Evening star., 1945-06-06
Nazi Surrender
Unveiled
By McAu|iffe
Documents Called
Tribute to Courage
In Truman Message

Marking the first anniversary of
D day in Europe, Maj. Gen. An
thony C. McAuliffe, Washingtons
own hero of Bastogne. today un-
velled German unconditional sur
render documents signed at Lune-
berg, Reims and Berlin, at an i'm
rressive ceremony in the National
Archives Building.
The commander of the embattled
garrison who won world acclaim
for his famous reply, Nuts" to Ger
man surrender demands, repre-
sented the Secretary of War at the
presentation of the documents for
public display.
Flanked in the domed exhibition
hall by diplomatic and military
representatives of the United Ma
tions and high Government officials,
Gen. McAuliffe turned over the
documents as an "augury of the un-
happy future that lies ahead for
that bitter enemy-Japan."
Message From Truman Read.
Nine documents relating to the
Nazi surrender, and President Tru-
mans We day proclamation, were
accepted for public display by Solon
]. Buck, archivist of the United
States. They will remain on dis
play through August.
Hailing the documents as the
record of "history's greatest triumph
over the forces of evil" DR.. Buck
read message from President Tru-
man in which the Chief Executive
referred to the historic papers as
IAN eloquent tribute to courageous
men, living and dead" who made
victory possible.
I'm our satisfaction over one goal
won, however" the Presidents mes
sage said, I'VE cannot forget that
the world is not yet rid Of the
scourage of oppression and brutality.
'The triumph of Allied arms in
Europe is being matched in the
Pacific, but it is not for victory on
the battlefields alone that we fight
Until liberty, justice and an endur-
ing peace are won, complete victory
will not be ours"
Johnson Master of Ceremonies.
Master of ceremonies at the event, |
which was broadcast, was Senator
johnson, Democrat, of Colorado, a
member of the Senate Military At
fairs Committee.
; Pointing out that the documents,
which at the start of the ceremony |
were in place in the halls center
display case, would be part of a cur
rent exhibition entitled President |
Roosevelt and International Coop
Grafton for War and Peace" Senator
johnson said:
ut is very appropriate that these
documents should be displayed in |
the exhibition hall of the National
Archives to supplement the exhibit
Of material already on display re-
Eating to the efforts of our late be-
loved leader, President Roosevelt, to
bring the war to successful conclu-
sion and to win lasting world peace"
Several hundred persons crowded
the semicircular hall, including
members of the diplomatic corps,
cabinet members, Supreme Court
JdoplSCo, vi Uilc
chiefs Of staff and Senators and
Representatives.
On the north side Of the room,
facing the entrance and Just above
the case in which the documents
were displayed, hung the American
flag which was raised above Rome
on the day of its capture.
McAuliffe introduced.
Shortly after the beginning of
the ceremony, Senator johnson in
troduced Gen. McAuliffe, who said
he was proud to take part, and
added:
These documents are testimony,
now and forever, that the American
soldier, bound to just cause and
backed up by the labor and industry
Of America, can and will overcome
any evil forces on earth, no matter
how strong.
"On this first anniversary of DI
day I know I speak from the heart
OF every American soldier when I
say we are proud of the part we
played to help bring these docu-
ments here.
And I know, too, I speak for
them when I say we cannot rest |
until the military might of the en-
emy in the Pacific is DESTROYED
and peace is once more restored to
this earth"
The exhibition hall, usually closed
at Sis pm. weekdays, will remain
open until 10 o'clock tonight so
the public may view the documents. |