The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-09-13
Observations
World Police Force
Could Become a
"Maginot Line"
BY Helen rsssry

with chronological advances in
death.dealins weapons stress the
importance OF eternal vigilance In
the future. and warn OF the dan
ger OF SNUG reliance on any kind
OF "Maginot Line.
Even an international police
force, II Is argued. could easily be-
come a "Msginot Line" II it Ia
permitted TO fall into decay. and
II il assumes that any future war
should be fought with the wea-
pons and tactics OF World War H.
Emphasis Ia being placed in some
responsible quarters on the idea
that the forces against aggression
must see 10 II that they are con.
stantly more powerful than the
forces for aggression with respect
10 every device and means for con-
quest
The strictest secrecy surrounds
the progress that is being made in
the development OF deathdealins
weapons. Virtually this whole
area OF scientific progress is kept
absolutely hush.hush for reasons
OF security.
A hint OF what is being done by
the enemy. however, was the re-
cent report OF an explosion in
France that shook buildings In
England-across the channel. Sew.
eral other explosions OF similar In.
tensity have led TO reports that
the Germans may have discovered
an explosive OF unprecedented
power which they are unable to
control at the present time.
Some officials suggest that the
inventors OF such things should be
shot at once-before they can pass
on their secret 10 others. but the
practicability OF such a step Is
doubted
The Japanese high command
must be running around in cir
cles trying 10 figure out where
blows and invasion thrusts will
come.
Gen. Douglas Macarthur has an.
nounced his intention to move back
10 the Philippines. but, OF course.
he is not telling the Japs where
or when he will strike. The enc
my must be prepared to defend all
the numerous Islands in the arch
ipelago-almost 40 impossible task.
Meanwhile. forces under Adm.
Chester W Nimitz. are threaten.
ing the whole string OF Japan's in
rer defenses from the North Pacif-
ic ocean TO the Java sea. The
naval officers have not helped Jap
morale by promising that the blows
10 come will make the mighty as
saults OF Task Force IS seem like
summer zephyr.
Here are some OF the problems
faced by the Jap high command:
lit must be on the alert against
an American move into the Kuriles
from the Aleutians and Marianas.
2-The strategic BONN and Vol.
cano islands must be bolstered TO
prevent an American move north.
ward from Guam and Saipan.
3-Palau and zap now lie with.
in striking distance OF American
forces both under Nimitz and Mac
Arthur
4--The Japs must consider the
possibility that Nimitz or Mac
Arthur. or both, may move into the
Philippines.
5-The oil.rich East Indies could
also be a target which the Japs
cannot ignore. yet they are faced
with the problem OF using their
crippled shipping to move in sup
plies and achievements.
Labor observers are convinced
that John L. Lewis directed the
strategy behind the strikes OF
mine supervisory employees which
threaten TO close pits vital to steel
production. At United Mine Work.
ers headquarters in Washington,
the comment was merely that dis
trict 80 Is autonomous-we have
no control over those fellows
However, District 80 always has
been guided by Lewis top aides.
and the bushy.browed labor boss
often has used this catch-all unit
10 expand his unionizing activities.
1t is considered very doubtful
that any autonomy granted by
Lewis would extend TO the point
Of letting local union chiefs cause
such a rumpus as 70 provoke fed
eral seizure Of mine properties.
Lewis would know about anything
that big.
The UNIV. 10 a tightly supervis.
ed organization and District 80.
10 which the mine supervisors and
foremen belong, IL very definitely
part Of II.