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Show WEEKLY NEWS ANALYSIS Nazis Gain Ground in Norway As Allied Fleet Watches Italy; Balkan States Are Still Uneasy (EDITOR'S NOTE When eplnlons are expressed in these columns, they are those of the news analyst and not necessarily of this newspaper.) by Western Newspaper I TREND How the wind is blott ing . . . Car Design From Detroit, world-center of the auto industry, comes word that 1941 models will present "changes ... of a magnitude mag-nitude rarely before equaled in the automobile industry." Designs De-signs will be revised with a definite defi-nite trend toward streamlined "torpedo" bodies. Construction At Miami, 600 architects saw a display showing how structural glass, large windows win-dows and plate glass mirrors may make tomorrow's home a "house of glass." Transportation Railroad companies com-panies have put into effect a plan whereby travelers in at least 30 states can rent automobiles for use in a community after having made their long trip by rail. Reservations Res-ervations are made at the time the train ticket is purchased and cars are ready when the traveler arrives. An association will cooperate co-operate with railroads in providing provid-ing the cars and uniform national rates have been set up. POLITICS: Came the Spring Month of blossoms and green grass, May, this year is watching leaders of both major political parties par-ties scamper to the grass roots to pluck choice blossoms in the form of convention delegates. There was plenty of weeding to do in the garden gar-den of presidential candidates, however, how-ever, and while President Roosevelt could claim the greatest share of Instructed Democratic delegates and Thomas Dewey was leading the Republican Re-publican fold in that regard, May is definitely regarded as a vital month. THE WAR: Shifting Scenes Major stagehands in the theater of World War II are busy changing scenes for the next act in the current cur-rent military drama. While the allies al-lies were admittedly doing a "fade-out" "fade-out" in southern Norway, attention was centered on the Mediterranean area where the French-Anglo fleet was concentrating. Two important reasons for this shift in allied tactics seemed evident: evi-dent: (1) Britain and France figure fig-ure on a swift German thrust into the Balkan countries and (2) to the allies the Italian question mark is looming larger than ever. While Prime Minister Chamberlain Chamber-lain was telling the house of commons com-mons that British forces were being be-ing removed from their central Norwegian Nor-wegian base at Andalsnes, Germany was claiming that the allies were in "headlong flight" in that area. German gains In central and southern south-ern Norway have been strength- Republicans will choose 477 of their 1,000 delegates this month, almost al-most completing their total. Democrats, Demo-crats, who have already chosen 374, of their 1.094, will select about 400 more in May. With Roosevelt already having 305 pledged and semi-pledged delegates tucked away in his fold he looked like an odds-on odds-on favorite to enter the convention with a nice majority for himself or for his own "favorite-son" whoever that might be. LAIJOK: Ambitions According to William Green, president pres-ident of the American Federation of Labor, his arch-rival, John L. Lewis, desires to be President of the United States. Speaking before 1,500 delegates to the Pennsylvania A. F. of L. convention. Green charged that Lewis was trying to form a third party so that he could become its presidential candidate. Speaking in West Virginia last month, Lewis stated that unless the Democrats selected candidates acceptable ac-ceptable to the common people and to labor he would advocate a convention con-vention for "every U. S. citizen." In Green's Pennsylvania address he was cheered when he said: "He (Lewis) says the President is no good, nobody in the Democratic While many of the lesser "buds" continued to hide their shy little heads at least one more Democrat blossomed out with the statement that he would make the race if the President didn't. And what's more, said he none other than Burton K. Wheeler, senator from Montana "I can't conceive of him (Roosevelt) being a candidate." party ts any good. He can't find anybody that measures up so he looks around and says, 'I'm the man.' " Green asserted that A. F. of L. would refuse to affiliate with any third party move. MAYDAY: Republicans meanwhile gathered in Washington to do a little spading and cultivating with their convention and campaign problems. Keynoter Harold Stassen of Minnesota held conferences with the designated choice for permanent chairman of the convention, Rep. Joe Martin of Massachusetts. He also contacted other party leaders as the party's platform began to take shape. Stassen Stas-sen said that party leaders were in "general agreement" over most Contrasts Thousands of America's rural villages vil-lages and towns regard May day as a time of traditional fun and frolic for U. S. children. German coal for Italy is now ihipped by railroad through Urenner pass. But in the major cities of the world the day takes on a varying hue. It is usually a day for the voice of labor to be heard. This I year even that voice was quieted for laborers listened to still another voice that of military might. Around the world. May day, 1940 style, sounded like this: Stockholm Addressing a gathering gather-ing of Swedish citizens. Premier Al- ened but the battle is far from over. A long campaign is apparent and allied leaders are now attempting to cut off German supplies and troops from the homeland by intensifying inten-sifying attacks upon shipping and air bases. Since the British sea blockade of Germany's coal shipments to Italy, Nazi officials have been transferring supplies of this important commodity commod-ity by railroad, through historic Brenner pass. (See cut). But transportation trans-portation problems in the war areas u fx "wwiii rtf ftVifo-rv'ft-;fft tome ifliiHtrviB II iSt bin Hunsson told the world that Sweden was determined de-termined to defend de-fend her neutrality neutral-ity "with all our power." He pleaded for Swedish Swed-ish people to cooperate co-operate fully with j the government m every way to : meet the present international situation. situ-ation. Both the ore getting even more