davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Draft
Quota
Raised
Lei+ch Sets Out
20 Per Cent
Raise in State

SACRAMENTO, Dec. 18.
(UP)p-Colonel K. H. Leitch,
state director of Selective
Service, Monday announced
that the quota of California
men to be inducted into the
armed services in January
had been increased by 20 per
cent.
Because of military necessity"
for more men, local boards also
have been ordered to call up for
pre-induction physical examination
during January, 20 per cent more
men than called for originally,
Leitch said.
In addition, he said that curing
q special period of the last two
weeks of January Substantial"
additional number of men will be
called for pre-induction examina-
tions.
Men given induction eXami-
nations will be ready for actual
induction in February, and Leitch
said that the February induction
quota in the state would be 40 per
cent greater than that for Decem-
ber.
Leitch said that in order to fill
quotas during the coming months
the occupational deferments of some
men will have to be revoked. The
cancellation of deferments will re-
suit from a stricter Interpretation
by local boards of what is an essen
tial activity, he Saio.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
wah Faces Jury
On Charge Of
Staying Negro

A pairing knife and a slashed,
blocd-spattered shirt were intro
duced in evidence Monday morning
in the opening hours of the trial of
Henry Wah, 80, Ell Centre Chinese
grocer on a charge of manslaughter
filed after the death of Sam MCGEE,
Negro, near the Chinese store last
October 10.
Seven women and five men COM
pose the jury selected to hear the
case being tried in Judge Vaughn
N. Thompson's court with Deputy
District Attorney Don Bitter appear
ing for the state and Harry Horton
for the defendant.
Descriptions OF events before and
after the fatal shooting of MCGEE
by Wah were given by Jean Wheeler,
who said she saw Wah try to keep
MCGEE out of his store at Fourth
and Olive streets. She was employed
in the store and testified to the ef-
forts of Wah made to keep the Ne
gro from continuing with the dis
turbance she said the Negro started
Mrs. Vivian Thompson testified
that she was in the office of the
Thompson Trucking company across
the street frCm the Wah store and
saw Wah put the Negro out of the
store three times. She could not
see what happened far back inside
the store, she testified, but saw the
two men scuffling in front of the
store and in the doorway.
Wah showed the Negro out of the
Continued on Pg 6, Col. II
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Highest Tribunal
Backs Army on
|nternees' Orders

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18. CUP) -
The supreme court ruled Monday
that the army's removal of Jap
anese- Americans from the west
coast early in 1912 was constitu-
tional at the time it was carried out,
but that citizens must be permitted
to return to their homes when their
loyalty to this country is established.
The court thus in effect ordered
what the war department announc-
ed Sunday would be done-that
loyal citizens of Japanese ancestry
would be permitted to return to
their former homes after 33 months
of enforced absence in relocation
centers.
The tribunal acted in two cases.
1t upheld constitutionality of the
removal program by to decision
and was unanimous in holding that
loyal citezens should be released.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
HoItviIIe Firm
Sued by 0PA

Chester Bowles of the Office of
Price Administration sued Alvin
and Opal Immel, doing business as
the Holtville Implement company,
for $l256 on alleged violation of
price ceilings in two sales.
In the suit filed in Imperial coun-
ty superior court Bowles alleged
that on July 10, 1914 the firm sold
a tractor to Thomas Daniel for
$3.50 or s152.02 in access of the legal
maximum price fixed dby the OPA
for this type of tractor.
On July 18, 1914, the complaint
said, the firm sold Ray Claybrook
a used tractor and parts for s257l. .25
or $266.85 in excess of the OPA
price limit or three times the
amount of the price limit of $8OO.55.
Bowles asked Judgment for the
government of $l,256 and costs.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
County and City
Officials 10
Deliver Justice

Imperial county and Ell Centre
city authorities joined Monday in
commenting on the impending re-
turn of Japanese to this area, in
reminding the public that all peace
officers are sworn to uphold the
Constitution of the United States
and to enforce all laws, local and
national.
According to Tcm Finney. USES
director, 1647 japanese were sent
out of Imperial valley.
TO ENFORCE LAW
Mayor p. L. Moore, Ell Centro,
confessed the fear that there is a
possibility that returning Japanese
may be mistreated, and warned that,
if such should prove to be the case,
the city's police power must be used
to protect the Japanese as it would
any other citizen or legally domi-
ciled aliens. Ell Centre Police Chief
Ronnie R. Voyles made the same
statement.
Voyles added that he does not be-
lieve there will be any violence In
Ell Centre, chiefly because he does
not think that japanese will return
in any great numbers for a long
time to come.
Sheriff Robert W.. Ware issued a
formal statement, as follows:
."All authorities having jurisdic-
ton over Japanese in war reloca-
ton camps have had brought to
their attention any and, all risks
connected with the return of the
Japanese to the coastal areas in war
time. Governor Warren's message
indicates that the time is past for
further discussion with federal Of
ficials in this regard, and that the
Japanese may be expected to arrive
Continued on Pg. 6, Col q
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18

