The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-06-14
Observations
Fleet Expansion
Being Planned by
Russian Officials
BY HELEN EssARY

Best adyices in diplomatic and
naval circles indicate that Russia
is planning TO expand her sea pow
or vastly as soon as she recuperates
from her tremendous losses in the
German war.
II there is anything tangible left
OF the German feet, Russia is eN~
pccted 10 demand a large share,
Moscow knows that the Soviet Tn
ion, like the sprawling empire Of
the czars before il, is lamentably
weak on the high seas.
Prime Minister Winston Chur-
chill revealed recently that Great
Britain handed over i've OF the old
American destroyers 10 Russia,
along with other vessels, including
an old battleship. shortly after the
fall of Italy. And the United
States gave the Soviet the cruiser
Milwaukee.
This was done because parts OF
the Italian navy, which Russia de-
manded in the dark days OF the
war. were unsuited 10 deep sea
duty.
Now demands are arising in Par
lament that Moscow be asked 10
return to Britain the ships she
Teceiyed-on the basis that they
no longer are useful in the war.
Because OF her naval ambition.
some authorities think she would
like TO engage in the Pacific war
against Japan. She could study
the American and British nsvies,
acquire the know-how. and gener-
ally trim her sails for whatever the
future may hold.
LOOK FOR A SHAKEUP In the
Department OF Agriculture when
Rep. Clinton Anderson becomes
the new secretary.
Anderson has done a bang-up job
as chairman OF the House food
committee and. as man with
ideas. he has the backing OF Presi-
dent Truman 10 put them into ef-
feet
He has told newsmen privately
that his door will be open at all
times for questioners and that he
plans to make his department one
of the most active agencies in the
government
Anderson will have a much larg-
er. job 70 do than his predecessor.
Claude R. Wickard. who has been
nominated for rural electrifcation
administrator
Under the new set-up. Anderson
will have both the Department OF
Agriculture and the War Food Ad-
ministration.
This agency division had split
Wickard's authority and focused
most attention on Marvin Jones,
VIA administrator Wickard was
out in the cold. and in his press
relations, he became less and less
accessible.
Anderson, however, plans to
change all this. II would be no sur.
prise TO see him forge to the top
in the handling OF the nations
critical food problem, complicated
by the huge demand being made
for supplies for Europe and the
world.
WHEN THE LATE PRESIDENT
ROOSEVELT chose Supreme Court
Justice Robert H. Jackson TO be
United States counsel in connec-
ton with the prosecution OF war
criminals, he was prompted by the
fact that Jackson has long been a
student Of the problems OF interna-
tional law.
On one occasion. Jackson went
at length into the legal pros and
cons OF such prosecutions as he
will direct abroad.
He argued that the legal experts
are more prone TO hesitate when Il
comes TO actually putting teeth
Into international law than the
common run OF the people He
cited many instances OF historic
record and took the position that
enforcement Of law through legal
processes is necessary 10 the ad.
Vancement Of international law and
order.
Incidentally. John Harlan Amen.
who will assist in the prosecutions.
is seasoned lawyer making a ca.
reer Of public service.
Under President Hoover's Al.
ministration, he was an active bro.
secutor OF antitrust cases. and for
the first time brought ring.leaders
OF the live poultry racket In New
York to justice.
They numbered so many that
small grandstand had TO be built
INTO one Of the courtrooms OF the
old Federal Court building to &C.