America at war! (1941– ) (Part 1)

700

The Pittsburgh Press (February 5, 1942)

First Lady’s protégé gets defense job

Dancer to receive $4,600 as child supervisor; fund probe asked

Washington, Feb. 5 –
A dancer-protégé of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, assistant director of the Office of Civilian Defense, has plucked a $4,600-a-year job in the OCD.

The dancer, Mayris Chaney, has been named head of children’s activities in the Physical Fitness Division. She will report to the First Lady.

OCD officials did not disclose the specific duties of Miss Chaney, who introduced the “Eleanor Glide” at a White House dance several years ago in honor of the First Lady.

Another friend of Mrs. Roosevelt, Joseph Lash, American Youth leader who has been under fire of the Dies Committee for past affiliation with communist-dominated organizations, is serving as an unpaid member of the OCD Youth Advisory Council.

On the Congressional front, an inquiry into OCD expenditures was demanded by Rep. Leland Ford (R-CA) after learning of Miss Chaney’s appointment.

Fund probe urged

Mr. Ford issued a statement asking the House Appropriations Committee to look into OCD sending. He did not criticize Miss Chaney specifically but said he had decided to ask for the inquiry after the disclosure that she had been appointed.

Mr. Ford first became annoyed with the OCD when Melvyn Douglas, movie star, was named to the post of director of the Arts Council of the agency information section at the rate of about $22 for each day that he works.

Mr. Ford said in his statement:

The whole thing behind these playboys goes back to the philosophy that this is a Roman holiday to be paid for by the government.

First Lady heads division

These people haven’t realized yet what war really means.

In the reorganization of the OCD being made by James M. Landis, on leave from his position as dean of the…

701

Help-or-else hint of Reds worries U.S.

Gossip implies Russia may quit if Allied aid lags
By William Philip Simms, Scripps-Howard foreign editor

Washington, Feb. 5 –
Hints from diplomatic sources that Russia may eventually drop out of the wear unless she gets more help from the United Nations are causing anxiety, not unmixed with irritation, here.

Similar reports that China’s efforts may lag, unless the United States and Great Britain extend prompt aid, have met with a somewhat different reaction.

Russia, diplomatic observers in London suggest, may halt her advance at the German frontier – in the event she pushes the invaders back that far – and ask the Allies to open a second European front before trying for the knockout.

Separate peace hint

The rather unpleasant implication is that Russia make a separate arrangement with Germany.

In the case of China, her spokesmen have asked for, and received the assurance of large loans from the United States and Britain. The House yesterday agreed to advance her half a billion dollars. Britain will let her have $200 million. The money is to help China carry on her war against Japan. In asking for the loans, however, the Chinese began by saying that, loan or nor loan, they would go right on fighting.

America’s own war blamed

Russia is reported dissatisfied with the aid she is getting from the United States. Both the quantity and the type of material received so far have proved disappointing.

That U.S. aid to Russia had lagged is not denied here. But, it is pointed out, there are numerous reasons. An obvious one is that two months ago war descended on the United States itself, necessitating certain shifts of material from one part of the world to another. But insofar as some of this went to the Pacific, Russia profited from it quite as much as the United States. For if Japan wins in the Far East, Russia stands to lose eastern Siberia.

If comparisons are in order, it is observed, Russia would seem to be much better supplied with war material than the United States. In 1939, only two countries in Europe were armed to the teeth – Germany and Russia. At that time, Russia said she was perfectly prepared to wage a successful war against any power or group of powers. She said her army was not only the largest but the most highly mechanized on earth.

American muddling admitted

The case of the United States – of which so much is now expected by so many – is the reverse. Even as late as the fall of France in 1940, …

702

It’s President day off

Washington, Feb. 5 –
President Roosevelt has no engagements today.

703

Pittsburghers escape death at Singapore

Missionaries leave auto just before bomb hits

Two Pittsburghers – a missionary and his wife – brushed close to death as they and 75 other Americans were evacuated from Singapore in the midst of a heavy Japanese air bombardment.

