(ME MINISTER'S FORECAST chill Sees Germany efeatetl in Coming Year LONDON, Dec. 30 (CP)-' yJin. slcr Winston Churchill express .ni lorlnv ihat fiprmanu will V 1 VI-- - 1 W 1 lA w )Catcn in 1945. In a New Yeai b e llio "vmf flint elinnlrl k.., 5 VIJ . v. m O I? M -S. . (ory in iuroiJU. lxtfMTrmnf r ir rf!.uiiiw U E R 3 I piis on Tyrrhenian Coast Canadians Pounding Away 1E D: -. 30 O The Allied ,i:d today reported In- i. j enemy movement oi s sr.cl material in. the Tyrr-. a; i al sector of Italy. On (he British Eighth Army Ui of Faenza, the First Corps continued to rc- $ Gr-man positions cast of Seine river. Canadian :e.;?d Alfonslne, nine miles i Ravenna. ear-cnu rveview- GREEK KING SEES BRITISH PREMIER Conference Follows Churchill's Report to Cabinet LONDON, Dec. 30 O, King George of Greece has conferred with Prime Minister Churchill tervention In the Greek civil war. The announcement says the Greek king came to see the British leader and that they remained together or a considerable time. It Is believed that they discussed the question of a regency for Greece. K hVfN nl Ar , ; ( I will w H MIl.MT BpaVBMM rnrrr nr mil i rini ur a n li ii i i ib inn; n i ii im v k n ij r K I III lltt V M Ml HV IIIIK iivuiiv vi in i n'ivii i unii Allied Offensives Drive Forward In Europe and Pacific In 1944; Greece and Italy Become Problems By HAROLD FAIR (Canadian Press Staff Writer) 1 was a year of Invasions, this 1944. With German-ifiuimoil "fnrrrivus F.nrnnp" stormed. Allied armies jWWKS J - I r- i 1 l i ii 1 i.U 1 ilre idy attacked many times by superfortress bomb Moose Jaw V.C. Winner Home MOSE JAW. Dec. 30 Major 3h:d C urrlc. of Moose Jaw, Sas- litvari's frftr-Vletorta-Cro) ... . of the war, returned to ' r Irie city at midnight last " and was given an official :.: He arrived with his : : i nine year-old daughter had met in the cast. He welcomed by the mayor, i Justice W. M. Martin, and former school principal. r3 the gifts was a gold ! for Major Currlc. and -u in Vlctorv bonus lor nis REINFORCEMENTS BEING ASSURED Makinp it possible to Consider .Bringing Long Service Men Home OWEN SOUND, Ont.. Dec. 30 0 wencc Minister A. G. L. Mc- Nwihiou said today that over 'eJnforccmcnts "to an even scaler .scale than demanded a' 3 promised arc well assured." He aid lhat "wc nnw can tro- '"3 to cnlarce our nlans for """iLing back to Canada men of Vl 'y long service overseas and Placing them with otlicrs who tow:: not yet given their share of service General McNaushton is con- tc ing'Grey North riding In the February 5 federal by-election. MO LET-UP IN AIR WAR . LONDON, Dtc. 30 0i -The Al-round-the-clock aerial of-ffn:,ive against Germany has thundered through another mSht and Into another day. An Wr.lal announcement discloses lhat tvvn larpp fleets of R.A.F. heavy bombers are back in Eng-""d after blasting rallyards at etlc oil plant at Schoelven- "Uer In Ruhr vnltpv DRIFFIELD, Eng., KP' Eileen Horsey, 23, was unconscious 40 flays before she died in this Yorkshire town from Injuries re ceived when she fell from her bl-cvcle after trying to avoid strik es a kitten, I ers However, the closing days of December also produced the first big Nazi counter-thrust In the west, a drive by an estimated 14 to 15 German divisions which plunged through American First Army lines and re-penetrated Belgium to a depth of some 50 miles at one point before being driven back. Too, there were tragic Allied policy differences In the wake of European liberation. These produced a situation which led Prime Minister Churchill to call for a meeting with Premier Stalin and President Roosevelt "at the earliest possible Mr. Churchill, the self-styled "wandering minstrel of diplomacy," was ready to go anywhere; he had seen Mr. Roosevelt at Quebec In September for their eighth wartime meeting and a month later met Stalin In Moscow. But a "big three" meeting has not taken place since Teheran In 1943. Mr. Roosevelt's smashing fourth-term election triumph over new yorKS governor, Thomas E. Dewey, facilitated a new trl-power meeting but it was still somewhere In the fu- urc as the year ended with such problems as Greece, Italy and Poland clamoring, sometimes with gunfire of civil strife, for solution. In British-liberated Greece, Premier George Papandreou s government had British armed support against the equally armed challenge of the leftist E.A.M. (national liberation front) which refused to disarm its private army, the E.L.A.S. Successive Italian governments of Marshal Pletro Badoglio and Ivanoc Bonoml had been unequal to solve problems of reconstruction, purge of Fascists and the role of the monarcny. Britain vetoed the presence