Among Friends . . .

Madame Chiang Kai-shek sat expectantly on the edge of the President's huge swivel chair, like a young girl at her first matinee. Only when she leaned forward did the tips of her tiny, open-toed pumps touch the floor. On her left, Franklin Roosevelt, puffing at a cigaret, lounged easily in an oversize armchair. On her right, Eleanor Roosevelt sat stiffly erect, one hand on Madame Chiang's chair in a protective gesture.

The 172 newsmen and women who trouped into the oval study (23 more than had greeted Franklin Roosevelt at his first press conference after Casablanca) full well expected a good show, a high state drama. Many had been awestruck day before with the eloquence of Madame Chiang in Congress (see p. 23). They were not quite prepared for what followed.

Franklin Roosevelt, master of almost a thousand press conferences, had the air of an indulgent uncle introducing a beautiful niece. Madame Chiang, he said, was a "special envoy very different from most"; he asked newsmen to confine their questions to the "non-catch type."

Madame Chiang had been fingering her compact. Only those standing in the first few rows could see her as she arose; the jeweled wings of her China Air Force pin sparkled against the background of her long, black dress. She had never been afraid on visits to the front in China, she said; she was not so sure now as she saw the pencils flashing across the notebooks and copy-paper. "But I see flashes of smiles coming from your faces, so I feel I am among friends. . . ." The correspondents applauded. She was now in their hands.

Point & Counterpoint. Madame Chiang rose to answer each question, sat down again when she had given her answer. Question: Is there any truth in reports that China is not using her manpower to the fullest? Madame Chiang showed a touch of anger. China, she said, is using her manpower to the extent that she has munitions. The President had said the need was for more munitions. China has trained pilots, but she has not enough planes or gasoline.

How is she going to get them? Madame Chiang turned deferentially to Franklin Roosevelt. He had solved so many important questions and come through so many crises, she could safely, she felt, leave that question to him.

Newsmen smiled to see how she had neatly tossed the ball to Franklin Roosevelt. Undeterred, the President picked it up and ran--ran hard. There are immense difficulties in getting planes and supplies to China, he said, but the U.S. is working hard to get them there. If he were a member of the Chinese Government, the President added, he would certainly ask: But when and why not a little more? As a member of the American Government he would have to reply: As fast as the Lord will let us. The President settled contentedly back in his chair.

Next question for Madame Chiang: Did she have any suggestions on how U.S. aid to China could be stepped up? She rose, stared straight ahead, then turned to the President. He had just said as soon as the Lord will let us. But she remembered, the Lord helps those who help themselves.

A non-catch question had been beautifully caught. Franklin Roosevelt smiled along with the newsmen; suddenly he remembered there might be some purely domestic questions for him to answer. He disposed of them quickly and soon the correspondents filed out, jostling each other to get a look at China's First Lady.

Said Columnist Raymond Clapper, frankly dazed by the show: "Some day they may put Helen Hayes in the part, but she'll never do it any better than Madame Chiang acted it in real life."

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