To avoid politics –
Hull to name Republican as his aide
Post will be given to Pennsylvanian
…
Col. Robert Brown, ex-editor, killed
…
To avoid politics –
Background of news –
The equal rights plank
By Bertram Benedict
The 1944 Democratic Convention caused surprised by following the lead of the Republican Convention and coming out for an Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution. This action was taken in spite of the opposition of Secretary of Labor Perkins. Mrs. Roosevelt has also long opposed an Equal Rights Amendment. In 1940, the Republican accepted, the Democrats rejected, a plank for an Equal Rights Amendment.
The advocates of an Equal Rights Amendment are led by the National Woman’s Party. This group insists that special protective laws for women make it harder for many women to get jobs. It calls such laws unnecessary in this day and generation, and maintains that by discriminating against women they deprive them of their full rights as citizens.
The opposition is led by the Women’s Trade Union League, supported by the AFL, the CIO and many social welfare organizations. This camp argues that legal restrictions on hours, pay and other conditions of employment are still needed to safeguard the health and prevent the economic exploitation of women.
Some privileges suspended
The traditional lines of cleavage between the two schools of thought have been blunted by recent developments. The Wage-Hour Act of 1938 sets up minimum wages for all employees on interstate commerce goods, requires time-and-a-half for hours worked above 40 a week or eight a day. Also, as a result of the war emergency, some states have suspended some or most of their protective legislation for women.
In May 1943, the Senate Judiciary Committee (three Southerners, 15 non-Southerners) reported favorably on an Equal Rights Amendment, but in the following October, the House Judiciary Committee (nine Southerners, 18 non-Southerners) voted 15–11 against the proposal.
By adopting equal rights and equal pay planks, also by giving women an equal number of seats with men on the platform committees of the national conventions, both parties have testified to the importance of the women’s vote in the 1944 elections.
In the years immediately following the ratification pf the federal woman-suffrage amendment in 1920, studies were made in various localities of how women were using their new right. The studies agreed that more women than men were keeping away from the polling booths. Women were timid, or they didn’t believe in voting, or their husbands or fathers didn’t want them to vote.
The studies also agreed that these deterrents affected older rather than the younger women, also that more women would vote as they became more accustomed to the idea. Nevertheless, even the Prohibition issue failed to bring as many women as men to the polls.
More women may vote
In view of war casualty lists and of difficulties in the way of soldier voting, it is possible that more women than men will vote this November. The Census Bureau reports that as of Jan. 1, 1944, 579,137 more women than men are of voting age – 44,622,806 women, 44,043,669 men (7,860,000 in the Armed Forces).
Great Britain first gave the franchise to women during the last war, in 1917. The voting age for women was put at 30, to prevent women voters from outnumbering men; it was made the same for women and men in 1928. In 1935, the voting lists in England and Wales showed 1,571,000 more females than males.
“Suffragists” 25 or 30 years ago predicted that votes for women would prove a wholesome force in American politics, but whatever data exist indicate that women tend to vote about the same way as men.
Völkischer Beobachter (August 3, 1944)
Die Lage auf den Kriegsschauplätzen
vb. Berlin, 2, August –
In der Normandie gehen ununterbrochen die heftigen Kämpfe weiter. Die Nordamerikaner haben südlich von Avranches den Raum zwischen Brécey (am Seefluß) und Pontaubault erreicht. Pontaubault ist insofern ein bemerkenswerter Punkt, als sich hier die Westküste der Halbinsel Cotentin mit der allgemeinen atlantischen Küste schneidet. Ein Vordringen über diesen Punkt hinaus würde der amerikanischen ersten Armee des Generals Bradley also die Möglichkeit geben, endlich die Gesamtfront der Heeresgruppe Montgomery über die bisherigen hundert Kilometer hinaus zu verbreitern und dadurch, eine größere Operationsfreiheit als bisher zu gewinnen. Dennoch ist wahrscheinlich, daß Bradley und Montgomery auch mit einiger Sorge auf diesen Teil der Front blicken. In der Mitte hängen die Invasionstruppen immer noch zurück, bei Tessy und Percy haben sich die Truppen Montgomerys sogar häufig und mühsam heftiger Angriffe zu erwehren, die Gelände gewonnen, haben. Hier sind verschiedentlich die Angreifer zu ihrer Verblüffung in die Rolle des Verteidigers geraten. Damit hat aber die linke Flanke der südlich Avranches vorstoßenden amerikanischen Truppen eine große Empfindlichkeit erhalten. Die gegnerische Führung muß also die Betrachtung des schmalen Stoßteils südlich von Avranches besonders sorgfältig mit einer Würdigung der Vorgänge in der Mitte verbinden.