n1St-hidden Athens, but resistance
nowhere was on the scale of last
week.
The light opposition touched off
speculation that the bulk of the
Elias may have evacuated Athens
and Piraeus, but later news of
the rebel attack in northeast
Athens tended to squelch such rum
OrS.
Moderate optimism persisted that
peace can be arranged soon in the
thousands of casualties in the past
two weeks.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
SuP uPers
Strike
In China
Second Sor+ie
Again Rakes
Tokyo Factories

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18.
(UP) Big fleets of B-29
Superfortresses hit two more
furnishing blows at Japan's
war-making capacity, it was
announced Monday, return
ing to the big air production
center of Nagoya in 100
plane strength and striking hard
at Hankow, major Japanese supply
base in China.
The Superfortress attack on Ma
goya, site of the big Mitsubishi air.
craft INDUSTRY was the second with
in a week on Japan's third indus
trial city to be carried out by Sal
pan-based Superforts.
The attack was begun at 1890
pm. December 18 (Tokyo time) or
II: 80 pm. December II (EWT). It
continued for two hours.
About 10C Superforts were be-
lieved to have carried out the as
sault, which Saipan said was carried
out in numerical strength equal to
that of last Wednesdays initial
operation against Nagoya. The
Hankow attack was in approx
mately equal strength.
An Imperial Japanese communi-
que estimated the strength of the
Nagoya raiders at "some 70" and
said they caused slight damage"
The B-29's took of from Saipan
with a forecast of good weather
over their target.
Photographic reconnaissance re-
ports on the initial Nagoya attack
revealed that the Hatsudoki fac
tory of the Mitsubishi works was
heavily damaged. Two big aircraft
assembly buildings were shown to
be largely destroyed while two
main assembly buildings received
slightly less damage. Three of the
four assembly buildings were be-
lieved knocked out and % smaller
buildings were damaged.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Russians Open
New Offensive
Around Budapest

LONDON, Dec. 18. CUP)-The
battle for Budapest flared up with
renewed violence Monday as Rec
army troops rammed a narrow edge
through one of the enemys north
east defense lines within five miles
CT the capital
Far to the northeast. other Soviet
forces closed rapidly on the Hun
garian-Slovak frontier in a multi
pronged drive that trapped thouS-
anes of Germans in the Bukka
mountains and poised new threat
to the Slavak railway center of
kaSsa (KoSice).
Word of the new Soviet break
through in the Budapest area came
as Nazi military spokesmen were
boasting that their stiff defense had
forced the Russians to call off
the assault on the city.
A Moscow comnunique said shock
troops of Marshal Rodion Y. Mali
novsky's second Ukrainian army
cracked the center of a mile
highway line running from Alag
to Bolnoka hill on the northeastern
approaches to Budapest.
Other Red army forces, carved
out impressive gains on a 6O-mile
front above Miskolc, 80 miles north
east of Budapest, capturing more
than 40 towns and villages yester-
day and pushing one column within
a half-mile of Slovakia's southern
border.
The SovietS scored their biggest
triumph with the capture of the
Putnok railway station 81 miles
northwest of Miskolc. cutting the
last escape route left to the pocket
ed Germans in the Bukka noun
tainS.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18

The war department announced
Sunday night that Major General
Henry c. Pratt, commander of the
Western Defense Command, had
revoked the order barring the jap
anese Americans from the area be-
cause favorable progress of the Pa
cific war had removed the threat
OF enemy invasion.
The department emphasized that
Japanese-Americans whose loyalty
still is in doubt will continue to be
excluded, but appealed to west coast
residents to receive the others with
all the considerations to which
they are entitled as loyal citizens
and law-abiding resident
The interior department., whose
War Relocation Authority operates
camps for the evacuees, will soon
announce a program to carry out
gradual and orderly return" of
the loyal Japanese-Americans and
will continue efforts to re-settle
them in other parts of the country.
the war department said.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Yanks Move Up
On Mindoro:
Near AirfieId
ALLIED UARTERS

