Liveblogging World War II: March 12, 1943
Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Press Liveblog WWII:
THE PRESIDENT: I want to give you something here that I think will be of great value… a statement made by the Generalissimo, Chiang Kai-shek…. I haven't seen anything printed about it…. I think this probably is your lead: He states that he can, therefore, give his solemn word that China as well as her allies have no territorial ambitions in Thailand, and have no intentions of undermining her sovereignty and independence. The Thais, however, should recognize the fact that the territory and freedom of Thailand can only be restored to her through the victory of China and her allies. That is a pretty simple, straight declaration of the policy not only of China but also of the United Nations, in regard to Thailand….
Q. I would like to ask you if you have any comment to make on this other query from my office the other night, saying that Erika Mann, the daughter of the German novelist, Thomas Mann, was making a lecture tour in which she was saying that Premier Joseph Stalin was present at Casablanca, and that the press was going to be awfully sore about it when they found out.
THE PRESIDENT: (laughing) He must have been under the table. (Loud laughter) We didn't see him. Pretty clever stunt if he was. (More laughter)
Q. Mr. President, when you came back from Casablanca you were asked whether you planned to see Premier Stalin, and you said that "Hope springs eternal."
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q. Is there any more definite news on that?
THE PRESIDENT: No. Not yet. (Laughter)
Q. Thank you, Mr. President.
