Wilkes-Barre Sunday Independent

              A Paper For The Home
SUNDAY INDEPElSfDENT
The Weather
Rain, colder.
\
38TH YEAR, NO. 2-44 PAGES
WILKES-BARRE, PA., SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1943
PRICE TEN CENTS
BIG JAP CRUISER SUNK, OTHERS ARE DAMAGED
Stalin Says 2nd Front   Not Far off
Mines May Bill U.S. To Meet Pay Increase
It was indicated last night the anthracite operators were prepar¬ ing to bill the United States gov¬ ernment for extra pay allowed the miners. It was pointed out that working orders (or holidays this year were given by the government and not the mines and. In addition, that the recent contract providinjt for a boost in pay was made with the miners by the government and not by the mining companies. It was stated also that no provision had been made for Increases in coal prices to meet the added cost of production.
The lack of general understand¬ ing as to just what the new con¬ tract W'lll provide made it Impos¬ sible last night to get an accurate estimate of how much the oper¬ ators will claim. Some sources, however. Indicated a belief that the sum would be close to $5,000,000.
Uhe a Hubeldy
It would be In the nature of a subsidy—acquired In an unusual manner—but in eflect serving the
same purpose as direct subsidies granted other industries. It would serve as a means of providing greater income for the industr>-. In the form of more Income for the workers, withoift adding to the cost of the product to the consumers.
The anthracite mdustry employs approximately 70.000 persons. Under the provisions of the pact between the government and John L. L«wis, International president of the United Mine Workers, earh em¬ ployee Is given 64 cents more per day retroactive to May 1, when the agreement between the coal operators and tbe mine union lead¬ er  expired.
On the basis of 70,000 employees, the retroactive wage Increase would amount to $448,000 per day If a twenly-flve-day month whs maintained for the past six months the total would be 16.720,000. Thnt figure, however, is high, as allow¬ ance must be made for manpowi/' losses due to sickness, accidents and various other causes. It Is In- (Contlnued on Pag* A-11)
Low-Altitude Bombing Of Vatican
By Radio from City
Serious Damage to Buildings, Relics; Recall Warning of German Terror Act
By IMTED PRESS
A lone, low-flying plane of un¬ identified nationality dropped four bombs on Vatican City Fr'day night, the Vatican radio announced Saturday following Axis claims that the Vatican had been bombed by the Allies
In a broadcast heard by govern¬ ment monitors, the Vatican said there were no casualties but that "there was a direct hit of grave consequences: The roof of the mosaic workshops collapsed despite Its thickness"
"The blast also caused serious dsmage to the Governor's Palace, fo all buildings facing the Plszza Santa Maria and to many windows of the Vatican Basilica. Inrluding the window by Bernini," it said, quoting an article In the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano. Hit Near Reservoir
The broadcast aaid the bombs fell near the water reservoir, be¬ tween the Oovernor's Church and another building on the mosaic workshops and at the top of the rise leading to the Piazza Santa Maria near the palace of the Car¬ dinal President.
It said the bombs were dropped at 8:10 p. m. Friday "from a plane that was seen flying for some time at  a low  altitude."
"The Basilica was closed this mnrninfc iSaturdny)." the broad¬ cast said. "The occurrence caii.seri deep consternation In Rome this morning and lane groups gathered near Vatican CICty throughout tho morning, commenting on the sad event with  sincere  emotion.
"Ever since 10:30 n. m., and even before, large crowds gathered in the Piazza San Pletro and impro¬ vised demonstrations of devotion to the Holy Father (presumably Pope Plus XII) who repeatedly came to the window of his private library Messing and thanking the faithful for their spontaneous token of affection, "Deplore VIolaHon"
"Wc deeply deplore the violation of the Vatican state of neutrality, w-hich,  acknowledged   by  all.   safe¬ guards the fatherly universal  mls- fContlnued on Page A-5)
WLB AND OPA FEAR WAGE FORMULA IS IN DIRE DANGER'
Cite Raise Demands, Fight on Subsidies; Depends on Congress
Washington, Nov. «. (UP)—The VN'ar Labor Board and the Offlce of Price Administration warned to¬ night that the Little Steel wage stabilization formula is in dire danger.
