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• • WEATHER . • Slightly colder tonight. i • 0Mt \ f i -y^ tnlintl VOLUME LXI ROME—THE COPPER CITY ROME, N. Y., FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 16. 1942 LATEST EDITION THREE CENTS FIVE JAPANESE SHIPS SUNK BY U. S. ASIATIC FLEET Australian Reinforcements Rally Defenders of Singapore JAP SWEEP IN MALAYA RETARDED Two Enemy Armored Units Reported Destroyed as Jungle-Wise 'Aussies' Swing into Action By C. YATES McDANIEL Singapore, Jan. 16 (AP)— Rallying around a fresh force of battle-hungry and jungle- wise Australians, the British Imperial defenders of Singa- pore appeared today to have checked the Japanese in their offensive toward this vital (Mental Base GET AIR SUPPORT Two Japanese armored units were reported shattered by the stiffened defense all along a short ened front in lower Malaya, aided by considerable aerial support. While the air force smashed at Japanese truck and railway con- centrations near Tampin, 120 miles northwest of Singapore, British Imperials fighting with fresh fury in the coastal strip north of the Malacca plain claim- ed to have knocked out 14 Jap- anese tanks and 10 armored vehi- cles. An official communique said advance guards of the Australians smashed six more tanks and in- flicted heavy casualties in their first battle since the Malayan in- vasion began, in the eastern part of Nerri Sembilan State. Japanese Trapped (BBC, quoting a Reuters dis- patch on the Malacca coastal strip engagement, said "an enemy arm- ored column was allowed to ad- ance over a birdge prepared'for lolition. When the column sed over the bridge, it was lown up and the enemy engaged by artillery. Heavy casualties rare inflicted on the Japanese and they ran for cover." The broadcast ~a* herd in New York by CBS.) The Australians' first fight oc- rred yesterday to the west of he scene of the Australian entry nto action, the revived British iperials were said to have knock- out 14 Japanese tanks and 10 rmored cars in fighting on a trip north of the Malaccan coast. It was officially reported the ngle-trained Australian advance ards smashed six Japanese tanks and inflicted heavy casual- ies on the Japanese in their first battle since the Malayan inva- ion began. The fight occurred yesterday n eastern Negri Sembilan State, ie 120 miles north of Singa- re, while the main body of the Australians, eager for a fight, wed into battle positions on the iain Malayan front for their Trst taste of fire. British Hit Supply Lines Following up yesterday's suc- ess, the British command re- rted, a large force of planes ttacked concentrations of Jap- nese transport and rolling stock n roads and railways in the ampin area, 120 miles north- st of Singapore and west of esterday's battle scene. The command said the planes eft several vehicles burning, dam- aged a number of railway trucks nd inflicted casualties on the apanese army. (The scene of the air attack ndicated the British were hit- ing just behind the Japanese 'ront lines in preparation for a )ig battle in that sector just orth of Johore State. The British also flew far to the ar of the Japanese spearhead shing down western Malaya nd sank a number of barges at i r ' Argentina Believed Convinced Anti-Axis Front Is Imperative By JOHN MCKNIGHT • Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 16 UP)—^dications Argentina had changed her position and might swing into line with her sister republics in a resolution calling for a break of all relations with the Axis powers were seen today in informed quarters as the conference of American foreign ministers swung into action. PRESSURE BROUGHT TO BEAR ON ARGENTINA Pre-conference talks between her* L"BN TO PAGE 6 UNDER HEAD AUSSIES RALLY representatives and other confer- ence leaders, in which Argentina was said to have been brought un- der considerable pressure by her sister republics, were believed to have averted a deadlock on the issue, one of the most important on the agenda. The last obstacle to accord, however, was not yet removed. Observers expressed belief that the border dispute between Peru and Ecuador left a stumbling- block in the path of harmonious action. Indications were that the reso- lution calling for a 100 per cent break in relations with the Axis would be tested today. It was placed before the conference this morning by Colombia's represen- tative, Gabriel Turbay, ambassa- dor to Washington. Sponsored By Three Nations He said he was introducing the resolution in the name of the gov- ernments of Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. It was believed the resolution condemned the Axis aggression against the United States as an attack on all the Americas, and pledged the American republics not to re-establish relations with the powers separately. The text of this and other re- solutions will not be made pub- lic until Monday. A large factor in influencing Argentina, which earlier had stood out virtually alone against a com- plete severance of relations, ap- parently wis the position of Cen- tral American and Caribbean re- publics which already have de- clared war on the