ON TO VICTORY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 1, 2 January 1943, Page 5

ON TO VICTORY

AMERICA DETERMINED CONFIDENCE IN ARMY (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Recd. 9 p.m.) Washington, Dec. 31. In New Year statements Mr. Henry Stimson told the press: “Despite initial defeats, America has now firmly set her feet to victory. It is a long, hard road, beset with many obstacles, against enemies strong and determined to fight to the end. Fortunately our Army is growing more powerful each passing day. Backed by the determination of the American people it will be a force against which no combination of nations can pre vail. The Army is moving forward into the Now Year confident and sure of its mission. Having deserved con lidence, it would be immeasurably valuable if the Army could rely on public appreciation of their work. There will undoubtedly be proposals made this winter which will ractically modify and impair the Army's plans. It is my view that the decision on vital matters which are of intrinsically military character shou> remain the responsibility of trained soldiers.”

Mr. Stimson emphasised the high moral standards of the Army and its good health. Only 10 per cent, of the soldiers drink liquors; 50 per cent, drink only soft liquor and 40 per cent, beer.

Mr. Stimson recalled that as recently as Julv, 1940, there was insufficient powder in the entire country for one day’s warfare for the Army now overseas. To-day the Army exceeds 5,000,000, including 1,000,000 in the Air Force and tens of thousands of pilots.