davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
JAPAN MAY FORM
new INNER Line
Nav Be Forced To Pull Out
OF Some Secondary
Island Positions
BY JOHN M. HIGHTOWER

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. -(P-
The possibility that Japan may
be forced to pull out of some of
her secondary island positions in
the central Pacific, fight delay
ing action at others and concen-
trate on Strengthening an inner
defense ring is receiving serious
consideration in military and ma
val quarters here.
Such an enemy strategy could
Jesuit from the cumulative effect
Of the forces now working against
the japanese, and some officers
helieve it is inevitable. They do
not see any other way for the
japanese to accomplish their
main purpose of dragging out the
Pacific war in the hope the Al
lies will get tired of the whole
business and agree to a compro-
mise peace.
AS part of an enemy strategy
developed along this line it is also
believed that from time to time
Tokyo will launch peace often
sives, trying especially to CAPT
talize on conditions at the end Of
the war in Europe. With such
a peace the Japanese would gain
years to prepare for another fling
at conquest.
Japan's position in the centra
Pacific results from three main
causes:
]: The effective strength OF
Americas Pacific fleet, land anc
air forces as demonstrated by the
fact that fleet units were able
This week to penetrate to the we'll
defended bastion of Truk while
simultaneously other units cover
ed the invasion of EniWetok ano
still others, Tokyo claimed, as
saulted Maleolap and Taroa.
2. The decline in Japan's ship
ping strength, due in great part
to American submarine success
es. This is a direct blow to the
defense of the outer island posi-
tons such as those in the Caro-
iinas, surrounding Truk. The en-
enov has to choose whether he
will attempt to keep all the bases
inadequately supplied and partial
w restored, after each American
air and sea raid or whether he
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
Duel With Shore Batteries,
, Blow Up Shipping, And
Blast Installations
START HUGE FIRES
Macarthur Also Reveals
Attack On Harbors
Shipping By Planes
By MURLIN SPENCER

ALLIED HEADQUAR-
TIERS IN THE SOUTHWEST
PACIFIC, Sunday, Feb. 20
up - American destroyers
daringly shelled once mighty
Rabaul and it's supplementary
base Of Kavieng early Fri
day for the first time in the
war.
Moving boldly to within
four miles of those japanese
strongpoints on northeastern
New Britain and northwest
ern New Ireland, they duel
led with shore batteries and
silenced them. They heavily DAM
aged shipping. They blew up shore
installations. Then they departed
unchanged.
At Rabau1, they smashed Simp.
son harbor which lies deep within
Blanche bay.
Start Huge Fires
Huge fires were set in dock
areas. At Kavieng, the destroy,
erS even remained until aftsI
daybreak.
Rabaul, which the Japanese used
for the anchorage of many war
ships until repeated air attacks
made this too costly, was ap-
preached by the destroyers under
Continued on Page Five; Col. A.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
u. S. Marines Capture Engebi Airport;
Deslaoyers Shell Rabaul And Kavieng;
Afzfes Slaughter Germans Near Anzio
Allied Submarines Sink 80 Enemv
Vessels And Damage Eight Others

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19-R
Allied submarines, ranging
from deep in Japanese waters
to the Atlantic, Mediterranean
and the Southeast Asia area,
have sunk 81 enemy vessels,
probably six more, and dam
aged eight others.
Thirteen of the vessels we're
Japanese merchantmen, which
were sent to the bottom by
two American submarines. For
the first time, in announcing
the sinkings today, the Navy
disclosed the general areas COW
cred by the war patrols of the
two submersibles - "deep in
Japanese empire waters"
This seemed to indicate
strongly that the strength and
ability of the submarine fleet
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
CHARLES BEDAUX
COMMITS. SUICIDE
Former World Figure
Takes Life While Facing
Treason Accusation