Axis. • Their spokesman indicated they would not consent to compromise on the resolution, whatever action the United States might take. Their stand apparently was sup- ported by the delegates from Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico which already have broken rela- tions with Germany, Italy and Ja- pan. Cubans Apply Pressure The Cuban delegation was among those which applied this pressure, conferring outside the TURN TO VAGVi « UNDER HEAD ARGENTINA SEEN CHURCHILL SEEN - REYAMPING GOYT. London, Jan. 16 UP)—A "drastic reconstruction" of the Churchill government, with emphasis on the war and colonial offices, was forecast today by informed circles to follow upon the prime minis- ter's return from the United States. The view in qualified circles is that the prime minister has been "let down" by advisers on the Oriental situation and that immediate cabinet changes are essential because of the setbacks in Malaya. As minister of defense, Church- ill also is responsible for all land, sea and air operations. "Some of Churchill's advisers in the Pacific already have been sacked," one observer pointed out. But the most sweeping changes, he added, will involve "the politi- cal heads for the War Office and the Colonial Office and depart- ments concerned with the military and civil administration in Ma- laya and other British possessions in the Pacific." * Aussies* Dealing Japs Hardest Wallops of War s - ' Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 16 (^—Australian troops now play- ng such a vital role in Singapore's defense are using the invaders' wn jungle-fighting technique, reports reaching here today said, and re giving the Japanese "the hardest blow they've had in this war to ate." Such was the report of Sergeant* an Fitchett, official correspon- ent Aith the Australians m^Ma- ya. At the same time Prime inister John Curtin said his news rom the front indicated the Aus- ralian force "has the situation in and, although it remains most ifficult owing to the absence of support." (Official Singapore reports, per- ps not at hand when Curtin de this comment, indicated, owever, that the Australians were ttlng considerable air support). As an Instance of the Aussies' ess in beating the Japanese at own style of warfare, Fitch- ett cited their first engagement, In which they ambushed and wiped out a Japanese unit by cutting behind the Japanese to blow up a bridge and thus isolate them from their main body. Gordon Bennett, commartder of the Australians, as declaring that: "The Japs are getting the hard- est blow they've had In this war to date and there's lots more com- ing to them. Every move they make from now on is one which will be countered by Australians Who can outmarch, outfight and outwit thOk" FDR URGES AMERICANS STAY AT VITAL POSTS Washington, Jan. 16 UP) — The White House said today -President Roosevelt believed American civilians employed abroad on essential war pro- jects should "continue with their present labors rather than return home for service in the ranks of the armed forces." A brief statement said the president reached this decision after reports had come to him that many American citi- zens abroad were wondering whether they should give up their jobs, return home and enlist. The statement did not say how many such workers were employed or where they were at this time. It is known, however, that hundreds of civilians are working on out- lying war bases and in Great Britain, including technicians of various kinds. KEEP TAXES DOWN, DOUGHTON WARNS Congressman Urges States And Municipalities to —«--- Curtail Spending Washington, Jan. 16 UP)—Chair- man Doughton (D-NC) of the House ways and means committee asked states and municipalities today to consider reducing their tax levies so individuals could bet- ter bear the burden of the new federal levies to help finance the war program. Preparing to start committee consideration • of President Roose- velt's request Congress enact a new $7,000,000,000 general tax bill —to be followed by a $2,000,000^: 000 boost in social security levies —Doughton said: "The federal government is go- ing to economize on non-defense expenditures and the states, coun- ties and municipalities should do the same thing. That would light- en the burden on many individuals and would help absorb some of the big taxes they are going to have to pajrto their federal government. "We have helped the states with their relief, roads and a lof ot oth- er projects in the past and now they might turn around and help us." Doughton suggested, for in- stance, state sales taxes could be reduced or eliminated to make way for a general sales tax which has been suggested as one method to raise part of the new revenues.