tt ta WeaTer Not Much Change in Temp.. VOL. LIII No.40 ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, THURSDAY, NOV. 19, 1942 PRICE FIVE CENTS Allied Forces Batter German r A Laval Top Man Now In France Successor to Petain Given Full Powers To Write All Laws, Decrees for Nation By The Associated Press LONDON, Nov. 18.-Pierre Laval, who has thrown in his chips for a German victory, was made fascist dictator of Vichy France and desig- nated successor to Marshal Philippe Petain tonight. Observers predicted a new terror reign 'ancq a desperate Laval effort to swing France militar- miia-ily into the Axis fold. The 86-year-old Marshal Petain named Laval his heir presumptive to replace Admiral Jean Darlan who went over to the Allied standard in French North Africa, and also gave Laval full powers to write his own laws and decrees in a nation com- pletely occupied by Axis armies. Significantly the vest of full pow- ers in the wily Laval came after the cabinet had heard a report from Rear Admiral Rene Platon, a secretary of state in the foreign ministry, on the latter's trip to Tunisia. Allies Fight into Tunisia Admiral Platon presumably out- lined the prospects of rallying French Tunisians to the Axis camp at a time when American and British troops are fighting their way into that pro- tectorate from occupied French Al- geria to the west. German and Italian troops already hold the Bizerte-Tunis area apparently in cooperation with pro-Axis Vichy elements stationed in the Tupisian French protectorate. Immudiate repercussions from these developments were seen tonight in a Vichy report that Vice-Admiral G. A. J. P. Auphan, secretary of state for the navi an ,oaert Gibrat, sec- retary of tate for communications, had ned their cabinet posts. AbrI1, Bichelonne Take Over 'Admiral Jean Marie Abrial, former governor-general of Algeria, replaced Admiral Auphan, and Jean Bichel- onne combined Babrat's post with his present one of secretary of state for industrial production-a production, incidentally, geared to Germany's war needs. He undoubtedly is slated to use what prestige he retains in Algeria for the benefit of the Axis. There also remains the question of the Tou- lon fleet. Admiral Darlan in his ap- peals has asked it to go over to the Allied side, but it still rides at anchor within gunshot of surrounding Axis occupation armies. Laval's Policy Takes New Turn The pro-Axis policy of Laval now takes a new and more powerful turn, but just what form it will assume re- mained unclear tonight. There have been reliable reports that Laval was negotiating a peace with the Axis to replace the armistice, perhaps as a forerunner of trying to place France formally at war with the Allies. These reported terms would give Germany Alsace and Lorraine, prov- inces they already have taken over, and would place the Vichy fleet alongside the Axis in an attempt to regain the French Empire. I. L. Sharfman Given Honorary Lecturing Post, Prof. I. L. Sharfman, chairman of the economics department and asso- ciate member of the War Labor Board, was yesterday named Henry Russel lecturer for 1942-43. The Russel lectureship is an honor given a senior .faculty member for outstanding scholarly achievement. The lecture. is usually presented in May. Professor Sharfman has frequently worked on government mediation of labor disputes and was a member of the National Railroad Adjustment Board. The selection of the lecturer is made by the Research Club. His largest scholarly work is the five-volume "Interstate Commerce Commission, 1931-37." He has writ- Japs Admit Largest Naval Losses of War State Fantastic Claims of Damage Inflicted on U.S. Ships To Make theBad News Palatable U. By The Associated Press NEW YORK, Nov. 18.- Japan made her broadest admission of naval losses of the war today, apparently recognizing the futility of attempting to hide her disaster in the Solomons, but linked it with fantastic claims of damage inflicted in order to make the news as palatable as possible. Although the Japanese admissions were sweeping for Tokyo, they did not include all the losses the Ameri- cans officially announced were in- flicted on Nippon's forces. List Includes Battleship Tokyo listed as sunk a battleship, the first time in the war that Japa has made such an admission, -a crui- ser and threedestroyers. The Imperial Headquarters then put down as dam- aged another battleship and seven transports. In the crushing defeat at Midway, where an invasion spearhead aimed at ,Hawaii and perhaps the American west coast was turned back, the Japa- nese admitted losing only one aircraft carrier sunk and an aircraft carrier and a cruiser damaged. Tokyo sugared its bad news today with an extravagant and unsupported claim that the American Navy was, routed and forced to flee. The damaging' admissions appar- ently were smoked out by official United States accupits of the victory over the Japanese in the Solomons last week. Their Story ... . Imperial Headquarters summed up, the Japanese losses and damages as follows: "One battleship, (presumably of. the Kongo class), sunk; one battle- ship damaged; one cruiser sunk; three destroyers sunk and seven transports damaged. Thirty-two planes dived into the enemy and nine (other) planes failed to return." Here is the Japanese score, not confirmed by aiy Allied source, of United States losses in the same fight: .. . Sunk-eight cruisers, includ- ing three new type. Five of these cruisers were instantly