Hurricane roars up Atlantic Coast
Communications at Norfolk reported out
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Roosevelt and Churchill extend conferences
Political problems to be discussed
Québec, Canada (UP) –
British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden will join the Roosevelt-Churchill conference shortly “to discuss a broad range” of political problems which are accumulating in Europe and Asia in the wake of Allied military successes.
The announcement was made at a special news conference by a British spokesman, who said he did not know whether Secretary of State Cordell Hull would join President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill in their discussions at the Québec Citadel.
Problem faced
High on the political agenda were certain to be three of the most difficult problems before the Allies.
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The plans for occupation of Germany, the peace terms to be imposed on her and the extent to which France shall be given a share and voice in the enforcement of these terms.
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The long-standing Polish-Russian dispute, which includes territorial matters. Eden has just completed a series of London talks with the Polish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
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Delicate questions involving the British attitude in the Far East. The United States in the past has urged greater independence for India to remedy the somewhat lethargic role of that country in the war against Japan. running through the entire political situation in the Far East was the basic problem of how far self determination will be extended to British, French and Dutch territories now held by Japan.
Adjourn this weekend
Mr. Eden’s presence here was not expected to prolong the conference, which probably will wind up the coming weekend.
Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau JR. arrived here yesterday and dined at the Citadel last night. He is here as a member of a special cabinet committee to study worldwide economic problems.
The announcement of Mr. Eden’s trip brought the official version of the conference into agreement with what observers had felt all along – that it is by no means confined to military problems, but covers a worldwide political field, too.
Many questions tackled
With U.S. troops already in Germany, Russian troops on the East Prussian border and the end of the European war deemed a virtual certainty this year, the plans for Germany were the most important of the European problems tackled by the President and Prime Minister. And they included such questions as these:
- What zones of occupation in Germany will be assigned to the Americans, British and Russians?
- Will the French participate in the occupation?
- How many troops will each nation assign to this task?
- How long will the occupation endure?
- What changes will be made in Germany’s borders?
- How much economic revival is Germany to be permitted?
The imminent arrival of Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau Jr. was further indication that economic matters figure in the discussions. Mr. Morgenthau is a member of a Cabinet committee in Washington specifically assigned to study economic problems stemming from the war.
Simms: ‘Big Four’ session may be held soon
By William Philip Simms, Scripps-Howard foreign editor
Québec, Canada –
Unless President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill have inside information covering Marshal Stalin’s plans after Hitler’s fall, it seems almost certain that their meeting here will be followed by another – a Big Four conference.
I understand that the present conference is already nearing its end.
If that is the case, it not only indicates swift and excellent progress is being made, but that it is largely exploratory, rather than decisive.
Russia’s policy needed
The impression is growing here that without some definite word from Russia, regarding her policy in Asia after the collapse of Germany, no definite, overall blueprint for the Pacific and Far East can be completed.
From an authoritative source, I have the latest figures showing the disposition of Jap strength in the Oriental theater of operations. According to these, Japan now has 113 divisions of 20,000 men each, about twice the usual strength. This would make a total of 2,260,000 men.
Twenty-two divisions are in the Southwest Pacific; 15 are in Thailand-Burma; 37½ are in China; 21½ in Manchuria and 17 in Japan proper.
Japs concentrate forces
The main Jap fleet, composed of 10 battleships and subsidiaries, seems to be based on the Jap east coast, Yokohama, Formosa and the Philippines. Thirteen divisions make up the air force which, since the Americans took Saipan last July, appears to have been pulled in toward the Philippines and Formosa.
From these figures, two things stick out, first, Japan seems to be concentrating her forces nearer home on land, sea and in the air. Second, it will be a difficult job to close in on Japan proper until we obtain a good foothold on the Asiatic mainland, with an adequate harbor through which to pour in reserves and supplies.
Manchuria supplies troops
But some 59 divisions, or more than half the entire Jap Army, appear to be concentrated in China and Manchuria. These units are almost self-contained, thanks to Japan’s war industries in Manchuria. To get at, and destroy, these divisions will be no easy matter.
