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HOLD FOR RELEASE HOLD FOR RELEASE HOLD FOR RELEASE the call JUNE 1, 1945 Th be held in STRICT CONFIDENCE and: ne portion, synopsis, or intimation to be given out or published until the READTING of the President's Message: has begun in either the Senate or House of Representatives, Extreme care must therefore be exercised to avoid premäture 'publication. with CHARLES G. ROSS Secretary to the Prösident TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: The primary task facing the Nation today is to win the war in Japan - to win it completely and to win it as quickly as possible. For every day by which 'it is shortened means a saving of American lives. No one can recount the success of the forces of decency in this war without thinking of the one man who was more' responsible for victory than any other single human being -- Franklin D. Roasevelt. NARA Under his guidance, this great Nation grew to be the most powerful military force in all history. Undor his leadership, the Allied strategy was develeped which broko down Hitler's fortress, crumbled Gormany itself into ruins and unconditional surrender, and has' brought us within 'striking distance of Tokyo. But there can be no peace in the world úntil the military power of Japan is destroyed - with the same completeness as. was the power of the European dictators. To do that, we are now engaged in a process of depleying millians of our armed forces against Japan in a mass movement of treops and supplies and weapons over 14,000 -miles in a military and naval feat unequalled in all history: I think it appropriate at this time to inform the Congress and, my countrymen of some of the problems, difficulties, and dängers which confront us in finishing this war and how we expect to meet them. Those who have the heavy responsibility of directing the Nation's military efforts do not underestimate the difficulties of crushing an enemy defended by vast distances and animated by desperate fanaticism. And yet, we have adopted what is a widevelepment in military history. In the face of a conflict with a numerous and fanatical enemy we have undertaken during the next twolve months to discharge approximately two million of the best söldiers the world has ever seen. The program for the defeat of Germany was accomplished with an accuracy seldom attained (in war - yot we-had but little margin at the finish. On April 1945, the last'American division to arrive in France entered the battle line. (OVER)