* Some congressmen, however, pointed out almost all states ex- pected their revenues from gaso- line and motor vehicle license taxes to decline because of» the rubber and car rationing pro- grams, and for that reason the legislators were none too sure oth- er state levies could be abandoned or reduced without interfering with essential functions of local government. Doughton said he still did not know when Treasury and congres- sional tax experts would be ready to present a program for the com- mittee to consider, or when Sec- retary of the Treasury Morgenthau would be ready to testify at hear- ings. "But I think that we ought to get at this thing pretty soon," Doughton said. . Laura Ingalls Enters Plea Of Innocent ti FBI Charge Washington, Jan. 16 UP)—Miss Laura Ingalls, widely known wom- an flier, pleaded innocent today in federal district court to an in- dictment charging her with fail- ing to register as a paid agent of the German Reich. Judge James W. Morris set Feb- ruray 9 for the trial. Miss Ingalls was granted con- tinued liberty under $7,500 bond, which had been posted a few days after she was arrested December REDS STRIVE TO ENCIRCLE CRIMEA FOE Russian Tanks Smashing at Taganrog in Attempt to Encircle Enemy on Peninsula Front (By the Associated Press) Masses of Russian tanks were reported smashing today at the gates of German-held Taganrog, 40 miles west of Rostov-on-Don, as Marshal Semeon Timoshenko's Red armies pressed a general counter- offensive through the Ukraine and tightened a trap on 100,000 Ger- mans in the Crimea. "The Soviet forces are now bat- tering fiercely at the gates of Taganrog," a British radio broad- cast said. . Russian troops were reported fighting the invaders a few miles from Simferopol, the Crimean capital, 40 miles north of Sevas- topol on the railroad to the Rus- sian mainland. Avenues of Escape Closed The direction of the Soviet thrust against Simferopol was not given—whether executed by troops driving westward across the penin- sula from Kerch and Feodosiya; from beachheads at Yevpatoriya on the west coast, or from Sevas- topol itself. In any case, the threat against the main north- south rail line at Simferopol sharply endangered the Germans' chances of escaping. On the basis of previous Soviet reports, the German forces at Taganrog had long since been iso- lated by Russian columns which by-passed the city in pursuit of the main Axis armies retreating along the Sea of Azov toward Mariupol. Soviet front - line dispatches chronicled an unbroken series of Russian triumphs along the entire 1,200-mile battleline from Lenin- grad to the Black Sea In the northeast Ukraine, Red army troops were reported heavily assaulting German forces at Khar- kov, Russia's "Pittsburgh" of th'jJ Donets River industrial basin, aft- er piercing the city's outer de- fenses at several points. On the central front, the phrase ^••T-r*":"- "F*e ••••—-'—;*? SURVIVORS OF TORPEDOED TANKER NORNESS Captain Harold Hansen and members of the crew of the tanker Norness cheer their res- cuers on their arrival in Newport, R. I. The Norness was torpedoed southeast of Block Island, R. I., and the crew took to lifeboats and rafts from which they were later rescued and taken to Newport. Two crew members were reported lost when they fell Into the water while launching a lifeboat. JAPANESEPLANES POUND AMERICANS MacArthur Reports Heavy Attacks From Skies on Troops in Batan Navy Confirms Second Sinking Off New York Fitchett quoted Major-Generar 17 on a complaint ^ed by an FBI agent The indictment charged that from March to December Miss Ingalls had received money from the German government through Baron Ulrieh von Gienanth, second secretary of the embassy, for serv- ing as public relations counsel, publicity agent and representa- tive. TURN TO PAGE H UNDER HEAD REDS STRIVE FREE FRENCH JOIN HALFAYA FIGHTING Fully-Equipped Troops Libya to Help British Against Axis Forces in Cairo, Jan. 16 UP)—Free French forces, ready for their first land attack on the Germans since the armistice of Compiegne, have ar- rived to support British Imperial and Allied troops in their attack on Axis hold-out positions in the rocky highlands of Halfaya, on the Libyan-Egyptian frontier, British headquarters disclosed today. The French were said to be ful- ly equipped with tanks and arm- ored cars, just as were the De- gaullist forces which fought against the Italians in Eritrea and Ethiopia during Britain's conquest of the Italian East African empire last year. Enemy 7,000 Strong In the battle against the Hal- faya garrison—estimated to con- sist of a mixed force of 7.000 Ger- mans and Italians—today's British communique reported "artillery on both sides is again active." German and Italian entrench- ments about Halfaya ("Hellfire" to the British) Pass menace the supply lines of B r i a n ' s desert army which has knifed more than 300 miles to the west. Mobile columns of the British were declared to be moving slow- ly westward along the Gulf of Sirte coast against stiff opposition "over country which has been heavily mined." Referring to operations midway between the Egyptian border and Tripoli, the Libyan capital, the communique said 'little change was reported yesterday from the Ageheila area," 7 The enemy again developed considerable air activity against our forward troops," it reported, "but, as a result of our fighter protection, damage and losses sus- tained were negligible. "Meanwhile, our own forces con- tinued their attacks on enemy lines of communication." I.vndonvllle Has Fire Lyndonville, Jan. 