The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-17
Observations
Capital Optimism
on War at High
Point
By HELEN EssARY

Optimism on progress OF the war
in Europe is running so high in
Washington these days that Official
military analysts are having diff
cult time restraining their com
ments to keep in line with Admin
istration determination TO maintain
war production through pesstmism.
The Allied surge to the Rhine
was accomplished, according TO
these sources, with far less oppo-
sltion than could reasonably be e1-
pected, and II is estimated that
the Nazis can muster only the rem
nants Of Az battered and mauled
divisions for a stand on that
streams eastern bank.
Contrary to obviously inspired
reports that Gen. wight d. Els
enhower must now pause for con
siderable period TO regroup his
forces, he already has thrown
Dridgeheads across that vital
stream.
LENDLEASE FOR FRANCE is
likely TO be considerably stepped
up for the duration of the European
war, the increases coming with'in-
creased French participation in the
conflict against Germany.
The House Foreign Affairs Com
mittee, recommending overall eN-
tension of the lendlease program
for another year, took particular
notice of the act as il is extended
TO lighting France.
French ports and facilities are
needed. and have been essential, in
mounting crushing offensires aga
inst the Germans. the report said,
pointing out that the French agree
ment provides for payment by the
French for locomotives, freight
cars, machinery and other materi-
ais
There appears considerable like.
lihood that some Of the French
troops which eventually will share
in the occupation OF a defeated
Germany viii he equipped by lend
lease
However. aid for France under
the program is strictly on an arma-
ments basis.
Postwar reconstruction and re-
Mobilization problems will receive
separate consideration by Congress.
A LITTLE KNOWN FACT
ABOUT JEEPS is that they are
tested for radio activity after being
assembled and go back for a
thorough checkup if they flash any
signals which could be detected
by enemy radio apparatus.
Washington reporters touring
Texas war plants recently learned
at the Fort Worth assembly, plant
OF Ford Motor Company that loose
nuts or bolts or other parts OF
jeep can cause such radiation for
enemy ears and have to be cor
rected before the machines can go
into action.
THERE is A POSSIBILITY that,
despite all the drum beating and
controversy, Congress will not pass
any kind OF manpower control bill
at all.
Manpower legislation still must
negotiate two major hurdles. and
the hurdles appear to be growing
! higher One is the Senate and the
other is the conference committee
OF the House and Senate.
In the Senate there is a sharp
cleavage between supporters of
KilgoreO Hahoney and May Bailey
bills. The conflict is such that
some senators believe the Senate
may kill manpower legislation.
But If the Senate passes the Kill
gore-O Mahoney bill. there is a
strong possibility that the bill will
die in conference committee OF
the House and Senate unless the
Administration accepts this bill.
which differs basically from the
May Bailey work or jail" measure.
or course the problem could be
solved by Senate passage OF the
May Bailey bill By the bill ad-
mittedly must come from behind
to get through the Senate