Evening star., 1942-07-21
Maritime Union Head
Says Ships Available
For Second Front
Currun und Other ClO
Leaders Urge Immediate
Offensive on Axis

The United Nations should open
second front in Europe as soon as
possible, Joseph Curran, president
Of the National Maritime Union and
vice president of the CIO, declared
yesterday at press conference at
the Washington Industrial Union
Council, l407 l. street NV. He ex-
pressed the view that the United
Nations now have available suf-
cient shipping to open and maintain
second front on the continent.
Mr.. Curran who returned last
week IRON London, where he at
tended the International Maritime
Labor Conference called by the In
ternational Labor Once, headed a
group of seven New York CIO lead
ers who presented a statement to
President Roosevelt yesterday urg-
ing the opening OF second front
without delay. Copies of the state
ment also were given to members of
the New York congressional dele
cation.
Your agreement with the British
and Soviet governments on the
urgency of establishing second
front in Europe this year against
Hitler has our spirited support" the
statement said.
Labor Ready for Sacrifice
THE members of our delegation
are in Washington to convey to you
and to the Senate and House of
Representatives the fact that ap-
peasers and defeatists who would
delay the offensive do not speak for
labor or for the people of New York
I'VE also are here to convey to
you our solemn pledge that second
front now against Hitler and the
Axis will find labor ready for any
sacrifice that is needed to support it.
I'VE believe the second front
should be opened without delay We
believe further that the speed with
which Hitler and the Axis will be
crushed by the second front, opened
this summer before it is too late,
will 60 into glorious page of his
tory as proof of the wisdom of your
policy"
At the press conference Mr.. Cur
ran said the Russian Army is the
only barrier that stands in the way
OF the opening by Hitler Of a second
front against the United States.
Says Shipbuilding Keeps Pace.
Public opinion in Great Britain,
he added. strongly supports the early
opening Of a second front on the
continent. Mr.. Curran praised
British war production. and declared
that we are now producing new
shipping equal to the tonnage de-
stroyed by enemy action.
American merchant seamen. he
continued. are convinced that Nazi
submarines, in their raids against
shipping in the Caribbean and
waters, are using secret
bases in the French Islands OF
and Martinique.
Action of the State Department
in closing Finnish consulates in the
United States Was hailed as II step
to victory" in a Statement presented,
to President Roosevelt and Secretary;
Hull yesterday by delegation rep4l
resenting the Committee Of Finnish
Trade Unionists, headed
by Rudy Hanson, an officer Of the
Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers
Union, cIO.
Calls for War.
Every Finnish who is
devoted to the best interests Of our
country and is actively supporting
our war effort Fundamentally greets
the decision of the State Depart
ment ordering the closing of all
Finnish consulates in the United
States by August / as a step toward
victory the statement said.
The fact that such a step finally
had to be taken is only reflection
of the more basic fact that the
Mannerheim government is a Hitler
ally, waging war against us and the
United Nations.
1--WE therefore urge that the latest
action of the State Department be
followed Immediately by rupture of
diplomatic relations and a declara-
ton Of war on Finland. Continued
relations with the Finnish puppet
OF Hitler only gives the Axis another
base of operations against the
United Nations, and still leaves
Mannerheim's consular agents here
considerable freedom to carry on
espionage for the Axis"