ALLIED HEADQUART TERS,
Philippines, Dec. 18. (UP)-The
liberation of the Philippines gained
momentum Monday with American
forces driving IL miles inland on
newly invaded Mindoro within 1870
miles of Manila and splitting the
Yamashita line on Leyte into three
disorganized segments in a powerful
offensive.
radio Tokyo said an American
fleet of considerable strength" had
been sighted in the Sulu sea south
of Mindoro and speculated that an
other amphibious landing was in
prospect. perhaps on Luzon, site OF
Manila and General Douglas Mac
Arthur's ultimate objective in the
PhilippinesD
MOVE ON AIRFIELD
American and Australian engi-
neers on Mindoro already were
rushing repairs to capture San Jose
airfield and building new air strips
on what General Douglas Macarthur
called excellent sites" to cover the
next phase of the Philippines cam
paign.
japanese resistance, both in the
air and on the ground, continued
negligible Apparently paralyzed by
the day-and-night raids en- their
Philippines airdromes by American
carrier and land-based planes, the
Japanese we're able to get few air.
craft off the ground and most OF
those were shot down.
American patrol planes strafed
and set afire a coastal vessel and
two small freighters off the north
east coast and damaged a third
freighter eff the east coast, but
there was no official indication
whether these were engaged In rein
forcing the Mindoro garrison.
TRAP TIGHTENS
On Leyte, come 300 miles south
cast of Mindoro, American forces
brought the final annihilation CT
10000 to $4,000 japanese trapped In
the northwest corner of the island
within sight with series OF surprise
attacks from the south and east.
The 77th division swung west OF
the battleline above Cogon, a mile
and a half north CT Ormoc, and ad-
vanced seven miles in wide flank
ing movement to within two miles
from Valencia, headquarters OF
Lieutenant General Sosaku Sazuki,
of the 35th japanese
army, and his staff
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Allies Advance
On Italy Front

ROME, Dec. 18. CUP - New
zealand, British and Italian units
CT the Eighth Army occupied posi-
t1or1s along the Senio river above
and below the main Rimini- Bologna
highway three miles beyond newly
captured Faenza Monday while to
the north Canadian troops pressed
to Dagnacavallo from bridgeheads
north and south of the city.
New Zealand engineers, who took
Fa enza, were removing BOBBY traps
and cleaning out isolated pockets of
Germans in northern districts of
the town
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
State Officials
Scan Job Phase
OF jap Internees

SACRAMENTO, Dec. 18. (UP)-
Consideration of the status OF 81
men and women Of japanese ances-
try whose employment with the
state was interrupted when they
were moved to relocation centers
probably will be reopened next
week by the state personnel board,
William K. Smith, executive Off
Ger, said Monday.
Charges seeking dismissal OF the
81 employees on grounds that their
loyalty to the government of the
United States ano the state was
questionable were filed early in 1912
but we're suspended by the person.
mel board January 20, 1914, until
after the war or to such sooner time
as the defendants are free to re-
turn and remain unrestricted in the
state of California"
The order Was stipulation be-
tween the attorney general, repre-
senting the personnel board, and
counsel for the Japanese Americans.
Smith said the matter may be
reopened when the personnel board
meets at Sacramento December 20
and 30.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18

For the second straight day great
air battles swirled over the First
army front. British Spitfires and
tempestS streaked down from the
2lst army group region to join in
the fight against the long-hoaro ed
Nazi fighters and bombers showing
up by the hundreds in support of
the offensive.
DOWN ENEMY PLANES
Field reports up to early after
noon said that the American and
British airmen had destroyed 90
German planes, probably downec'
three more, and damaged 13. Three
U. s. Thunderbolts were lost. The
Nazis lost 103 planes Sunday against
the Americans 80.
Along with his planes, Rundstedt
threw into his mad bull charge,
regarded as an all-or-nothing bid
to turn the First army,s line and
upset Eisenhower's winter offensive,
a vicious array of v-bombs and
paratroopers.
RIDING OUT NAZI BLOWS
Late field dispatches indicated the
Americans were riding the German
blow and putting up increasingly
stiff resistance as the initial shock
of the attack passed. First army
spokeSmen, admitting the gravity of
the Nazi push, said counter meas
ures already were being taken to
seal off the enemy penetration.
A strict security blackout permit
ted only the sketchiest details of
the enemy advance, but it was cvi-
dent that in the first 48 hours of
their offensive the Nazi gains were
being measured in miles at many
points.
A headquarters communique eai..
the German onslaught was mount
ing in weight and fury as the Nazi
high command hurled into battle
crack infantry and armored reserv-
es that apparently had been drawn
from the Wehrmacht's carefully
boarded strategic reserve.
The communique reported Cne
German spearhead had plunged
across the boroer into Belgium near
Honsfled, 2ls miles inside the from
tier and about 20 miles south of
Mcnschau. A second crossed into
Luxembourg some 80 miles farther
south below the border town of
Vianden, IA miles south of the Ger
man Belgian Luxembourg border
triangle. A third was inside Lux
embourg south of Echternach, 121.
miles south-southeast of Viancen.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Dairy Operator
Succumbs