A bomb struck their auto in a street near the Singapore dock just a moment after they had left it to take shelter.

Their chauffeur, who stayed in the auto, was killed.

Safe in Batavia

The Pittsburgh couple, Dr. and Mrs. Raymond L. Archer, later got safely aboard the United States freighter that took them and the other evacuees to Batavia, Java, where they told their story today.

Dr. Archer, an official of the Methodist Board of Foreign Missions, and his wife have spent more than 20 years doing missionary work among the natives of the Dutch East Indies and Malaya.

For the last few years, they had been living in Singapore.

Bomb hits one ship

As the Japanese approached Johor Strait and opened their siege of Singapore Island, the Archers…

704

Naval funds approved

Washington. Feb. 5 –
The Senate today completed Congressional action on the $26,495,265,474 Naval Supply Bill, providing funds for fleet expansion and acquisition of 25,063 planes for the fleet air arm within 18 months.

705

Planes frighten off U-boats from liner

New York, Feb. 5 (UP) –
The captain of an American passenger liner reported today on his arrival here that the swift response of three patrol bombers to his radio appeal for help frightened away three submarines which had broken the surface close to his ship shortly after leaving a Caribbean port.

The skipper, Captain Nels Helgesen, said he ordered the radio operator to flash the danger signal “SOS” without waiting for the submarines to take any action.

Soon the roar of the engines of the three planes was heard.

As the planes came nearer the submarines submerged.

706

Reinforcements arrive –
Jap warplanes downed in Java

American fliers win East Indies ‘dogfight’
By Everett R. Holles, United Press staff writer

Washington, Feb. 5 –
American Army fighter planes, going to the aid of bomb-wracked Java in the Dutch East Indies, have shot down two Japanese warplanes, one of them a bomber, in an air battle against heavy odds.

The War Department said today one of the small formation of U.S. P-40 fighters was lost in the encounter over Java where the Japanese Air Force has been assaulting the United Nations base at Soerabaja, starting big fires.

Military experts attached importance to the disclosure that American Army fighter planes are in action over the Dutch East Indies. This followed yesterday’s declaration of General Sir Archibald Wavell, supreme commander of the united forces in the Southwest Pacific, that U.S. and British reinforcements were en route to the battle zone.

Size of force unknown

Today’s War Department communiqué – which also reported that General Douglas MacArthur’s forces have broken at least temporarily the fury of the Japanese offensive on Bataan Peninsula – showed that the vanguard of fighter plane reinforcements had reached the Southwest Pacific at last.

Details as to the extent of this force were lacking and the communiqué spoke only of a “small formation” in action over Java.

The P-40 fighters, the same type which has achieved thrilling victories in support of General MacArthur’s troops in the Philippines, were said to have “encountered a greatly superior force of Japanese bombers escorted by pursuit craft” over Java.

Bombers unprotected

In the ensuing combat one enemy bomber and one enemy pursuit plane were shot down. One of our…

707

If we can’t give guns, let’s give 'em medals

Washington, Feb. 5 (UP) –
Rep. J. Parnell Thomas (R-NJ) today introduced legislation to confer on General Douglas MacArthur the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest decoration for outstanding service to the United States.

Mr. Thomas commented:

If we can’t give them guns, let’s give them medals.

708

U.S. War Department (February 6, 1942)

Communiqué No. 93

Philippine Theater.
Japanese gun emplacements on the southern shore of Manila Bay were destroyed by fire from our fortifications. These artillery positions were presumably designed by the enemy for an attack against Corregidor.

Nine Japanese transports are at ports in Lingayen Gulf, debarking troops to reinforce the already very large enemy concentrations in Bataan and other points on the island of Luzon.

Dutch East Indies.
Relative quiet continued along the front in Batavia during the past 24 hours. Enemy aerial bombing attacks on our troop positions, which began early in the day, decreased later on. They resulted in no damage. Intermittent artillery fire flared up in the center. There was some increase in patrol operations in this same general area.

There is nothing to report from other areas.