of Count Carlo Sforza as premier or foreign minister In any new government and that produced an American declaration that pointed up fundamental Allied differences. Demonstrations In Belgium The state department In Washington said composition of the Continued on Page 6 J. Ladlcos is leaving tonight on a trip to Vancouver, VOL. XXXIII, No. 304 Tokyo Claims- She by Japanese naval aircraft. i iu. n lit u ui Br.lth War Cab'?et Previous Tokyo Tokyo broadcasts broadcasts uu wt iuivs ui ilia personal in Japs Hit At Convoy Say They Have Sunk Ten Allied Transports No Confirmation NEW YORK, Dec. 30 W The Japanese now claim to have sunk ten Allied transports and P-T boats in a two-day attack on a large Allied convoy in Philippine waters. A broadcast Dcmei News Agency dispatch, unconfirmed by Allied sources, said the attacks on the convoy were carried out had described a fleet of Allied ships cruising northward in the Sulu Sea. Yesterday. Domel claimed that six transports were sunk and four other transports and one cruiser and destroyer were damaged. Today's bulletin claims the destruction of four additional transports. The convoy Is reported by the Japs to have numbered originally 30 transports accompanied by 20-odd destroyers and cruisers. Russia h Asked For Explanation WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 Great Britain and United States have asked Russia fof a detailed statement in connection with the re moval of machinery and equipment from Rumanian oil fields to Russia. i ro m uermanv useii ai me year-enu wmie in me i -y.-v iimrti ?;rific, island-hopping shortened the way to Tokyo, n K WUKlV FOR RUPERT Ocean Going Vessel May he Converted Into Floating Night Club at Local Yard VICTORIA, Dec 30 JJ The conversion of two 8,000-ton for mer ocean-going passenger liners of the Blue- Funnel Line into floating night clubs to entertain British troops In the South Pacific will be dqne in Vancouver. Victoria or Prince Rupert yards. The vessels were converted into mine layers at the outbreak of war. They are now at Esquimalt. If plans call for extensive reconstruction, work will likely go to Vancouver. If only minor re construction is required, one ship Is to go to Prince Rupert, the other to Yarrows In Esquimau. No Instructions have yet been received from the British Admiralty as to where the work will be done. Two More Years To Defeat Japan CANBERRA, Australia, Dec. 30 Hon. Francis Ford, Australia's minister of war, In a New Year message, predicts theie will be two more years of war against Japan. NORTHERN AND CENTRAL; BniTISII COLUMBIA'S NEWSPAPER Torped New Westminster Pays Tribute To Private "Smoky" Smith NEW WESTMINSTER, Dec. 30 f Private Ernest Alvia Smith, i V.C, is Canada's latest hero and I the first Dominion private to bring home the Empire's highest award in this war but the stocky young soldier at the civic reception last night was witty ' Smoky" Smith, known to everyone in the neighborhood. "This one won't go Intd the hockshop," said Smoky In thank ing townsfolk for an engraved gold watch presented him. "I have most of my watches spread across Canada but I'll hang on to this one." Then serious, he said: "Remember there are lots of guys still over there. I would llkp to thank everybody very much and wish them a happy NpV Year."' Earlier Smoky had been driven tensive enemy patrol activity. In an open car through streets crowded with citizens out to watch a parade in his honor. Military Medal To Port Simpson Man Private Clyde Moracs. 28, A Port Simpson has been awarded the Military Medal. He is overseas with .a Canadian Infantry corps. Weathei Charlotte, and North Coast-Moderate vinds, overcast and mild with locally light rains. Sunday: Fresh to strong winds, overcast and mild with moderate to heavy rains. NO PAPER MONDAY Monday being a public holi day on New Year's Day, there will be no issue oi me umnj Americans Widening Corridor to Bas-togne British Get-jng ActionQuiet For Canadians (UICIC WIN-HACK . PAKIS, Dec. 30 (CP) American counter - attacks have narrowed the deep German tlienl into llclgium down to ilecn miles al one point and i'ttun back almos? one-third of ' The area in Belgium and Lux- cnibourg which was overrun i in the German winter offensive, J'AIUS, Dec. 30 (CP) The German winter lunge into Belgium recoiled bit bit today under American blows which forty-eijght hours ago had sliced th width of the Nazi bulge to thirteen miles and flung its deep en: Wedges bacK twelve miles. The Allied security cloak concealed later developments except for telling of additional strengthening and widening of the American Third Army's corridor to Baitogne by this