sunk. Four or five destroyers. One transport. "Heavily damaged - two battle- ships; three cruisers; three or four destroyers; and three transports. " Losses of enemy aircraft-63 planes shot down and more than ten (others) destroyed." Our Story.. .. The Japanese communique covered the action of Nov. 12-14 and contrasts with the following United States Navy report of Japanese losses: Sunk-one battleship, three heavy Class of '46 Meet Teachers Freshmen To Talk with Principals Here University freshmen from eighty- four Michigan, Ohio,Illinois, and In- diana high schools and transfer stu- dents from several Michigan junior colleges will meet their former princi- pals and deans from 8:30 to noon to- day in the Rackham Building asthe sixteenth annual Principal-Freshman Conference gets under way. Comprising the first half of the Conference program, the meetings will be followed by a luncheon at 12:15 p.m. in the League Ballroom at which the delegates will be welcomed by President Alexander G. Ruthven During the afternoon war-inspired changes in American education will be discussed in a forum to be lead by Prof. Harold M. tiorr of the political science department. Held in the Hus-' sey Room of the League, the panel will deal with "Administration and Retention of College Freshmen during This Wartime Emnergenicy." Intended primarily as an aid to secondary schools in preparing stu- dents for entrance to the University and to freshmen in coping with new SHIP SINKER...' . . Vice Admiral William F. Hal- sey (above) commanded the vit- torious U.S. Navy which by Japan's' own recent admission sunk at least one enemy battleship, a cruiser and three destroyers. cruisers, two, light cruisers, five de- stroyers and eight transports. Damaged-one battleship and six destroyers. Destroyed-four cargo transports. In that same period, the United States acknowledged the loss of two light cruisers and six destroyers. For the Japanese home front, the Tokyo radio had broadcast a claim that the 35,000-ton U.S. battleship North Carolina and the 33,400-ton Idaho "fled after receiving terrific damage at the hands of the Japanese navy." There has been no Allied confirma- tion that those vessels even were in the southwest Pacific and the report on the Idaho clearly showed that the Axis propaganda had slipped up. The Paris radio, German controlled, claimed last Oct. 22 that survivors of the Idaho had been landed at Gibral- tar. The Italians claimed on Oct. 6 that the Idaho was sunk off West Africa. There has been no confirma- tion of any of these claims. Bombing of Italian War Plants Probable WASHINGTON, Nov. 18.- (P)- Mass bombing of Italian production centers probably 'will be one of the next major developments of the war, Walter Nash, New Zealand minister, said today after a meeting of the Pacific War Council at the White House. Nash described the weekly confer- ence between President Roosevelt and representatives of seven other nations as "the most interesting we have ever had," while Lord Halifax, the British Ambassador, called it "a very encour- aging meeting." The New Zealander fairly bubbled with heartening comment about Al- lied successes, in the Solomons and North Africa, and said the conference devoted some time to the "ninth front,"-mass air raids-and "a fair amount of time" to all other fronts leading up to the ninth. New 18-Year Olds Ordered TO Register Draft Headquarters Takes Steps To Guard Farm Labor Supply from Local Boards By The Associated Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 18.-As one more step in a broad program to "in- sure victory, final and complete," President Roosevelt today ordered the young men who become 18 years old in the last six months of this year to register for military service. Almost simultaneously, Selective Service Headquarters took action to safeguard the supply of farm labor. Men deferred because they are en- gaged in essestial farm work, may not quit the farm for the factory without the approval of their local draft boards. If they do, they become lia- ble to immediate induction. To Reclassify Ex-Convicts Selective Service also disclosed that local boards had been instructed to reclassify all registrants heretofore deferred because of conviction of crimes. No more deferments are to be made on this ground unless the registrants' "are completely disquali- fied morally and are not eligible for a waiver under the new Army stan- dards," the boards were told. Waivers have been authorized by the Army in meritorious cases for men who have criminal records, even including treason, murder, rape, kid- napping and other "heinous crimes," if their conduct has been fitting for at least six months after their re- lease from confinement. The boards were told to ask waivers for these men and others with less serious rec- ords, if they are otherwise available for military service. President Roosevelt's action was necessitated by the Recently enacted legislation lowering the minimum draft age to include 18- and 19-year- olds. Those who became 18 up to the end of last June had already regis- tered. Registration Dates Set Mr. Roosevelt provided three regis- tration dates. Those who became 18 in July and August are to register during the week of Dec. 11. Those whose birthdays were in September and October, are to register during the week -of Dec. 18. And those be- coming 18 in November and Decem- ber are to register between Dec. 26 and 31, inclusive. After Jan. 1, men becoming 18 will