Harry Davis, SIS, who operated a
dairy east of Calexico for several
years, died at his home at pm,
Sunday after a two weeks illness.
Survivors include three sons, Arth-
ur Davis, Post-Press circulation
manager; Wayne Davis of Rich
mond; and Donald Davis, who lived
on the ranch with his father.
Funeral services will be conducted
Wednesday at 2:30 pm. at Hens
funeral parlorS, CaleXico. The Rev.
George thinner, will officiate.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
VAz|S FORCE yANkS BACK ON WEST WALL
33 More jap
Ships Sunk
By u. s. Subs

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18. (UP)
American submarines have sunk
33 more japanese vessels, includ-
ing IL warships, in devastating
further sweeps against the enc
my's supply lines, the navy an
nOunced Monday.
The c0mbatant ships sunk were
one light cruiser, three destroy
ers, six escort vessels, one mine
sweeper, and one mine layer.
Enemy nom cOmbatant losses in
the latest submarine attacks were
two tankers, IL cargo vessels, and
two cargo transports.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Battle Ro9es in Athens:
BuIqors Join Greeks

A new complication arose. how
ever, with British and Greek gov
ernment charges that hundreds of
Bulgarians ha6 crossed the Bulgar-
ian frontier into Greek Macedonia
at the invitation of Elias to free"
Macedonia. They apparently we're
Bulgar army deserters.
In Athens itself, British para
troops launched the new offensive
with the capture of Monument hill
and its partly ruined marble mon-
ument to the second century King
Philopappos after an unopposed 400
yard advance to the southwest
from the Acropolis.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18

The statement was released by
Secretary of State EDWARD r. Stet-
tinius, Jr. at his regular press con-
ference. 1t reiterated the United
States previous stand for "a strong
free and independent Polish state
with the untrammeled right Of the
Polish people to order their inter-
nal existence as they see fit"
Referring to the United States
general policy that settlement OF
boundary questions should await
the end of the war, the statement
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Hodges Throws
I st Army into
i errific Fruv
First Nazi Countera++ack Carries
Foe Back into Belgian Country;
Battle Rases Along 70-Mile Front

PARIS, Dec. 18. (UP)-Lieutenant General Courtney
H Hodges unleashed his American First army counter
today against the biggest German offensive of
General Dwight D. Eisenhowers campaign, the
first impact of which carried the Germans several miles
across the Belgian and Luxembourg frontiers.
Dispatches from the fluid, 7O-mile battlefront said
doughboys had sprung to the task of sealing off
the penetratons of the American positions by Marshal
K II Gerd Rundsedts counteroffensve which plunged
at least three speahead into Belgium and Luxembourg
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18

AS Ell Centrans began hunting up
stored lighting facilities to renew
the custom of decorating their
homes and yarcs for the Yule sea-
son, each one reminded the other
that the time is short. AS has been
equipment on hand may
be used and attached to power out
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Downtown Firms
Refrain From
Using Yu|e Lights

Businessmen in downtown Ell Gen.
tro, after further consideration
have decided to give up any plans
for hanging Christmas lights over
streets or to go to any extent in
Yule lighting. Lack of time after
WPB directive lifted any request
10 refrain from Christmas decorat-
ing, was an element in the decision.
Further, the merchants ruled to
follow their first announcement to
forego the overhead decorations in
keeping with the plan adopted two
years ago respecting war efforts.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18

bombers ever western Germany to-
day, indicating that the round-the-
clock bombardment continued un-
abated.
The three formations OF Lancaster
and Halifax bombers smashing At
puisburg, Munich and Ulm by night
comprised one OF the most powerful
raiding fleets ever sent out by the
RfF
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Time Shortens
On yuIe Lights

lets where such outlets exist; that
no new installations are permitted
under wartime restrictions and that
new equipment is not available. For
these reasons, householders are do
ing miracles with the decorations
used in previous lighting up pro-
grams.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Raj Rains Bombs
On Munich, UIm