morning. Yes terday the Third Army had iQUgni iour miies norm oi uas-togpe within thirteen miles of First Army troops hitting the Nails' northern flank. Action flared up on the Brit ish Second Army sector northwest of Geilenkirchen when the Germans launched an infantry attack, and gained some initial success. No action was report- edHrom the First Canadian Army x . t. r a. J. ........kI Sledcchammer blows by the American First Army rolled back the Germans twelve miles at the western tip of their hrust into Belgium. The Third Army has cemented its positions four miles north of Bastognc only thirteen miles from the point where the First Is fighting down from the north. There are indications that the Germans arc preparing for a defensive stand as long as possible on the lines of their Belgium salient. Obs-ervcrs tell 6f Intensive movements Inside the enemy bulge and along Perimeter with Nazi soldiers throwing up fortifications ana sowing mines. On the other hand, some front dispatches suggest that the Nazis may lunge out in one more big attack possibly ih the Canadian British sector to the north. Tills morning, the Allied communique reports that British Second Army troops have beaten off a strong German counter- News. The .next regular edition attack on the Nethcrlands-Gcr will be on Tuesday afternoon. I man border. CANUCKS LOOK OVER BATCH OF PRISONERS Thesx; Germans were once soldiers of Hitler . , . now they are defeated prisoners of Canadians fighting up the east coast sector of Italy. They have Just been brought to the prisoner-of-war cage In a forward sector by Pte. G, Klrcuss, Vancouver, and Pte. W. Thomas, Penticton, B.C., shown here in a huddle with Capt. A. J. Scottle, Montreal. 13 PRINCE RUPERT, B.C., SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1944 ocing Reveale Germans Are Still Recoiling TUNNEL LINKS JAP ISLANDS WASHINGTON, D.C.. Dec. 30 P From Tokyo comes the reiwrt that the Japanese have completed a tunnel connecting the two big Industrial islands or Honshu and Kyushu. The construction was completed at 10 o'clock Thursday night. Not For Hockshop V.C. Winner Is Honored EARTHQUAKE IN ENGLAND LONDON, Dec. 30 t Residents of Northern England experienced a strong earthquake. Hie early morning tremor rocked the cities of Manchester and Leeds. In Greece Looks Like Settlement ATHENS, Dec 30 G King George II of Greece has assented to the establishment of a reg ency in Greece and Archbishop Damaskinos said the Archbishop will probablytake oath as regent tomorrow. Meanwhile Athens newspapers said leftist officials during the night telegraphed. Prime Minister Churchill saying they accepted all British conditions for a halt in the present civil strife. There was no official confirmation of the report. Left ist officials are reported to have proposed an immediate truce. IS KILLED IN CRASH OF CAR Leonard Larkln Loses Life, in Vancouver Paul Fogg Badly Hurt JfrdaUwhercJor the past,severaUv- ZV l' . Killer Chase 30 Oi Vnnconyep was killed when a car in which he was riding collided with a span of Granville Street Bridge here. The other occupant of the car, Paul Fogg, president of Fogg Motors of New Westminster, suf fcred serious head injuries and lacerations and is said to be in poor condition in hospital. FUNERAL OF COL. LISTER IS HELD CRESTON, Dee. 30 V Funeral services were held Thursday for Col. Fred Lister, 65, for years Conservative member of the British Columbia Legislature for Kalso and Nelson ridings, who died last Friday. Green Car Is Sought Vancouver Police Tracing Circumstances of Hammer Murder of Jennie Conroy VANCOUVER, Dec. 30 ) A green Chevrolet coupe is being sought throughout the Lower Mainland of British Columbia in connection with the hammer slaying of Jennie Conroy, aged 25, whose battered body was found in suburban West Van couver Thursday on a deserted road. The girl had last been seen at the North Vancouver ferry ter minal where she bought a ticket, being presumably enroute to dinner party and family reunion at the house of her brother. Sam Third, a bus operator, said he twice saw a green coupe of ancient vintage in the area near where the body was found and noted suspicious circumstances. The car was parked In the middle of the road and refused to move. Earlier yesterday the police found the match' of a shoe on the body In donwtown Vancou ver where It had apparently been thrown from the murder car. J. Flewln left last night on a trip to Alert Bay. Tides (Pacific Standard Time). - HIeIi 2:40 20.1 icet - 14:20 22.0 feet Low 8:28 7.1 feet - , 21:00 1.7 feet Vancouver Built Ship Struck by Nazi U-Boat In St. Lawrence River PRICE FIVE CENTS QUEBEC, Dec. 30 (CP) The Fort Thompson? 