register on their birthdays. A little earlier, Selective Service headquarters issued regulations un- der which the 18 and 19 year olds will be called up for induction in the order of their birthdates, with the oldest called first. This is a depart- ure from the plan followed for older men, for whom the order of call was fixed by lottery drawings. The regulations also stated more explicitly the rules covering defer- ments to be granted to high school students. By applying to their draft boards in writing, such youths may obtain deferments to the end of the school year. Farm workers who have been de- ferred, Hershey said, will not lose their deferments by changing from one "necessary" farm job to another, or from one necessary farm to another of that category. Allies Close In on Japs at Buna Base MacArthur at Head of Troops in Advance on Enemy Objective By The Associated Press ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN AUSTRALIA, Nov. 19. (Thursday)- U.S. and Australian troops closed in on the Japanese New Guinea base of Buna today as heavy bombers streaked ahead to attack eight enemy destroyers "maneuvering off the north coastcoast, apparently in support of the enemy ground forces," a commu- nique announced. "=he advance of our ground forces on Buna continues with forward ele- ments now closing in on their obec- tive;"? the communique said. "Our medium units bombed enemy instal- lations and positions. Force of 8 Destroyers "An enemy naval force of eight de- stroyers, divided into two groups is maneuvering off the north coast, ap- parently in support of the enemy ground forces. Our heavy bombers are endeavoring to engage them." (There also was a possibility that the Japanese destroyers were at Buna in an attempt to evacuate the remain- ing Japanese there. It was recalled that Japanese destroyers were used for that purpose to save the remnants of the smashed Japanese landing at Milne Bay last summer on the south- eastern tip of -New Guinea.) General Douglas MacArthur now is in the field in New Guinea directing the Buna clean-up. Bombers Fan Out In the air, MacArthur's bombers fanned out for widespread operations. Some bombed enemy installations and positions ,at Buna in support of the ground troops. Medium bombers and twin-engined fighters attacked the airdrome, near- by buildings and installations at Lae, on the north New Guinea coast above Buna. On the same coast, medium bombers raidedsthe Salamaua air- drome. At Gasmata, on the island of New Britain northwest of New Guinea, medium units bombed the airdrome runway. At Rabaul, also on New Brit- ain, heavy bombers raided enemy air- dromes last night. Russians Beat Off German Attacks of Tanks and Infantry MOSCOW, Nov. 19. (Thursday)- (P)-German tank and infantry at- tacks on the factory district of Stal- ingrad, which the Nazis are attempt- ing to capture for winter headquar- ters, were beaten off again yesterday and counter-attacking Russians seiz- ed several enemy strong points, the Russians announced early today. "In the course of the engagement more than 600 enemy troops were killed or wounded," the Soviet mid- night communique said. "Eight Ger- man tanks were burned or disabled, nine guns, 12 mortars, 24 machine- guns and111dugouts and blockhouses were destroyed. The battle for the factory area of the ruined city represents the latest German attempt to gain a firm foot- hold in the Volga metropolis. ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN NORTH AFRICA, Nov. 18.-(AP)-Ameri- can and British troops thrusting into Tunisia from both north and south have battered back German patrols in clashes foreshadowing the start of the battle to decide the fate of the Mediterranean. Brig.-Gen. James H. Doolittle's Flying Fortresses took a hand today in the all-important struggle for control of the air by battering the Bizerte air field, setting oil tanks ablaze and destroying a German fighter, while the RAF, protecting the British First Noted Violinist. Will Present Concert Today ALBERT SPALDING .. . performs today Albert Spalding, noted American concert violinist, will present the fourth concert of the Choral Union series at 9:30 p.m. today in Hill Auditorium. Accompanied at the piano by An- dre Benoist, Spalding will play the following program: Sonata in A major: Corelli-Spald- ing; Sonata in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2, for piano and violin: Beethoven; First Sonata - Fantasy "Desesper- ance": Villa-Lobos; Variations: Joa- chini; Nocturne, Op. No. 2: Chopin- Wilhelmj; Scherzo Valse: Chabrier- Loeffler; En Bateau: Debussy; Cap- rice (Etude en forme de valse): Saint Saens-Ysaye. Remaining tickets for the concert will be on sale in the offices of the Choral Union Society in Burton Tow- er until 5 p.m. today, after which they will be available at the Hill Aud- itorium box office. Considered America's most cap- able contemporary concert violinist, Spalding has maintained an impor- tant place in the American musical world since his debut with the New York Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Walter Damrosch. Professor Levi Dies Suddenly Language Instructor Passes at Age of 84 Moritz Levi, 84-year-old professor- emeritus in the University French department, died suddenly late Tues- day night at his home, 928 Olivia Ave. Professor Levi had listened to the radio until 10:30 p.m. that night be- fore retiring. The discovery of his death was made some time after- wards. The date for Professor