MAN WITH PURPOSE

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

MAN WITH PURPOSE

AUSTRALIA REMEMBERS HELP IN DARK DAYS (Reed. 8.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 13 "This is a sad day for America and for the world, because countless millions have lost a great friend and counsellor," said the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, referring to the death of Mr Roosevelt. "When the British race had the honour of standing alone against the aggressor it was this man who guided his people toward the purpose he always had uppermost in his mind. Australia, will not forget him for his sympathy, understanding and great help in the dark days of our trials. The late President, with Mr Chfirchill, gave to all peoples the Atlantic Charter and the terms of it might well be,his epitaph." "By Mr Roosevelt's death the world has lost one of the greatest men of all time," said Dr H. V. Evatt, Australian Minister of External Affairs, who is at present in London. "He was a man of invincible courage. His will rose triumphant over the mortal peril and permanent handicap of grave physical illness. He was a leader in the fight, against Fascism long before the United States entered the war. He organised a gigantic war effort and he helped to make victory possible. He fought the war not only to achieve victory and lasting peace but to give to the people of all countries the sure and certain hope of banishing the spectres of poverty and unemployment. During the years of Australia's greatest crisis he proved our great and true friend." The Australian deputy-Prime Minister, Mr F. M. Forde, said: "MiRoosevelt's personal contribution to the United Nations' war effort marked him as one of the outstanding democratic leaders of the age. He will go down to history as one of the greatest American Presidents of all time." NEWS TRAVELS SWIFTLY CHILL ON WESTERN FRONT (Heed. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, April IS • The news of Mr Roosevelt's death swept like a chill wind along the Western Front, savs Renter's correspondent. It spread from mouth to mouth right up to the front line from radio sets in the rear. Tank men in the spearheads heard it over their sets and passed the news on to infantrymen trudging on in the darkness. Messages from the fighting fronts show that mfltiy American soldiers feel the loss of the President as if he had been a personal friend. One typical remark from a sergeant on the Western Front was; "Nobody has fought; more mightily for victory than he did." Vice-Admiral R. K. Turner, in charge of naval forces at Okinawa, said: Be was as much a battle casualty as anyone who loses his life out here. General Eisenhower has issued a general order for 30 days' mourning to American troops in the European [theatre.