June 1, 1944; ROME IN SIGHT:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JUNE 1, 1944:

(By The Associated Press)

American infantry cracked into the Valmontone Line and saw Rome across 15 hazy miles from heights in the Alban Hills, captured in a stoutly contested advance

of nearly two miles which by-passed ruined Velletri. 

 Washington, (AP) —

Secretary of War Stimson said today that with 3,657,000 army troops already overseas, the deployment of air and service forces is practically completed

"and the period of decisive action is at hand."

PHILADELPHIA, (AP)—

A German submarine stopped the neutral Portuguese refugee ship Serpa Pinto off Bermuda on a clear dark night and a calm sea last Friday, took two prisoners and warned the 385 crew members and passengers the ship would be sunk

WASHINGTON, (AP)

Unless President Roosevelt decides to go to London in the very near future there is little prospect that General Charles deGaulle will get his wish for a ranking American official to sit in on his promised conference with Prime Minister Churchill.

LOCK HAVEN. PA.. THURSDAY, JUNE 1. 1944

Velletri By-Passed,

Frosinone Captured;

Changsha Threatened

(By The Associated Press)

American infantry cracked into the Valmontone Line and saw Rome across 15 hazy miles from heights in the Alban Hills, captured in a stoutly contested advance

of nearly two miles which by-passed ruined Velletri.

British troops and armor on the right captured Frosinone, provincial capital of 20,000 and highway junction 54 miles southeast o'f Rome. New Zealanders toppled Sora on the escape highway No. 82 and pounded swiftly ahead toward Avezzano, 34 miles away.

The French captured Carpineto and cleared out the Lepini Hills.

Try to Save Forces

All along, the 100-mile meandering front from the Tyrrhenian to north of Cassino, the Allies advanced and the German positions deteriorated by the minute. The Germans fought with skill and a determination born of desperation, for he was making a supreme effort to save the 20 divisions of his 10th and 14th Armies,

now imminently imperiled by the deep wedge thrown into the last defense shield before Rome. The Germans said Velletri had been abandoned after violent street fighting.

Ground Forces

Moving Out Now

To'Ready Bases

Air, Service Troops

Have Prepared Way;

'Decisive Action' Near

Washington, (AP) —

Secretary of War Stimson said today that with 3,657,000 army troops already overseas, the deployment of air and service forces is practically completed

"and the period of decisive action is at hand."

­­­­­­­­­­

The bulk of forces now moving out of the United States to combat areas is

composed of ground troops prepared to use the bases and take advantage of the preliminary air assaults for the final blows against the enemy, the secretary told a

news conference, adding:

"This force of 3,657,000, at the end of protected supply lines stretching more than 56,000 miles and reaching into every continent, represents approximately 47 percent of the total strength of the army.

U-Boat Stops Refugee

Ship, Takes 2 Americans

PHILADELPHIA, (AP)—

A German submarine stopped the neutral Portuguese refugee ship Serpa Pinto off Bermuda on a clear dark night and a calm sea last Friday, took two prisoners and warned the 385 crew members and passengers the ship would be sunk.

Three lives, including that of a 16-months-old baby, Beatrice Trapunski, were lost in the rush to launch lifeboats.

One of those who fled the ship, Tony Ribeiro, who came to the U. S. to go Into business with his brother, David, of Gloucester, Mass., said yesterday.

FDR Trip Abroad

In 'If Stage

WASHINGTON, (AP)

Unless President Roosevelt decides to go to London in the very near future there is little prospect that General Charles de Gaulle will get his wish for a ranking American official to sit in on his promised conference with Prime Minister Churchill.

There is still conviction in some quarters, however, that the president may make the trip, not especially to see the French leader, but primarily to get a closer look at the war and to thrash out some tough political problems with the British prime minister.

Policies as to Spain and Turkey are considered in official quarters to be troublesome. The constant question is how far to press these neutrals, and also Sweden, to cut their trade with the Axis. The British forced a compromise in negotiations with Spain over war, vital, Wolfram so that token shipments still go through to Germany.

ejt