The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-02-16
Observations
Finland Caught
in Trap Not Of
Her Own Making
g. Helen Esssry

Finland. unwilling victim OF the
gigantic struggle between Germany
and Russia. Is making desperate
bid to get out OF the war and
square accounts with the rest Of
tho world
According to Office OF War In
formation records. the little Baltic
nation has launched a new propa-
ganda effort with the ayowed In.
tcntion of aligning herself with
the other Allied nations. Wash
ington diplomatic circles. however,
fear Finland will be unsuccessful.
They point out that since 1882
when Russia stormed the Finnish
Mannerheim line Finland has been
the victim OF international politics.
Russia wanted Baltic seaport.
Then the KusSo-German war
brought an invasion of German
tourists who never have left tho
country. Now. with Soviet troops
surginE into Poland. Finland has
been sending O peace feelers'
but Moscow is unrccCptiye. Rus
sias peace terms remain unchang-
ed
Although Great Britain has de-
c.ared war on Finland. the United
States still retains diplomatic re.
lations with tho northern nation.
Finland continues her regular
payments 10 the United States on
her World War debt. Americans
undeniably hold Finland in high
esteem among the nations OF the
world. but in these days OF "blitz'
politics, they en- only view hec
plight with pity.
THE BRIGHTEST NOTE for
consumers this week was the lnii-
cation there may be more alarm
clocks made 10 1914
Strange as It seems, the short
age OF these clocks has proved TO
be civilians most troublesome
wartime inconvenience, with the
exception possibly Of food.
War workers. Office workers and
the public generally have COM
planned they cant get EN- up
on time without alarm clocks. The
100000 victory model clocks
with fiber cases produced between
last April and mid.November are
nowhere near adequate TO meet de-
msnds
Clockmakers met with War Pro-
duction Board officials last week
and said they couldn't possibly in
crease their alarm clock output
without interfering with war work.
But. they added, if they could get
brass for gears and other inside
works, and steel for cases. they
could turn out clocks Is to 20 per
cent faster. Brass. they explained.
is worked more easily than steel
for clock wheels, and steel cases
can be stamped out quicker than
fiber ones can be fabricated.
WPB indicated il would consider
the possibility OF giving the clock
men some Of the metals.
UNDER A PLAN for peace-time
military preparedness offered by
Charles f wilson OF the General
Electric Company. and executive
vice chairman Of the War Produc.
ton Board. Americas Industrial
firms would keep in close touch
with possible future war produc.
ton requirements.
Wilson. who proposed establish.
ment OF a peace-tim, general staff
TO make sure that this country
never again la behind the enc
my in military research and de-
velopment, would have the largest
industrial suppliers OF war goods
designate permanent liason men to
keep ready at all times a broad
plan for converting and re-eQuip-
ping their companies for war. set.
ting up sub-contractors, assuring
material supply.
Wilson suggests that such men
be commissioned colonies in the
Army reserve to insure their perm
anent interest in the plan and bind
them TO the military.
From this group OF colone's
would be chosen an industrial co.
ordinating committee TO serve in
conjunction With men from the
military forces aud would meet at
regular intervals with legislative
and administrative representatives,
along with general research
committee, at the presidents re-
quest