The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-02-29
Observations
Smashing Attack
on Truk Heralds
Twilight For ToJo

The smashing American ma al
and air attack on Truh. the Japd-
nese Pearl Harbor' with it, toll
OF 10 Jap ships sunh. 200 planes
downcd, is the beginning OF the
q end naval observers aeree, for
Japans might al sea
For many months the ever grow.
ing United States battle fleets
have been extending their mcnac-
ing claws toward the Japanese
homelands and Truk is regarded
AS the beginning of Tojo's twilight.
With more than 90 per cent of
America : sea power concentrated
in the direction Of Japan and her
stolen empire the assault on Truk
served HAT notice To the tune OF
crashing cannon and bombs. that
as far as the Pacific fleet is con.
Cerncd, the japanese war is thing
apart from the conflict IN Europe.
Groundwork for the Truk at
tack was laid. in part. in the trs.
meudously successful operations in
the Marshall Islands.
Old line naval officers were jubi-
liant over the comparatively easy
victory in the Marshalls because
they believed the batlcship justi-
ned itself there as the most i'm
portant unit IN the fleet
II is true that the Is and l4-inCh
guns of the drcaduaughts played
a vital part in reducing Jap dc
lenses on Kwajalciii.
However. the battleships would
not have dared 10 move within
pointblank range Of shore If the
cailier-based planes had not swept
Jap aircraft from the skies
But no matter how the battle
ship admirals try. they cannot
provo in this war that the dread
nalsht is the most important
ship in the feet
The Japs. il is argued proved
it wasn't when they used carrier
based planes to knock out most
OF our Pacific battleship fleet at
Pearl Harbor
ON the other hand reminded
naval officers will teH yoll that the
VdliitNHlD sun -. tS>tHlldI.
Its big guns are needed and it
forms a good platform for a large
number OF anu-aircraft guns.
Bat the fact remains that where
ever it sails. in this muti-dimcn-
sional war. will 20. carriers and
planes TO speed the cmbattlcd skies
clear of the foe
IS THERE NEW DEAL POLL
TICS IN REA:
The answer appears to be en-
phatically yes. according TO testi-
mony OF Henry Slattery. REA chief
before the Senate committee in
yestigatng REA activities
Slattery revealed before the COM
mttee that the White House four
times has 'pressured" him for his
resignation and. Slattery said, he
fatty refused to quit under fire"
4 similar request. he said, came
from Secretary OF Agriculture
Claude Wic&ard
The REA chief explained that
Jonathan Daniels. administrative
assistant TO President Roosevelt
made three attempts to purge him
once Daniels asked for Slattery's
resignation on account OF III
health. on Slatterys refusal
Daniels then offered Slattery a new
iob-helping the British rebuild
their bombed-out power plants
Best bet: Watch for further hear
ines OF the committee in which
Committee Counsel Carroll Beedy
is expected to bring out the cold.
hard fact that the attempted juesi-
ing within REA is in line with the
fourth term drive
Committee members will recall
Nicksrd to the stand 10 find OFT
Just why Slattery is being given
the brush OFF,.
Results observers agree. should
make headlines on the front page