709

The Pittsburgh Press (February 6, 1942)

It’s time to be realistic –
U.S. facing long battle as result of early defeats

This is no time for false optimism, says observer; we have suffered stinging losses but can win if we have the sand to do so
By S. T. Williamson

Editor’s note:
The following article is by the former editor of Newsweek Magazine, *a well-informed observer of world affairs.

We print it because we think the American people must wake up to the true war situation – to a realization of the reverses they have suffered and of the long, hard trail that lies ahead. There is too much of a disposition to believe that this war can’t possibly be lost… that no matter what happens now all will be well pretty soon… that Russia is crushing Hitler… that MacArthur’s gallant defense portends coming victory… that talk of the billions we are going to spend for munitions somehow affects the present situation.

Only a people that faces the facts, and has the courage to make the sacrifices they call for, can win.

Ever since the Japanese first jumped on us, not one of our leaders has told us that this war can be lost. Instead, we’ve heard a continuous chant:

The way will be long, the going will be hard, but in the end our cause will triumph.

That’s the stuff we like to hear! Who’s afraid of the big, bad wolf!

Recall the lines about something grand and good being won by “merely wishing we could.” These words were written by a man named Rudyard Kipling, who knew something about wars and how they are won. Were he alive today, he might turn out a thumping stanza or two about the possibility of losing a war through taking a foregone conclusion that it will be won. We haven’t already bought our victory.

It can’t be bought the way defense bonds are: Pay $18.75 now and get back $25 later. Nor is victory bought like a vacuum cleaner – a dollar down, $5 a month, and meanwhile keep the cleaner. Many installments must be paid before we can claim victory or acquire title to it. And we won’t get it merely by putting up $50 billion a year for it. We must earn it.

We haven’t earned it yet. Americans looked with pity upon Poland, two-thirds overrun by Nazis in three weeks; upon Norway, entirely subdued in one month; upon France which collapsed after 39 days of blitz. They admire the spirit of the British and the fight which the Empire is putting up for its life.

And yet in less than a month of war, the United States lost control of more territory than the British…

710

To launch 3 warships

Philadelphia, Feb. 6 –
A light cruiser and two heavy destroyers will be launched on the Delaware River next Thursday, Lincoln’s birthday.

711

Teeth no exemption –
1-B men facing induction soon

Draft board may also have to tap 4-F Class

Men with minor physical defects will soon be drafted for service in the Army.

Speaking before the Commerce and Industry Association at New York, Brig. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, the Selective Service director, announced late yesterday that “henceforth” men classified in 1-B “or even lower” will be accepted by the Army.

He explained:

The attitude now seems to be that men without teeth can live just as well in the Army as they have up to now out of the service.

Although the general referred specifically only to men with defective teeth, his statement that Class 1-B men as a whole would be liable for service indicated that all registrants previously rejected for any minor physical defect would be recalled for possible reclassification.

Class 1-B includes thousands of men who have been turned down because of poor vision, bad teeth, flat feet and other minor or remediable defects.

A hint that the Army may dig “even lower” than 1-B would mean that men placed in Class 4-F on grounds of physical unfitness may be rechecked for possible call to arms.

General Hershey also disclosed that local draft boards have been…

712

‘Let’s dress up Reds’ –
‘Bundles’ plea now focused on First Lady

Washington, Feb. 6 (UP) –
Rep. Clare E. Hoffman (R-MI) today proposed a “Bundles for Eleanor” campaign to help Mrs. Roosevelt in placing “unfortunate idle people” in civilian defense jobs.

Mr. Hoffman said in a statement:

She could use these bundles, perhaps, to dress up her communist friends before she puts them in these responsible positions.

Rep. Leland Ford (R-CA), who led a campaign against what he calls the “glamor” appointments of actor Melvyn Douglas and dancer Mayris Chaney to OCD jobs, had more to say on the subject in the House today.

‘No time for play’

Mr. Ford said:

Cannot our people come to the realization that this war was not put on for the purpose of social gatherings, a great playtime and a Roman holiday, to be paid for at the expense of the United States and the taxpayers?

