European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 31, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 8 a a a the stars and stripes a riday August 31,1990 ran away Arcus is Cau by pm be Batman Nairn Borg Bureau Furth West Germany a amps a West German officials used . Army nets to capture an awol pygmy Hippopotamus on thursday a week after the Petite 300-Pounder fled her circus act for the Regnitz River. Since waddling away from the Fligge Pilz circus a week ago Elsbeth the Hippo had been spotted swimming leisurely in the Rivers surrounding ii Rah and grazing in nearby Meadows. But she eluded City officials and circus workers until the army was asked to lend cargo nets from nearby Frucht army Airfield. On thursday morning officials thought they had cornered 2-year-old Elsbeth it a narrow Section of the River. But the Pudgy circus Starlet got past the Walkie talkies and snorkels and swam upstream. Circus workers finally nabbed Elsbeth at 12 30 . By tossing one of the army nets Over her when she came up for air a spokesman for the department of Public safety said. Circus workers had captured the Hippo shortly after her escape last Friday according to employee Beatrix Holscher but onlookers cheered and Elsbeth jumped Back into the River. Another time one of the divers searching the River had the Hippo in his arms but Elsbeth who can hold her breath for at least four minutes was too much for him and he had to let her go. Riverside residents also reported seeing her grazing in a Meadow where a Man was walking his dog. The dog barked and Elsbeth hit water again. Holscher said that she was certain that the Little Hippo was Happy enough during her unauthorized furlough. She had Only worried that Elsbeth might be injured by debris in the River. In the meantime Elsbeth who is valued at about $35,000, endeared herself to Firth townsfolk and attracted National attention. Holscher said the phone at the circus has been ringing off the Hook. She said 100 people stopped on the Bridge overlooking the circus site each Day and All had the same question a have you seen Elsbeth yet a Eagle scout Sembach West Germany a David w. Chapman has been promoted to Eagle scout the highest Honor in boy  is a member of troop 284 and has been in scouting since the age of 6.a a for his Eagle scout project Chapman sponsored a clothing drive last september to Benefit East German citizens who had fled to the West. The clothing was distributed to resettlement Camps by the West German red Cross. Chapman the oldest son of Joseph and Debra Chapman of Sembach a earned 30 Merit badges in his quest for the  earn the Eagle scout award a boy scout must fulfil requirements in leadership service and outdoor skills. This includes earning at least 21 Merit badges and completing a Community service  go killed 4 injured in car crash Wurzburg West Germany a amps a one Soldier was killed and four others were injured when their car was struck head on by another Auto wednesday evening a Wiir Burg military Community spokesman said thursday. The names of the soldiers Are being withheld until their families arc notified. The dead Soldier was a 19-year-old woman spokesman Robert burst said. The soldiers assigned to the 493rd Supply and services co in Wurzburg were returning Home from Schweinfurt about 6 . When the Accident occurred burst said. All five were transported by helicopter to West German hospitals in Wiir Burg and Schwein Furt. The 19-year-old Soldier died in a Schweinfurt Hospital at 7 10 . Three soldiers were in severe condition thursday while one was treated and released. _ the Driver of the other vehicle a 49-year-old turkish resident of bad Neu Stadt was also hospitalized. His condition was not known. The soldiers were travelling South on Highway bi9 near the town of Gelder sheim when the Accident occurred burst said. The bad Neu Slade Motorist was attempting to pass a Motorbike and a tractor on a curve when ins car stuck the soldiers vehicle head on he said. The Accident is being investigated but . And West German  Sale cancelled Wiesbaden. W est Germain a defense re utilization and marketing office officials have cancelled a Sale set Tor saturday m i Lessen. A new Date has not been scheduled officials said. A for go convicted of rape perjury by Rosemary Sawyer staff writer the prison sentence of a Wurzburg Soldier convicted of rape and perjury was reduced from 10 years to 4 a years during re sentencing wednesday. Spec. Michael a. Williams 27, was Given the new sentence based on a ruling by military judge it. Col. Robert d. Ganstine that set aside the previous 10-year sentence. In late july Ganstine said information about the rape victim that surfaced after Williams trial in june could have affected sentencing. Based on Ganstine a opinion Mai. Gen. Wilson a. Shoftner the 3rd inf div convening authority or dared the re sentencing. On wednesday Ganstine gave Williams of he Btry 3rd inf div arty a a i year prison term. The service Mem or also was sentenced to a bad conduct discharge and forfeiture of $500 a month for the length of his sentence. His earlier sentence included the More severe dishonourable discharge and Complete forfeiture of pay and allowances. As it turned out the new information