Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-08
'Ydnks' Arrival
IsDiversion for
Olympic Heads
Worry Over PuIIouts
Eosed, but Officials
Appeal for Returns

EPPSOt WI NCtuIUS
MELBOURNE, Nov. 8 (R.-
The first big planeload of Amer
lean athletes arrived today as
international Olympic officials
sought to lead some of the with
drawn nations back into the fold,
The group of "a Americans.
headed by Tug Wilson, president
of the United States Olympic
Committee. landed in bright sun
shine at Essendon Airport, lift
ing the hopes of harassed or
Iganizing officials that the war
troubled games still will be a
smash success.
Some sparkle had gone out
of the preparations for the mas
Sive international sports spec
tacle opening November % by the
Withdrawals of Holland, Spain,
Red China. Egypt and Iraq. Eff
forts were started by Wilfred
Kent Hughes. chairman of the
organizing committee, and Otto
Mayer, chancellor Of the Inter-
national Olympic Committee, to
lure some countries, especially
Holland, back into the games.
Dutch Stand Firm
Kent Hughes, who appealed to
the nations Of the world yester-
day to overcome international
distrust and jealousies in the
true spirit of the Olympics, set
the wheels in motion by cabling
the Dutch National Olympic
Committee to reconsider its de-
cision not to take part in the
Games.
In Amsterdam. DR.. j. L. Ho-
man. head of the Netherlands
Olympic Committee, said the
Dutch decision was final. Reply
ling to Australian criticism that
the withdrawal was a political
move, DR.. Holman said: "You
might also call the Ten Com
mandments a political pamphlet"
Meanwhile. Switzerland still
debated whether it should with
draw.
Wilson, who had a big smile
when he arrived at the head of
the gay American group-many
of them clad in Bermuda shorts
was soberfaced when advised
of Developments since his party
left Honolulu.
"Must Discard Politics"
II am naturally grieved by
reports of the Withdrawals Of
some nations" he said. Il sin
cerely hope Holland and the
other countries will reconsider.
I agree with Wilfred Kent
Hughes that we must discard
politics and make this a glorious
Olympics in the true spirit of
the Games-an Olympics which
will create better feeling
among all nations
The American main vanguard
today consisted of is wrestlers
and IL canoeists, plus admins
trative officials and newspaper
men.
Tomorrow two more plane
loads will land, including some
of the biggest names in track
and field and rowing. Among
them are Sculler Jack B. Kelly,
jr., American champion and
brother of Grace; the outstand-
ing Yale eight which is IN for a
tough fight to maintain Amer
lean supremacy in this rowing
classic; Parry O'Brien, world
record shotputter; Lou Jones,
fastest 400-meter runner of all
time; broadjumper John Ben
nett, sprinters Ira Murchison
and Thane Baker, murders Jack
Davis and Tom Courtney and
Lon Spurrier. middle distance
runners.
This is the greatest Olympic
team We have ever fielded." Will
son said. Il was very much I'M
pressed with the showing and
condition Of the track and field
team in California before we left.
They broke records coming and
going. I am confident we can
duplicate our performance at
Helsinki i'll 1852, when we won
IA track and field medals"
Conditioning No Worry
II am not disturbed by warn
ings that the Americans late ar
rival may jeopardize their
chances. believe after a couple
of days they can adjust them
selves to the conditions here and
be IN top shape. In addition TO
track, I think our best chances
are IN swimming and rowing and
/ believe our basketball team is
See OLYMPIC, Page Ca