Traditionally, Japan has counted on tiring America out, in case of war, by barricading herself, if necessary, and forcing us to come and get her. As for Europe, Russia is the only country she ever has feared, because only Russia could get at her by land.
Everything, therefore, indicates the importance of Russia living up to the spirit of the commitments she and the Allies are now supposed to be making at Dumbarton Oaks, in Washington.
Meanwhile, pending the Allied victory over the Reich and the clarification of Soviet policy in the Far East, it is difficult to see how the decisions at Québec can be more than tentative.
Perkins: Lewis risks repudiation if he doesn’t back up on Roosevelt issue
Mine workers demonstrate that big boss doesn’t do all the union’s thinking
By Fred W. Perkins, Scripps-Howard staff writer
Cincinnati, Ohio –
John L. Lewis, for 25 years the boss of the United Mine Workers, today faces a choice of risking a repudiation of his political leadership or of soft-pedaling his attempts to get this big union on record against a fourth term for President Roosevelt.
The delegates to the convention here, now numbering 2,800, support their leader unanimously on economic subjects. But this unanimous support does not carry into the political field, where the miners have opinions of their own. By expressing themselves publicly, they are proving it isn’t true that John L. does all the thinking for this union, or that his control is so complete that men are afraid to express contrary opinions.
Should they risk fight?
There was to have been a sizzling anti-Roosevelt resolution, containing allegations more “startling” than any Mr. Lewis has yet voiced and it may yet come through. But overnight, the UMW boss and his straw bosses have been questioning whether to risk a floor fight that conceivably might go against Mr. Lewis, who has never suffered a conspicuous defeat in his own union. And whether to take the chance of a public row that might leave bad scars in the union and on the Lewis reputation.
John Mascaro, a delegate from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, took over the loudspeaker system yesterday and objected to the reiteration of these anti-Roosevelt opinions, adding:
We love President Lewis for his courageous leadership, but we will not turn down the savior of humanity, the man who opened the gates to union organization, for this great union and others. That, my friends, was not done under a Republican administration.
Compromise may come
The choice of Mr. Lewis is whether to press for an outright anti-Roosevelt declaration, with a direct endorsement of Governor Dewey, or to compromise on a less savage denunciation of the Roosevelt administration. A compromise appeared most probable.
Most opinions are that it is the same among the miners as among most other labor groups: They are mostly for Mr. Roosevelt, but not as much as in 1932, 1936 and 1940.
Secret Nazi horror weapon buried by bombs of RAF
Builders said it would burn London, hinted it might be ‘death ray’ to stop plane motors
By William A. Wilson, United Press staff writer
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Allies close in on escape gap into Germany
Pershing headquarters town under attack
By Eleanor Packard, United Press staff writer
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‘An incredible accomplishment’ –
Dewey: Roosevelt stretched depression out for 11 years
GOP candidate tells voters choice rests between regimentation and free society
Sheridan, Wyoming (UP) –
Governor Thomas E. Dewey said today that despite $58 billion to spend, President Roosevelt “made a depression last for 11 years, which is an incredible accomplishment for any one man.”
Speaking from the rear platform of his special train, Mr. Dewey said that the issue of the presidential campaign involves a choice between the New Deal road to regimentation and a totalitarian society, or a free society with full opportunity of jobs for all.
He told the crowd that he was happy to be in Sheridan and “delighted to see no one here spoiled by the New Deal.”
‘New Dealer’ speaks up
He said:
As I told the people of Valentine, Nebraska, you all look so healthy I’m sure there isn’t a New Dealer in the crowd.
“Oh, yes, there is,” a shout went up from the fringe of the crowd.
Mr. Dewey continued when the laughter died down:
I am confident that with a new administration which believes in the future of America and the American way of life, we can go up the road to prosperity.
Mr. Dewey was greeted by a cowboy band and a crowd estimated at 3,000 persons. Sheridan has a total population of about 13,000.
Plans major speeches
The presidential nominee, who will deliver seven major campaign speeches and sound out local sentiment on various campaign issues on his cross-country tour, scheduled conferences with leaders of veterans, livestock, agriculture, sugar beet and GOP organizations during a seven-hour stop at Sheridan today and will move on to Billings, Montana, tonight for a similar round of conferences tomorrow.
