Newspapers / Wilmington Morning Star (Wilmington, … / Dec. 10, 1940, edition 1 / Page 1
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'TjJJJly Leased Wire Of The Dedicated To The Progress Of e ASSOCIATED PRESS WILMINGTON ^ith Complete Coverage of And Southeastern North Stale and National News Carolina ___ WILMINGTON, N. C., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1940 ,_FINAL EDITION_ESTABLISHED 1867 Capture 1,000 Men And Kill Their Leader Action Possibly H e r a 1 d i Full-Fledged Offensive Against Fascists IN SIDI BARRANI AREA British Armored Units Have Been Probing Italy’s De fenses For Weeks BY EDWARD KENNEDY WITH BRITISH FORCES IN Egypt, Dec. 9.—(IP)—Britain's armor ed desert fighters, striking at dawn with new and sudden fury against Italy’s invaders in Egypt, captured 1,000 prisoners by nightfall, killed their commanding officer and seized his assistant, the British command announced tonight as the fighting went on. This "great raid’’ against Marshal Graziani’s legions in the Sidi Bar rani region, 70 miles from Libya’s frontiers, possibly heralded the full fledged offensive against Italy be cause of its gearing with Italian re verses at the hands of the Greeks ip Albania. Fighting Still Rages Fighting still swirled south of Sidi Barrani late tonight, and more Ital ian prisoners were being rounded up, the British said. An Italian camp at Mabeya, a few miles south of Sidi Barrani, the coast al base the Italians occupied three months ago, yielded 500 prisoners, the British said. That many more were reported captured about 30 miles from the coast. This attack, on the Italian right flank, apparently was the main thrust and other British units surged around it and pressed on westward behind the Italian advance lines. The staff of Lt.-Gen. Sir Archi bald P. Wavell, commander of Brit ain’s middle eastern forces, gave no indication as to how extensive the operation would become, but show ed high pleasure at the first day’s results. The number of prsioners taken in a single day’s fighting per ' haps was the best gauge of the ex tent of the combat. Probe Defenses For weeks British armored units > have been probing Italy’s defenses, even employing camels in one ex tended operation deep into Italian Libyan sands. Many observers believed today’s blow was the beginning of operations - designed to trap the main Italian - body c troops at coastal Sidi Bar t rani—a strike made while Premier i Mussolini Juggled his high command. "Following Italy’s debacle in Al s bania at the hands of the Greeks it’a evident that the moment has „ been well chosen to make Marshal * (Continued on Page Two; Col. 4) ~“ , NAZIS SAY FIRES ; RAGING IN LONDON ' Claim Flames Engulf Blocks 5 Of Houses, Grain Eleva tors, Warehouses y 7 3 t - t BERLIN, Dec. 9.—».?P)—“A great - glowing sea of fire" that engulfed . blocks of houses and grain elevators - and warehouses was left by German i bombers in their mightiest assault on - London, the German high command 1 declared today. The 12-hour raid last night show 5 ered 700 tons of high explosives and 5 100 tons of fire-bombs on government - buildings, oil storage tanks, grain - elevators and warehouses, the com t munique said. The news agency, DNB, quoted re ' turning pilots as having counted at . least 40 major fires started within two hours after beginning the raid which other informed sources said shattered the defenses of London. As these claims were made, the candid admission that the steel pro (Continued on Page Two; Col. 3) ★ ★ * ★★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★ Greeks Also Take Several Vital Peaks Athens’ Men Now Hold Ap proximately Fifth Of Al bania’s Territory PUSHING TWIN DRIVE Greeks Organize Double Campaign Against Key City Of Valona ATHENS, Dec. 9.—(fl—The en tire Italian right wing behind the Greek-occupied port of Porto Edda has been put to flight and a whole series of strategically important peaks in the northern sector of the front has been captured by the Greeks, a government spokes man declared tonight. The spokesman said that the Italian right wing had been put to flight since yesterday noon. The Greek warriors with a fifth of Albania’s territory behind them, were making a vast twin drive against the Italian armies between them and the port of Valona, the city they expect to ’^e their next big prize. Congratulated By King King George addressed his con gratulations to Greek commanders and soldiers, declaring he was “full of joy for the occupation of Argirocastro and proud of the new brilliant victories of my army.” Occupation of Argirocastro was a “victory both of great military and moral importance,” he said. The government spokesman said “in the north the enemy has been compelled to abandon important strategic positions and withdraw in full flight after fierce attacks by our troops. If the enemy was able to avoid annihilation it was due to bad weather.” The flight of Italians was gen eral along the entire front he de clared. Passing Argirocastro, last of Italy’s Southern Albanian bases (Continued on Page Two; Col. 6) RVEOFTWELVE ESCAPEES CAUGHT Four Who Fled From Prison Camp Near Taylorsville Nabbed Near Newton RALEIGH, Dec. 9.