MIAMI, Fla, Feb. 19.-tRE
Charles E. Bedaux, French-born
former sandhog who became an
international figure and an init
mate Of the Duke of Windsor, took
his own life here, an official an
nouncement said today, while fac
ing an accusation of treason.
immigration Agent John E. Bur-
ling said the 58-year-old engineer
and industrialist swallowed an
overdose of ar e f u l y-hoarded
sleeping tablets Monday night at
a detention home where he had
been held incommunicado since he
was brought from North Africa
TO Miami Dec. %, 1913, aboard
all army plane.
He was found in a coma by an
attorney Tuesday and never re-
gained consciousness before he
died at 9:15 pm. yesterday in a
hospital. Burling would not reveal
the text of a suicide note Bedaux
left to his secretary. =.
Bedaux downed the tablets few
hours after he was informed that
board of special inquiry of the
immigration an d naturalization
service had ruled that he was a
citizen of the United States and
could be admitted to this country
"Bedaux further was advised al
the time, however, Burling re.
ported, that a grand jury. would
be convened to inquire into his
relations with high officials of the
German government and of the
Vichy French government, anc
that the grand jury would consider
whether he should be indicted fol
treason and for communicating
with the enemy"
At Washington, Attorney Gener
al Biddle disclosed. that Bedau1
fell into American hands after the
invasion of North Africa, where he
was preparing to construct pipe
line across the Sahara desert fol
the purpose of relieving the short
age. of edible oils in Europe.
| Bfddle said Bedaux admitted
close friendships with high rank
ing Nazis, including Capt. Fritz
Wiedemann, Otto Abetz, and HAL
mar Schacht. He was visiting For
eigh Minister Joachim Won Rib
bentrop when the latter received
| CONTINUED on Page Eight; Col. l
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
Continued on Page Two; Col.

SEATTLE, F b. 19.-REThe
Post-Intelligencer said today that
a troop-laden Liberty ship recent
ly split open while tied UP to an
Alaskan dock and that 10 Of the
ships which had been converted
for troop carriers were held in
the Seattle area because of amy
and naval refusal to use them.
The paper said Senator M. C..
Wallgren .-Wash.), member of
the Truman committee which re-
Gently held hearing in Seattle
on asserted failures of Liberty
ships, described the situation as
ga major scandal in long dis
lance telephone interview from
Washington.
In Washington Senator Fergu-
son (R-Mich) an active member
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
Waves Of German Planes
Damage London Districts

With the dawn London began to
assess its damage. The bombs hit
at least three churches, two hospi-
tails, convent, an old folks home
school buildings, stores, dwellings
and other buildings. Fires ringed
the city, lightin~ the horizon, but
all under control by morning,
Dozens of injured were taken to
hospitals, and rescuers dug in the
debris throughout the day seeking
many believed to be sti' trapped.
The first unofficial reports Of
German planes shot down by
ground defenses came from a dis
trict where American gun crews
were in action and which claimed
five raiders destroyed. Three 9th.
Continued on Page Eight; Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
CRUCIAL nATTLE
Fifth Army Falls Back In
One Sector But Keeps
Its Lines Intact
FACE FOUR DIVISIONS
General Clark Praises Grim
Determination OF AL
lied Infantrymen
BY RICHARD G. MASSOCK

ALLIED HEADQUAR-
TIERS, Naples, Feb. 19-(P)
- A m e ri c a n and British
troops have carpeted the
ground before their Anzio
beachhead line with German
dead and in four days have
wiped out as many as half
of some Nazi units in one of
the greatest and most crucial bat.
ties of the war, front dispatches
reaching here disclosed tonight.
, Meeting the German attempt to
push them back into the sea with
hurricane of steel, Fifth army
troops fell back in one sector but
kept their lines intact and pre-
vented a peterborough. The AL
lied soldiers were fighting logged.
ly 10 wear out the Germans.
Against them the Germans have
thrown at least four divisions OF
infantry and armor in this battle
on the beachhead front south OF
Rome.
Down II Planes
Allied airmen in day of in
tense activity over the beachhead
today shot down at least II Nazi
five others of the more than 100
enemy aircraft which attacked the
British and American ground
troops.
The grim determination OF the
British and American infantry
men at the beacbhead was praised
by 1t. Gen Mark W. Clark today
who said that these soldiers had
risen to new heights of courage
and skill in the bitter struggle.
He made this statement after
another visit to his advanced
headquarters at the beachhead,
and said he was inspired anew by
the way the Allied troops had
guarded their position against
numerically superior forces. He
had praise also for the Fifth army
Continued on Page Two; Col. -
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
FINN-RED PEACE
ACTION IS SLOW
Not Only Armistice But
Full Peace Expected To
Be Negotiated
BY JOHN H. COLBURN

