With Fall Of Rome It Is One Up And Two To Go, Roosevelt Says

Northern Advocate, 7 June 1944, Page 3

With Fall Of Rome It Is One Up And Two To Go, Roosevelt Says

WASHINGTON. June G,

“Yesterday, Rome fell to American and Allied troops,” said President Roosevelt broadcasting. “The first of the Axis capitals is now in Our hands: Ono up. and two to go. “It is perhaps significant' that the first of these capitals to fall should have the longest history of all. Rome and the Romans at one time controlled the whole of the then known world. That is significant for the United Nations are determined that in the future no one city, no one race, will be able to control the whole world. “It will be a source of deep satisfaction that the freedom of Rome and Vatican City are assured by the armies of the United Nations. It is also significant that Rome was liberated by the armed forces of many nations. The American and British armies who bore the chief burdens of battle, found at their sides our North American neighbours, the gallant Canadians. Fighting New Zealanders The fighting New Zealanders from the far South Pacific, the courageous French and French Moroccans, South Africans, Poles and East Indians. “All fought with us on the bloody approaches to Rome. The Italians, too. are fox-eswearing their partnership in the Axis which they never desired, and sent their troops to join us against the Gei-man ti-esspassei’s on their soil. The prospect of the liberation of Rome meant enough to Hitler and his generals to induce them, to fight desperately at great cost in men and materials. No thanks ai-e due to them if Rome has been spared the devastation which the Germans wreaked 'on Naples and other Italian cities. “The Allied generals manoeuvred so skilfully that the Nazis could have stayed long enough to damage Rome only at the risk of losing their armies. Our victory comes at an excellent time, while the Allied forces are poised for another strike against Western Europe, while the armies of other Nazi soldiers nervously await our assault, and while our gallant Russian allies continue to make their power felt more and more. Tough Period Ahead “It would he unwise to inflate in cur own minds the military importance of the capture of Rome. We shall have lo push through a long period of greater effort and fiercer fighting before getting into Ger- \ many itself. "The Germans have retreated thousands of miles, all the way from the gates of Cairo, through Libya, Tunisia. Sicily and Southern Italy. They have suffered heavy losses, hut not yet great enough to cause collapse. Germany has not yoi been driven lo surrender. Germany has! not yet been driven to the point where she will be unable to recommence world conquest a generation hence. "Therefore, victory still lies some distance ahead. That distance will be covered in due time. Have no fear of tHat. hut it will he tough and it will be cosily. The people of Itaiy have lived so long under the corrupt rule of Mussolini that despite the tinsel at the top. their economic condition has grown steadily worse. Starvation, Disease “Our croons found starvation, malnutrition, disease, deteriorating education anil lowered public health, ail by-products of Fascist misrule. “The task of the Allies in the occupation has been stupendous. The Italian people are capable of self-government. We must not lose sight of their virtues as a peace-loving nation. Italy cannot grow in stature by seeking to build up a great, militaristic empire. The Italians have been overcrowded within their own territories, but they have no need to try and conquer the lands of ether peoples to find the breath of life. Other peoples may net want to be conquered. “Millions of Italians in the past have come to the United States. They have been welcomed, have prospered and have become good citizens. They are not Ital-ian-Americans, they are Americans —Americans of Italian descent. “Italians have gone in great numbers to Brazil, the Argentine and to many ether nations, giving of their industry and talents in achieving the success and contort of good living.

Italy of the Future

“Italy should go on as a great mother nation, contributing to the cultural progress anc< goodwill of all mankind, developing her special -talents in arts, crafts and sciences, and preserving her historic, cultural heritage for the benefit of all peoples. "We want and expect the help cf l'ue future Italy toward lasting peace. All other nations opposed to Fascism and Nazism. should help to give Italy a chance. The Germans, after years of domination, have left .the people of the Eternal City on the verge of starvation. We and the British will do everything we can to bring them relief. Anticipating the fall of Rome we made preparations to ship food supplies lo the city, but it should be borne in mind that the needs are so great for the transportation requirements of our armies that the improvement must be gradual. We have already begun lo save the lives cf men, women and cnilclren of Rome.

“This is an example of the efficiency of our machinery of war. No great effort like this can be ICG per cent, pi rlect, but the batting average is high. “I extend congratulations and thanks to the American people; to General Alexander. who commanded the Whole of the Italian operation; to Generals Clark. Leese, Wilson. Devors and Eeakcl”. and to Admirals Cunningham and Ilewilt. and ait their brave officers ancl men.