OPTIMISM IN U.S.A.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 94, 23 April 1942, Page 5

OPTIMISM IN U.S.A.

ROOSEVELT IN BUOYANT MOOD AXIS HITS DOWN-GRADE SLIDE (Ey Telegraph— Pr«M Aaaodatlon—Copyrigbt > (Recd. 9.20 p.m.) 'New York, April 21. The New York Herald-Tribune’s correspondent at Washington says: ‘‘A feeling of restrained optimism regarding the progress of the war was stronglv apparent in official circles to-day after Mr. Roosevelt had passed many busy hours mapping the strategy of victory with representatives of the United Nations. “So pronounced was the change of attitude in many persons, as contrasted to that displayed in the days of gloom immediately after Pearl Harbour, as well as the months of grimness afterwards, that it led to widespread comment and speculation. ' Some observers, noting that Mr. Roosevelt was in more buoyant mood at his Press conference than for many weeks past, suspected that days of cheerfulness might result from the probability of the President and the Allied representatives conferring with him having good news up their sleeves regarding the bombing of Tokio and other Japanese cities. “Others who studied the hopeful words spoken by many officials attending the day’s meetings at White House believed the new confidence had a mure solid foundation than a single act. War observers thought Washington’s new-found optimism was based on general indications that the Axis power has definitely hit the down-grade slide.”