The WLB indicated that it might have to revise the formula unless living costs are rolled back to Sept. 15 1942 levels, and Price Adminis¬ trator Chester Bowles asserted that the formula may have to be aban¬ doned If Congress, as it seems bent upon doing, kills food subsidies. Bowles added that if the anti- subsidy farm bloc has its way, food prices will shoot up.
The Labor Board's warning was Indirectly voiced by Ciinirman Wil¬ liam H. Davis in a letter to Vice President Henry A. Wallace, ac- (Continued on Page A-11)
-p^
And Tfyere's No Privacy
Red Premier A^my Joins Navy Planes
In Daring Carrier Raid
This RAF airman thought h* liad that wooden tuk, besides sn ancient well on an Italian farm, all to himself. Then a camera¬ man came along and discovered him. However, th* deluxe soaking the airman laid out for himself continues despite prying kibitzers.
Three Drives Are Pointed af Rome
Prantit Germans Rush in Aid As Last Point of Line Palls
By HARRISON SAUSBUBY
Allied Headquarters, Algiers, Nov. 6. (UP)—Allied troops pointed three spearheads at Rom* tonight from less than 80 miles distant iftcr capturing the last strongholds of the shattered "Little Rommel Une" and the frantic Nazis rushed a full fresh division to their ihaken Italian front.
While the British Eighth Army smashed into Vasto, the enemy's Adriatic anchor. Fifth Army troops seized Venafro on the central front In a sharp battle and Lt.j strong Mt, Aurunel line would be Gen. Mark W. Clark's vanguard! necessary to gain access to the on the Gulf of Gaeta waded acrossjcampagna di Roma, the famous the Garigliano River to knife intol Roman low country. The Germans the Germans' latest line. had  flooded the  north  side  of the
^Vith still another Fifth Army Garigliano valley and there were column  punching Into  Nazi moun- unconfirmed reports they had Inun.
tain   defenses  around   Mignano,  17 miles from the Gulf of Gaeta. the three-way   Allied   drive   on   Rome was developing as follows: Big Allark Due
1.—Along    the    Gulf    of    Gaeta. where   a   frontal   assault   on    the
dated the Pontine Marshes, 30 miles to the northwest, as well.
2.—In the Mignano area, where If
th*   Fifth   Army   could   once   cut
through the mountain passes to the
Sacco valley it would have 30 miles
(Continued on Page A-ID
First Blow at Balkans
RAP, Navy, Guerrillas Surprise Germans at Duraxzo
fn Today's Issue
(lasslfled -...B—II
Editorial .._ C—2
>lovles J*—1»
Social     „. A—16
Sports    _,„,^.-..,« B—I
Radio A—It
Outdoor   »_..™,.^,-.».,....,A—«•
>„!i,'t>j|".*L,iT\ 1.
By HI':NRV T, fiORRELL
Aboard the Flagship of a Britiith Destroyer Flotilla off Durazzo, Nov. 3. (Delayed)—(UPi—Albanian gunrrlllHs slipped Inside German coastal ball cries at Durazzo today and beheaded the Nazi gunners. They cleared the way for un unin¬ terrupted British warship bombard¬ ment that pounded the big Axis- held Albanian scaiiort to a pulp.
This flotilla raced In under flares dropped by the Royal Air Force and set Durazzo ablaze with a 25-mlnute bombardment at point- blank range. Then we retired with¬ out drawing a shot from the sur¬ prised German garrison. Watrrfront Disappeared
From my vantage point on the bridge of HMS Qjilliam. flagship of the British squadron. I watched the waterfront area disappear in a burst of flame and debris as the broadside opened.
Under the flarej and the flames of warehouses, I could see Orman staff officers running along the shor* In their underwear, shouting
H<>nry T. (jorrell nt the I'nited PreNs was thr only American rorreniwndrnt aboard the flag¬ ship of a Rrltish destroyer fle;t which collaborated with flare- dropping RAF planes and itnlfe and club wielding Albanian |Mirtl- sans in a iHilvrrizIng assault upon the Axis Adriatic imrt of Dursaza.
