Current Events February 18. 1943; AMERICANS FORCED OUT OF TUNISIA / GERMANS RETREATING IN SOUTHERN RUSSIA / MME. CHANG-KAI-CHECK ADDRESSE CONGRESS / GHANDI GROWS WEAKER IN CONFINEMENT:

THE RACINE JOURNAL-TIMES

RACINE, WIS., THURSDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 18; 1943.

AMERICAN FORCED TO LEAVE TUNISIA

Nazis Occupy

3 Towns Near

Algeria Border.

Whipped U. S. Troops

Pushed 66 Miles in

Four Days by Tanks

(Map on page 2)

(By The Associated Press)

Allied headquarters announced today that veteran German tank

columns had occupied three key towns near the center of the 300-

mile-long Allied front in central Tunisia, while in the south the

British eighth army reached the axis-held Mareth line at two points

after a 45-mile advance. A German broadcast said the

eighth army launched its attack against the Mareth defense works

yesterday "on a broad front," but the British communique made no

mention of fighting.

Russians Drive

At Orel Base

MOSCOW—(U.P)—-The red army pounded swiftly ahead today in

knockout offensives aimed at Orel, Knotop, and Poltava, trying to

convert the German retreat toward the Dnieper river into a disorderly

rout.

While consolidating their landslide gains along a 400-mile southern

front, Russian forces hammered out. unbroken advances toward

the key German bases east of the Dnieper river and struck out for

Orel, the last formidable stronghold threatening the left flank of

the Moscow defenses.

Advance Along Railroad.

Congress Hears

Mme. Kai-Shek

(Picture on Page 3.)

WASHINGTON. — (AP) — Mme. Chiang Kai-Shek today told the

house of representatives that it is contrary to the interests of the

United Nations "to allow Japan to continue, not only as a vital

potential threat but as a waiting sword of Damocles, ready to descend

at a moment's notice."

Speaking in the crowded house chamber the American-educated

wife of the Chinese generalissimo declared: "Let us not forget that the

longer Japan is left in undisputed possession of these resources, the

stronger she must become. Each passing day takes more toll in

lives of both Americans and Chinese. "Let us not forget that the Japanese

are an intransigent people.

Victories -Merely Steps.'

Gandhi Grows Weaker

In Heart and Mind

BOMBAY—(UP)— Mohandas K.

Gandhi, 73-year-old Indian nationalist

leader, is growing steadily

weaker in heart and mind in the

ninth day of his fast against internment,

a government bulletin

said today.