President Rooesvelt’s Praise

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 49, 27 February 1943, Page 5

President Rooesvelt’s Praise

Received Friday, 11.30 p.m. SYDNEY, Feb. 26.

President Roosevelt has sent a message to General MacArthur, congratulating the Australian and American forces under his command upon their successes against the Japanese. The message, which was despatched some days ago, is believed to refer in part to the recent period when air attacks of record strength were made against an enemy shipping concentration at Rabaul. It read: “The efficient bombardment launched by your forces during the past few weeks and especially in the last few days, in support of the situation in the Solomons and in furtherance of your own operations, command our admiration. The arduous land campaign along the Papuan coast which has decimated the enemy and now threatens him at Salamaua, has made a great impression on our people and must have a demoralising effect oh •Japanese confidence and in the fighting efficiency of their ground troops. My thanks go to you and your leaders and to the officers and men of the Australian and United States forces, who carried the fight to the enemy over great distances and even greater difficulties. ’’