Evening star., 1942-01-20
U.S.. Taking War
ToA|| Fronts,
President Says
Roosevelt Statement
Reussures China
And Australia

And Australia
Earlier Story on Page A-6)
BY JOHN C. HENRY.
Wartime staff studies among
the United Nations involves Of
fensive and defensive combat on
every continent and in all the
seven seas, President Roosevelt
told a press conference late
today.
Joint technical committees OF
the united front already are
formulating and applying plans
for production of supplies, their
transportation and the assign
ment of fighting men wherever
action is believed likely.
One can look at a map of the
world and assume that the anti
Axis bloc is doing something at vir-
tually every point, the President as
serted as questioners pressed him
for details on operations.
The Chief Executives remarks
were of a type to give reinsurance
to China and Australia, where some
uneasiness has been reported over
the possibility that American sup
plies might go more into the battle
against Hitler rather than into the
fight against Japan.
U. S. Doing Its Best.
A reporter called the Presidents
attention to these reports and the
Chief Executive declared that he
thought nobody need have any fear
at all. We are doing the best we
can. he added.
The Chinese Ambassador. the
President asserted, fully understands
the situation.
AS for recent submarine attacks
on shipping along the Atlantic sea-
board. Mr. Roosevelt asserted that he
thought there was no connection
between them and the conference OF
American nations in Rio de Janeiro.
He recladde that he had prophesied
several weeks ago that subs soon
would be operating along the Amer
ican coast
The Chief Executives generalized
comment on the comprehensiveness
of the united war plans was launch
ed by questioning about omcial
statements that this Government
considers Hitler and Na1i Germany
the really important enemy. Such
an expressed attitude already has
brought criticism from certain por-
tions of the united bloc among them
Chinese sources, who fear that 1t
may indicate slackening OF ehort In
other directions.
Aid Rushed to Pacific.
Mr.. Roosevelt said that excellent
progress is being made at strength
ening United States forces in the
southwest Pacific Earlier in the day.
1t. Gov. Gen. Hubertus j.
Van Nook Of the Netherlands Indies
said after White House conference
with the President that he had found
that a very great effort is being
made to rush tools and reinforce
ments to the Pacific sector.
Informed that there has been pub
lie questioning about whereabouts
of the fleet while enemy submarines
have been sinking merchant ship
ping OIL the Atlantic Coast, Mr..
Roosevelt said he supposed the only
convincing answer would be to show
the location Of every American ma
val vessel. Obviously, he added, this
must not be done.
Mr.. Roosevelt opened his confer
ence by saying that he has asked
for full information on the status
of the Pacific Coast highway to
Alaska. 1t is his present under
standing he added, that there is
a disagreement over exact location
of the proposed right Of way.
The President then discussed the
advisability of breaking down the
pending 5000, ,0O0, 900 rivers and har-
bors authorization bill to put i'm
mediately essential projects in one
list and non-defense plans in an
other. The latter, he explained
either would not be authorized at
the present time or funds would not
be appropriated to carry out the
authorizations.
The same procedure might be fol-
lowed with regard to public works
and highway projects, he said, al
though the formality of authorizing
such programs would make them
more quickly available for postwar
application.
The President said ne was meeting
with Army and Navy of1cials this
week to consider the question Of
continuing enlistments in the face
of the expanded Selective Service
program.
Mr.. Roosevelt would make no COM
ment on the proposal of John L.
Lewis for a resumption of peace ne
gotiations between the A. F. L. and
c. I. O.. remarking that all he knew
about the matter at present was
what he had read in the papers.
In response to a question, the
President said he knew of no imme-
diate plans for evacuation or removal
of war industries from coastal areas.
Emphasis at present, he continued,
is on selecting and developing in
land localities where there might be
future concentrations Of industry.
The President refused to reveal
the nature of the mission selected for
Patrick j. Hurley, Secretary of War
| for part of the Hoover administra-
ton, whom he has nominated to be
a brigadier general.