PLEDGE REDEEMED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25672, 21 October 1944, Page 7

PLEDGE REDEEMED

“WE HAVE RETURNED” CORREGIDOR AVENGED (Rec. 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 20. “We promised to return, and we have returned,” said President Roosevelt in a statement on the Philippines landing. “We landed to redeem the pledge we made over two years ago when the last American troops surrendered at Corregidor against overwhelming enemy strength. Nowhere has the desire to avenge their comrades been stronger than among the forces of the South-west Pacific.

“ Leyte is another rung in the long ladder that General MacArthur’s men have been climbing for two years. Leyte is only a halfway station on the road to Japan. From our new base we shall quicken the assault. Our attacks last week have been destructive and decisive, but now we shall strike even more devastating blows against Japan. Now we are going to teach Japan her lesson. We shall free the enslaved peoples and restore stolen lands and looted wealth to their rightful owners. We shall strangle the black dragon of Japanese militarism for over.” » “The whole American nation to-day exults at the news that the gallant men under your command have landed on Philippines soil,” saidi President

Roosevelt in a message to General MacArthur. “ I know well what this means to you. I know what it cost you to obey my order to leave Corregidor in February, 1942, and proceed to Australia.- Since then you have planned, worked, and fought with whole-souled devotion for the day when you would return to the Philippines with powerful forces. That day has come, and you have the nation’s gratitude and prayers for success as your young men fight their way back to Bataan.” In a message to President Osmena, of the Philippines, President Roosevelt said: “When the Japanese are driven out the Philippines will take their place as a free and independent member of the family of nations.” • President Roosevelt also sent the following message to Admirals Nimitz and Halsey: “Your fine co-operation with General MacArthur furnishes another example of team-work and effective intelligence in the use of all weapons.”