LONDON, Dec. l8. (UP)-More
than 1900 Royal Air Force heavy
bOmbers dumped about $3.50 tons of
explosives on Duisburg. Munich and
Ulm Sunday night in an assault on
Transportation centers supplying
German armies on the western
front.
Berlin broadcast reported Allied
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
u. 6. to Let other Nations
Settle Polish Boundaries

said this did not mean that certain
questions could not be settled by
friendly conference and agreement.
I'm the case of the future 'front.'
iers of Poland. If a mutual agree
ment is reached. by the United Ma
tions directly concerned" the state
ment said. this government would
have no objective to such an agree
nient which could make an essen
tial contribution to the prosecution
Of the war against the common
enemy"
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
(UP)-The United States in
a statement of policy on Po-
land Monday said it would
have no objection to settle
ment of the Polish h-Russian
boundary dispute before the
end of the war "if a mutual
agreement is reached by the
United Nations directly concerned"
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
WEATHER FORECAST

Scattered high clouds Monday
night, increasing Tuesday. Little
change in temperature with high
est daytime temperatures around
"a degrees. Lowest temperatures
at night 81 degrees to 81 degrees
in coolest spots. Slightly above 81
degrees in most areas.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
|. A. Mayor Cites
Likely Riots

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 18. (UP)--
City and county law enforcement
officials exhibited little enthusiasm
for the war department order re-
voking a mass ban against Japan
ese in the coast states, but they
pledged ito do the very best" to
keep law and order.
Mayor Fletcher Bowron, pointing
out the largest pre-war Japanese
population of America was con-
centrated in Los Angeles, said the
policy posed "a very serious ad-
ditional problem"
"If the Japanese come back and
start giving eviction notices to get
possession of their property we are
likely to have :. race riots the
mayor said.
Sheriff Eugene Biscailuz said he
would do his utmost to protect
life and property and work in close
cooperation with Governor Warren
in complying with the war depart
ment order"
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 18. (UP)
West coast residents prepared for
the return Of Japanese aliens ano
citizens of Japanese descent after
212 years of enforced absence, as
some California legislators predict
ed violence from lifting of mass
exclusion orders against the jap
aneSe.
However, Major General Henry
c. Pratt, acting commanding general
of the western defense command,
in announcing lifting of the 21a
year old mass exclusion orders late
yesterday said:
II expect some minor incidents
but nothing that will require mill
tary intervention"
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Say That Again

Say That Again
Patrolman Les Conn was gone
from headquarters a long period
several times in one night.
where in the world have you
been so long?" he was asked.
Its this way" said Conn.,, SHOW
ing his hat back on his head, i've
been sent after three women to-
night and 1 had to dress all three
of them"
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Ban on Jops' Return Ends:
Valley Officers Scan Act
General Pratt Revokes Order and
Releases All Loyal Evacuees;
Coast Cities Fear Open Outbreaks

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18. (UP)-After nearly 33 month
of exclusion in remote inland relocation American
of japanese ancestry whose loyalty has been concusve
established had the governments permission Monday t.
return to their homes the west coast.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
Under A Bushel-

Undcr n buSnC1-
A Swiss woman went to Red Cross
headquarters and left SIS for the
Ell Centre family which recently lost
their home and possessions in a
fire. She refused to give her name.
know how it is," she said. I'VE
lost everything in a fire once. I
want to help them,
Another of our good citizens thus
earns a desert lily bouquet.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
D AMBLlAe L:
EpoRTER
The Only Prospect

The On1y FTOSptCC-
Orval Walker sadly looked at a
sad looking gun he claimed as his
own since he couldn't get anyone to
buy 1t
I'm going to hunt up Santa
Claus Christmas Eve and offer to
sell him this gun," Walker said
He'll be a stranger in town and I
may have a chance to get rid of
it,"
Remember, Walker, Santa Claus is
a wiley old bird, too.
Imperial Valley press., 1944-12-18
WEATHER

Maximum Sunday 76, minimum
Monday 81; S am. Monday 40, hu-
midity 80; noon Monday IL, humid
ity II; pm. Sun. 20, humidity 81.