The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-10-24
Observations
Hitler Turns
to Rartering
With Hostages
sy Helen Essary


be one OF the Oldest and most
nefarious tricks in warfare-bart
ering with hostages.
With millions OF subject peoples
and war prisoners now in Germany.
Hitler has managed TO grab some Of
Europe's most influential persons
for his scheme.
Foremost among these is King
Leopold Of Belgium, who was taken
prisoner when the Belgian right
flank collapsed in 1870 thus paving
the way for the British defeat at
Dunkerque.
Lesser lights include scores OF
city officials government leaders,
industrialis:j and intellectuals from
France, Italy, the Low Countries,
Poland, Norway and Czechoslova-
kia.
The use Of hostages is prohibited
by the Geneva convention, but 1t
generally is expected that Hitler
will flout this agreement when 1t
serves his purpose. Military OBJ
servers. however, are agreed that
the Allies will ignore whatever
threats Hitler may make in connec'
ton with the hostages.
NOW THAT CONGRESS is IN
RECESS. an increasing number OF
congressman are invading England
at the invitation Of the British gov.
eminent. Both Democrats and Re-
pub!icaus have taken advantage OF
a British offer to be flown TO Eng
land whenever plane seats are
available.
Once there, however, the Ameri-
cans pay their own expenses and,
usually, their passage home.
At one time recently there were
a dozen congressman in London.
Six Of them returned together by
boat.
Some stay for a few days, others
for a longer time. Most take adj
vantage of the opportunity TO visit
France TO obtain closeup OF the
war.
Some saw or heard German
buzz.bombs when these were rain
ing on London. Two representa-
tives-Poage and Fisher, Texas
Democrats narrowly escaped
probable death when a German
shell demolished the Dover railway
station just before they reached 1t.
They arrived in time to help re-
move the dead and wounded.
ALTHOUGH JAPAN MAY BE
CUT OFF soon from the oil-rlch
East Indies, American military and
naval experts are not looking for
ward 10 any immediate collapse OF
the Nipponese war effort due to
lack of aviation gasoline and lubri.
cants.
Best estimates are that the enc
my has a stockpile of aviation gas
oline estimated TO be equal TO two
years of warfare on the present
rate OF operations. Japaa's stock
pile of lubricating oils is believed
TO be enough for Is months.
Also, Japan has concentrated on
sumably because she was not sure
she could grab or keep the East
Indies. Plants in Japan. Korea
and 'Manchuria are estimated to be
producing 100000 barrels OF this
product every year from coal and
from oil shales.
By keeping her fleet close to
home, japan also has been able to
conserve her stockpile OF oil. And
she does not have to ship so many
gallons OF aviation gas to her far.
flung bases in the Carolines and the
Southwest Pacific.
These bases have been by-passed
by American forces and Japan IS
making no pretense OF keeping up
her air forces in the isolated areas.
A POPULAR misconceptions
regarding Americas postwar mer-
chant marine seems TO be that the
much-heralded Victory ships are
to form the nucleus OF our peace
time merchant shipping.
The fact is, however, that the
Victory ships .altho Oh vast I'm.
provement over the early war Lib
erty cargo ship. will give way in
peace-time to CHS. CPS, C-3s, and
other C.type cargo carriers which
will be able to compete with the
new merchant navies which other
sea powers will have to build.