Evening star., 1941-12-29
Philippines Receive
Roosevelt Pledge
To Redeem Liberty
EorIy Emphasizes
Time Needed Because
Of Long Distances

(Terts Of Roosepeit and Napy
Statements on Page A-l2J
~ the Associated Press
President Roosevelt pledged to the
war-scoursed people Of the Philip
pines today that their freedom
will be redeemed and their inde-
pendence established and protected"
"The entire resources, In men and
material of the United States stand
behind that pledge" the President
said.
In connection with the Presidents
message. Stephen Early, Mr.. Roose-
velt's secretary, commented that 1t
might take time for ample aid to
reach the Philippines because of the
long distances involved and re-
marked that. in a military sense.
distances many times are synony-
nous with time measurements.
In response to q question whether
Mr.. Roosevelt's use of the word "'re-
deem" indicated that the Chief Ex-
ecutive felt that the islands might
be lost temporarily, Mr.. Early re-
piled, II shouldn't think so, no."
Toxic Anticipates Victory.
AS Mr.. Roosevelt's message, broad
cast by short wave, was made pub
lie. Domei already was anticipat-
ing victory. The ofdcial Japa-
nese news agency reported that the
Japanese expeditionary forces on
Luzon were concentrating their main
efforts on capturing Manila before
New Years"
The Domei announcement caused
no great surprise here, for 1t is well
known that the japanese seek to
have their victories fall on important
festivals-and New Years is Japan's
greatest holiday.
It was Manila's tremendous ordeal
and the valiant fight of the Philip
pines defenders that prompted
President Roosevelt to send his mes
sage to the people Of the islands last
night.
Good Fight Praised.
The Chief Executive, calling the
occasion a solemn" one, praised the
Philippines for their gallant strug-
gle against the japanese aggressor. I"
"The resources of the United
States. of the British Empire, OF the
Netherlands East Indies and of the
Chinese Republic have been dedicat-
ed by their people to the utter and
complete defeat of the japanese war
lords. In this great struggle OF the
Pacific the loyal Americans OF the
Philippine Islands are called upon to
play a crucial role.
THE people of the United States
will never forget what the people OF
the Philippine Islands are doing this
day and will do in days to come. I
give to the people of the Philippines
my solemn pledge that their free
dom will be redeemed and their in
dependence established and pro-
tected. The entire resources, in men
and material, of the United States
stand behind that pledge.
ut is not for me or for the people
Of this country to tell you where
your duty lies. I count on every
Philippine man. woman and child to
do his duty. We will do ours"
Meanwhile. the President Ar
ranged a relatively light schedule
for today, making separate appoint
ments with DR.. Alexander Loudoun,
the Netherlands Minister. and Ad-
miral Ernest j. King, commander
In chief of the United States Fleet
Before his message to the Philip
pines the President called in the
Army and Navy high command for
a conference which lasted an hour
and a half.
Secretary Knox, asked as he left
the White House whether there was
(See WAR, Page AID