Hull calls fight all-time ‘pivotal’
‘Cause of mankind never more truly represented,’ he says; Pershing confident
Washington – (June 6)
Secretary of State Hull, vacationing in Hershey, Pennsylvania, said today that the Allied invasion armies were “waging the most pivotal battle of all time.”
Edward R. Stettinius Jr., Acting Secretary of State, declared that “the liberation of Europe has now begun.”
Andrei A. Gromyko, the Soviet Ambassador, looked to “a speedy and complete victory over the enemy.”
The Norwegian Embassy declared that the men and women of Norway “salute their comrades in arms in the firm hope that D-Day is Doomsday for the tyrants and Resurrection Day for the civilized world.”
Manuel L. Quezon, President of the Philippines, broadcast from Saranac Lake, New York, to his people that “every blow struck for freedom anywhere in the world is a blow struck for our own freedom,” and that “day by day the forces of liberation are advancing irresistibly toward the Philippines.”
Labor pledges made
American labor pledged its all-out support on the home front.
William Green, president of the AFL, in a telegram to the presidents of all affiliates, called for uninterrupted production “under any and all circumstances.” He said:
Until Hitler is crushed, every worker enrolled in the army of production must consider himself part of the invasion forces of the United States and conduct himself accordingly.
Philip Murray, president of the CIO, in a message to President Roosevelt, declared that no CIO member on the home front ever “by thought, word or action will be untrue to our fighting men and to the great goal of our victory effort.” He pledged “our complete loyalty in any steps or any sacrifices that may be necessary” and asserted:
No violation of our no-strike pledge can be tolerated by the consciences of our members.
Mr. Stettinius told his press conference that he and Mr. Hull were in communication concerning the invasion before daylight and that the State Department was keeping in constant touch with the War Department on the situation.
Statement by Hull
The statement by Mr. Hull was as follows:
Our brave Allied armies today waging the most pivotal battle of all time never more truly represented the cause of liberty and of mankind.
The forces of savagery desperately endeavoring to destroy the human race are making their last stand. While we fight and pray, and while we know that the fighting will be hard, we confidently look forward to a great historic Allied victory. We must then pledge our all that never again shall the forces of human destruction be let loose on the world.
Mr. Stettinius issued this statement:
freedom from suffering and oppression is at last on the horizon. For the people of China and the Far East also, this day heralds the beginning of a new era.
Our men and those of our Allies are making the supreme sacrifice in order that we and all men may live in peace and freedom. For us at home this is the time not for rejoicing – that can come later – but for every one of us to put everything he has into his job to speed the day of victory.
Soviet envoy’s statement
Ambassador Gromyko’s statement was as follows:
Very good and encouraging news. The catastrophe of fascist Germany is drawing nearer. What Hitler and his criminal clique have dreaded most has happened. Germany is forced to carry on the war on two fronts.
The Soviet people wish all success to our Allies in this most important military undertaking, which is speeding up our common victory over the mortal enemy of mankind – Hitlerite Germany. I am sure that the American soldiers and officers, as well as other Allied forces taking part in this operation, will exhibit staunchness and bravery worthy of this event.
There is no doubt that the combined blows of the powerful Allied coalition will insure a speedy and complete victory over the enemy.