Evening star., 1942-10-13

I shall be back in the United
States shortly, and I shall report to
my fellow citizens further and in
full, and to the President, If he
wishes, on such subjects as he de-
sires to discuss with me-"
Incidentally" Mr.. WILKES state
ment continued, las to fippant
statements made by certain public
officials concerning the expression
OF my opinion in Russia on the
question Of a second front, did
not deem it appropriate or in good
taste for me to reply to such per-
sonalities or fippancies while I was
in other countries. I felt 1t my
duty while abroad to uphold the
hand Of the President and all other
United Nations officials, which I
continued to do even after such
remarke were made"
Urged Second Front.
While In Moscow, Mr.. Willkie
made a statement urging speed in
opening a second front and said
that perhaps the military leaders
needed prodding by the public.
The statement evoked widespread
comment in both Washington and
London.
At his press conference In Wash
ington October 6, President Roose-
welt said in reply to questions about
Mr.. Wilkes call for a second front
that he had read only the head
lines and did not consider the
stories worthwhile reading. Mr..
Roosevelt added that he regarded
the stories as purely speculative.
On October 8, at another press
conference, the President told his
listeners that everything was all
right with the Willkie tour as far
as he was concerned and that he
was assuming that Mr.. Willkie was
carrying out extremely well Just
what he had asked him to do.
The 1910 Republican presidential
candidate said last night he had
received President Roosevelt's per-
mission to travel abroad provided,
in addition, I did some specific Jobs
for him, which I readily agreed
to do"
Mr.. Willkie, who told correspond
ents In Chungking that when T
speak for myself I'm Wendell
Willkie and say what damn
please" did not indicate in his
statement which comments on his
remarks he considered flippant.
Text Of Statement.
The following is the text of Mr..
Wilkes statement:
The last lap of the flight around
the world, from China through the
Republic Of Mongolia, Siberia and
Alaska, was among the most fasci-
mating experiences of the whole
trip. AL members Of the party and
the crew performed marvelously tn
this undertaking, which involved
flying over some wide areas never
before Travelled by civilians and by
few. If any, military airmen.
Some several months ago, de-
cided I could be helpful to the war
effort If I visited various fighting
fronts, some by our Allied countries,
and some Of the countries in the
Middle East which have not vet
decided ofiicially on their course
Of action in this war. Ny objectives
were several. To give encourage
ment to our Allies, to give an i'm
petus to action by the undecided
countries. and to report to tho
american people on the facts I
found and the conclusions reached,
Asked for Consent.
II asked the President for the
necessary consent now required to
travel abroad. After we had dis
cussed the subject on several occa-
sions he said it would be satisfactory
for me to go, provided In addition I
did some specific jobs for him, which
I readily agreed to do.
THE trip has exceeded in interest
my utmost expectations. I have
tried to do the jobs assigned to me
by the President. I have collected
much material and reached certain
conclusions about our war effort
and about other countries and our
relations with them. I have already
reported some Of my conclusions to
the American people and some to
the President. I shall be in the
United States shortly and shall
report to my fellow citizens further
and in full, and to the President, II
he wishes. on such subjects as he
desires to discuss with me.
Incidentally, rs to flippant state
ments made by certain public ON
cials concerning the expression Of
my opinion in Russia on the ques-
ton Of second front, did not
deem it appropriate or In good taste
for me to reply to such PERSONAL
tiles or dippancies while I was In
other countries. felt it my duty
while abroad to uphold the hand Of
the President and al other United
Nations ofncials, which I continued
to do even after such remarks were
made"
p