—(TP)—Four of 12 convicts who escaped yesterday from a state prison camp near Tay lorsville were captured near Newton tonight by Sheriff Ray Pitts of Ca tawba county, a brother of Penal Superintendent Oscar Pitts. The men were taken without a fight at a filling station on the out skirts of the town, after Penal Super intendent Pitts informed his brother, the sheriff, that he had information the fugitives were hiding somewhere in Catawba county. Two deputies aided Sheriff Pitts in making the capture. (Continued on Page Two; Col. 8) WEATHER FORECAST North Carolina: Fair, warmer Tues day ; partly cloudy, cooler northwest portion. (By TT. S. Weather Bureau) (Meteorological da*a for the 24 hours ending 7:30 p. m. yesterday). Temperature 1:30 a. m. 42; 7:30 a. m. 38; 1:30 p. m. 52; 7:30 p. m. 46; maximum 54; mini mum 37; mean 46; normal 50. Humidity 1:30 a. m. 76; 7:30 a. ra. 75; 1:30 p. m. 53; 7:30 p. m. 66. Precipitation Total for 24 hours ending 7:30 p. m. &00 inches. Total since first of the month 0.29 inches. Tides For Today (From Tide Tables published by U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey). High Low Wilmington_ 6:20a 1:07a 6 Alp 1 Alp Masonboro Inlet_ 4:23a 10 Ala 4 A2p 10:50p Sunrise 7:07a; sunset 5:03p; moon rise 2:34p; moonset 3:07a. I River stage at Fayetteville, N. C., at 8:00 a. m., Dec. 6, 9.6 feet. (Continued on Page Two; Col. 7) -- " ■■ — ———— — — - Take A Good Look At This —F vc^V^ -C^ere Long -—- >v d? .a K<y Here’s the 40 by 40 feet railroad station, unused for years, that is m the center ol Molly Kidge, a village oi za per ms that will soon become a city of more than 20,000 when the Army’s anti-aircraft training base moves in. Work of roparing the camp to house the first arrivals is expected to start soon. Meanwhile, this sleepy little Onslow county tillage dozes by the fire and dreams of when it will be two-thirds as large as Wilmington. (Additional photos by Staff Photographer Hugh Humphrey on page three)* _____* • -—- * COURT MAY CLEAR STATUS OF ASCAP Tribunal Agrees To Review Litigation Between So* ciety And Nebraska WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.—(2P)—The rapreme court today promised a de •ision which may clarify the legal tans of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publish es (ASCAP), whose current dispute 'ith the broadcasting companies hreatens to bar all its music from he air. The tribunal agreed to review liti (aiion betkeen ASCAP and the state if Nebraska in which this issue irose: Is ASCAP a legitimate organiza ien of song-writers and composers tailed to protect their rights under he copyright law and to provide a Metical collection agency for royal IContinued on Page Six; Col. 6) War Interpretive BY KIRKE L. SIMPSON the fact that British forces in %Pt have launched an attack on ;re stalled Italian invading army s of greater consequence than the Present scope of the operation. Despite the disposition in Lon on to class it as a “local” action, British reports from Egypt ■ J of contact between advancing r‘llsh forces and the enemy ‘‘on woad front” and of the capture ^inued on Page Two; Col. 3) Tiny Holly Ridge Ready For Role As Boom Town AWAITS 20,000 MEN Army Will Transform Com munity Into City Larger Than Goldsboro BY SAM RAGAN HOLLY RIDGE, Dec. 9.—How would you like to see a city of more than 20,000—that’s about two thirds the size of Wilmington and larger than Goldsboro—before it ever came into being. That’s what I did here today. There wasn’t much to see—two stores, a little railroad station and seven houses in which live the town’s seven families and the en tire population of 28. Not much to look at, you might say, and Alladin and his Magic Lamp in the form of Uncle Sam’s Army were not on the scene to day. But in about three months the vanguard of the 20,000 men that will make up the Army’s $9, 000,000 anti-aircraft training base will move in and a city that right now is almost beyond imagination will be under way. Real Enough It was just like sitting on the scene of a gold rush that will start tomorrow and knowing that it will happen and wondering just what it will be like. For you have to stretch your imagination mighty hard to see a large city growing up out of the straggly pines, water grass and loose sands that stretch as far as the eye can see on all (Continued on Page Three; Col. 3) Construction Of Fort Bragg Center Started FORT BRAGG, Dec. 9.