The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-03-04
Observations
Truk, Strongly
Held by Japs, May
be by Passed
BY Helen EsSsry

DO not expect an early invasion
OF the big Jap base at Truk to fol
low the smashing carrier task
force raid on that bastion at the
present time. All indications at
present point TO the probability
that Truk will be ~by-passed. and
the Jap garrison VIII be left to
starye as have thousands OF enemy
troops in the eastern MarShalls
Because the islands in the Truk
lagoon are completely surrounded
by reefs, except for the four en-
frances. taking il would be too
costly in men and ships. And
once United States forces take
other islands west Of Truk, the
latter base will be completely use
less to the enemy.
Truk lagoon is considered one
OF the best fleet Ravens in the
world, and it would have remained
that except for the destructive
striking power OF carrier task
forces. Truk now is a liability to the
Japs rather than an asset.
The leapfrog tactics which Adm.
Chester W. Nimitz and Gen. .Dou-
glas Macarthur have been using
the past few months have saved
the lives OF countless thousands Of
American and Allied soldiers. In
stead OF hitting the Japs at their
strong points. the Allied forces by
pass them and let the main enc
my positions die on the vine.
THE UNITED STATES-at long
last-apparently has decided to
force Generalissimo Francisco
Frances hand ana bring about a
showdown OF the fgment OF Span
ish neutrality.
Washington sees in this diploma
tic drive against the already I'm.
wieldly regime OF "cl CaudillO' an
attempt by the Allies 10 firmly neu-
tralize Spain before western inya-
ton OF Europe.
Now. with the United States
considering a possible embargo on
Spanish wolfram and urging the
Allies to order the expulsion of
Nazi agents from -Tangiers and
the area. hotderjnS Gibraltar.
Franco is being put on the diploma
tic spot.
MANPOW Err CHIEF PAUL V.
McNUTT appears to be the only
outright casualty OF the Baruch
report. Brig. Cen. Frank T. Hines
takes over the job of re.training
and re-employing veterans which
McNutt had reserved TO himself.
Although OWN Chief James
Byrnes asserted that McNutt would
continue in his present post. OBJ.
servers noted that this would leave
the VINO chairman without a role
in the forthcoming postwar demo-
bilization. His only contact will
he through federal security and
the United States Employment Ser
vice, while Hines occupies the
limelight.
WPB Chairman Donald NJ. Nell
son came out in good shape in so
far as the Baruch report gave his
agency representation on the con-
tract termination board and an
important part in the entire demo-
bilization program.
However, Baruch mentioned
NPR only as an agency and said
nothing about personalities. In
other words. the conflict between
Nelson and his vice.chairman.
Charles f. Wilson. continues with
Bsruch definitely in Wilson's o
ner.
, At present. however. observers
believe Nelson will continue 10
head WPB through the demobiliza-
ton era with Wilson going back
to General Electric.
VICE PRESIDENT HENRY
WALLACES assertion that wheth.
or or not he. succeeds himself this
year as President R~ooseyelts run
ming mate on the Democratic tick
et is in the lap OF the gods is
causing lively speculation. Most
political observers take Wallace at
his word when he say he never
has discussed the vice presidency
with the boss.
This. they say, substantiates re-
ports that a conservative satisfac-
tory to southern Democrats will
succeed Wallace as the vice presi-
Dental choice when the November
chips are down.
Mentioned as possible Democra.
tic candidates for vice president
are Undersecretary Of State Ed.
ward Stettinius. Jr.; Undersecre
fary OF War Robert P. Patterson:
Commerce Secretary Jesse Jones;
War Mobilizer James F. Byrnes,
and a grab-baZ OF lesser lights.
The possibility remains. despite
the political dopesters. that the
president viii: retain W.apace be-
cause he represents the extreme
in the New Deal.