Miss Chaney, who in 1938 developed a dance called the “Eleanor Glide” in honor of Mrs. Roosevelt, was placed in charge of children’s activities for OCD’s Division of Physical Fitness at an annual salary of $4,600. The division is headed by Alice Marble, the former tennis star, who serves for $1 a year.

Youth leader at work

Another of Mrs. Roosevelt’s friends – Joseph Lash, American Youth Congress leader who has been assailed by the Dies Committee for past affiliation with communist-dominated organizations, serves without pay on the OCD’s Youth Advisory Council.

Mr. Douglas, who recommended that it be remembered that he is a Democrat while his Congressional critics are Republicans, has been named director of the OCD’s Arts Council at an annual salary rate of $8,000. But he will be paid on a …

713

Greek king to visit U.S.

Miami, Fla., Feb. 6 –
Major Vasos Verghis, of the staff of King George of Greece, said today the refugee monarch will soon visit the United States.

714

In Philippines –
Forts destroy Jap artillery

But foe pours in troops for new land assault
By Everett R. Holles, United Press staff writer

Washington, Feb. 6 –
Big guns on American island fortresses in Manila Bay have destroyed Jap artillery emplacements opposite Corregidor, but new enemy reinforcements are arriving to strengthen the forces opposing General Douglas MacArthur, the War Department reported today.

Communiqué No. 93 said the Jap artillery concentrations were on the southeastern shore of Manila Bay. That would be in the Cavite Province area.

They were “destroyed by fire from our fortifications,” the communiqué said, adding that they:

…were presumably designed for an attack against Corregidor.

Corregidor dominates Manila Bay. It not only backs up General MacArthur’s forces on Bataan Peninsula, but the Japs cannot make any substantial use of the bay as long as Corregidor stands. Three similar American forts are also in Manila Bay.

The Japs had apparently hoped to combine an artillery assault on Corregidor…

715

Service!

Woman pays 75¢ to have girdle vulcanized

Fullscreen capture 2102021 90018 PM.bmp

St. Joseph, Mo., Feb. 6 (UP) –
Tire repairmen, already busy keeping worn trads in service, may find still another wartime market to exploit.

A young woman walked into Sam Albert’s repair shop, unwrapped a bundle and asked:

I wonder if you can fix this?

Albert collected 75¢ for a vulcanizing job on a ripped girdle.

716

Junior Aviators ready! –
Press to publish plans for scale model planes

Plans of Supermarine Spitfire will help junior aviators build models for aid raid spotters

The U.S. Navy urgently needs 500,000 aircraft models – 10,000 models in each of 50 different types of fighting planes – for training personnel in aircraft recognition and range estimation in gunnery practice.

The model builders of the nation have been asked to do the big job – and they have responded here with vigor.

The Pittsburgh Press Junior Aviator Squadron, including some 35,000 members on the Tri-State area, has pledged itself to do everything in its power to bring about the speedy creation of those 500,000 planes.

Pittsburgh Press Junior Aviator members have had an excellent beginners’ training in building model aircraft. When a boy joins the Press Squadron, he receives, besides his cars and pin, a complete course in primary model building.

This course, “Model Aeronautics from the Ground Up,” was written by M. J. Thomas, instructor in model aeronautics in the Pittsburgh public schools and an outstanding leader in model plane circles. The course was published in the Press and distributed later in tabloid form.

Thus the Junior Aviators are qualified by this primary experience to undertake the hard task which Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox has asked them to do.

The Navy wants the models standardized on a scale of one foot to 72 feet. This means that the builder will have to do some delicate work.

Plans for a true-scale model of a British Supermarine Spitfire II will appear in the Pittsburgh Press Sunday.

Other plans coming

Succeeding plans for building scale models of the German Messerschmitt Bf 109E, the U.S. Army’s Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk and the Navy’s Grumman F4F Wildcat will be published in succeeding issues of the Sunday Press.

An explanatory story will accompany each of the plans, making it easy for model builders to follow them.