Schon wegen der möglichen Gefährdung für seinen äußersten westlichen Flügel ist es wahrscheinlich, daß der General Montgomery auf eine Ausdehnung und Verstärkung der Offensive an den übrigen Frontteilen nicht verzichten kann. Insbesondere gilt das für den östlichen Flügel. Das schwere Trommelfeuer vom Dienstag konnte als Vorbereitung zur Wiederaufnahme der in der vergangenen Woche gescheiterten Offensive der englischen zweiten Armee bei Caen angesehen werden. Heftige Angriffe sind diesem Trommelfeuer gefolgt. Ob sie fortgeführt und mit noch größerer Wucht betrieben werden, müssen die nächsten Tage zeigen.
Im Osten hat es sich in den letzten Tagen gezeigt, daß die Sowjets einige übertriebene Hoffnungen haben zurückschrauben müssen. Aus den Kreisen des Kreml war angedeutet worden daß man Warschau in einem einzigen Angriffschwung der Armee Rokkossowsky nehmen werde. Tatsächlich hat Rokkossowsky das auch versucht. Plötzlich gegen seine Angriffsspitzen vorbrechenden Verbände der Deutschen haben ihn aber belehrt, daß er seine Kraft überschätzt hatte. Vermutlich wird er jetzt versuchen, neue Verbände zum Sturm auf Warschau bereitzustellen.
Auch weiter im Süden ist der Armee Konjew ein weiteres Vordringen über die Gegend von Reichshof hinaus, die bereits in der vergangenen Woche erreicht war, nicht mehr gelungen. Schließlich sind die Sowjets auch beim Angriff auf den Beskidenpass zurückgeschlagen würden. Nur im Norden der Gesamtfront haben sie in den letzten Tagen weiter vordringen können. Auf dem Westufer der Memel hat sich der sowjetische Druck im Vorfeld Ostpreußens verstärkt. Dagegen haben die Gegner in Lettland Birsen wieder verloren. Der Ehrgeiz sozusagen, auf den Spuren Guderians nach dem Vorbild von Abbeville zum Meer zu rasen, ist offenbar schwerer zu erfüllen, als es sich der Panzergeneral Bagramjan erträumt hat.
Kraftwagenunfall Rommels
Der Generalfeldmarschall außer Lebensgefahr
dnb. Berlin, 2. August –
Generalfeldmarschall Rommel ist am 17. Juli in Frankreich infolge eines Luftangriffs mit dem Kraftwagen verunglückt, wobei er Verletzungen und eine Gehirnerschütterung davontrug. Sein Befinden ist befriedigend. Lebensgefahr besteht nicht.
Irische Kritik am US-Präsidenten –
Roosevelt ohne Maske
Genf, 2. August –
„Warum sollte man die katholische Jugend lehren, Roosevelt zu bewundern, den ersten US-Präsidenten, der es fertigbrachte, Sowjetrussland als eine respektable Regierung anzuerkennen,“ fragt die irische Zeitschrift Leader. Roosevelt sei der Kandidat der Sowjets für die Präsidentschaftswahlen 1944. Er sei weiter der Verräter Polens und der US-Präsident, der nichts dagegen unternahm, als Amerikas Rote Bataillone zur Zerstörung der Religion in Spanien ausgehoben wurden, und dessen Generalstaatsanwalt sogar intervenierte, um die zu retten, die diesen Gesetzbruch vollbrachten.