—(/re construction began here today on the field artillery' replacement center which will house 16,500 soldiers. It will cost approxi mately $9,000,000. The 470 build ing project is expected to be com pleted in March. EMPTY STOCKING DONATIONS SLOW Christmas Only 15 Days Off But Total Is Far Behind 1939 Figure Only 15 days remain until Christ mas and the Empty Stocking fund is again lagging behind former years, with total contributions to date being only $293.43. The largest contribution made yesterday was $25 by Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Stone. The sponsors of the fund have renewed their appeal for donations so that no child m Wilmington and New Hanover county will be overlooked when Santa Claus makes his annual rounds. Within this section there are thousands of unfortunate children who will know not the joys oJ Christmas unless they are provid ed for by the Empty Stocking (Continued on Page Two; Col. 4) MORGENTHAU AND PHILLIPS CONFER Are Expected To Discuss The Facts Of Britain’s Financial Condition WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.—(£>)—Sir Frederick Phillips, undersecretary of the British treasury, was invited to Secretary Morgenthau’s home to night to present in private the facts o' Britain’s financial position. But Morgenthau said in advance that he had “not been authorized to make any commitments’’ on exten sion of credits or other aid to Eng land and that no statement would be available after the conference. The American treasury chief said that the administration had not “made up its mind yet” on the ques tion of British assistance and that Sir Frederick was merely presenting the “facts” of his country's resour ces and war expenses. Morgenthau added that the British had made no “formal or informal” request for financial help. He would not comment on recent statements cf British needs by Lord Lothian, Brit ish ambassador. Sir Frederick had been scheduled to present a “balance sheet” of Br " - ish resources and the cost of upplies in the United States at the treasury department during the day but this appointment was cancelled in favor of the night session at Morgenthau’s home. In the senate meanwhile, Senator Holt (D-WVa) said Phillips was “an other Cornwallis.” The English man, he added, was a director <f the : Royal Insurance Co., Lt., and the (Continued on Page Two; Col. 2) British bombers raid german y b IMPORTANT SUB BASE AT BORDEAUX LONDON, Dec. 9—UP)—British umbers dropped tons of high Plosive bombs on the Bor eaux lair 0f German U-boats 3 “lch raid Atlantic shipping ' P°ssibly scored direct hits some submarines moored at e main work dock, it was ported tonight. The pilots are certain that heavy high explosive “#*bs feu close t0 if not on ,“"marines at the dock,” the i» fmistry news service said tai.Us report of last night’s hy the Royal Air Force “ermanv's war machine. Other RAF bombers caused “great destruction” at Dues seldorf, Germany’s second most important steel center, it de clared, and raided the subma rine base at the German-oc t cupied French Port of Lorient, the harbors of Brest, Flush ing, Dunkerque and Gravelines, and “several enemy a i r dromes.” The news service said the Germans were using Bordeaux as a base for submarine at tacks in the Atlantic in “their much advertised ‘new phase of war.’ ”_' .. _ •___ (This was taken to mean Germany’s declaration of a stringent blockade of Britain by air and sea.) Describing the attack by a “strong force” of RAF bomb ers, the news service said they tackled “this new phase of the attempted blockade as they did the phase of projected invas ion.” (The British have said the RAF broke up Hitler’s invas ion armada by concentrated and prolonged attacks on the continental ports.) , Many DomDers xouna me main work dock where German submarines were moored along the dock wall, the service’s bulletin declared. It added the returning pilots believed that lock gates were hit when a large number of bursts was followed by a “shattering ex plosion” at the entrance to the docks. One explosion lit the interior of a plane flying well over 11, 000 feet, it was said, and a fire “burning very fiercely and (Continued on Page Two; Col. 6) Protest Against Boost In Prices Of Clothing, Food Sounded In Italy ROME, Dec. 9.—(/P)—A sharp protest against steeply rising prices of necessities in Italy was published toda^ in the Italian monthly magazine Lavita while on the military front the high command confirmed the fall-back of Fascist troops from Argirocas tro, Albania. Meanwhile, the day passed without new resignations or re placements in the military com mand or government, although some observers expect further changes. Whether a major battle was under way in Egypt as indicated by Cairo dispatches could not be confirmed in authoritative quar ters. Also, a British report that Marshal Rodolfo Graziani had asked to be relieved of his com mand in Africa could not be con firmed. That report was said to appear doubtful, however, in view of a telegram Marshal Graziani sent Fascist headquar ters thanking them for greetings sent two days ago and saying his troops joined him in “raising” their thoughts to Mussolini “in certainty of victory.” Lavita Italiana, published by Roberto Farinacci, secretary of the Fascist party and member of the Fascist Grand