forward into peace the common effort which will have brought them victory in the war. They have come to see that the maintenance and safeguarding of peace is the most vital single necessity in the lives of each and all of us." He then outlined the Allies' threefold task. EXPLAINS ins GOAL When reporters asked the President to amplify his prepared statement, he replied with this extemporaneous comment which he said might be quoted directly: "Of course, as I think has" been Turn to Page 2, Column 4 Big RAF Planes Bomb Germany LONDON, Jan. 1 (UP) Long r-nge.

planes of the Royal Air Force bombed targets in Western Germany last night and mined enemy waters while fighters raked railway objectives in Northern France. The Air Ministry said two bombers were missing. BY JAMES M. IIASWELL Free Press Lansinf Bureau LANSING, Jan. 1 In a simple ceremony marked by gravity and solemn determination.

Gov. Harry F. Kelly and his family of Re publican officials assumed respon sibility for conduct of the State Government today. -War; and its demands colored the occasion. Gone were the gai ety and festivities of other in augurais.

Branding before an American flag and addressing people who constitute the arsenal of the United Nations, Gov. Kelly The World ay (JAN. 2, 1943) Free Press readers with relatives or friends in the nation's fighting services abroad can keep them informed of world events by clipping and mailing this daily feature to them. THE WAR Russians capture Velikie Luki, anchor German line northwest of Moscow; also take capital of Kalmyk Republic, south of Stalingrad, and gain on other fronts. Americans drop 76,000 pounds of bombs on Wake Island in pulverizing raid.

Japs destroy three U. S. planes in battle over Kiska, in Aleutians; Americans continue hacking at Japs in Solomons by land and air. (Royce Howes explains on Page 4 the reason for China's anger at the United States' military policy in the Pacific.) De Gaulle spokesman demands ouster of all members of French Imperial Council in North Africa except Gen. Giraud before Fighting French will co-operate.

Allies strike new blows at Axis' Mediterranean shipping as sparring continues in African land battles. 25 YEARS AGO TODAY The British made successful raids across the Piave River and were attempting to destroy the enemy's batteries. NATIONAL AFFAIRS President Roosevelt, in state- ment on anniversary of United Nations Pact, calls for continued unity among Allies to solve postwar Business leaders organize permanent committee to plan peacetime business sufficient to' absorb millions of soldiers and war workers. SPORTS Georgia UCLA 0 Tennessee 14 Tulsa 7 Alabama 37 Boston 21 Texas 14 Georgia Tech 7 2d Air Force IS Hardin-Sim'ns 7 East 13 West 12 On Inside Pages Amusements 10 Lyons 18 Mary Menard 8 Merry-Go-R'd 6 Radio 17 Royce Howes 4 Sports 12-14 Town Crier 18 Washington 4 Weather 11 Women's 8-9 Bingay 6 Clapper 4 Classified 15-16 Crossword 15 Edgar Guest 6 Editorial 6 Fashions 9 Iffy 18 Tod pledged his Administration to submit every policy to the test of whether it will help to win the war. DANGER STILL AHEAD "Every thoughtful man and woman knows," he said, "that we are entering a critical year today a yea of total war year of sacrifice and hard work and un ceasing vigilance.

None of our dangers has been lessened. Our cities still can be bombed, even though the attacks are suicidal. We are not yet producing to the limit of cur capacity. We are not yet feeling the pinch of war. "What we have done already Is well done, but we must do more.

And I know we will do it without murmur ungrudgingly unselfishly secure in the knowledge that what we do here today will bear fruit tomorrow In a peaceful world." Few but the relatives and close friends of the new officials witnessed the ceremony, held in the Administrative Board room of the Governor's office. Because of transportation shortage, the thou sands of Republicans who ordinarily would have gathered here for a day of celebration this time listened to the radio. GOP IN FULL CONTROL The new Republican Adminis tration entered office today with full control of the machniery of government. For the first time in many years, the new. governor will be able to command a seven-to-one Republican majority of the Administrative Board and over whelming Republican majorities Dotn nouses of the Legislature.

The retiring governor. Murrav D. Van Wagoner, personally handed over the keys of his office to Kelly and spoke briefly, pointing Turn to Page 11, Column 2 New Security Benefits Urged By the Associated Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 Arthur Altmeyer. chairman of the So cial Security Board, suggested today that the social-security pro gram be broadened to pay disability benefits to injured workers their dependents and to cover everyone who works for' a living.

viiLing me ooara montnly publication. Altmever orooosed that social-security coverage, be extenaea to farm labor, seamen, domestic servants and other em ployees now exempt and to the person who is in business or trade for himself." Altmeyer further suggested "an adjustment in the formula for computing old-age benefits and a lower retirement age for "women under old-age and survivors insurance." The universal retirement age now is 65. 7 Fliers'Missino; as Seaplane Sinks SEATTLE, Jan.1 (AP) Thir teenth Naval District headquarters announced today that seven men are missing from a Navy PBY flying boat which sank a. mile off Coos Bay, after alighting on the ocean because of engine trouble. One officerwas known have reached shore.

KEVK0 MARGARINE ar4 Bread for extra energy. Aot. She of Batile at Sea By lto t'nitrd l're-n LONDON, Naval sources said tonight that further details nf the running fight between British and German warships in North: crn waters were unlikely until the Royal Navy squadron anchors, since radio silence in enemy-infested waters is imperative. Lacking amplification of the terse Admiralty communique announcing the battle, observers believed that only light forces were engaged, though the British kept a force of heavy ships ready to smash the Tirpitz if it ventured out of it3 Norwegian hideaway. The sub-Arctic winter fogs make even four hours of daylight often more difficult than 24 hours of darkness.

Under such conditions it is difficult for Naval forces to maintain contact. I The battle was believed in some I quarters to involve a German con- voy bound for a Norwegian port, Ttalian Hospital Ships ssed at Gibraltar OPA Problem: Slaughter Half a Heif er By the Associated Press BALTIMORE, Jan. 1 "Farmer Brown" stripped the gears on his slide rule, wore out his algebra book and used up his fuel-oil ration trying to figure out how to slaughter half a heifer and the OPA didn't do much better. "Farmer Brown" we'll have to call him that because he is one of many was stumped by this I meat-rationing business. Here's the way the Maryland Office of Price Administration received the problem.

"A farmer, who ha3 always killed nogs, cut who has not heretofore killed beef for his family use. has a heifer which he would1 LINE Spain, Jan. 1 The Italian liners Vulcania 'Satumia entered Gibraltar jom the Atlantic today under passes with Italian and noncombatants from Ocean points and departed.