Evening star., 1944-05-01

LUvcnc IcHS EylUn
u. ). Losses Will Rise
As Japan Is Neared
AS American forces approach the
Inner range" of japanese defenses,
aircraft, mines and submarines will
take a greater toll of United States
fighting mems lives, Capt. Leland P.
Lovette, director of the Navy Bu-
reau of Public Relations, today told
the National Executive Committee
of the American Legion. The vet
erans' group is holding a three-day
session here at the Statler Hotel.
Casualties in the European thea
ter will increase when the invasion
starts, he said Capt Lovette made
no prediction of the invasion date.
He estimated a large proportion
of the japanese merchant fleet had
been Knocked off," reporting that
the japanese now were resorting to
the construction of wooden vessels.
He praised the Legion for it's great
work in backing up our Navy"
The Executive Committee of the
Legion officially Endorsed the Aus
tin -Wadsworth bill for national
service. The committee also re-
iterated its support of the prin-
ciple of universal service with it's
drafting of dollars, labor, materials,
property and supplies necessary for
the proper conduct of the war"
Clark to Speak.
Senator Clark, Democrat, of Mis-
souri,, the first national commander
of the American Legion, will ad-
dress banquet of the committee at
the Statler Hotel on "The Seconl
Invasion of France and its Costs in
Manpower."
The Executive Committee of the
Legion expects to hear tomorrow a
report from it's special subcommit-
tee investigating the case of Repre-
sentative Fish, Republican, of New
York, who was severely criticized by
the Legion's Omaha convention last
September.
Representative Fish vigorously de-
Tended himself later before the Ex-
ecutive Committee at Indianapolis.
He fatty denied charges contained
in the Legion's sharp attack. He
had insisted he was 100 per cent
American" despite the Legion's crit
icism declaring he had permitted
his congressional frank to be used
by subversive elements.
The report was ready for submis-
sion by Harry w. Colmery, Topeka
(Kans) attorney, former national
commander Of the Legion and chair
man Of the subcommittee.
Caution Urged on Commitments.
In a resolution adopted yesterday
the Executive Committee urged eau
ton on postwar commitments and
full consideration for American in
terests. Adopting a resolution of its
Foreign Relations Subcommittee, the
body asserted that "strong as we
are, there is limit to our strength,
and recommended that the Nation
make few promises but fulfill what
we make"
Extending its traditional ad-
vocacy of freedom of the seas, the
Executive Committee set up post
war freedom of the air and access
to the worlds airports for Ameri-
can commercial aviation as a prime
item.
Opposing negotiated peace, the
committee asserted:
The hateful and dangerous doc
trine of appeasement, although un-
der a different name. is raising its
head once more, both in Britain
and the United States"
Nizer Plan Applauded.
The executive committeeman ap-
plauded statement by Louis Nicer
New York attorney and author, that
measures must be taken now to
defeat German plans for the third
world war.
Mr.. Nizer asserted German loot
ing of Europe, which he figured at
$50 ,000, ,0OO, 900, is part of deliberate
plan, prepared against defeat, to
weaken other nations so their next
defense will be hampered.
Mr.. Nicer called for seizure of
German heavy industry, as we'll as
disarmament, foreign supervision of
German education for two genera
tions to eradicate militaristic and
race teachings, and breaking up OF
the German general staff.
Charter Change Loses.
Another resolution turned thumbs
down on a proposal from the Oregon
Department to amend the Legion
charter so as to admit men and
women now in the armed forces,
before discharge. The Executive
Committee said it preferred to pass
up the advantages to the Legion
itself in finances and the prestige
of larger membership until the men
return and themselves can obtain
benefits from membership and have
a voice in Legion affairs.
Brig. Gen. Frank T. Hines, Vet
erans' administrator, told the Legion
group his organization is catching
up fast with its disability claims
job, with net reduction Of 10000
pending claims in the month of
March. Pension claims by veterans
of the present war numbered 1926. 5.538
on March 81, he said, of which 23l,-
755 had been adjudicated. Pensions