FOUNDATIONS OF FRIENDSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 25566, 20 August 1945, Page 4

FOUNDATIONS OF FRIENDSHIP

BRITAIN AND HER ALLIES KING’S MESSAGES TO LEADERS LONDON. August 17. The King sent messegds to the Presidents, of the United States of America, Russia, and China, and Queen Wilhelmina of Holland. The message to President Truman said: “I desire to convey to you, Mr President, at this historic moment, my expression of heartfelt congratulations and thankfulness that final victory has been achieved. All my peoples are proud to have been associated with tho United States forces and people in the defeat of our enemies. The co-opera-tion, which has served us so well in war, will, I am convinced, continue, in the days of peace.” /

To President Kalinin, of Russia, he said: “ The significance of this moment does not lie in victory alone. The years of war have laid foundations for lasting collaboration which will ho as vital a factor in pence as in war. This comradeship is a promise that the ideals for which our peoples fought shall not be lost. I convey to you and your people the. expression of the British people’s friendship and admiration.”

To the President of the National Government of the Republic of China, lie said: “ I send -warmest congratulations on Japan’s defeat, which came quicker than we dared, hope. I am proud to join in the victory with so gallant an ally.” To Queen Wilhelmina: .“ I and my Government and- people will never forget that Your Majesty was the first voluntarily to join issue against the Japanese after Pearl Harbour. . We greatly admired the gallant exploits of the Netherlands forces in the early defence of their Far Eastern possessions against superior forces.” M. Kalinin, replying to the King’s message, said: “ Accept my congratulations on the British troops’ brilliant successes in the Far East and the Pacific. I am sure that the foundations ,of friendship between Britain and | Russia will be a firm foundation for | the future.”.