STOCKHOLM, Feb. 19.-RNThe
delicate machinery needed to start
the Finnish armistice negotiations
with Russia rolled into motion slow
ly this week nut at least ten days
are expected to pass before even
the preliminary '-cisions are made
to get Finland out of +he war.
Diplomats tonight saw encourag-
ing signs for ag- ---'1ent in the con-
tinued presence 'lere Of the Finn
ish diplomat, Juhu K. Passikivi,
who came to Stockholm for ''pri-
vate business - but that private
business was to see if he could ne
gotiate with the "oviet union.
From all the speculation and ru.
NOR two facts seemed to emerge
quite clearly: only an armistice
and not peace will be negotiated.
Finland will not accept uncondi-
tional surrender until its army is
crushed.
The peace tre-ty between Fin
land and Russia is expected to be
deferred until a peace is drafted
for Europe after the defeat of Ger
many. Germs of the Armistice
probably have been discussed but
the talks did not seem to have
reached the stage of actual nego-
tiation.
For man Who said he came to
Stockholm to 'fread books" Paasi-
XVI has been very busy, reading
(COnfinued m. page Two: Col 4)
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
Baruch Postwar Plans
Challenged In Congress

lay down the general policies for
the change over.
Senator Vandenberg (R-Mich), a
member, backed r'p this viewpoint
with the declaration that the COM
mittee is not willing to leave such
decisions to executive ieuten-
ants" but will insist on the estab-
ishment of an overall authority
accountable to congress for its ac-
tins.
In statement George charged
that the Baruch plan for reconvert-
ign industry, disposing of surplus
es and war plants and channeling
workers back into peacetime jobs
was ito do the whole job by exc
! CONTINUED on Page -Four; Col. y
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
ARGENTINA FREES
GERMAN GENERAL
off Released From
House Arrest Despite
Spy Ring Leadership

BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 19|R-
Shortly after a federal police &c
port named Gen. Friedrich Wolff
German military attache, as the
leader of an espionage organiza-
ton in Argentina, the undersecre-
tary of information and the press
announced that he would not be
subject to trial and had been re-
leased from house arrest so that
he could be repatriated.
The police report said that three
Axis espionage organizations were
working in Argentina. 1t named
Wolff as the leader of one of the
rings.
German espionage in America,
the police report explained, was
divided into east and west coast
sections. The information which
the spies collected was said to
include the news on the develop
ment of the United States war eff
fort, military organizations, arm
ament, production of ships and
planes and political and economic
information relating to all the
American countries and particu-
larly the United States.
In addition to Wolff, the Japa-
nese Naval Attac che, Rear Admiral
Katsumi Yukisbita and his assist
ant, Capt. Tadashi Kameda, also
were released from house arrest
and will not be subject to trial,
the under-sec-etariat said. Ex-
planning the reason for this action
the government agency said:
keeping in mind the progress
Of the investigation and the fact
that the freedom of the trio at
the present time will not affect
it's development, considering the
diplomatic character of these per-
sons and also that the facts now
proven were committed before the
rupture of diplomatic relations, it
was decided today to lift this
measure while means We're pro-
vided to insure their leaving the
country and the obtaining of safe
conducts necessary to their repa-
triation.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20

