WELL RECEIVED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1942, Page 2

WELL RECEIVED

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S ADDRESS FEELING OF REASSURANCE. FAVOURABLE CONGRESSIONAL REACTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, February 24. The capital appeared to be considerably impressed and perceptibly heartened by President Roosevelt's report to the nation on the progress of the war effort. Its general tenor produced a feeling of reassurance in all branches of the Government and a measurable lessening of the criticism which has been directed at the Administration from Congress during the past few weeks. Particularly encouraging were three phases, first, Mr Roosevelt’s reiteration of his former assurance that, good or bad, full and truthful information would be made public, consistent with military security; secondly, his unqualified assertion that the all but impossible production goals he had set for planes, tanks and ships would be achieved; thirdly, the determination voiced to prevent interference with the production programme by organised labour or other means. Congressional reaction to the speech was markedly favourable. A typical example was the comment by the Republican leader, Representative Martin, who said it was comforting to hear the President’s assurance of progress in production, that superiority in armaments could be achieved by America’s great industrial machine and that they would thereby win the war. Mr Martin also applauded Mr Roosevelt’s assurance that they would soon be taking the offensive. He voiced the opinion that the appeal for unity of sacrifice would find a whole-hearted response from the American people. Mr Roosevelt, at a Press conference, was asked to elaborate on the references in his speech to difficulty getting aid to the embattled American forces on the Batan peninsula. He replied that if they could tell him'how to get the bombers to Batan, General MacArthur could have bombers. A reporter asked if the planes could not be flown in, to which Mr Roosevelt shrugged his shoulders and asked, “Land on what?” Mr Roosevelt tactily warned against speculation when asked for comment on indications from recent stories that General MacArthur was at odds with the army high command on the question of reinforcements.

The “Wall Street Journal” in an editorial today on Mr Roosevelt s 'speech, says: “The American people want to do whatever is necessary to fight the war to the end. They are not now interested in certain arguments about national policy before December 7, which became bootless and will so remain for the duration. In the stirring phrases of which he is a master, Mr Roosevelt has called for unity of sacrifice .We do not , say it will be given; we say it is being given.