FINE RECORD OF BRITISH FORCES

Southland Times, Issue 25668, 10 May 1945, Page 5

FINE RECORD OF BRITISH FORCES

PRESIDENT TRUMAN PAYS TRIBUTE (8.0.W.) RUGBY, May 8. In a message to Mr Churchill, President Truman .paid a tribute to th, achievements of the British /Irmei Forces, says a Washington message “With warm affection we hail our comrades in arms across the Atlantic,” hi said. The President in a message to General Eisenhower said: “In recognitioi of the unconditional and abject surrender of the Nazi barbarians, pleasi accept the fervent congratulations am appreciation of myself and the Ameri can people for the heroic achievement of your Allied Army, Navy and Ai Force. By their sacrifices, skill ant

courage they have served the exalted cause of freedom throughout the world. All of us owe you and your men of many nations a debt beyond appraisal for their high contribution to the conquest of Nazism. I send my personal appreciation of the superb leadership shown by your commanders in directing the valiant legions of our country and our Allies to this historic victory.” Mr Truman asked that his message be transmitted to the officers of all the Allied forces under General Eisenhower’s command. MESSAGE TO STALIN Mr Truman in a message to M. Stalin expressed the appreciation of the United States Government “of your heroic army’s splendid contribution to the cause of civilization and liberty. You have demonstrated in all your campaigns what it is possible to accomplish when free people under superlative leadership wtih unfailing courage rise against the forces of barbarism,” he said. Mr Truman in a speech in America carefully avoided the use of the popular term, “V Day.” White House sources later made it clear that no formal V Day for America was proclaimed. Mr Truman told a Press conference: “I only wish that Franklin Roosevelt had lived to see this day.” He issued a statement warning tire Japanese that the intensity of Allied blows will increase and bring them to utter destruction coupled with what the United Press interpreted as an effort to encourage an unconditional surrender by pointing out that it would not mean extermination or enslavement, but would mean the termination of the influence of the military leaders who had brought Japan to the present brink of disaster. The American Joiumal points out that today may be V Day in London and Moscow, but in New York and the rest of the United States it will go down in history as A Day, or AntiClimax Day. Regardless of the official proclamation, the city’s emotional peak was not fanned to yesterday’s burning heat. Contrasting with yesterday’s wild jubilation that lasted until the early hours of the morning, many New Yorkers marked the day with solemnity and a resolve to finish the Pacific war as quickly as possible. Most stores and many offices were closed for the day.