has grown to such an extent
that the Japanese have full
knowledge it is operating reg
ularly along the shores Of ia
pan itself, penetrating mine
fields and evading anti-subma-
rine patrols on the surface.
The new bag apparently in
cluded some large ships of the
badly curtailed japanese mer-
chant fleet, for the sub skip
pers reported tonnage sunk to-
tailed 6S,500 tons. That would
mean that each of the IL mer-
chantmcn destroyed averaged
more than 5000 tons, sizeable
units badly needed by the enc
my in keeping men and sup
plies moving to garrisons on
islands throughout the Pacific.
The extent to which those
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
BY JACK BELL

WASHINGTON, Feb. 49, R =
The Baruch plan for postwar re-
conversion of in 'stry and man.
power to civilian pursuits was
challenged in congress today on
Inc grounds that it would deliver
me future economic destiny of the
nation into the hands of the exc
'utive.
Chairman George D-Ga) of the
'ehate postwar planning commit
zee led the attack with nassertion
mat the proposals submitted by
bernard M. Baruch, 73-year-olc
llAancier and presidential advis
ef' posed a basic issue whether
congress- or the executive should
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
Souiets Kill Or Capture 1920
Nazis In 14-Day Korsu1 Battle
SEIZE EQUIPMENT
Rail Station Of Plyussa
Falls To Reds In Ad-
vance On Pskov
BY TOM YARBRoUGH

LONDON. Sunday, Feb. 20.-R
The Russians announced last
night that they had not only killed
or captured 1920 Germans in the
14-day battle of the Korsun trap
but had seized an immense armory
of Nazi equipment. including 49,
900 trucks, 618 guns and 116 tanks.
The Nazi Eighth Army comman-
der's body also was declared
found among the dead.
The announcement said that 10,-
900 more Germans had been count
ed since figures on German losses
in the Great Dnieper bend debacle
had been made public first last
Thursday. Among these were 5000
dead, making total of $1,000 slain,
and 1900 additional prisoners for
a total of 1920 captives.
The announcement was made in
a statement broadcast by Moscow
radio and recorded by the Soviet
Monitor.
Later, Moscow midnight bull
letin gave details of steady Rus
Continued on Page Five; Col. y
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
WEATHER

FORECAST
NORTH CAROLINA: Cloudy and con-
tinued moderately cool with occasional
Light rains Sunday, slightly lower tenn
peratures in east portion. Monday most
ly cloudy and warmer with occasional
showers.
eastern Standard Time)
By u S. Weather Bureau)
Meteorological data for the "a hours
ending 1880 p. M, yesterday.
TEMPERATURE
1870 am, 81, 1880 am, 43, 1870 pm, So
1870 pm, 80.
Maximum IS, Minimum SO, Mean So
Normal 40.
HUMIDITY
1880 am, So, 1880 am, u, 1880 pm, S.
1880 pm, 90.
PRECIPITATION
Total for the "a hours ending 1880 pm
Q57 inches.
Total since the first of the month
$50 inches.
TIDES FOR TODAY
(F'rom the Tide Tables published by
r., S, Coast and Geodetic Survey
Wilmington ------------ 6:40a 1:17a
Masonboro Inlet --------- 4:22a 10:48a
4:3Sp 10:56p
Sunrise, $751; am, Sunset, 500 p.m..
Moonrise, 1854 am, Moonset, 2:19 pm.
Cape Fear River stage ut Fayettev-
vile on Feb. 10, ut 8 am, 1925 feet.
Continued on Page Two; Col. u
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
Troop-Laden Ship Splits
Open At Dock In Alaska

of the Truman group said the COM
mittee is questioning all operators
of Liberty ships concerning anv
structural d e e t S discovered
From other sources it was learned
that the committee is Investigate
ing the possibility of installing spe-
cial reinforcing on any Liberties
used as troop carriers.
(The Maritime Commission de-
clined to comment on the Seattle
developments, beyond saying that
the vessel involved, the S. S.
Christopher Greenup, was built BIZ
the Oregon Shipbuilding company,
Portland, Ore, a concern con-
trolled by Henry Kaiser, and was
delivered March IS. 1943.)
Continued on Page Five; Col. y
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
I'D. R. PR0CLAlMS
RED CROSS MONTH
Urges All Americans To
Donate To Agency's
1914 War Fund

