The Ypsilanti daily press., 1945-07-31
Observations
Replacement of
Rockefeller Seen
as Difficult
By HELM EssARY

The State Department is embar-
rAsssd over reports that Nelson
Rockefeller may be displaced as as.
Iistant secretary in charge OF Latin
American affairs. The trouble IS
that men with training and back.
ground for the post are hard to
and
Laurence Duggan, one OF the de-
partment's most skilled Latin.
American experts, quit before the
last reorganization TO take private
Job and is unlikely to be enticed
back.
Claude Bowers, now ambassador
10 Chile, has been mentioned but,
aside from Chile, his diplomatic ex.
perienee has been in Spain. And
he is more interested in writing
than diplomacy.
Norman Armour, once regarded
as likely for the job prior TO Rookie
feller's appointment. is needed in
his present post in Spain.
Sumner Welles' absence from the
department left a gap not yet filled,
But no official would think OF call
ing him back since it would consti-
tute an affront to Cordell Hull,
whose split with Welles caused the
latter's retirement. And Welles'
open criticism OF department policy
in his writings and on the radio
are regarded by some as having
destroyed his usefulness as an Of
fetal.
SURPRISED AND ION THE
SPOT" is Rep. John S. Wood Cd
OF Georgia, new chairman OF the
House committee TO investigate un-
American activities. Wood accept.
ed a post which some half-dozen
other congressman declined. He
succeeded Rep. Edward ]. Hart (D)
OF New Jersey.
Wood disclosed that he had no
inkling that he was being consld-
cred for the job until the House
leadership asked whether he would
accept the Craftsmanship. 1T took
me completely by surprise" the
former Georgia prosecutor told
newsmen.
AS chairman, Wood said he would
follow this maxim: "All Americans
are good Americans until they're
proved otherwise"
EXPERTS ON MILITARY
EQUIPMENT discount almost 100
per cent Jap boasts that their sci
entists are developing secret wea-
pons that will wipe out the Ameri-
can fleet, the air forces and any
invasion units.
As a matter OF fact, Jap war in
dustries haven't even been able 10
copy German secret weapons
well enough to make them work.
The Nips apparently failed to copy
the Nazi buzz-bombs properly
probably the reason they turned
out a modification called the "Ba-
ka" bomb. which has to be guided
by q suicide pilot. 1t travels only
a short distance and has done little
damage to American ships.
Even Jap sea mines have been
found to be inferior TO American
and German mines. Although the
Japanese boasted about their naval
gHnnery and FIRE control mechan-
isrns early in the war, they have
lest virtually every engagement
with United States surface forces.
And Americas mounting offensive
against Jap industry will make II
harder for enemy scientists to try
to make good on their claims.
DON'T LOOK FOR 1T RIGHT
AWAY. but the end of shoe ration
ing is in sight. There have been
some reports II may end next
January. but this is probably too
early date.
However, the shoe picture for
civilians is brighter. Production
probably will be increased by five
million pairs a month for the home
front about September, because Of
cutbacks in Army. Navy and Lend
Lease requirements. This fall. pro-
duction should reach 2s,000,0 600
pairs a month for American men,
women and children.
DESPITE THE URGENT DE-
MAND for shipping. members of
the United Nations Maritime Asso-
citation report that the organiza-
ton is encountering violent diff
culties at inside meetings.
Liberated European nations are
fighting to get some Of their ships
out Of the pool in order to bring
foodstuffs home. Some are allocat-
ed for that purpose.
But what irritates some shipping
men who have voiced their COM
plants loudly, is the, jockeying OF
certain countries and lines for pre-
ferred runs. in order to establish
their lines for the day when ship
ping is freed OF restraints.