Roosevelts Finanzminister habe damals Rotspaniens Silber angekauft, um auf diese Weise die kommunistischen Elemente mit amerikanischem Gold zu versorgen. Roosevelt habe außerdem mit allen möglichen Ausflüchten eine Intervention zugunsten der verfolgten mexikanischen Katholiken vermieden und nicht zuletzt der irischen Teilung seinen Segen gegeben. Denn er sei es gewesen, der in das Gebiet von Nordirland amerikanische Streitkräfte trotz der Proteste de Valeras sandte. Er habe das katholische Irland gegen dessen Willen „in den vernichtenden Hochofen des Krieges“ werfen wollen. Roosevelts ganze Politik sei eine Politik der Macht, der er alle übrigen Erwägungen unterordne.
Innsbrucker Nachrichten (August 3, 1944)
Weiterhin starke Feindangriffe in der Normandie
Verlustreich für den Feind abgewiesen – Vergebliche feindliche Durchbruchsversuche auf Florenz – Schwere wechselvolle Kämpfe im Osten
dnb. Aus dem Führerhauptquartier, 3. August –
Das Oberkommando der Wehrmacht gibt bekannt:
In der Normandie setzte der Feind, von heftigem Artilleriefeuer und zahlreichen Jagdbombern unterstützt, seine starken Angriffe in der Mitte und im westlichen Teil des Landekopfes während des ganzen Tages fort. Er wurde an den meisten Stellen verlustreich, aber unter schweren Kämpfen abgewiesen und konnte nur an wenigen Stellen Erfolge erzielen. Dort sind unsere Truppen zum Gegenstoß angetreten. Südöstlich Villedieu sind eigene Panzerverbände im fortschreitenden Gegenangriff nach Westen. Die über Avranches nach Süden und Westen vor gedrungenen feindlichen Kräfte stießen mit ihren Panzerspitzen gegen Rennes und Dinan vor, wo sie abgewiesen wurden.
Schlachtflugzeuge zersprengten feindliche Marschkolonnen im Raum südlich Avranches und vernichteten eine größere Anzahl von Panzern, Geschützen und Fahrzeugen.
Über der Normandie und über den besetzten Westgebieten wurden achtzehn feindliche Flugzeuge abgeschossen.
Im französischen Raum wurden 118 Terroristen im Kampf niedergemacht. Bei diesen Säuberungsunternehmen haben die Banditen seit 6. Juni etwa 7.300 Tote und 4.700 Gefangene verloren.
Schweres „V1“-Vergeltungsfeuer liegt weiterhin auf dem Großraum von London.
In Italien haben unsere Truppen auch gestern alle feindlichen Durchbruchsversuche auf Florenz in verlustreichen Kämpfen abgewiesen. Sie leisten dem Feind westlich und wenige Kilometer südlich der Stadt weiter zähen Widerstand.
Am Nordhang der Karpaten scheiterten zahlreiche, von Panzern unterstützte Angriffe der Sowjets. Burch Gegenstöße, besonders östlich der Besklden-Paßstraße, wurde der Feind weiter zurückgeworfen.
Im großen Weichselbogen verstärkte sich der feindliche Druck westlich Baranow. Weiter nordöstlich brachen zahlreiche Angriffe der Bolschewisten verlustreich zusammen. Mehrere Übersetzungsversuche vereitelt.
Nordöstlich kam es zu schweren wechselvollen Kämpfen. Die Stadt Radzymin wurde im Gegenangriff von unseren Panzern zurückerobert. Während am mittleren Bug und südlich Augustow wiederholte Angriffe des Feindes scheiterten, sind im Abschnitt Seinen–Wilkowischken und bei Mitau erbitterte Kämpfe im Gange.
Im Raum von Birsen nahmen unsere Grenadiere bei Gegenangriffen mehrere Ortschaften. Östlich der Düna und an der Landenge von Narwa wurden starke sowjetische Durchbruchsversuche in harten Kämpfen vereitelt.
In der großen Abwehrschlacht zwischen den Karpaten und dem Finnischen Meerbusen wurden im Monat Juli 3.908 feindliche Panzer allein durch Truppen des Heeres und der Waffen-SS abgeschossen. Weitere 250 feindliche Panzer wurden durch die Luftwaffe vernichtet.
Im gleichen Zeitraum verloren die Sowjets in Luftkämpfen und durch Flakartillerie der Luftwaffe 1.329 Flugzeuge.
