NEW YEAR MESSAGES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 29, 3 January 1944, Page 5

NEW YEAR MESSAGES

ALLIED LEADERS’ VIEWS. WASHINGTON, Jan. 1

President Roosevelt, in a New Year message, ealled oil tlie United Nations to continue their mutually beneficial co-operation alter the war to achieve and maintain peace and security in the world. “The walls are closing in remorselessly on our enemies, he added. “Our armed forces are gathering lor new and greater assaults which will bring about the downfall of the Axis aggressors. The United Nations are also giving attention to & different kind of struggle which must follow the military the struggle against disease, malnutrition, unemployment, and many other forms of social distress. On the threshold of a New Year we look towards the tremendous tasks ahead. Let , us pledge ourselves that this eo-operation shall continue both for winning the final victory on the battlefield anti for establishing an international organisation of all peace-loving nations to maintain peace an (Insecurity in the generations to como.” ADMIRAL CONFIDENT.

This year will see great decisive vie tories for the cause of Pacific freedom, Admiral Halsey predicted in a New Year’s statement to the men of his command. Ho added: “We can promise for the coming months so many staggering blows against the enemy in so many places from so many directions, that a reluctant retreat will bo disastrously quickened as lie backs up on the load to Tokio. A vear ago our Pacific campaign had not achieved the irresistible momentum it has to-day. 'Our steamroller has flattened the enemy s back fences and moved inexorably into Ins own backyard. Our pincers are squeezing the life from Raboul. Bougainville has already been struck from the list ns an effective encmv base. The. Japanese arc hopelessly land-bound, and cut off. with their air and sea support eliminated. O'HINA’S MAIN TASK.

General Cliiang Kai-shek, in a New Year address, said : “China’s major task in 1944 should lie the launching of a large-scale counter-offensive against Japan. There will be only one war and one strategy. For China, it is uownot only a question of co-ordination but also one of joining the Allies under the strategy to bring ovcrwhe.ming force to bear upon Japan from all sides.