Has Axis Power Hit Down-grade Slide ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 95, 23 April 1942, Page 5

Has Axis Power Hit Down-grade Slide ?

Roosevelt’s “ Victory Smile ” Intrigues Observers May Have Good News Up His Sleeve United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received "Wednesday, 9.20 p.m. NEW YORK, April 21. The New York Herald-Tribune's Washington correspondent says a feeling of restrained optimism regarding the progress of the war was strongly apparent in official circles to-day after President Roosevelt passed many busy hours mapping . the strategy of victory with representatives of the United Nations. So pronounced was the change of attitude in many persons as contrasted with that displayed in the days of gloom immediately after Pearl Harbour as welt as the months of grimness afterwards that it led to widespread comment and speculation. Some observers noting that President Roosevelt was in a jnore buoyant mood at the press conference than for many weeks past suspected that the day’s cheerfulness might result from the probability that the President and his Allied oenferes had good news up their sleeves regarding the bombing of Tokio and other Japanese cities. Others who studied the hopeful words spoken by many officials attending the day’s meeting at the White House believed that the new confidence had a more solid foundation than a single act of war. Observers thought that Washington’s new-found optimism was based on general indications that Axis power had definitely hit the downgrade slide. The Australian Associated Press learns that Dr. Evatt conferred at length with Mr. Harry Hopkins after the latter’s encouraging report to the Pacific Council which incidentally has in nowise impaired Australia’s position regarding the supply situation. Dr. Evatt now feels that the supply situation is developing satisfactorily. Supporting his viewpoint was the evidence President Roosevelt gave to a press conference. The President declared that the machinery was developing well -whereby Australia, China , and other nations actually engaged in fighting can voice their opinions regarding the decisions of the Munitions Allocations Board of which Mr. Hopkins is chairman. President Roosevelt pointed out that the final decisions regarding the allocations must be made by the strategy men —apparently referring to the joint British-Ameriean Strategy Board which already hears Australian, Chinese and other viewpoints—but the Munitions Allocations Board will also hear the comments of such interested j parties preceding any shipments concerning their countries. Dr. Evatt is pleased with the developments on the Pacific i Council which is becoming a body of greater importance than 1 originally expected. He is reported to have arranged for the American Army and Navy Chiefs of Staff to meet occasionally with the Council, most likely at the next meeting on Tuesday. Dr. Evatt has also completed the task of assisting General Smart to establish himself and become fully acquainted with the high military chiefs here, including the joint British-Ameriean Board. General Smart is thus in a position to present Australia’s case on every necessary occasion. M. Litvinov, asked after he had had a conference with President Roosevelt whether supplies from America to Russia were satisfactory, replied in the affirmative. Questioned whether strategy entered into the discussions, President Roosevelt said: “We talked about everything.” President Roosevelt also had a conference with Dr. Soong and Lieutenant-General Hsuing. Lord Beaverbrook and Mr. Harry Hopkins were the guests at luncheon at the White House to-day.