In Ergänzung des heutigen OKW-Berichtes aus dem Führer-Hauptquartier wird mitgeteilt:
Die 2. Panzerdivision hat sich in der Normandie unter der mitreißenden Führung ihres Kommandeurs, Generalleutnant Freiherr von Lüttwitz, in Angriff und Abwehr durch vorbildliche Härte und Tapferkeit ausgezeichnet.
Vom 13. Juni bis 30. Juli erzielte die Division nachstehende Erfolge: 180 Panzer vernichtet, 1 Panzer erbeutet, 28 Flugzeuge abgeschossen, 27 gepanzerte Kraftfahrzeuge vernichtet, 52 Pak vernichtet, 20 Lastkraftwagen erbeutet und 668 Gefangene eingebracht.
Bei der Beseitigung eines feindlichen Brückenkopfes hat sich Oberleutnant Walther, Kompanieführer im Skijägerregiment 2, mit seiner Kampfgruppe durch beispielhafte Tapferkeit ausgezeichnet.
In den Kämpfen am San bewährte sich ein Artilleriekampfbataillon unter Hauptmann Seifert besonders.
Im Mittelabschnitt der Ostfront hat sich das I. Bataillon des Panzergrenadierregiments 33 unter Hauptmann Schäfer in Angriff und Abwehr hervorragend gehalten.
In den schweren Kämpfen bei Liepna hat sich die rheinisch-westfälische 227. Infanteriedivision unter Oberst Wengler und eine Kampfgruppe unter Major Busch besonders hervorgetan.
Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (August 3, 1944)
Communiqué No. 117
Little change was reported from the front during the night. Southeast of BRÉCEY, enemy opposition was overcome at LE MESNIL-ADELEE and fighting continues a few miles southeast of PERCY. Fighting was also heavy in the neighborhood of VILLERS-BOCAGE and AUNAY. The advance beyond PONTORSON continues.
Bridges, armored vehicles, ammunition and oil dumps, road and rail transport, and enemy shipping were primary targets for Allied aircraft which ranged from BELGIUM to the BAY of BISCAY and deep into southern FRANCE in varying weather, yesterday.
Railway bridges at LISLE, NANTES, EPONE-MERZIERS, MAINVILLIERS, NOYEN and CINQ MARS were attacked with good results by escorted medium bombers. Barges on the SEINE and ammunition dumps at CAUDEBEC, MONTREUIL and LE LUDE were also hit.
Fuel dumps at SENS, SAINT-OUEN and GENNEVILLIERS were targets for escorted heavy day bombers which also attacked bridges in the PARIS area and the LOIRE valley and other tactical targets struck by day at naval vessels in LE HAVRE.
Railway yards were attacked by fighter-bombers which also destroyed locomotives, munitions cars and motor transport over a wide area.
Throughout the day, fighters and fighter-bombers provided close support for our armies along the entire front.
Ten enemy aircraft were destroyed during these operations. Seventeen of ours are missing.
Periodical Communiqué No. 4
031700B August
The Marquis groups in southern and central FRANCE are now contending with steadily increasing German pressure. In most sectors, the Marquis have foiled the enemy by dispersal; in other sectors, the Marquis have withdrawn, after inflicting serious losses on the enemy.
The French Forces of the Interior in the VERCORS, who had to give ground after strong German attacks, have regrouped, and are now being subjected to new attacks. Resistance Forces in the LANGUEDOC were attacked on July 20 by more than 1,000 Germans, supported by artillery and bombers. After twelve hours’ fighting FFI inflicted substantial casualties on the enemy, and destroyed one aircraft.
Resistance shock-troops are carrying out many hit-and-run operations such as setting on fire, destruction of power stations and attacks on factories. In the RHÔNE Valley, a train of 26 wagons was attacked at close range. Many Germans were killed without loss of a single member of the FFI.
In the ISERE, on July 23, a petrol train was successfully attacked.
In the LOIR-ET-CHER rail traffic was suspended.
Attacks on telecommunications have been extensive in TOURAINE, the PARIS area, and the southwest.
Operations against locks and barges in the ARDENNES, the SEINE-ET-MARNE, the MEURTHE-ET-MOSELLE and the SEINE-ET-OISE have interrupted waterborne traffic.
