Evening star., 1944-07-07
Civilians on Saipan
Promised Sanctuary
Il They Surrender
~ the Associated Press.

PACIFIC FLEET HEADQUAR-
TIERS, Pearl Harbor, July IT,
American forces, closing in for
the kill on Japanese troops poo
keted on Northern Sapian, today
offered the 10 900 to $4,000 civil-
ians trapped with them an ave-
nue. to surrender.
Associated Press Correspondent
Rembert James reported from the
Western Pacific island that Ameri-
can commanders decreed that q sim
gle highway could be used by the
civilians to come into the American
lines.
Already about 1000 japanese
civilians have been interned by the
Marine and Army forces which have
cornered the Japs on saipans
northern tip. The enemy soldiers
seemed determined on q desperate
last stand, doomed though they
were.
Among the civilians still hiding
out were japanese business owners
government omcials and white
collar workers and their families
Mr.. James estimated their number
at from 10000 to $4,000.
Complete Safety Promised.
The American commanders, de-
livering their offer Of surrender by
word Of mouth and through pam
phlets dropped from planes and shot
from mortars, promised water, food
and complete safety to those accept
ing.
Meantime" Mr.. James wrote
Marines and Army forces pushed
in to destroy the remnants OF de-
Tending forces under circumstances
In which no one could doubt that
the end Of military operations was
In sight"
Elsewhere, the Western Pacific
drive rolled on with q new invasion
800 miles from the Philippines and
the sinking of five more enemy
ships by carrier task force planes
within 600 miles Of Toxic.
The new landing brought nearer
the fall Of Japan's last airfield on
Noemfoor, of North Dutch New
Guinea.
Jap Ship Losses Put at 50.
The new sinkings raised enemy
ship losses to 58 since the United
States 5th Fleet moved into the
Marianas June 10 to help crack
Japans inner defense line at Saipan
Enemy plans for q bloody, drawn
out defense Of the only airfield they
still hold on invaded Noemfoor re-
ceived a severe jolt by the latest
amphibious operation of Gen. Dou-
glas MacArthur's men.
Covered by warships and planes
the Yanks swept unopposed on tc
tiny Manim islet and set up artillery
to shell Namber Airfield J mile.
away on Noemfoor's west coast. In
a lightning operation, invaders from
reef-climbing landing craft and sky
transports previously had overrur
the other two airflelds on Noemfoor
The five newly-announced sinking,
added to . debacle suffered by the
Japanese when . task force moved
between saipan and Japan earlier
this week to shell and bomb thu
Volcano and BONN Islands.
Air Losses Increased.
In a Thursday communiuue
Admiral Chester w. Nimitz disclosed
that the two-day operation was ex.
tended to Chichi Jima In the Bonins
where two enemy destroyer escorts
an oiler, an ammunition ship and {
cargo vessel were sunk. He alst
added to previously announced jap.
anese air losses nine more plane,
shot down and three damaged 4,
Haha Jima.
These additions made the tota
Jap losses in the Volcano and Bonir
groups for the two days: 10 ship,
definitely sunk, including ; destroy.
ers previously reported; 6 shin
probably sunk, more than 20 ship,
damaged; 73 planes definitely sho'
down, Is planes probably downed
and ~ planes destroyed or damaged
on the ground
Admiral Nimitz's amphficatior
added 7 more planes to the Ameri.
can losses, making a total Of l6 fol
the two days.
Since June 10, japanese air losses
related to the SaipAn operation tota
S35 as against the loss of l68 Amer.
lean planes and lot men.
Pagan and Guam Raided.
The Thursday communique made
clear that aircraft carriers of TIN
5th Fleet-a powerful naval force
which has been in the Western Pa.
ciflc far from home base for nearly
month-are maintaining domina.
ton Of the air throughout the Mar
ianas.
Pagan in the Northern Marianas
was pounded July 4 by carrier planes
which went after An airfield. Guam
on the southern end Of the Mari
anas. was hit the same day by car
rier planes which set afire barracks
and supply facilities.