RACINE, WIS., TUESDAY
AFTERNOON, MAY 8, 1945.
Designates Sunday
As Day of Prayer
WASHINGTON.—(AP)
— President Truman proclaimed today "complete
and
final" victory in the European theater of the greatest war in history.
He went
on a radio hookup at 8 a. m. (central war time) to read his formal
proclamation,
which he prefaced with brief remarks in which he solemnly
warned:
"Our
victory is but half won. The west is free, but the east is still in bondage to
the treacherous tyranny of the Japanese. When the last Japanese division has
surrendered unconditionally, then only will our fighting job be done."
It was
President Truman's 61st birthday, his first in the White House, and
he-described it as "a solemn but a glorious hour."
In his
proclamation he designated next Sunday—Mother's day—as a day of prayer for
offering "joyful thanks to God for the victory we have won and to pray
that He will support us to the end of our present struggle and guide us into
the way of peace."
For in
rejoicing over victory, he asked the nation not to forget that "sorrow and
heartache" abide in the homes of thousands of Americans.
"Solemn,
Glorious Hour."
"This
is a solemn but a glorious hour. I only wish that Franklin D. Roosevelt had
lived to witness this day," he declared. "General Eisenhower informs
me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags
of
freedom fly over all Europe.
"For
this victory we join in offering our thanks to the Providence
which has guided and sustained us through the dark days of
adversity."
Thus
was brought to. a close the titanic struggle which cost American armed forces
132,000 lives and more than 550,000 other casualties in three years, four months
and seven days of fighting against the axis in the European
and
Mediterranean theaters.
Mr.
Truman made it clear that this nation's fight against aggression was not over,
that the effort will not cease until " the – Japanese
military and naval forces Lsy down their arms as nazi German; has done.
Truman Sends
Message to
Allied Leaders
WASHINGTON — (AP) — The
White House today released the following messages sent by President
Truman to other Allied leaders:
TO
PRIME MINISTER CHURCHILL:
"With the unconditional
surrender of all the armies of nazidom and the liberation of the oppressed people
of Europe from the evils of barbarism. I wish to express to
you, and through you t o
Britian’s heroic army, navy and air forces,
our congratulations on their
achievements. The government of the United States is deeply a p preciative of
the splendid contribution of all the British empire
forces and of the British people
to this magnificent victory. With warm affection, we hail our comrades in- arms
across t h e Atlantic."
TO
MARSHAL STALIN:
"Now that the nazi armies of
aggression have been forced by the co-ordinated efforts of soviet-Anglo-American
forces to an unconditional surrender, I wish to express to you and through you to
your heroic army the appreciation and congratulations of the United States
government on its splendid contribution to the
cause of civilization and liberty.
"You have demonstrated in
all your campaigns what it is possible to accomplish when a free people under
superlative leadership and with unfailing courage rise against thr forces of
barbarism."
TO
GENERAL EISENHOWER:
" In recognition of the
unconditional and abject surrender of t he nazi barbarians, please accept the
fervent -congratulations and appreciation of myself and of the
American people for the heroic achievements
of your Allied army, navy and air forces. By their sacrifices, skill and
courage they have saved and exalted the cause of freedom throughout, the world
all of us owe to you and to your men of many nations a debt beyond appraisal
for their high contribution to the conquest of naziism.
" I send also my personal
appreciation of t h e superb leadership shown by you and your commanders
in directing t h e valiant legions of our own country and
of our
Allies to this historic victory.
"Please transmit this
message to the appropriate officers of your command and publish it to
all Allied forces in your theaters of operation."
TO
GENERAL DE GAULLE:
"The nazi forces of
barbarian aggression having now been driven into an unconditional
surrender by our Allied armies, this is an appropriate time to send
through you America's congratulations to the people of France on their
permanent
liberation from the oppression
they have endured with high courage for so long.
" I wish also to send to
you this expression of our appreciation of the contribution
made by valiant soldiers of France to our Allied victory."
Hostilities Formally
to Cease
With Ratification at
5:01 p. m
(By The
Associated Press)
LONDON — President Truman and
Prime Minister Churchill today proclaimed complete victory in Europe.
Hostilities formally cease at 5:01 p .m., CWT, tonight,
supreme headquarters announced. Shattered
Germany's unconditional surrender "will be ratified and confirmed at
Berlin" today, Churchill said.
Late
Bulletins
With the Canadian First
Army, Holland — (AP) —
Arthur Seyss-Inquart, German commissioner for the Netherlands, was
placed under arrest by the Canadian First army. He faces war crimes charges.
LONDON—(AP)—
The Czech controlled radio announced tonight that a "cease
fire" order had been issued in Prague and its vicinity upon agreement
between the Czech and German commanders.
LONDON — (AP) —
Marshal Tito's Yugoslav
Partisans have liberated Zagreb, capital of puppet Croatia, the
Belgrade radio said tonight.
LONDON — (U.P) _
Soviet troops have captured Dresden after a two-day battle,
Premier Stalin announced in an order of the day today.
PARIS. — (AP) —
General Eisenhower in a victory
order of the day told members of the Allied expeditionary force
today that their great triumph was achieved by "working and fighting
.together in a single and indestructible partnership" and by a
"unification of air, ground and naval power that will stand as a model in
our
time."