(iorrrll han been covering wars since Ihe Mpanlsh t ivil War In which Italiana saved hini from execution by >loorish captors. Later the Fascist government ex¬ pelled him from Italy for dis¬ closures of frauds involving high party leaders.
In the present war he has covered thr desert fighting and was decorated with thr Air .Medal for bravery by order nf Prrsidrnt Roosevelt durins thr flrst Ameri¬ ran raid on Axis-hrld tin-clan port*.
orders and cursing the decapitated bodies of the gunners draped over their batteries. Thanks to ths efficiency of  th*
Says Turkey Giving Allies Island Bases
Badoglio Reports Diplomatic Victory; Would Provide Way To Attacl( Greece
Seesjfictory
1,800,000 Germans Killed in Past Year; Gives Proof of United Nations Unity
By JOSEPH W. ORIGO
London, Nov. 6. (UP)Marshal Premier Joseph Stalin, in a victory speech on the eve of the 26th anni¬ versary of the Red revolution, said tonight that the opening of a "real second front" in Europe "is not far off" and that Germany now stands face to face with catastrophe. Mos¬ cow previously had reported the fall of Kiev, leaving a long road to the west open. (Story on Page A-3).
Speaking calmly and confidently for 39 minutes before a meeting of Moscow workers, Stalin, In his ca¬ pacity of chairman of the state de¬ fense committee, said that present operations of Allied armies in southern Europe could not yet be regarded as a second front, al¬ though "nevertheless this is some¬ thing like it."
"It is clear," he said, "that open¬ ing of a real second front in Europe, which Is not far off, will considerably speed up victory over Hitlerite Germany. And it will coa solidate still further the alliance of the Allies with the U.S.S.R."
Fascist Myth •Shattered" Th* defeat of German armies in
Russia   and   th*   Anglo-American
blows   being   hurled   against   the
Nazis in Italy hav* "shattered the
structure    of    th*   Fascist    myth
whrdh   now   la   crumbling   before
our eyes," Stalin said. "Fascist  Germany,"  he  said,  "is
suffering an acute crisis and stands
face to fac» with catastrophe." The Moscow conferences,  Stalin
said, gav* "shining proof of firm
relations, between  Russia  and  the
great Allied powers" and new the
United Nations have fully decided
to   deal   concerted   blows   to   the
enemy."   He warned, however, that
"great exertions" still will be neces¬ sary by the Allies before final vic¬ tory is achieved. Stalin also revealed that: 1.—Finland,   Hungary,   Rumania
and other of Hitler's vassal states
are now trying to find a way out
of the war—"taking to the bushes
and trying to find a favorable mo-i
ment to slip away unnoticed from
the robber giant."
2.—The Germans lost more than „ ... ,   ^     v ,.    , ,      ^    „ _
4.000,000 offlcers and men in Ru»sla|Brtu,h bombers attacking German- during the past year-1.800,000 of; held inlands of the Aegean, Islands them killed. In addition. Red I which afford stepping stones to- arms  destroyed  more  than    U.OOO »'«''a Greece
2 Destroyers Hit, 24 Planes; Tokyo Claims 2 Carriers but U,S, Says No Losses Suffered
By V'MTED PRESS
The Barl radio, station of Mar shal Pletro Badoglio's Italian gov ernment, said Saturday that "it is already  agreed  that Turkey    will cede a number of important bases to the Allies,"   The broadcast was reported by FCC monitors.    It as scrted  that  the German    govern¬ ment has recalled its envoys from Ankara and Lisbon.
Cession of Turkish bases was on the "same basis as the Azores," said the Barl broadcast. Bases in the Axores were granted Britain by Portugal under terms of a treaty of long standing. Turkey haa a treaty or friendship with Britain.
London Saj-s Nothing
Official circles In London said they had "no knowledge that Brit¬ ain   had   l>een  granted   bases"
Th*» diplomatic correspondent of the Sunday Dispatch wrote he had learned "definitely that Turkey is willing to grant bases to the Brit¬ ish—not to the Allies as a who'e but to the British in view of the existence of an Anglo-Turkish alli¬ ance. Granting of such bases would, however, be for general use of the Allies."
