PACIFIC WAR EFFORT

Southland Times, Issue 24650, 23 January 1942, Page 5

PACIFIC WAR EFFORT

“DOING BEST WE CAN” MR ROOSEVELT GIVES ASSURANCE WASHINGTON, January 21. President Roosevelt, at his Press Conference, said the United States was contributing to the war against the Axis in almost every part of the globe. Mr Roosevelt’s remarks are understood to be intended to reassure China and Australia where some uneasiness is reported regarding the possibility of priority being given to the battle against Hitler over the battle against Japan in the matter of American aid.

A reporter called attention to these reports. Mr Roosevelt replied: “Nobody need have any fear at all as we are doing the best we can.”

The Chinese Ambassador, Mr Roosevelt asserted, fully understands the situation. While declining to discuss the details the President declared that very excellent progress is being made to strengthen the position of the united nations in the south-west Pacific. Mr Roosevelt conceded that it was correct that supplies and reinforcements were being sent but added that he could not go into details. Senator George in a short-wave message to China said: “Developments will demonstrate that, England and the United States propose to give all possible assistance in conjunction with China in the war in the middle and southern Pacific. Your doubts and fears are understandable to me and yet are not correctly founded. When their basis is analysed in the light of plain facts you will see there is no foundation whatever for any doubt of the comradeship and fullest co-operation of your sister nation across the Pacific.” Mr Cordell Hull, United States Secretary of State, said he thought the responsible authorities in Australia, China and the Netherlands East Indies understood that the directors of the united nations’ strategy would work out the best possible plans of action in the Western Pacific.

Asked whether it was possible to say anything to reassure the Chinese, Dutch and Australians, Mr Hull said it was a great temptation to talk out of turn, but he felt the answer should be left to the military and naval spokesmen. STREAMLINED FOR ACTION According to the United Press Mr Byron Nelson, the President’s LeaseLend expediter, said Mr Roosevelt had approved a plan for the reorganization of the war production set-up. Mr Nelson conferred at length with Mr Roosevelt and later said his plan had been approved and the details would be announced tomorrow. Asked whether the plan involved the whole organization Mr Nelson replied: “Well, it is streamlined to get action.”

The 40-hour week in Government departments has been swept aside to meet the gigantic task of winning the war. The average work week is now 44 hours with several departments, including the Army and Navy, working longer shifts.

Mr Nelson has ordered that the production of passenger automobiles and light trucks either for civilian, military or export purposes must be stopped on February 1 regardless of existing contracts. He said that all military demands that could be foreseen would be satisfied from stock. Piles of new cars which the Government recently ordered will be held in dealers’ stores until next year. The industry’s passenger car quota for January was 20,484 units and the light truck quota was 24,169 units. At the time automobile sales were halted it was estimated that dealers had about 150,000 new passenger automobiles and about 38,000 light trucks in hand.