complicated. Because of fenrs that Italy may align herself with Germany in the present war, Britain is discontinuing discontinu-ing all through-shipping in the Mediterranean Med-iterranean and is routing such cargo around the tip of Africa via the Cape of Good Hope. This, cornbined with the massing of the allied fleet in the eastern Mediterranean, appeared ap-peared to point toward Italian war entrance. Joe Martin and Harold Stassen discuss dis-cuss plans for Republican national convention. con-vention. planks. Biggest stumbling plank was the "anti-war" attitude to be taken. All agreed that the party should promise to keep out of war, but a split was evident over the best manner in which to gain that end. But while this activity was taking place two counter moves were made which pointed toward continued Italian neutrality. William Phillips, U. S. ambassador to Italy, was reported re-ported to have learned from Premier Mussolini himself that Italy was not planning a war movement at pres- Premier aUle and GermaT Hansson "y have assured Sweden that her neutrality will be respected but lately late-ly the nation has undertaken broad military precautions. Berlin Adolf Hitler's party deputy, depu-ty, Rudolf Hess, declared to a group of workers that the German people were engaged in this year's May day celebration "with the certainty of victory as never before." He ridiculed ridi-culed all allied hopes for Germany's internal collapse. cnt. The other favorable sign was the sailing of the great Italian trans-Atlantic steamship. Rex out of Naples to New York. Foreign observers believed it unlikely that Italy would let this prized ship leave the country if war were near. It appeared that the allies were attempting to force Italy into an official of-ficial statement regarding her position posi-tion in the present conflict. . DOMESTIC: Shipping Despite restrictions placed upon it by the neutrality act, U. S. shipping has climbed to its highest point in 10 years. As this news waa announced an-nounced Attorney General Jackson was forming a special justice department de-partment unit to investigate and prosecute any violations related to neutrality sedition, espionage and similar offenses. Because so many ships are clearing U. S. ports for foreign for-eign destinations, law enforcement agencies have been hard pressed to keep track of all violations of the neutrality act. Moscow Always impressive on May day, Russia's parade this year lived up to tradition as thousands of troops filed by the tomb of Lenin. Joseph Stalin stood for hours on the reviewing stand as his might was revealed before him in the never-ending line of soldiers. Members of the American diplomatic corps were among the thousands of spectators spec-tators who watched the ceremonies and heard the speakers declare that capitalistic governments and the So- ' viet were steadily growing further apart. I SIDELIGHTS . . . of the ivar IIclp Wanted While Federal Security Administrator Adminis-trator Paul McNutt was reporting that private industry was hiring about 18 per cent more persons last month than a year ago. another federal fed-eral official, WPA Commissioner Harrington, was urging private employers em-ployers to hire additional workers being released from WPA projects. In Canada the Department of National Na-tional Defense issued posters which warned citizens to refrain from aimless aim-less or idle talk about military matters. mat-ters. Placed in conspicuous places throughout the country, the placards were released because the government govern-ment fears the presence of enemy agents, according to the department. France too, clamped down on gossip gos-sip as the government warned citizens citi-zens to be on guard against listen- MISCELLANY: 3. Old Glory was lowered in Little i America overnight. It will stay lowered low-ered for four months until August 28, when the sun will reappear in the Antarctic regions. C. A report from Manila, Philippine islands, indicated that a wave of head hunting was under way in the interior of the Nueva Ecija province. prov-ince. Three homesteaders were I said to have been beheaded. The ', wild tribesmen are fighting en- j croachment upon their ancestral Harrington stated that about 1,250,-000 1,250,-000 workers had left WPA in the past 12 months to take jobs in industry in-dustry and on the nation's farms. Many of these, however, usually find it necessary to return to WPA after a few months of work. ing ears of the enemy. Even the slightest chance remark might reveal re-veal the clue to important information informa-tion said the official statement. Indiscreet In-discreet babblers of such information informa-tion are liable to prosecution. hunting grounds by farmers. C. Winds of tornadic intensity swept across the central United States taking tak-ing a toll of at least 12 lives in Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. A cloudburst in east Texas caused thousands of dollars worth of property prop-erty damage as at least six persons were killed in the area. C George M. Cohan wrote "Over There" when the boys were going across to get the kaiser. The war left plenty of headaches, but the veteran vet-eran actor got a gold medal for his song the other day from President Roosevelt It had been voted by congress. In Paris the restaurant owners were beginning to wonder if the war would deprive them of their usual excellent evening trade next summer. sum-mer. It's an old Parisian custom to dine and drink out of doors in sidewalk side-walk cafes during the summer months. But as night comes there must be a little light in these eating eat-ing places and with blackouts still the order of day the custom may have to be abolished. Managers of the eatings places were hoping the government will make allowances for lights to be used at least a few hours each evening. Cause and Cure Meeting in Washington for its 28th annual session the United States Chamber of Commerce heard its president, W. Gibson Carey, blame the New Deal for the last seven years of "depression or near depression." depres-sion." Only accomplishments credited cred-ited to the Roosevelt administration by Carey were distress, general bewilderment be-wilderment and labor disturbance. He did not mention the President's name directly but left little doubt as to whom he thought was responsible respon-sible for the situation. |