U.S. Navy Department (August 3, 1944)
CINCPAC Communiqué No. 103
Additional gains averaging nearly two miles were made by Marine and Army forces driving northward on Guam during August 2 (West Longitude Date). On the west coast, our line was advanced further along the shore of Tumon Bay and on the east coast we are about one and a half miles from Sassayan Point. As a result of the day’s advances, an important road junction near the town of Finegayan was brought under our control. Stiffened enemy resistance is being encountered. As of August 2, our troops had counted 7,893 enemy dead. A large number of civilians have sought protection behind our lines and currently 7,000 are being cared for.
Carrier aircraft, attacking from an altitude of 100 feet, directed bombs and rocket fire against enemy fortifications and storage areas in northern Guam during August 2.
The American flag was formally raised over Tinian Island on August 2. Scattered remnants of the enemy, hiding in caves and dugouts, are being dealt with by Marines. Approximately 4,000 civilians have been interned. The number of enemy troops killed is now estimated at more than 5,000.
Ponape Island was attacked by 7th Army Air Force Mitchell bombers on August 1, and on the same day further neutralization raids against enemy positions in the Marshall Islands were carried out by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
August 3, 1944
German submarine sunk by two Coast Guard and one Navy destroyer escorts
The sinking of a German submarine by ramming and gunfire off the Atlantic coast recently through a coordinated attack by three destroyer escorts, two of them manned by Coast Guard personnel and one by the Navy, was described today by Lt. (jg.) William D. Draper, USCGR, of 1408 Owen Street, Saginaw, Michigan, an officer aboard one of the Coast Guard vessels.
The underseas raider was tracked down as a convoy maneuvered into zigzag formation upon an alarm that a U‑boat was attacking.
Contact was made by one of the Coast Guard ships and depth charges forced the enemy craft to the surface, where it was rammed by the Navy vessel, Lt. (jg.) Draper said.
Submarine crewmen poured from the conning tower, rushing for their deck gun, but were swept back by concentrated gunfire from the second Coast Guard escort, which had moved in from the opposite direction.
As the Nazi raider started sinking, the crew leaped into the water. The Coast Guard officer said a dozen survivors, including the U‑boat commander, were taken aboard his vessel. The entire action required but one hour and 30 minutes.
The Pittsburgh Press (August 3, 1944)
Brittany capital falls
Yanks also capture transportation hub; Nazis attack British
By Virgil Pinkley, United Press staff writer
…
Rennes garrison in mass surrender
Nazis march out four abreast
By Robert C. Miller, United Press staff writer
…
Jap resistance increases as Yanks go north on Guam
Americans capture three towns, airfield; 7,419 enemy dead on Pacific island
By Frank Tremaine, United Press staff writer
…
GOP: Aid for veterans blocked
Negligence charged to administration
By Lyle C. Wilson, United Press staff writer
St. Louis, Missouri –
The Republican Governors Conference, under leadership of Governor Thomas E. Dewey, today charged the Roosevelt administration with blocking the returning veterans’ path to post-war employment and warned that only private enterprise can assure peacetime jobs.
The conference made public reports on six of the 14 domestic problems it undertook to discuss here under leadership of the Republican presidential candidate and his running mate, Ohio Governor John W. Bricker.
The 26 Republican governors approved the reports last night. They charged the Roosevelt administration with “listlessness, negligence and a lack of leadership which invites national disaster.”
The report on reconversion and post-war jobs said:
The national administration is now standing squarely in the path of future employment of our returning veterans and millions of displaced war workers.
National Guard upheld
Reporting on the National Guard and organized reserves, the governors said:
The New Deal is seeking to undermine and abandon the traditional state National Guard system.
They said federal absorption of public and private lands threatened many local political subdivisions with destruction.
But the reports also cautioned the states that they must be ready to accept their own responsibilities and not seek federal funds for public works when their own resources were adequate. The governors endorsed continued federal contributions under certain conditions to help pay for public works grants-in-aid should be made to the states or through them “without conditions which invade the authority of state or local governments.”
The reports were in the form of agreements on principle.
Eight points remaining
The agreements on principles announced today covered reconversion and post-war jobs, public works, highways, National Guard and organized reserves, veterans, and public lands.
