AXIS GANGSTERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 August 1942, Page 3

AXIS GANGSTERS

WARNED BY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT PROMISE OF LEGAL PUNISHMENT FOR ATROCITIES IN OCCUPIED COUNTRIES. UNITED STATES COLLECTING EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) WASHINGTON, This Day. _ A warning to the Axis to halt atrocities against the citizens of occupied countries or they would face a fearful retribution for their barbaric crimes was issued by President Roosevelt, in a formal statement at a Press conference today. President Roosevelt said the American Government had been collecting evidence of such Axis crimes as the execution of hostages and added that the United Nations were going to win the war and that when the victory had been achieved it was proposed that the United Nations should make appropriate use of information and evidence respecting barbaric crimes in Europe and in Asia. : ' t “It seem only fair,” the President added, “that they should have this warning. The time will come when they will have to stand in courts of law, in the very countries they are now oppressing, and answer for their crimes.” President Roosevelt said Mr Wendell Willkie's itinnerary would include Egypt, Arabia, Palestine, Syria, Turkey. Iraq and Iran. He will act as the President's special representative. His principal task will be to tell the truth about the American war effort and the unity behind it, and to correct erroneous impression abroad that American production is not all it should' be. President Roosevelt expressed the opinion that, as those of the leader of a minority party, Mr Willkie’s words would carry very great weight. Hq' had been asked to convey to the nations a comparison of what would happen to them if the Axis won or if the United Nations won. , President Roosevelt declared that the heads of some Government departments were talking too much. He directed all Government administrators to refrain from public de-’ bate on controversial questions of policy and to cease criticising each other. Mr Roosevelt said such airing of divergent opinions in the public Press was being seized upon and exploited by our enemies.