Record of Presidential Press Conference No. 897, 4:10 p.m.
Washington, May 18, 1943.
Confidential
[Extracts]
MR. DONALDSON: All in.
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t think I have anything of any importance.
I have just had – in the past hour – a very satisfactory conference with the Duke of Windsor. And as you probably know, we are bringing a large number – several thousand – of laborers from the Bahamas, and others from Jamaica, to help out the farm labor this summer and autumn. And I think it’s progressing very well.
The talks of the Prime Minister are going along very satisfactorily. They are not finished yet.
I think that’s about all.
Q. Is the Prime Minister going to be subjected to the tender mercies of a Press Conference, Mr. President?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I think so. He doesn’t worry about it any more than I do. (laughter)
Q. Would Friday be a good guess, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t know. I have no idea about it.
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Q. Mr. President, has Prime Minister Mackenzie King (of Canada) joined the conferences yet?
THE PRESIDENT: No. He-- I understand that he just got into town this afternoon, and he is coming to the White House in the morning, to spend the night.
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Q. Mr. President, I didn’t understand you a moment ago to say that the Prime Minister met the Duke of Windsor?
THE PRESIDENT: No. I did.
Q. He did?
Q. The Prime Minister did not meet him.
THE PRESIDENT: The Prime Minister-- I don’t know, this is society column – (laughter) – the Prime Minister lunched up at the British Embassy. The Duke and Duchess were there, I think. And afterwards, the Prime Minister brought the Duke of Windsor down, and the Duke and I talked for about an hour; and we would be talking longer if I hadn’t noticed that it was four o’clock.
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