The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1946-02-02
Observations
Many Congressman
Cool TO Probe of
Rapido Crossing

Demands OF veterans OF the
famed seth Division for a congress
sional investigation OF the tragic
battle OF Italy's Rapido River are
doomed to failure,
Records OF the War Department
show that the operation, which re-
suited in some 5000 CT casualties,
was originally ordered by British
Field Marshall Sir Harold Alex
ander.
The veterans want Congress TO
and out why Gen. Mark Clark, the
American commander in Italy.
went ahead with the program and
spilled American blood uselessly
against a foe superior in numbers.
tactical position and equipment.
However, a majority OF congress
men feel that such an investigation
would pave the way for countless
future probes. These, the more
cynical say, would stack a pyra-
mid OF miniature Pearl Harbor
hearings across the legislative land
scape.
Furthermore, despite the pro-
tests Of veterans who fought TO de-
feat on the Rapido, General Clark
still looms large as a national hero.
This is not the time, not the sea
son-they emphasize-for tarnish-
ing the bright swords OF heroes.
SECRETARY OF THE INTER.
TOR Harold L. Ickes cannot stand
having anyone predict what he is
going to do.
Best example Of the Ickes atu'
tude on such matters came late in
November at a news conference
when q reporter asked him for COM
meut on rumors that he would ad-
vocate statehood for Hawaii about
Jan. /.
The lex then told news and ra-
do men that he was opposed to
statehood for the present because
of the economic control over the
islands by the big Five. He
indicated then that he had no
idea when, II ever, he would urge
statehood.
Later he issued a lengthy state
msnt urging statehood and point
ing out how loyal the natives had
been during the war.
The short time between the two
statements indicated that Ickes
had made up his mind some time
ago and perhaps that he already
had drafted his statehood plea at
the time he expressed opposition
TO L.
Ickes still draws q big audience
OF nswsmen whenever he calls q
conference because he is good
copy, and his sarcastic comments
make good reading.
e
RUSSIA is REPORTED in
washingtons official circles to be
reinforcing her contingents on the
Kurils Islands in the North Pa
cifc substantially.
Soviet personnel in the Kuriles,
which form a gateway to the sea OF
okhotsk, which separates the ST.
berian coast from Japan, were said
TO be bringing in their wives and
families. indicating a longtime
occupation.
State Department officials said
that the matter was OF no concern
to the United States.
These officials pointed out that
Russian occupation OF the Kuriles
had been agreed upon by the Big
Three" at Potsdam when Moscow
agreed TO join in the war against
japan.
A RED HOT FIGHT is develop
Ing in the House over labor dis.
putes legislation. What the out
come will be is highly uncertain,
but IL possible that the chamber
will pass a more drastic bill than
the Administration has proposed.
Highly unpopular with the Ad.
ministration and with many OF its
opponents is the bill reported by
the House Labor Committee. The
committee knocked all the, teeth
out OF the Presidents fact-hnding
proposal.
On the other extreme are the
Republicans and conservative Dem.
ocrats who want punitive anti
strike legislation. These members
may succeed in writing drastic leg.
islstion on the floor when the labor
committee bill comes up a week
or 10 days hence.
II they do, the battle will have
TO be fought again in the Senate.
That chamber is likely to take a
more lenient view OF the situation
than the House.
So many cross-currents are run
ming in so many different direc-
tons that the prospect OF a final
congressional action Is still cloud
ed II is unlikely that any kind
OF bill will be finally passed inside
Of month.
BUENOS AIRES ms --Argen.
fina aufhorftias announced 70