TRUMAN SILENT ON SURRENDER
White House awaits action by other Allies
Has nothing to say now on surrender
WASHINGTON (UP) – President Truman said today that he was withholding any announcement in reference to the surrender of enemy forces in Europe until arrangements could be completed for a simultaneous statement here, in London and in Moscow.
He said:
I have agreed with the London and Moscow governments that I will make no announcement with reference to the surrender of the enemy forces in Europe or elsewhere until a simultaneous statement can be made by the three governments.
Until then, there is nothing I can or will say to you.
The President’s statement was directed to the crowd of press and radio reporters that besieged the White House for news.
White House Press Secretary Jonathan Daniels, who released Mr. Truman’s statement, would not comment on the announcement by the British Ministry of Information that tomorrow would be treated as V-E Day in Britain with Prime Minister Churchill speaking to the British public at 9 a.m. ET tomorrow.
The White House earlier had repeated its announcement of more than a week ago that Mr. Truman would make a broadcast to the American public on V-E Day. It refused, however, to say when the broadcast would be made. In view of the arrangement for simultaneous announcements, and Mr. Churchill’s decision to speak tomorrow, it seemed likely that Mr. Truman would also make his proclamation tomorrow.
‘Nothing definite’ now
Democratic Leader John W. McCormack (D-Massachusetts) told the House today that “nothing definite can be said now” concerning the surrender situation in Europe, “although it is hoped some official proclamation might be made some time this afternoon.”
In a statement to the House, Speaker Sam Rayburn said that although he had been in communication with the White House, he “knows nothing more than any other member of the House.”
Without waiting for an announcement, several members took the floor to discuss the situation.
Rep. Frances Bolton (R-Ohio) said she was distressed to learn that New York was celebrating the end of the European war without regard for the “broken homes.”
“What is wrong with us as a nation?” she asked.
She said Times Square was filled with “paper and people” all of whom were rejoicing. except the few hiding personal grief.
Rep. Francis Case (R-South Dakota) reminded the House that today was the 30th anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania in the last war and said history had taken a “full turn” since that disaster.
Rep. Clare Hoffman (R-Michigan) said 40 or 50 million Americans wanted to know now how many Pacific islands would have to be recovered for the British and the Dutch after American security was assured.