Anthony Eden, British foreign secretary, has been conferring in Cairo with Turkey's foreign minis¬ ter. Numan Menemencioglu. report¬ edly to give details of decisions reached at the Moscow tripartite conference. Stepping Stone* to Greece
Bases in Turkey presumably would include airfields upon which to   base   fighter   planes   escorting
planer more than 25,000 tanks and
40,000  guns.
Nasi >lilllary Hopes Gone
S.—Germany finally has loat Its hopes for victory and Its troops now are concerned with how they can flee Russia with their own lives,
4.—Allied participation in the European war cannot yet be re¬ garded as a "second front" but it already is something In the nature of a second  front.
5,—The Allies are now fully de¬ termined to wage a common fight (Continued on Page A-10)
The CJerman news agency DNB asserted In a broadcast that the British newg agency Reuters had carried a report that the Allies might ask Turkey to cede air bases, and If necessary demand that ahe enter the war on the Allied side. It said Menemencioglu probably would be back in Ankara Saturday or Sunday, and the results of the British-TurkLsh talks may be an¬ nounced Tuesday, when the parlia¬ mentary group of the Turkish People's Party meets.
Frit/, von Papen. veteran Nazi (Continued on Page A-10)
Allied Headquarters, Southwest Pacific (Sunday) Nor. T (t'P)—An aircraft carrier force from Admiral William F. Hal^^ey's command moved under the enemy's very noM Friday in the most daring naval move yet made in tha South Pacific, to join forces m ith .\rmy bombers from New Guinea and deliver a smashing blow against the Japanese stronghold at Rabaul, New Britain, reports from the South Pacific revealed today.
It was the flrst time Navy planes from the South Pacific had joined with the Army airmen for a concentrated attack, and the bold naval maneuver was carried out without damage to the task force in a surprise strike at the enemy.
At least one heavy cruiser was sunk in the raid, while five heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and two destroyers were damaged in the raid. In addition, 24 Japanese fighters were shot down.
There was no mention ef any battleships or airctvft carriers in the Japanese forces trying to reinforce RabauL It was recalled, however, that Gen. Douglas MacArthur told correspondents before the American iMarine landings on Bougainville Island that the amphibious forces were sup* ported by enough naval units to tempt the Japanese battle fleet out of hiding.
Tlie Allied planes, striking at the enemy's key base for operations in Uie Soutli and Southwest Pacific battle zone, scored iiits on five enemy cfuisers at Rabaul and shot down '24 Japanese fighters.
Just 150 miles to tlie north, a Japanese cruiser at Kavieng, New Ireland Island, was sunk Thursday night, Gen. Douglas MacArthur's Sunda,v communique announced. Eight cruisers and two destro.veis were hit in all by torpedoes or bombs in tlie attack, tlie communique reported. One cruiser was seen to explode.
Vi\e heavy cruisers and a light cruiser were sti-uek by both torpedoes and bombs in the first sweep over the harbor by Navy planes from llalsey's forces. A sixth heavy cruiser and the two destroyers were hit by torpedoes and bombs smashed another light cruiser.
Army planes followed with an attack on the town and waterfront installations. Liberator bombers with fighter escort made up tiie Army force w hile Avenger and Dauntless torpedo and dive-bombers and figiiters were included in the Nav.v group.
Washington had no comment on Japanese broadcasts asserting tliat two American aircraft carriers and four other
warships had been sunk in a new engagement in the Bougainville area
Japs Claini : Carrier*
(Tokyo broadcasts heard by United Pres.s in San Francisco as¬ serted that Japanese planes sank a large aircraft carrier, a medium- sized one^ two heavy cruisers and two vessels, either cruisers or heavy destroyer.', in an air-sea battle off Bougainville Friday night. It said Japanese losses were three planes of 18 participating.
(Berlin broadcast a different ver¬ sion of apparently the same engage, ment.     A   Berlin   voice   broadcast
BARUCH WILL PLAN
Albanian knife and club artists who cleared the way for the bom¬ bardment, the bewildered staff offi¬ cers were unable to reorganize port defenses until we were miles away on our homeward run.
Then They Fired
Then we heard German anti-air¬ craft batteries blazing away at the now-empty skies. The Quilliams crew hooted derisively at the Nazis' belated display of ferocity One of the seamen suggested the (Germans were firing their flak bat¬ teries to impress the populace of Durazzo.
