Evening star., 1942-02-08
Roosevelt Takes Steps
To Bolster Chinese.
And Dutch Morale
Chiong Notified Of Loon;
All Possible Speed
In Indies Aid Pledged
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

BY JOHN C. HENRY. -
President Roosevelt took two
steps yesterday to bolster the
morale of the Chinese and the
Dutch, fighting partners Of the
United Nations in the Far East
and Pacific theaters of war.
First of these actions was a for
NAL message of encouragement and
tribute to Generalissimo Chang
Kai-shek, notifying the commander
of the Chinese armies of the unani-
nous and speedy action of the Con-
gress in voting a $500,000,000 loan
to the Chungking government.
Second was the delivery of re-
assurances to three ranking officials
of the Netherlands government that
every possible assistance was being
hurried to their battlefront in the
East Indies and that their govern
ment would participate to the full
est in the planning of the broad
strategy for the United Nations in
that sector.
Expressing the belief that the
half-billion dollar loan would con-
tribute substantially toward off,
setting China's wartime financial
problems, the President remarked
that the action further testifies to
this Nations determination to be
concretely helpful to our partners
In the great battle for freedom"
Gratified by Congress Action.
ut is a source of great gratifica-
ton to me and to the Government
and people of the United States
that the proposal which I made to
the Congress that there be author
lied for the purpose of rendering
financial aid to China in the sum of
$500, 100000 was passed unanimously
by both the Senate and the House
of Representatives and has now be-
come law" Mr.. Roosevelt told Gen.
Chang.
THE unusual speed and unanim-
ity with which this measure was
acted upon by the Congress and the
enthusiastic support which it re-
ceived throughout the United States
testify to the wholehearted respect
and admiration which the Govern
ment and people of this country
have for China. They testify also
to our earnest desire and determina-
ton to be concretely helpful to our
partners in the great battle for
freedom.
THE gallant resistance of the
Chinese armies against the ruthless
invaders of your country has called
forth the highest praise from the
American and all other freedom
loving peoples.
THE tenacity of the Chinese peo-
pie, both armed and unarmed, in
the face of tremendous odds in
carrying on for almost five years a
resolute defense against an enemy
far superior in equipment is an in
spiration to the fighting men and
all the peoples of the other United
Nations.
Sacrifices Praised.
"The great Sacrifices of the Chinese
people in destroying the fruits of
their toll so that they could not be
used by the predatory armies of
Japan exemplify in high degree the
spirit of sacrifice which is necessary
on the part of all to gain the victory
toward which we are confidently
striving.
"It is my hope and belief that use
which will be made of the funds now
authorized by the Congress of the
United States will contribute sub
stantially toward facilitating the
efforts of the Chinese government
and people to meet the economic
and financial burdens which have
been thrust upon them by an armed
invasion and toward solution of
problems of production and procure
ment which are essential for the
success of their armed resistance to
what are now our common enemies.
Il send you my personal greetings
and best wishes. I extend to you
across land and sea the hand of
comradeship for the common good,
the common goal, the common vic
tory that shall be ours
Although the precise nature of the
conversations with the Dutch was
not disclosed by any of the par
ticipants, the three officers of the
government which is now waging
such a desperate defense of their
rich Pacific possessions made clear
their satisfaction with developments
as they left the White House after
a 40-minute meeting with Mr..
Roosevelt.
DR.. Eelco Van Kleffens, Foreign
Minister, told reporters there had
been full exchange of information
on battle plans and progress of the
fighting thus far, adding signifi-
cantly that there was entire agree
nent" between the Dutch and
American Governments on war pol
Icy for that area.
Machinery Seen Provisional.
Questioned about Dutch participa-
ton in the Pacific councils, which
Mr.. Roosevelt said Friday were al
ready in operation, DR.. Van Kleffens
said he believer the present machin-
cry to be provisional and that his
government will be amply repre-
sented in decisions vital to it.
I'VE are perfectly happy about our
position in this respect" he said
There will be adequate machinery
operating in both Washington and
London to deal with the business at
hand.
Our only concern is to have the
machinery necessary to do the job
without unnecessary red tape"
Another member of the group, DR..
Hubertus j. Van Nook, Lieutenant
Governor of the Netherlands Indies,
said that no concern is felt about
whether administrative machinery is
set up here or in London as long
as the various parts of the structure
are closest to the scenes of required