Scale models are very difficult to build. Only boys who have come up through the various stages of model building will be able to do the job and do it well.

The Pittsburgh public schools will be the nucleus for this important work. Most of the advanced model builders are members of the Press Junior Aviator Squadron.

The Press Junior Aviators are no fly-by-night organization. They have been organized for seven years. Major Al Williams, the noted aviation expert, is Chief of Service for the huge organization which numbers 35,000 in the Pittsburgh area alone.

Watch for the first plans in Sunday’s Press. Study them carefully – they will help you when it comes time to build the models for the Navy.

717

Dies’ son joins Navy

Washington, Feb. 6 –
Rep. Martin Dies (D-TX) said today that his son, Martin III, had enlisted in the Navy and applied for duty aboard a motor torpedo boat.

718

Federal plan of ‘protective’ arrest studied

Proposal aimed at Japs on West Coast envisions vast powers

Washington, Feb. 6 (UP) –
Justice Department sources disclosed today that they are weighing the possibility of asking Congress for legislation that would permit the “protective custody” arrest of any citizen for the duration of the war as an additional means of coping with the Japanese problem on the West Coast.

They emphasized that they are reluctant to seek such a law and have made no final decision, but may find it advisable to make such a request.

Though the bill would be aimed solely at the dual citizenship problem of West Coast Japanese, it would permit the seizure of any citizen whose presence in defense areas was considered dangerous to the national security.

Powers now restricted

The powers of the Justice Department now restrict them to ordering the evacuation of enemy aliens from prohibited areas. Numerous Japanese who were born in this country and therefore are American citizens are reported, however, to be considered more dangerous than many of the alien-Japanese.

Federal agents at San Francisco held nine Japanese aliens seized last night in raids near the Mare Island Navy Yard. FBI men, along with the prisoners, took contraband including Navy signal flags, guns, cameras and radios.

Attorney General Francis Biddle was reported reluctant to ask such legislation because of the danger that would be faced by all citizens if such a power, once granted, were used improperly.

It was disclosed also that the transfer of full responsibility for the alien enemy problem on the Pacific to the War Department was under consideration. This would permit the declaration of martial law in California and other states so that the Army could bodily evacuate undesired persons from any area.

‘Licensing’ considered

A third proposal being given serious consideration, the sources said, was the “licensing” of all persons, including citizens, in huge restricted areas in the vicinity of defense establishments and industrial plants.

Under that proposal, all persons would be required to obtain passes in order to move about in restricted areas. Huge zones would be designated as restricted areas and permits would be refused citizens and aliens considered “dangerous to the national security.”

Restrictions on the unlicensed thus would force them to move to unrestricted areas.

719

Pacific allies form councils, President says

Plan to coordinate war effort now in effect; Chinese loan lauded

Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt disclosed today that Pacific councils coordinating the war effort of the United Nations in the Southwest Pacific have been operating for about a month.

The President told a press conference that the councils were functioning, and that they referred military and naval problems to the joint British-American staffs for consultation with officers of the American, British, Dutch and Australian nations in Washington.

Questions of a political and governmental character are referred to the governments involved in Washington and London.

Chinese loan forward

The President forecast optimistic results from the $500-million credit to China just approved by Congress. He said that in addition to assuring China that this country is backing its war against Japan with all the physical help possible, as fast as possible, the loan would constitute a very definite relief for the Chinese financial structure strained by the long war.

The money will make it possible for the Chinese to purchase numerous war materials, making such purchases outside their own borders as well as in China, he said.

The President said he expects to appoint his new ambassador to the Soviet Union soon, but declined to give any hint regarding the identity of the new envoy.

Councils plot strategy

The appointment of ambassadors to Bolivia and Paraguay is also being considered, he said.

Explaining the coordinated war effort in the Pacific, the President pointed out that the military command is in the hands of Gen. Sir Archibald P. Wavell. But strategical problems are referred to Washington and London.

The President said it was difficult to find terms to differentiate between tactical decisions that are left up to General Wavell and broader strategic questions that are referred to Washington and London.