FRIEND LOST

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25177, 14 April 1945, Page 7

FRIEND LOST

BRITISH SORROW GLOWING TRIBUTES CHUECHILL'S MESSAGE TIES FOKGED IN FIBE (Reed. 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, April 13 "I send my most profound sympathy in your grievous loss," said Mr Churchill in a message to the Roosevelt family. "It is also the loss of the British nation and of the cause of freedom in every land. I feel so deeply for you all. "As for myself, I have lost a dear and cherished friendship which was forged in the fire of war. I trust you may find consolation in the glory of his name and the magnitude of his work." The Daily Telegraph's political correspondent says that a senior Cabinet Minister, as well as the King's personal representative, is expected to attend Mr Roosevelt's funeral. Hero's Death in Service The British press has been quick to express the deep sorrow of the people of the country. Most papers devoted their feature pages to long articles on the President's career and editorial writers joined in tribute to the workhe has done, not only for his own country, but in the cause of the United Nations. "He did not spare himself in this cause any more than the youngest of American soldiers, and he has died n hero's death in the service of humanity," says the Daily Express. The press generally lays stress on the debt which Britain owes to President Roosevelt. In the words of the Daily Telegraph the debt can never be repaid for his understanding, help and confidence in Britain's darkest hours. The Daily Telegraph says: "Mr Roosevelt will be remembered with Lincoln as a leader who set and kept his country on the path of true greatness with a humanity, steadiness of purpose and grandeur unsurpassed ,in the records of mankind. His passing leaves a gap in the counsels of the Allies that it will be hard to fill." Victory Kobbed of Glory The Daily Express says: "Mr Roosevelt died on the eve of victory. Such was his influence and such was the lustre attaching to his name that his passing will dim the glory of the hour." The Daily Herald says: "Mr Roosevelt's death will bring to every citizen of the British Commonwealth a sense of acute personal loss. We have lost a loyal friend, a dauntless comrade in arms and a steadfast champion of those causes which called the British peoples to war." When Mr John Winant, United States Ambassador in London, heard the news, he said: "The greatest American of our age is dead." British messages of sympathy have been pouring into the American Embassy in London.

FOUR SONS ON SERVICE (Heed. 11.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 13 . Three sons of President Roosevelt, Franklin, John and, James, are on duty •in the Pacific. Elliott is in Europe.