Levi's me- morial services, which will be private, has not yet been announced. An Ann Arbor resident since he came to this country from Germany at the age of 17, Professor Levi taughi French, Italian and Spanish to Michi- gan students before his retirement in 1923. He became a naturalized Ameri- can citizen in 1881. He was a graduate of Ann Arbor high school and the University, gain ing admittance to Phi Beta Kappa, national scholarship honor society while a student here. He is survived by his wife, Bertha two daughters, Mrs. Marion Fisk, whc SIn Tunisia Hitler s Divisions Are Still in Flight Doolittle's Fortresses Strike at Bizerte; Clashes Foreshadow Decisive Battle Army with anti-aircraft guns has shot down 11 Nazi aircraft in three days near Bone, Algeria. The Germans thus far have shown no inclination to meet the advancing Allied troops in a pitched battle, field reports indicated. The Axis soldiers are concentrated around the naval base at Bizerte, and the capital at Tunis. American and British parachute troops continued in the van of the advancing force, operating as ground combat teams. Advance by Automobile The American parachute troops ad- vanced into Tunisia by automobile from their last jumping place in Al- geria, while the British sky troops also advanced along the ground with the Americans, occupying "several strategic places." Simultaneously fresh resistance to the Axis spread behind the German lines in Tunisia with French garri- sons fighting off German attempts to land air-borne troops. A headquarters communique to- night said that French forces joined the Allies in penetrating Tunisia "at several points," while at Oran far to the rear other French fighting men entrained for the push to the east. Gen. Henri Honore Giraud, com- mander of the French Allied forces in North Africa, visited his leading units, and the French also issued a general mobilization order for the class of 1939. Scouting Parties Contacted "Contacts have been made with enemy scouting parties," the com- munique said of the Allied advance. Although the British First Army under Lieut.-Gen. K. A. N. Anderson was spearheading the attack, increas- ing numbers of American troops now are being released to participate. This was made possible by the friendly at- titude of the French at Oran, Al- giers, and even far west at Casa- blanca on the Atlantic. General Giraud's visit to the front brought more French garrisons flock- ing to the Allied standard, and these Frenchmen, familiar with the diffi- cult terrain, have been flung out on the flanks as advance scouts for the Allies. Turn to Page 6, Col. 6 German Libyan Armies Reel Back to Bengasi CAIRO, Nov. 18.- (')- The flee- ing Axis army in Libya, with only 15 of its 500 first-line tanks left, reeled back today to within 70 miles of Ben- gasi with the British Eighth Army in pursuit oh a broad front toward the El Agheila defile for what may well be the knockout punch. Gen. Sir Harold Alexander, Middle East commander, said he expected Marshal Rommel's army to make a temporary stand there, butadded: *Enemy Is "Groggy" *"I don't think his present army can stand for long, unless reinforced. The enemy is groggy but not knocked out. The battle will not be ours until the enemy is lying senseless." The battle of El Agheila, on the base of the Libyan hump and the y eastern end of the Gulf of Sirte 400 t miles from Tripoli, is expected in _ about a week. The Eighth Army ad- vanced 80 miles yesterday to within d 230 miles of El Aghila and about 800 miles from the western boundary of r Tunisia where the British First Army - and flying American columns are pressing eastward, closing the jaws of a great vise. 12 Axis Planes Downed , For the first time in days, Axis o planes were found in the desert near I BOOKKEEPERS COMPLETE COMPUTATIONS: University Reported Financially Fit The University's heavy padlocks have another $3,054,708.34 in assets to protect. Those are only part of the figures that the annual accountant's head- ache, the University's Financial Re- port published yesterday, showed the Regents and hard-working book- keepers. When the figures were broken down to finer nuggets, the accountants found that new land, land improve- ments, buildings and equipment add- ed $823,988.05 to the University'sas- sets. The two largest factors were the Rackham Educational Memorial Buil- ding and site in Detroit, with a total of more than $500,000 and the still jackpot of $2,292,199.18 which com- prised 18.9 per cent of the total. University Hospital receipts slightly exceeded student fees with a total of more than $2,450,000, a 20.27 per cent part of the total. The other side of the ledger-the one that gives business men indiges- tion-showed that it cost the Uni- Students Bask in Sun as Mercury Zooms Only 36 more days to Christmas .. but all indications on campus yes- terday suggested it might be the first versity $10,702,896.67 to operate in the last fiscal year. Instruction pulled down the largest share of the expenditures with 46.4 per cent of the $10,702,896.67 expendi- ture. The instruction bill was $4,974,- 710.15. Hospital expenses amounted to less than half of the instruction costs. Hospital creditors received $2,420,522- .58. General and administrative costs weret$594,685.97 and $542,299.93, re- spectively. The, libraries took $369,- 279.27 as expenses while extension activities cost more than $275,000. Using the University is expensive too. Maintenance and operation ex-