WASHINGTON, Feb. In
PRESIDENT Roosevelt, declaring the
war has entered a decisive stage
requiring to fullest measure of
individual sacrifice today pro.
cIalmed the m o n III beginning
march l as Red Cross month, "
ana urged all Americans to OBJ
serve it by donating to the relief
agency 1914 minimum war fund
OF 100000, 900.
Inc text of the proclamation:
Whereas the war has entered
decisive stage requiring the full
est measure of individual sacri-
flee:
Whereas the American Nation
al Red Cross is an auxiliary to
NE United States armed forces
aAd' as such, is providing indis-
pehSable service to our troops
throughout the world as well as
10 their families at home;
Whereas these wartime activi
NJ0ntInuod ~, Do Es:rl.%. I'll Cl
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
BY AUSTIN BEALMEAR

LONDON, Feb. 49, Up Wide
spread damage was found in half a
dozen districts of London today aft
er waves of German heavy and
fighter-bombers, facing a deadly
anti-aircraft fire, d ped tons OF
explosives md incendiaries in their
strongest bid to set the capital
ablaze since the about attacks of
1940-41.
Several dozen persons wer e
counted dead as a result of last
nights raid, in v itch the Germans
may have used as many as $50
planes. There was no official an
nouncement either of tie total in
volved, the number which reached
London, or the number shot down
over Britain.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
County Home.
Improvements
AreSuggested
let Of Recommendations
Given To DR.. Elliot By
Haas And Slower
GOING TO HEWLETT
ReDort All But Brands The
Institution Unfit For
Occupancy

A report that all but brands the
,ou, Hanover county home as be-
:ao unfit for occupancy by human
,;nos and list of recommends
.;ors for at least temporary i'm
movements were filed by County
coritarian W. C. Haas and State
s.nitarian B. M. Slower with Dr..
u Elliot, city-county health Of
4cer Saturday morning.
M Dr. Elliot reported, that he would
diractlv turn the information over
=, Addison Hewlett, ST., chairman
~ the Board of County Commits
Sioners and, in this capacity, also
chairman of the Board of Health.
Substance of Report
The substance of the technical
renort. floors are dirty and
marked by rat holes; walls hold
crease. fly specks, cobwebs and
dirt. screens are in bad repair;
toilet fixtures are dirty; saw sew
aoe runs on the ground; rough
edge fin cans and dirty fruit jars
are used for drinking purposes;
l9yato-y facilities are dirty, and
soap and towels are not evident;
dishes and pans are Clipped; eat
ing and work tables are gummed
with decaying matter; cupboards
and storage places are breeding
ard feeding places fo- rats and
insects; tables, sinks, stoves, wip-
Ing cloths and utensils dirty and
greasy; no hot water provided;
kitchen waste overflows under the
ground; garbage is found on the
kitchen floor; FIVE gallons of milk
were found Wednesday stored in
an open lard can in a dirty I'M
refrigerated room; food was found
uncovered and exposed to dust,
dirt, reaches and other contamina-
ton: food handlers have no health
certificates; and wear no special
uniforms or head coverings; hogs
root in the garbage and trash
piled in the yard.
Recommendations
The 20-point list of recommends
tons, which follows the State
Board of Health rating sheet, calls
specifically for:
|. and 2.-Repair all floors,
walls, and ceilings. Make same
tight, free from cracks, holes, etc.
Continued on Page Seven; Col. u
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20

merchant craft have been bat
tered by Allied forces is shown
in the total of 1874 Japanese
ships of all types that have
been reported sunk, probably
sunk or damaged by subma-
rines, airplanes and surface
craft. Of that total, 96S enc
my craft of all types have
been sunk, SO probably sunk
and III damaged.
The British admiralty an
nounced that the sinking of 10
additional enemy ships, prob
able sinking of six others and
damaging of eight more occur
red Gin theaters of war ex-
tending from the Arctic Circle
Continued on Page Two; Col.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
Notice To Star-News
Subscribers

