Action's Center

In & out of the White House poured the men, the messages and the decisions of far-reaching world events. With the Algerian offensive, America had assumed the leadership which the world had long expected: the White House was now the nerve center of action around the globe. Franklin Roosevelt, never happy as a bystander, spent a busy and satisfying week.

> At his press conference, the President--with the delight of a man to whom silence has been burdensome--told his story of the long and detailed planning that had gone into the African campaign. After all, said the President, no one could just walk into a department store and buy a second front: such a move took months of custom-building. All through the late summer, while a worldwide controversy raged over the second front, he and Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill had already determined their move: they had to sit by and "take it on the chin." Recounting the events now, the President leaned back in his big chair, puffed contentedly on his cigaret.

> To the President's desk sped telegrams of congratulation and good wishes: from the Presidents of Peru and Nicaragua, from the Prime Minister of Canada, from plain citizens everywhere. Indirectly came news that Russia's Joseph Stalin, long bitter at United Nations delay in opening a second front, now spoke glowingly of the African offensive and the "Anglo-Soviet-American coalition."

> The President's messages of assurance to Portugal and Spain brought quick replies. Portuguese Minister Dr. Joao Antonio de Bianchi delivered his Government's answer: Portugal considered the American message "another proof of the unalterable and confident friendship existing between our two nations." From Spain's Fascist leader, General Francisco Franco (whose radio toned down its pro-Axis bias) came a letter:

"... I am pleased to reciprocate the same friendly sentiments you expressed to me and to express my intention of avoiding anything which might disturb our relations. . . ."

> The President observed, on a radio broadcast with Philippine President Manuel Quezon and Mexican President Manuel Avila Camacho, the seventh anniversary of the Philippine Commonwealth. Said Manuel Quezon: "The story of American-Filipino cooperation is something that every citizen of the United States ought to know and take pride in."

> On domestic affairs, Franklin Roosevelt conferred on the manpower problem (with his Congressional leaders--, on the 1943 budget (with Budget Director Harold Smith and Assistant Director Wayne Coy); lunched with New York's retiring Governor Herbert H. Lehman, who is expected to get a big Government job; signed the 18-19-year-old draft bill.

> On Armistice Day, the President made his annual pilgrimage to the chill white fastnesses of Arlington Cemetery. There, while World War I's old General John J. Pershing sat magnificently erect at his side, Franklin Roosevelt solemnly read a message to the nation: "God the father of all living watches over these hallowed graves and blesses the souls of those who rest here. May He keep us strong in the courage that will win the war, and may He impart to us the wisdom and the vision that we shall need for true victory in the peace which is to come. ..." He stood at silent attention before the tomb of the Unknown Soldier; a bugler sounded taps; a cold autumn wind scattered the notes down the valley that leads to the Potomac.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.