AUSTRALIA AND AMERICA

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23642, 20 May 1942, Page 5

AUSTRALIA AND AMERICA

EXPLANATION MADE BY CURTIN PURPOSE OF* MESSAGES TO ROOSEVELT (N.Z.P.A.) SYDNEY, May 19. “1 have never been able to understand the' misconceptions abdut the messages. which I sent to Mr Roosevelt early in' January, asking for United States aid for the defence of Australia,” declared the Prime Minister (Mr J, Curtin) in the course of a speech in Sydney. - "Let it be clearly understood that relations between Australia and the United States, Australia, and Canada, and Australia and New Zealand are all governed by one supreme purpose —the retention of Australia as an integral part of the British Commonwealth of Nations. If it is right and proper for Mr Churchill to make two visits to Mr Roosevelt, as I have no doubt it was, I can only wonder why it was wrong for someone else to send a message to Mr. Roosevelt.” Mr Curtin said that as the leader of a democratic country it was his duty to let the, people know what was in his heart and mind, what he thought the nation was capable of doing with its resources'. If he thought that those resources! were "inadequate to preserve the security of the country he should not be afraid to face criticism, and say where the things most needed by the country could best be obtained. Geographical considerations made it inevitable that Australians might hold a different view on war matters from those of other parts of the Empire moulded in the institutions and traditions of England. “Strategically, Australia is vital to the whole structure of the Empire in this war,” continued Mr.Curtin. f‘We are in the south, the Motherland is in the, north, and the two together are complementary. Otherwise the whole story, of colonisation is unreal and without objective. “I make no apology for the statement .which I made to the United States to regard this Pacific zone as of vital importance, not only to us, but to the security of the United States. The help for which we asked has come to us, and more is coming. I know that with the ultimate mobilisation of the resources of the Allied Nations we will be much stronger than the enemy. The Allies must stick together. There must be no sacrificing of one for the alleged common good. Australia stands irrevocably with the Allies.” 1 U.S. FORCES IN AUSTRALIA POPULARITY OF MEN (Special Australian Correspondent, .. N.Z.P.A.) SYDNEY, May 19. "The United States has a big job to do, but the people of Australia can bet on it that we will see this struggle through to the Jast ditch.” This was the cryptic but reassuring statement made by the officer cdmmanding the newest detachment of American forces to reach the Commonwealth. Uncle Sam’s “doughboys,” as well as his “gobs," have ceased to be a novelty in any Australian city. The best fed, the best dressed, and the best paid soldier in. the world is safely installed as tin most popular visitor to come to Australia. Feminine Australia hangs on his arm, and, in spite of warnings of the difficulties of gaining admittance to the United States after the war, there have been quite a few marriages. Civilian Australia approves his handsome appearance and orderly behaviour. . Uncle Sam's boy himself is enjoying the most of his experiences, though he is a little puzzled by some. He likes the climate, he. likes the country, and he obviously likes the girls. Dull Sundays, too much mutton, and not enough ice-water are strange local customs which, if they cannot be cured, must be endured. A booklet published for the guidance of the American soldiers contains the warning: “Don’t be sucked into a row. You are fighting alongside the Australians, not against them. That is Tojo’s job.” A slow-spoken southerner, with a black eye, indicating recent fighting, said: “That is all very well, but once in a while the happy Australian just has to show how tough he is. Now, back home, there’s only one guy in the" whole country who ever wants to fight/ and his name is Joe Louis.” However, in strategic areas, American troops are occupying positions alongside the A.I.F. and the militia, and all parties are appreciating the contact. Here in the field, even more than in the cities, Australian and American co-operation is getting its biggest boost. Allied headquarters may some day be renamed “MacArthurstown.” It boasts a most imposing array of American officers. General Mac Arthur starts work early and finishes late. He is not readily accessible to the press, but he has been known to interview correspondents at half-past eight in the morning. As much an object of interest as the United States soldier is his army transport. Just when Australia had got used to the jeep, the great American “blitz buggy,” the United States Army produced the “jeepette,” a motor-scoot-er, which though it is not designed for racirfg purposes, is held to “get there 0.K.” Like the Kittyhawks, which form the backbone of the Australian fighter aeroplane defence, all the American mechanised transport is giving splendid service under testing conditions. Kittyhawks are. newer, faster, and more heavily gunned than their assembly line predecessors, the Tomahawk. They appeared first in Sydney’s week-end air raid tests. They showed speed and manoeuvrability to warrant confidence in their powers to provide a warm welcome for visitors. Their number is .secret, but they are being steadily augmented.