Your Star-News carrier is
small merchant. He buys his
papers wholesale and sells
them retail to his subscribers.
If he makes the maximum
amount from his route, he is
naturally better satisfied, and
will render better. service to
his subscribers. -
We ask that you have his
money ready for him when he
calls on Saturday, which is his
collection day.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
TROLLEY STRIKERS
REFUSE TO RETURN
Montreal Operators Shout
Down Leaders Urging
Them Back

MONTREAL, Feb. 10. IN -
Striking street car operators at a
mass meeting today shouted down
their leaders who urged them to
resume work as Adelard Godbout,
premier of the province of Que
bee, telegraphed the Montreal
tramways company asking it to
resume it's trolley and bus service.
AS the unauthorized strike in
volving 1900 street car operators
continued into it's second day, not
bus or street car moved in he
city this morning. The fear was
Continued on Page Two; Col. A.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-20
Admiral Nimitz Says Early
Reports Indicate Cas-
ualties Are Light
ARE NEARING TRUK
japanese Pearl Harbor' )
Now Within Range OF
Land-Based Planes 5
By WILLIAM NIPPLE

U. 5. PAClF ~ rLEEl
H E AID @ U A R TIERS, Pearl
Harbor, Feb. 80 up With
a mighty smash American.
Marines captured Engebi is
land with it's important air
base one day after landing
on Eniwetok Atoll in the Mar
shalls.
Several other islands in
the northern portion also
have fallen to the Americans.
Adm. Chester w. Nimitz
so announced today, saying
that preliminary reports in
dictated American casualties
have been light. Other is
lands of the atoll captured
were not named, but islands
from that area include Muzin-
baarikku, Yeiri. and Ruiiyoru.
southeast of Engebi, and Bogon,
Bogarikk, Elugelab and Bogallua
to the northwest. GS
Rivals Kwajalein Victory Il
The victory in many ways rival
ed the lightning victory at KWa.
jalein atoll 400 miles to the SOUTH
east. j.
Assaults on other portions OF the
aton are proceeding On schedule.
Admiral Nimitz said. His an.
nouncement did not indicate how
! much resistance the japanese Of
fered the American invaders at
Engebi with his 5,000-foot air strip.
The capture of Engebi put our
forces $50 statute miles west Of
the japanese great fortress Of
Truk which was attacked by a
great force Of American carrier
based planes and the result must
be observed by ships Of the at
lacking forces. 4
There was no indication Of tho
size of the Japanese garrison de.
Tending Engebi and the surround.
ing islands. In the westernmost
Marshalls, but it is probable pre-.
liminary ship bombardment and
plane bombing and strafing killed
many of the defenders and knock.
ed out many defense positions be.
fore the 22nd Marine regiment
charged ashore.
Truk Within Range
For the first. time Truk Is with.
in range of American land-based
planes. Ponape, 425 miles SOUTH
west of Engebi, is within easy
range even of medium Mitchells
and their 75mm-cannon. A
Seabees probably followed the
assault troops ashore and began
immediate rehabilitation of the
battered Engebi field after tn
capture.
There was no mention Of army
troops in today's announcement.
A triangular shaped island, En-.
gebi is approximately one mila
long on each of it's three sides. The
5,OO0-foot runway is located on the
northwest shore and bears east to
west. S
Text Of the communique:
"Our forces have captured tho
enemy air base at Engebi
and sever ! other islands in
the northern portion Of Eniwetok,s
atoll. Preliminary reports indi-
! Continued on Page Two. Col ~