This was the flrst major AIIIsl" blow struck at the Germans in the Balkans with the co-operation of the guerilla armies. The Albanian Robin Hoods who slaughtered the Nazi gunners did a perfect job.
Apparently they had made things lively for the surprised Germans before w* opened flre, beheading the artillerymen with their long mountain knives, clubbing sentries (Continued on Pac* A-S)
War  Summarj
Is Given Authority
To Formulate Policies
Of Procurement Agencies;K ^^>, \^-^:'^3i^Xsd";-a'„'d*
  I that   three   aircraft   carriers,   on*
War large and two medium-sized wer* hit by aeri.ll torpedoes and sunk. ThU broadcast said four other war¬ ships were sunk.
(A later Transocean News Agency
With the task of eliminating the Japanese navy considered in some quarters the biggest job now con¬ fronting the Allies, reports from the big maneuvers In the Pacific were closely watched last night. Latest reports Indicated that a daring sneak attack had been made by an American carrier force, with Army planes joining Naval planes for the first time. One big Japanese cruiser was definitely sunk, seven others were damaged, as were two destroyers. In addition, 24 Japanese planes were  downed.
It   wa-i    uncertain    whether   al'
Washington, Nov. «. (UP) Mobilization Director James F Byrnes tonight turned over to the nation's No. 1 troubleshooter, 73- year-old Bernard M. Barueh, the tough  and highly controversial Job transmiHio'n"put"^AnTed"losses at a
up vast possibilities  for new Rus- °f .ft"-!"'''"* ""' government s niulti- ,„edium stied  aircraft carrier, twa
slan    drives   Into    Poland,   Stalin, '"'"""-d"""  Procurement program
to the constantly changing strateg pointing    to    signs    of    complete j^.^, ^^^^1^^^,^,,^, „f ^^^ ^.^^ ^jf^^j
United Nations unity, viewed thei Byrnes made the industrial vet- collapse of the German armed.eran of World War I chief of a war forces. He told of the terrible toll! mobilization unit authorized "to taken     by     the     Russians,     with I deal with war and postwar adjust-
and     two    light
l,8(X),0OO Germans reported killed In the past year. He said the Reds were stronger now than when the war started and gave credit to American  supplies.
With three spearheads pointed at Rome, the Allies continued to gain in   Italy,   where   the   last   strong
reports from the naval action were! points   of   the   (German   line   were
in—or even if the action had becfi completed. No mention was maf'e of  battleships.   It  was  hoped   that
taken. The Nazis rushed In anothei division but were unable to hold. .   .   .   The   Vatican   confirmed   the
the grave  threat to Rabaul would  bombing   report   and   told   of   con- - - sidersble   damage.     Berlin   hiamed
lure Isrge sections of the Japa¬ nese na\-y out to fight. They have much at stake.
With th* fall  ef Kiev,  opening
the Allies but Britain recalled a warning th t the Germans were ready to use raptured British bombs for Just such a purpose.
ment problems and to develop uni¬ fied programs and polirics to be pursued by the various agencies of government."
In his new capacity, Barueh will concern himself with revision of! war contracts as dictated by "the| changing requirements of our wirl strategy," Byrnes said, and also| will deal with problems arisiuj: 1 from termination of coiilracls dur-' ing and after hostilities. |
Calls fleeting for Tuesday i
The  man  who  headed   the   War
Industries   Board   In   the  last  war
and brought order Into the chaotic
rubber  situation   in   this  one.   will
(C^ntlnusd en Pa(* A-10)
iieavy     cruisers cruisers.
'Tokyo which previously had said five enemy warships were lost Mon¬ day night south of Bougainville— tne *amc number of vessels which an Allied communique said wer* (Continued on Page A-11)
BOMBS FALL ON LONDON, 5 PERSONS KILLED
London, (Sunday.) N'ov. 7. (UP)— Scattered German raiders crossed the southeast coast of England twice last night and early today, and one enemy plane dived low over the London area, dropping twa bombs that killed five persons.
London's anti-aircraft guns went into action during the brief alert and the raiders wer* driven ott quickly.
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