Some of the eight remaining questions present more difficult problems. They are: agriculture, insurance, labor, public expenditures, social welfare and public health, taxation, unemployment compensation and services, and water resources.
Trip is planned
The reports so far made public emphasized the role the states must have in the future. Plans are being developed while the governors meet to send Governor Dewey and Governor John W. Bricker, Republican vice-presidential candidate, on coast-to-coast speaking campaigns to lay the party platform and the conference statement of policies before the voters.
The governors end their conference tonight and Governor Dewey will start back to New York tomorrow evening after conferences with Missouri political leaders and spokesmen of other groups including small businessmen.
Dewey brings outline
Governor Dewey’s conference was evident in the speed with which the governors disposed of the questions posed and in the nature of the proposals. The New Yorker came here with programs covering most of the issues already drafted in tentative form but explaining that the conferees would have a free opportunity for discussion and to make their own proposals or changes.
The reconversion and post-war job report said:
The great problem of permanent peacetime jobs can be adequately met. Only by private business under an enterprise system. This system depends upon the individual in initiative and organizing genius and energy of all our people.
The national administration is now standing squarely in the path of the future employment of our returning veterans and millions of displaced war workers.
The report on public lands charged that “under the present expanding program, many political subdivisions of local government are being completely destroyed,” and urged federal state cooperation which would avoid absorption of local governments.
Reconversion plan given
The reports called for “comprehensive and immediate action by the federal government to provide for prompt contract termination and plant clearance,” and for release of facilities for the resumption of peacetime production as war demands diminish.
The reconversion report also urged that post-war distribution of surplus war materials to state and local governments should be “through state agencies and under priority for all materials that can be shed by them.”
The public works plan proposed:
- Construction of needed public works when materials and manpower are available.
- Preparation for such public works construction as may be desirable during periods of unemployment.
Gas taxes cited
On highways, the report said proceeds of federal gasoline and other motor vehicle levies should in principle be wholly devoted to highway purposes and be distributed equitably among the states. State responsibility for highway construction, it continued, should be recognized by the federal government and be accepted by the states.
Citing the post-war need for “substantial armed forces including the National Guard and organized reserves,” the report charged that the Roosevelt administration was encroaching upon control of those organizations.
The report approved “the G.I. Bill of Rights,” recently enacted by Congress, and said each state and community must also meet its responsibilities to the veterans. Returning veterans should find someone in their hometowns with whom to discuss all phases of veterans’ benefits, the report continued, and urged that “these matters can be handled more efficiently by the states and local communities.”
The report repeatedly referred to the party platform as adopted by the Republican National Convention as pointing the way toward solution of various problems raised.
Truman resigns as probe chief
Candidate refuses colleagues’ pleas
Washington (UP) –
Senator Harry S. Truman (D-MO), Democratic vice-presidential nominee, resigned today as chairman of the Senate War Investigating Committee.
Senator Truman refused pleas by committee members that he remain as chairman, saying that:
I am of the opinion that any statement, hearing or report for which I would be responsible would be considered by many to have been motivated by political considerations.
Hugh Fulton, who has been chief committee counsel under appointment from Senator Truman, also submitted his resignation, but Mr. Truman said the committee would meet again tomorrow and probably would request Mr. Fulton to remain.
Writes to Wallace
Senator Truman wrote to Vice President Wallace, presiding officer of the Senate:
I herewith submit my resignation as chairman and as a member of the special committee… investigating the national defense program.
It is one of the regrets of my lifetime that this had to be done. But frankly… I am of the opinion that any statement, hearing or report for which I would be responsible would be considered by many to have been motivated by political considerations.
The accomplishments of the committee in the past largely have been due to the fact that all of its members, Democratic and Republican alike, were able to work together in harmony without partisanship. I know they would all sincerely try to continue this, and I appreciate the very great compliment which the Republican members have paid me by requesting me to continue and pledging me their support.
However, I have been nominated for the office of Vice President of the United States by the Democratic Party, and as candidate for that office it is my obligation to present to the people the accomplishments of the Democratic Party and the reasons why it should continue to be entrusted with the administration of the government in this great national emergency.
I do not want even the shadow of suspicion that the committee’s activities in any way are determined or influenced by political considerations.