10,000-ton Vancouver-built ship, part of the crew q luhinVi holiDvofl cho hurl hpnn sunk nfrpr sho ras tnr-W pedoed in the St. Lawrence River November 2, WiiM towed to Quebec for repairs and since then lias x& sumed her journey, it was permitted to bo disclosed! Chinese Start New Offensive CHUNGKING, Dec. 30 A new Chinese olfenslve has been started out of Burma Into China. An Important city has been recaptured from the Japanese. Bulletins NEW CLERICAL POST TRAIL Rev. L. A. C. Smith of Trail has been appointed western field secretary of the General Board of Religious Education of the Church of England In succession to Rev. A. Harding Priest. He will make headquarters at Calgary. TO WORK NEW YEAR'S WASHINGTON War workers are being asked to stay on their jobs New Year's Bay. This, it is suggested, is but fair to the fighting men for whom there are no holidays. MONTGOMERY-WARD CHICAGO President Avery of Montgomery-Ward says he will stay In his office despite the governmet order taking over the company's business. "I will remain unless. I am thrown out," he says. The company has refused to turn over its bdoks to the $8,000,000 a day for the Dominion's war effort. Last night, more departments tabled their breakdowns of Can adian achievement in 1944. Production of Labor Set New Record Labor Minister Humphrey Mit chell announced that the record of production of goods and services by Canadian labor In 1944 has excelled any year in Uie history of the dominion. In a message extending New Year's greetings to the workers of Canada, Mr. Mitchell declared that everywhere "the wheels turn for victory." The Labor Minister further said: "All classes, In all branches of activity, have resolutely main tained the home front in the past year while our fighting men have been winning battles overseas for our cause. However, while battles have been won, the war has not yet been won." And he said or 1945: "As we cross the threshold of the New Year there will. I know, be the same determination to carry on with our tasks. We had hoped 1944 would see the end of the war in Europe. That has not materialized. So to all workers, wherever they may be, I wish them the compliments today. . :x When two explosions first oc- curred on the ship it was not ; ' known whether they resulted from enemy action or from bollejrt trouble but shipping officials? since have determined definite- ly that the vessel was damaged,, in the first known torpedo at. tack, in the river since 1912 None of the crew were killed or injured. Eastern Front Fresri Blows By Russians Another Barrier Leading to Vienna Crossed Reds Pierce' Budapest ' ,' MOSCOW, Dec. 30 R Frertyk Klutrn VintrA VtAAVt 1flftf1 r- : nfV ' uiuwa iiaic utti tuuiu uu ih Germans in the east,. Russlar.; umis nave lorueu one ui uiu.iay big water barriers leading, Vienna ana nave; speareu miles beyond. ., 'SS within 70 jniWor Bratlsia wanuv 105 miles from Vienna. Another? Russian force is only 81 mlle3 from the Austrian capital. A great churning struggle 1 raging on the western side off the Danube where Russian shock . battalions have -smashed lntpj!) new sections of encircled Buda-.' pest. 'f Industry and Finance CANADIAN GOVERNMENT ACHIEVEMENTS REVIEWED OTTAWA, Dec. 30 (CP) As 1944 draws to a close,' the various departments of the Canadian govern-, ment are reviewing their achievements during OTet past twelve months. On Thursday, Munitions'-Mih-:f ister Howe revealed that Canadian war industry,op-erated at nearly peak cap'acity during the year and that his department alone spent of the season, and let's keep going at top speed." Financial Efiort Is Also Reviewed New records were also set in Canada's Financial elfort. Finance Minister Ilsley reports that 4 Individual Canadians broke all previous records for buying Vic-i -tory Bonds in the latest campaign. Mr. Ilsley said the Seventh Victory Loan produced a total of $1,517,000,000 far surpassing the goal of $1,300,000,000. The number of individual appllcn- tlons increased by two hundred and thirty thousand, from the total of the Sixth Victory Loan last April. Mr. Ilsley, like Mr. Mitchell, called for added efforts during 1945. He declared: "The pros pect for 1945 is not for easier living conditions in Canada, although I would like to be able to hold out a prospect of tills kind. Our resources of men, materials and money must remain mobilized for war purposes. This means continued restrtic1-tlons, It requires high taxes, vol untary self-denial and a postponement of cherished plans." Local Temperature Maximum Minimum . OUR HEARTY BEST WISHES TO YOU All FOR 1945 - - The Daily News 7l "ti