The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-06-24

So the British had Q military trade mission in Moscow, the French sent some minor diplomats there-and the Germans sent a group of their most important statesmen, including Foreign Minister Won Ribbentrop.
 It never leaked out, but during that summer, President Lebrun of France proposed to Premier Dela- dier that Edouard Herriot, the Mayor of Lyons, go to Moscow aS special envoy. Herriot had been Premier of France, was one of the outstanding figures of the nation, and long Q great friend of Sussia. Lebrun argued that if anyone could woo Russia to the French side, Herriot could do 1t.
 But Daladier refused. 170 did not want to focus too much pub. lie attention upon c political rival. Herriot, he feared, might crowd him for the limelight.
 The events which followed are
 well known. Germany brought
 Russia into an alliance. And
 (although Russia has come to regret that allianCe), it was this deal between Stalln and Hitler which precipitated the invasion of Poland and the war.
 Perhaps Herriot might have failed iii Moscow. But perhaps he could have delayed the RusSo- German alliance one month-by which time the rainy season would have started in Poland. No one will ever know--because personal jealousies and politics counted in France more than public security.
 French lesson for the U. s. A.: No President of the United States, when the security of the nation is at stake, should allow personal friendships to retain officials in key positions that they are incoti- petent to fill. NO ENEMY AIDERs
 Washington newsmen, eacount- ering 6 growing trend of offlciouS censorship by military brasshats, got Q kick out of 6 story Austral- ian Prime Minister Menzies relat- cd during his recent visit.
 One day, Menzies received Q ca- ble from London that Australian troops had made their first con- tact with Italians in North Africa and had acquitted themselves ga!" lantly. Thrilled, Menzies rushed to Parliament, which happened to be in session, and read the mes. sage.
 Two hours later he got another cable from 6 high official in Lon. don, protesting that Menzies ace cjon had given "aid and comfort to the enemy" Menzies shot back this reply:
 "If Australian troops made contact with the Italians, the Italians are fully aware of t and you can bc sure 1t was no aid or comfort to thefn."
 PLANE PRODUCTION
 That drop in plane production last month from the April high of l,300 to 1884 was c shock to Dc. fense chiefs, who had expected output to top 1900. However, there was one bright spCt in the otherwise sour report.
 Total aircraft output was down, but c higher proportion Of fight. ing planes were turned out last month than ever before. Pre-. viouSly, more trainers than fight- erg were produced. But in May this ratio was reversed, with 66 per cent fighters against a6 per cent trainers.
 This Is of utmost importance. Trainers are easily made and have never been Q headache. Itis fighters and bomberg that present real production problem, and the relative increase last month shows that military plane output ct long last is entering the mass produc- ton stage.
 There were i've chief Teasons
 for tho May IetdOwn in total
 outpus--labOr trouble and lack
 Of processcd aluminium.
 At the Consolidated Aircraft plant, which is making urgently needed heavy bombers, 6 bitter AFL.CIO battle to unionize the men led to . perceptibie showdown of workers and production. But even more serious vas the drop iil two-and four.fnotor bOinberg ct the Boeing plant in Geattle be- cause Os on aluminium shortage.