about the rape victim s sexual relationship with another Soldier was not presented wednesday. Williams and his wife took the stand wednesday. Crystal Williams told the court that she had forgiven her husband for the incident. Micnal Williams reflected on the 70 Days head already spent in confinement in Mannheim and expressed remorse for the act. Ganstine deliberated for about 30 minutes before announcing Williams new sentence. Williams will serve his sentence at fort Leavenworth Kan. The rape occurred March 30 at Leighton Barracks in Wurzburg. Williams a tactical fire operations specialist was found guilty of perjury or a false swearing Quot in military language for lying to investigators. No May Only serve 5 years for sex crimes Torrejon Spain a amps a an air Force sergeant who was sentenced to 35 years in prison for sexual crimes against his two stepdaughters May actually be confined for As few As five years because of a pretrial agreement. Staff sgt. Donald w. Mclaren was convicted aug. 12 in a general court martial held at san Vito Dei Normanna air station Italy. He was found guilty of the rape and attempted rape of one of his stepdaughters and sodomy and indecent acts with both girls. Although he was sentenced to 35 years confinement at hard labor a pretrial agreement limits his jail time to no More than 15 years. With Good behaviour or parole his prison term could be reduced to about a third of that time or five years said capt. Jamie Scearse a spokeswoman for the 16th air Force at Torrejon. Air Force officials at san Vito did not report the terms of the agreement in a statement made two Days after the verdict. The officials referred further questions about the Case to 16th air Force. Mclaren who was assigned to 7275th air base group was also Given a Dishon Oracle discharge and reduced to the lowest enlisted rank. He was also ordered to forfeit $424 a month during his time in prison or what would have been nearly $180,000 Over 35 years. If he spends five years in prison the forfeiture would amount to less than $26,000. The sergeant is being held at the Aimy jail in Mannheim West Germany. Maj. Gen. Gerald a. Daniel the 16th air Force commander has not formally approved the verdict in Mclaren Scase sparse said. Mclaren a stepdaughters now 9 and 14, have returned to the United states. Navy fliers save ferry passengers in Africa Freetown Sierra Lcene a amps a eight Navy fliers rescued six fellow passengers of a Freetown ferry that overturned wednesday. A they prevented further loss of life at the risk of their own a Navy spokesman it. Paul Weishaupt said thursday. Seven people died in the Accident. The sailors Crew members of a Kc-130 Hercules Tanker aircraft Are assigned to Fleet logistics support so 22 based at naval station Rota Spain. The ferry was crossing Lungi Bay from Freetown to an Airport about 3 . When it capsized less than a Quarter mile from Shore. A was the vessel turned Over three of the sailors a lieutenant Brent d. Che Nard Petty officer 1st class Robert m. Smith and Seaman Thomas f. Vantil Burg a Dove repeatedly to pull people trapped below to their colleagues above Quot Weishaupt said. A the sailors kept the people on the floating Bottom of the ferry until local nationals in canoes rowed out to Rescue  the Navy men. Who were on Liberty were heading to their aircraft at the air port. They were in the West african nation to refuel . Aircraft standing by to evacuate westerners caught in the Middle of liberians civil War Chenard 25, is from Plymouth mass. Smith 32, from Jacksonville Fla and Vantilburg 22, from Las vegas Nev. The other rescuers Are it. . John g. Montpetit 27, Detroit it. Michael r. Lion 28, Al Dorado Kan. Chief Petty officer Roger l. Taylor 37, Hammond ind. Petty officer 2nd class Darren r. Yardley 26, Calais Maine and Petty officer 3rd class Stewart w. Melton 23, Manchester by. Suspect in Berlin disco bombing released berlins amps a a lebanese born West German arrested in the 1986 bombing of a Berlin disco has been released a City official said thursday. The arrest of Ali Mansur stemmed from information provided by a former last German ministry for slate Security official. The Case against him however depended on the new East German governments willingness to release key state Security documents. The East germans refused citing a Federal Law that prohibits such action so West Berlin officials released Mansur. But arrest warrants for five people suspected of involvement in the fatal bombing remain Active despite Mansura a release on aug. 22, West Beilin Justice department spokesman Cornel Christof Fel said. A two of the suspects Are lebanese two Are moroccan and one is libyan. Can Stiftel said. The april 1986 bombing at the la Belle discotheque killed two . Serv  and a woman and injured 204 other people. President Reagan accused Libya of plotting the attack and ordered a bombing raid against that North african nation. Berlin authorities seemed closer to solving the crime july 25 when they arrested Mansur 32, during a search of his apartment in berlins Neu Kolln District. But a Berlin District court lifted the arrest order against Mansur at the District attorneys request because of a Lack of evidence and the unavailability of key witnesses