The Ypsilanti Daily Press

Legion Head
Edward N. Scheiberling John Stelle

TWO MOST PROMINENT candidates for post as national commander of the American Legion, in convention in Chicago, are Edward N. Scheiberling of Albany, N. Y., and John Stelle of McLeansboro, Ill. (International)

War Leaders Tell Legion of Conquest

Chicago, Sept. 19—AP—American Legionnaires went into the second session of their annual convention today pondering tidings from high ranking war leaders of blows to be delivered against the Nation's enemies.

From Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet, they heard that the conquest of the Philippines would be the job of Gen. Douglas MacArthur's Southwest Pacific forces, with the Navy supporting and protecting the campaign.

From Gen. H. H. Arnold, chief of the Army Air Forces, they heard that the aerial arm had been built up to carry air warfare "into the very heart of Germany and Japan" and that the Army long had been planning an "all-out" punch at the Japs.

Both addressed Legion members last night—Arnold in person and Nimitz by radio—after (Gen. George C. Campbell, the Army's chief of staff, had disclosed that 60 American divisions had reached the fighting fronts and that eight more would sail this month.

Seek Stranglehold

Nimitz, discussing the general drive westward in the Pacific, said completion of the seizure of Palau would isolate the Japanese in the Carolines, render their Truk base "next to useless" and put the Yanks in position to strangle communications between Japan proper and Japan's conquered territory.

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territories in New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies.

"Finally, he added, "when Palau falls, a formidable obstacle to our eventual return to the Philippines is swept away, and we will have a base from which to cover and support MacArthur's Philippine campaign."

Gen. Arnold stated maintenance of the air forces in top fighting form is essential to our future security and termed universal military training a necessary national policy.

He also submitted that "we must have air bases under our control spread out beyond our shores where they are needed."
Victory in Grasp

Brig. Gen. Frank T. Hines, administrator of Veterans Affairs told the delegates today that "victory in Europe would seem to be within our grasp in the not too distant future," and that "this time American doughboys will march down the streets of Berlin."

He asserted, in a prepared address, the returning warriors must have "full employment."
John B. Blandford, Jr., National Housing administrator, reported his agency was working with the War Production Board "in the hope that following the collapse of Germany the green light may be turned on for an immediate start toward a fully adequate housing supply for returning veterans, military families and all American families in need of housing."

He estimated, in a prepared address, that 1,100,000 married men in the armed service would establish houses upon their return to civilian life.