POURING IN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 88, 14 April 1945, Page 7

POURING IN

ELOQUENT TRIBUTES Roosevelt Hailed As World sp-. Statesman N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 10. WASHINGTON, April 13. Tributes to the late President Roosevelt continue to. pour in from all parts of the world. Marshal Stalin, in a message to Mrs. Roosevelt, expressed his sincere condolence and added that, the Soviet people highly valued President Roosevelt as a great organiser in the struggle of freedom-loving nations against a common enemy, and a leader in the cause of ensuring security for the whole world. A message from Moscow says that practically the entire front pages of all the Soviet newspapers this morning are devoted to news of Mr. Roosevelt's death, with photographs, biography and messages of condolence from Soviet leaders. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, the Pope, Signor Bonomi, Mr. De Valera, and Mr. Peter Fraser also sent condolences. ■ ■ Mr. De Valera, in his message to Mr. Henry S. Truman, who becomes President, said: "America has lost a great man and a noble leader in President Roosevelt. I, oh behalf of Eire, express our deep sorrow at Mr. Roosevelt's death and our very great sympathy with his family and the American people on the calamity which has befallen them." General De, Gaulle was aroused from his sleep in Paris, to be told the news of . President Roosevelt s death. He immediately issued a statement expressing the- French nation's. sympathy. He ordered all flags in France and the French Empire to be flown at halfmast. . In a cable to Mr. Truman, General De Gaulle said: "In the eyes of all humanity President Roosevelt was the symbolic champion of the great cause of liberty for which.the United Nations suffered so much and fought so hard. He was a faithful friend of France, and France admired and loved him."

The Allied commander-in-chief on the Western. Front, • General Eisenhower, sent a message to President Truman, stating: "Although we are grieved and shocked by the death of Mr. Roosevelt, the American armies in Europe pledge to you, our new Commander-in-Chief, our unremitting efforts for the achievements of final victory."

The Prime Minister of South Africa, Field-Marshal Smuts, in a tribute, said: "We have • had a dreadful blow. I don't know if we quite appreciate what we have lost. If it hadn't been for his leadership our cause to-day might have been very different from what it' is.

General Montgomery said: ."He was a great champion of freedom. His death is a shattering blow."

Paris Radio said Saturday would be a national day of mourning throughout France for Mr. Roosevelt.