16 \m—Fire today destroyed a two-story busi- ness, building causing damage .which Fire Chief George Hunger- llofd estimated at $30,000, Washington, Jan. 16 \JP\—Japa- nese attack planes and dive bomb ers are being used incessantly against the front line and artillery positions of the American and Philippine defense forces on the Island of Luzon. The War Department, report- ing this today, said ground fight- ing of varying intensity also con- tinued, all along the front line, with Japanese shock troops attempting aggressive infiltration. The department said in a com- munique that reports reaching General Douglas MacArthur, com- manding the Philippine defenders, indicated that Japanese were loot- ing and devastating the Philippine countryside systematically. _, The text of the communique, No. 62, based on reports received here up to 9:30 a. m., (est): "1. Philippine Theater: "Ground fighting of varying in- tensity continues all along the front line. Enemy shock troops with special training are attempt- ing aggressive infiltration. Attack planes and dive bomhers are be- ing used incessantly by the Japa- nese against our front line troops and artillery positions. "Many reports reaching General MacArthur"s headquarters from the occupied areas indicate that the enemy is systematically loot- ing and devastating the entire countryside. "2. There is nothing to report from other areas." Late Bulletins Nelson Resigns Post With Sears Roebuck Chicago, Jan. 16 \JP)—Donald M. Nelson who on Tuesday was ap- pointed by President Roosevelt as head of the War Production Board, today resigned his position as exec- utive vice-president of Sears Roe- buck and Company and as a mem- ber of the firm's directorate. The Sears directors in a meeting here today accepted the resigna- tion. Senate Defeats Attempt To Dry Up Army Posts Washington, Jan. 16 H'/P)—The Senate defeated today an effort of Senator O'Daniel (D-Tex) to obtain immediate consideration of a measure barring the sale of liquors, wines and beers at army and navy posts. An unofficial count from the galleries showed the motion was lost by a margin of approximately two to one. LOOKING BACKWARD (By the Associated Press) One Tear Ago Today British announce loss of cruiser Southhampton following German dive-bomber attack in Mediter- ranean. Secretary of War Stim- son warns U. S. of invasion by air if Britain's* navy is lost. Two Years Ago Today Lfss of three submarines is ac- knowledged by Britain. 25 Years Ago Today Allied offensive seen contem- plated as British and French mil- itary leaders and statesmen con Ifer in London* - Communique Discloses Only That Ship Was Allied Merchantman; Details Guarded NAVY VEILS DETAILS OF STIFFJOLT Three Transports and Two Cargo Vessels Destroyed In Wake of Sinking of 17,000-Ton Liner Washington, Jan. 16 (AP) —The Asiatic Fleet has sunk three enemy transports and two large Japanese cargo ves- sels in the Far East. These sinkings, announced today by the Navy, brought to a total of 24 the number of Japanese warship and non- combatant vessels sunk by the United States Navy and Ma- rine forces. ATLANTIC UNCHANGED The Navy communique, based on reports received up to 9 a. m n (est) today, reported the sub- marine menace to the northeast coast of the United States "re- mains unchanged." Text of the communique: "FAR EAST: "Units of the U. S. Asiatic Fleet reports the sinking of five enemy vessels in Far Eastern waters. They include two large cargo ships, two large transports and one me- dium-sized transport. These sinkings are in addition to enemy casualties at sea pre- viously reported. -ATLANTIC AREA: Washington, Jan. 16 UP)—The Navy confirmed today that a mer- chant vessel had been sunk yesterday off the south shore of Long Island. The vessel was an Allied merchant vessel of foreign registry, the Navy said, officially corroborating the account of a submarine action given out yesterday by the Coast Guard at Quogue, L. I. The Navy said survivors were being brought in, but that it did not know their whereabouts. " NAME OF SHIP NOT DISCLOSED <fr The name of the ship, second to be attacked in New York waters in two days, was not divulged, nor was its type. A mix-up in naval communica- tions was said to have caused the delay in official confirmation. The Navy has not yet received full details, it was said, from the Lcommandant of the Third Naval rDistrict at New York. Yesterday the Coast Guard said a Coast Guard plane had dropped food and drink to a small group of survivors seen in a lifeboat and on a raft. The at- tack, as reported by the Coast Guard, took place off Hampton Bays, L. I., about 75 miles from New York City, about 9:30 a. m. Thursday, 32 hours after a sub- marine torpedoed without warn- ing the Panamanian tanker Nor- MEDAN AIR BASE PEPPERED BY JAPS TURN TO PAGE 11 UN'DER HEAD NAVY CONFIRMS "The submarine situation along the northeast coast of the United States remains unchanged. "There is nothing to report from other areas." The success of Admiral Thomas C. Hart's Asiatic Fleet in waging its fight against the Japanese, even though dispossessed of its base at Cavite, Philippine Is- lands, was