National Affairs: President’s Week: Apr. 8, 1940

Last week the President:

> Through Secretary of State Hull, stingingly denied recognition to a puppet government which Japan last week set up at Nanking to rule over Central China (where U. S. and most other foreign investments in China are concentrated).

> Ordered masters of vessels to lock up all cameras while passing through the Panama Canal; entertained as overnight guests Dr. Rafael A. Calderon Guardia, President-elect of Costa Rica, and his wife. Declared President-elect Guardia: the defense of the Canal is Costa Rica’s vital interest, for which she is ready to take any measure.

> Nominated Hugh Gladney Grant, of Alabama Minister to Thailand (Siam).

> “Very much improved” from his illness of last fortnight, announced at a regular press conference at week’s end the selection of a new District Commissioner: the Washington Stars White House correspondent, tweedy, bespatted “Senator” John Russell Young (TIME, March 18).

> This week Secretary Early disclosed that Franklin Roosevelt’s chronic cold has actually been intestinal flu, that Mr. Roosevelt expects to go to Warm Springs for ten days on April 18.