U.S.A. AFFAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 August 1942, Page 5

U.S.A. AFFAIRS

CONFLICTING STATEMENTS

WASHINGTON, August 14. Mr Stimson has announced a reorganisation of the War Department of various public relations organisations as a step to eliminating the issuance of conflicting statements by the various service’s branches. Mr Stimson said this realignment has been decided upon before the release of a picture purporting to show ground markings alleged to have been contrived by fifth columnists, but which proved entirely unconnected with enemy plans. Mr Stimson admitted, however, that a Mitchell Fields air markers’ incident made him happy he had taken a realignment. Mr Stimson obviously was aroused by a ludicrous faux pas, which has been described as “the great air marker hoax,” perpetuated by an over-zealous Army Press agent. He said he made a personal request to General Drum to make a thorough investigation. GUILTY OF ESPIONAGE NEW YORK, August 13. Peter Franz Erick Donay, a former’ United States soldier stationed at Governor’s Island, in New York Harbour, pleaded guilty to espionage. Donay gathered and transmitted secret information written in invisible ink to Germany. The information included the army’s secret basic annual.

William Dudley Pelley, Leader of the Silver Shirts organisation, has been found guilty of criminal sedition and conspiracy. He was sentenced to fifteen years’ imprisonment. The prosecuting counsel said that Pelley’s statements for thirteen years had shown devotion to Hitler and Nazi ideals. , hIAVY AND STRIKE.

WASHINGTON, August 14. Mr. Roosevelt has ordered Colonel Knox to take over and operate the striking Bayonne plant.