Mr. Dewey is using the private conference method to sound out local groups on their complaints against the Roosevelt administration and their recommendations for changes if he wins election to the White House in November.
Cattlemen fear surplus
At the conclusion of his conferences at Valentine yesterday, Mr. Dewey told a press conference the men he met were greatly disturbed over the apparent failure of the Roosevelt administration to prepare for dealing with the range cattle surplus which they foresee when the war ends.
He blamed government regulations for the fact that there is beef rationing despite the fact that there are 10 million more head of cattle on the ranges today than would be considered a normal supply.
Mr. Dewey also suggested at his press conference that “now that Gen. MacArthur no longer is a political threat” to President Roosevelt, “his talents be given greater scope and recognition.”
Major speech by Roosevelt set for Oct. 5
Hannegan warns of ‘election by default’
Chicago, Illinois (UP) –
President Roosevelt will make his second major campaign address over a nationwide radio hookup from Washington Oct. 5, chairman of the Democratic National Committee Robert E. Hannegan said today.
The first fourth-term campaign address by the President will be Sept. 23, as previously announced.
Mr. Hannegan said Mr. Roosevelt’s second speech would be heard by approximately 125,000 voting precinct meetings, each attended by at least 10 persons. The President’s broadcast will follow statewide addresses by state candidates for governor and senator, Mr. Hannegan said.
‘Default’ only election hurdle
The announcement of the broadcast was made at the conclusion of Mr. Hannegan’s three-day conference here with Democratic Party leaders from 23 states.
He said the party’s only election hurdle was to insure the nation against “an election by default.”
He said:
The only slightest hope of a Republican victory would be the failure of the great body of the American electorate to show up at the polls. We are making it our business to see that this does not happen, and it is not going to happen.
San Francisco conference next
He said that if the party meets this problem:
There exists every real possibility that President Roosevelt will be returned to finish a job he has carried along so far and so well by an unprecedented popular majority.
Mr. Hannegan and his staff will hold conferences next week at San Francisco to discuss organization plans with party leaders who have not participated in the New York and Chicago conferences.
Fourth termers oust Texas rebels
Dallas, Texas (UP) –
Pro-Roosevelt Texas Democrats had ridden roughshod over all opposition today to oust 15 presidential electors who had announced they would not cast their votes for a fourth term for the President.
In complete control of a hectic Texas Democratic Convention, the pro-Roosevelt group yesterday substituted 15 electors favoring the Roosevelt-Truman ticket – making a full slate of pro-fourth tern Democratic electors to cast the 23 Texas Electoral College votes.
With former Governor James V. Allred – an ardent fan of the President – in charge as chairman, the convention also ousted all party officials known to oppose a fourth term and completely revamped the state Democratic organization before adjourning at 5:00 p.m.
A court test was certain. The 15 ousted electors, named with eight pro-Roosevelt electors at a state convention last May, said they would go to the State Supreme Court. Mr. Allred agreed the dispute would end in the courts but said, “We are ready.”
The drastic action in removing from their posts the 15 electors who had announced they would vote in the Electoral College for Senator Harry Byrd (D-VA) or some other Democrat, but not for Mr. Roosevelt, came as a surprise. Earlier, leaders planned only to substitute electors for those among the original 23 who refused to sign a statement agreeing to vote for the Roosevelt-Truman ticket if normally-Democratic Texas goes Democratic again this fall.
Racial equality plea doomed
Washington (UP) –
China’s anticipated request that the future world security organization acknowledge the principle of equality of all races was expected today to receive support only from Russia among the big powers.
The United States and Great Britain – as in 1919 – probably will oppose any attempt to have such a clause in the document of the new organization. They can be expected to contend that it is not germane to a security organization, and that such a statement would lead to demands for similar statements on religious freedom, etc.
Britain, primarily because of her Pacific dominions where there is strong anti-Oriental feeling, and the United States, because of both the Negro problem and the anti-Jap attitude on the West Coast, are not expected to be any more willing than they were in 1919 to accept the principle for the new league.