Evening star., 1942-08-07
WiIheImina Closes
Stay in Washington
With ; Audiences
Visits Press Session at
White House, Red Cross;
Honors 5 Navy Officers

White House, Red Cross;
Honors 5 Navy Officers
Queen Wilhelmina of the Neither
lands brought her ofncial visit here
to close this morning with appear
ances at the Presidents press con-
ference at the White House, the
American Red Cross Building and
the Netherlands chancery where she
decorated five American naval ON
eers for distinguished service.
The Queen is scheduled to return
10 her summer home at Lee, Mass,
1T An unannounced hour this after
noon. She arrived In Washington
Wednesday night.
Sitting at the right Of the Presi-
dent at his big desk In the oval
study this morning the Queen told
White House correspondents that
she admires tremendously the war
work of the American press and
radio and declared 1t will be of
Immense value" In the victory of
the democracies.
From the press conference she
went to the American Red Cross to
express the thanks OF her people to
National Chairman Norman H.
Davis. Within half hour she
proceeded to the home Of Neither
lands Ambassador Alexander Loudon
ut 2209 wyoming avenue NV, and
decorated the American of1icers.
Awards Are Varied.
They were Comdr. T. H. Binford,
commanding Destroyer Division So,
which took part in an engagement
with the Japanese on the night OF
February 10 In the Lambok Straits.
He was given the Military William
Order, fourth class.
Admiral Thomas c. Hart, former
commander OF United Nations sea
forces in the South Pacific, the
Grand Cross, Order of Orange
Nassau with swords.
Vice Admiral William A. Glass
ford, IT,, former member OF the
Allied high command In the Western
Pacific, now naval district COM
mandant at Charleston, s. c., the
Cross Of the Grand Omcer Of the
Order Of Orange Nassau with swords.
Ccmdr. H. +. Eccles, commander
OF the destroyed Edwards which
took part In the Lambok Straits en-
gagement, bronze cross with cita-
ton.
1t. Comdr. H. p. Smith, COM
niander Of the destroyer Stewart in
the same engagement, bronze cross
with citation.
Jap Cruiser Sunk.
The Lambok Straits encounter, In
which three OF the decorated off,
GERS took part, resulted IN the sink
ing Of one Japanese cruiser and
heavy damage to another cruiser
and two destroyers. An Allied
squadron Of Dutch cruisers and
American and Dutch destroyers met
the enemy OF the coast Of Java near
Bali.
The motherly Queen stood at Mr..
Roosevelt's right at the press con-
ference as he presented the corre-
spcndents to her and remained
standing as she read her brief state
ment. Then both the Queen and the
President sat down 1t his desk and
she smiled with appreciation at q
remark BY the President that many
of the bronze statues in public parks
around the United States should be
contributed to the current scrap
salvage drive because they would
look beEtsr - gums.
Mr.. Roosevelt explained ut the
beginning Of the press conference
that the Queen had consented to at
tend, not to answer questions, but to
have the Newspaper and radio re-
porters presented to her.
Ideals Called Alike.
Remarking that the Netherlands
and the United States have most Of
their ideals in common, Mr.. Roose-
welt pointed out that freedom Of
expression and freedom of the press
are part Of the Government in both
countries.
During the three days Of Queen
Wilhelmina's visit here, the Presi-
dent said. every one-including the
legislative and executive branches
of the Government and the public
generally-has been made very hap
py by having her as our guest.
Adjusting her black horn-rimmed
glasses, Queen Wilhelmina then read
the following prepared statement:
II am indebted to the President
for inviting me to his press and
radio conference, having thus been
given the chance to voice my ad-
miration for all the work the mem
bers Of the American press and
radio have done, not only In past
and happier years, but especially
since the outbreak OF the present
war.
II have had the opportunity to
read and listen to reports from men
and women who were actually in the
many scenes Of combat with the
enemy and who, with complete dis
regard of their own safety, gathered
!. their information for the sake of
truth and public enlightenment
The mission Of the press and radio
is one Of great responsibility, more
80 now than ever, when the future
OF the world and civilization is In
the balance.
Free Speech, Press Vital.
"Its fuldnlment is dependent upon
freedom OF speech and free press
two conditions no dictator evel
grants.
I'm this country, as in all th'
parts Of my country, both right!
are constitutionally guaranteed ant
deeply ingrained in the life of th'
Nation. Where occupation has tenn
porarily abolished them, defeat O
the enemy will see them restored
AT present wherever freedom o
speech and the press continue t.
III r,l,i io1,