underscored yesterday by the sinking of a speedy 17,000- ton Japanese passenger and car- go liner of the Yawata class. The Navy gave no names or identification of the five addi- tional Japanese ships sent to the bottom. Army Sees Whispering Campaign in Coffin Tarn Washington, Jan. 16 UP) — The War Department denounced today as "utterly false" what it described as a "whispering campaign" report that 1.500 bodies had arrived with- out coffins at the Brooklyn, N. Y. f Army base from Hawaii. The War Department acted aft- er being advised by the Army base commander, Brigadier General Homer M. Groninger, that the re- ports were circulating. He said it was reported that help was needed to put the bodies in cof- fins. Several hundred telephone calls TURN TO PAGE 6 UNDER HEAD FIVE SHIPS SUNK Dutch Withhold Details of Nipponese Attack on Sumtra, Amboina Batavia, N. E. I., Jan. 16 UP)— Japanese bombers attacked the Medan military air base on Sum- atra today and again bombed the Amboina naval air base in raids near the extremities of the far- flung Netherlands East Indies chain of islands. The raids were announced by Aneta, which also reported an an- nouncement that Dutch coastal batteries sank two enemy de- stroyers during the battle of Tar- akan which ended Monday in Jap- anese occupation of the oil-rich island off northeast Borneo. The naval station' at Amboina, second in importance only to that at Soerabaja,' also was attacked by the Japanese yesterday. Guinea, and within easy bomber! finance committee declared today the Army and Navy naa Dunaiy range of the Japanese beach- failed" to keep abreast of aircraft developments in modern warfare. ITS' rviJhS M i n a h a s s a P e n i n s u -| He made the assertion while dis-* m oi cetera. ! cussing with newsmen the report Communique No. 38 from t h e of the investigating committee Indies armed forces said no dc-; h ^d by Senator Truman (D- SS^TKrE a ?or OU a n nnL°r n *£ Mo). which charged yesterday poor hXi 24 : P lanning and administration had •™- J . u • -J (resulted in inadequate and large- The raid on Amboina yesterday, j "mediocre" warplane produc- the communique said, was carried ."j until Army, Navy Termed Blind To Air Warfare Advances out by 26 Japanese bombers and 10 fighters, which caused "some damage" to military installations and killed one Australian soldiers and a civilian. Three Indies and three Australian soldiers, as well as five civilians were wounded. The defense forces were said to have lost two planes, against one raider shot down and another badly damaged. The communique also reported a raid by nine Japanese bombers yesterday on Balik Papan, Bor- neo east coast oil center some 300 airline miles south of Tara- kan. The attack caused only slight damage but one civilian was killed and seven were wound- ed seriously, it was stated. Curtailment of German Rail Traffic Significant London, Jan. 16 CflP>—The Ex- change Telegraph heard a Berlin radio announcement today that further curtailment In railroad passenger traffic had been ordered starting Sunday night because of an "increase in important traffJc H "Up until a few weeks ago," George declared, "the Army and Navy apparently had not afforded the air force its proper place in modern warfare. They were not up to date with their designs and biueprint and they hadn't done the work that should have been done." (In New York last night, John H. Jouett, president of the Aero- nautical Chamber of Commerce of America, took pointed exception to the conclusions of the committee's report. ("In every theater of the war to date," he asserted, "our American designed and built warplanes, in- cluding pursuits and bombers have shown .marked superiority on every occasion in combat with en- emy planes and in other actions against enemy forces on land and sea.") Publication of the Truman com- mittee's report brought expres- sions of support from several members for continuation of the group as a war-time investigating body. The committee has asked lor an additional $100,000 to fur- r ther its work, and as soon as the report was made public, several senators urged more funds be granted. Senate to Investigate Promotions in Army Washington, Jan. 16 iffv-The Senate military affairs committee acted today to expand its investi- gation or Army appointments fol- lowing charges in the Senate that officers accused of inefficiency and waste in the defense program often got promotions instead of censure. Chairman Reynolds (D-NC) an- nounced appointment of a sub- committee headed by Senator Chandler (D-KY) and including Senators Kilgore (D-W Ve.) and Holman fR-Ore.) to Investigate all presidential nominations for Army promotions. Chandler told reporters the group was named largely because of a statement Senator Truman (D-Mo.) made to the Senate terday. Truman, dtecussksng the i investigating committee's that there was graft, waste and inefficiency In toe defense « » • gram was ashed by Senator Van- denberg (R-Mieh.) what usually happened to Army and Navy oflV ears thus tnroreed. The replied thai ThTS^S Thomas M. Tryniski 309 South 4th Street Fulton New York 13069 www.fultonhistory.com
