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I am not quite persuaded by Ambassador Woodard's observation (23 April) that Australia was not on FDR's "map," though he is right to point out Richard G. Casey's considerable accomplishments. What Americans knew of Australia may be attributed, in fact, to the efforts of Australia's first minister to the U.S., who has presented his credentials in Washington on 5 March 1940. Casey's achievements, including commissioning a New York public relations firm to conduct a confidential survey with a view to "increasing American knowledge of, and interest in Australia," were considerable. According to Alan Watt, a former secretary of External Affairs, Casey managed to develop relations of confidence with numerous influential Americans - Harry Hopkins, Felix Frankfurter, and Henry Stimson to name three - while maintaining the closest contact with two British ambassadors, Lord Lothian and Lord Falifax. In twenty-one months, Casey became well and favorably known to everyone who counted. Up to this time, there was little real knowledge or understanding of Australia apart from the echoes of the adverse American reaction to the trade diversion policy that had still not dies away. None the less, it is clear that FDR was himself at least sympathetic to this country of small population (7 million), military power and international impact. In one of the most interesting meetings of two national leaders on record, Prime Minister Robert Menzies visited FDR at bedside on 12 May 1941. Menzies recorded in his diary: Roosevelt was in bed recovering from a touch of gastritis. He looks older and more tired, but my hour with him, with fair give and take of conversation, was most vigorous. He and Hull agreed that we all ought to tell Japan where she gets off, but each of them stops short of actually instructing the USA Ambassador to do so. BUT I am left in no doubt (without words) that America will not stand by & see Australia attacked. (Menzies's emphasis, see Joseph M. Siracusa and David G. Coleman, Australia Looks to America: Australian-American Relations since Pearl Harbor, Regina Books, 2006, p. 25.) One can not escape the conclusion that either Menzies heard what he wanted to hear or that FDR was moving well ahead of public opinion, despite the fact, according to Casey's survey, that the overwhelming majority of American were not certain they had ever seen an Australian. One can only imagine what the Japanese made of all of this, particularly as they were doomed to wage a war they know they could not win. Joe Siracusa Professor of Human Security and International Diplomacy RMIT University
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