Council, said it costs “more than double” to dress this year compared with last year’s prices before Italy en tered the war. “The crescendo continues,” the publication said. “With things increasing at this rate are wages and salaries to re main unaltered? Is there anyone (Continued on Page Six; Col. 5) School Building Program Closed DownT emporarily SKILLED LABOR SCARCE High School Gym, Voca tional And Other Units Affected By Decision Confronted with an emergency created by a scarcity of skilled labor and increased cost of ma terials, the New Hanover county board of education yesterday voted “to close down temporarily” all construction work in the county school system until further funds are available. The action followed a joint ses sion with the county commission ers who were asked to take steps to insure the speedy completion of current school improvement pro jects. No Action The county commissioners took no action in the matter on the grounds that additional funds could not be borrowed at this ime un less by vote of the citizens. Decision to “shut do n tempo rarily” all construction work in the county school system H. M. Roland county school superintend ent said would affect the High school gymnasium and vocational building projects the most. The Wrightsboro building is practically ready for use. at this time Roland said and provisions will be made to move into the (Continued on Page Two; Col. 5) DRIVE ON ‘SLOTS’ IS UNSUCCESSFUL Parker Orders Fayetteville Raid During Trial Of Joe Calcutt RALEIGH, Dec. 9—(iP>—Superior court Judge R. Hunt Parker in terrupted a slot machine trial here today long enough to order state bureau of investigation agents to rush to Fayetteville and confiscate illegal gambling devices. To prevent news of the raid from reaching the milit-ry boom town the judge stationed deputies at every door of the Wake county superior courtroom. However, when agents arrived at Fayette ville, no machines were found. SBI Director Fred C. Handy said that slot machine operators in (Continued on Page Two; Col. 4) Wade Submits Brief On Navy Base Sites WASHINGTON, Dec. 9. —(/P) —Captain C. E. Kosendahl, the Navy’s expert on lighter-than air craft, conferred today with J. E. L. Wade, Wilmington pub lic works commissioner on sites in the vicinity of that city for a naval airship patrol base. Kosendahl said Wade sub mitted additional information on sites in the Wilmington and Southport areas, following up an inspection the Navy officer made in that section last week. Kosendahl inspected possible locations all along the North Carolina coast. HITLER SCHEDULED TO SPEAK TODA1 Talk Comes Close On Heel Of Heaviest Air Attack Against Britain BERLIN, Dec. 10—(Tuesday) Wl— Exactly a month after ar r.ouncing Germany was stron enough to meet any combinatio of nations in the world, Adolf Hit ler will speak today to the worker of the reich. The fuehrer’s speech will com close on the heels of the heavies attack yet launched against Lor don—Sunday’s night raid on Lor don. DNB, official German new agency, announced that Hitlei would speak at noon (5 a. m., T S. T.) in a war industry factory t the workers. It said the speech would be cai ried over all broadcasting stations It was expected Hitler would de vote at least part of the addres to reminding workers that Gei many has delivered smashin blows in past months agains London’s war industries withou receiving in return any approx: mation of similar bombardmeni In the last speech, made in Mi nich before the comrades of th unsuccessful 3923 Putsch, the fuel rer declared ‘‘I reject now an here any compromise.” Wether the speech would b merely to encourage the worker to carry on in the face of the ac vancing winter or may be a prt lude to widening the war was nc known in advance. States Home Guards May Receive World War Guns RALEIGH, Dec. 9.—(JP)—North Carolina’s home guard units, which are to be established soon to take over duties formerly performed by the National Guard, probably will be equipped With 2,000 World war guns and bayonets, Governor Hoey said today. The rifles are the .30 calibre En field make. Hoey said the state had applied to the war department for 2,000 guns “or more if they are available.” The war department announced from Washington today that enough rifles were available to equip home guard organizations half as large as th< National Guard’s enlisted personnel North Carolina also has applie< for other equipment which may bi on hand for home guardsmen, th governor said in the event the wa: department cannot furnish necessar: equipment free of charge, the stati may buy the equipment at reduce! prices through government con tracts. Regulations covering the organiza tion of home guard units probabl: will be received shortly from th (Continued on Page Two; Col. 1) ♦
Wilmington Morning Star (Wilmington, N.C.)
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Dec. 10, 1940, edition 1
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