QUEBEC PLANS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 218, 14 September 1944, Page 5

QUEBEC PLANS

STRATEGY IN PACIFIC

Means Of Bringing Main Jap* Fleet To Battle "'. r

Rec. noon. QUEBEC, Sept. 10. Means of bringing the main Japanese Fleet to battle are believed to have an important place in the deliberations of Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt, states a Quebec correspondent. Perhaps before the further steps which are being planned here can be put into effect a plan which has already been shaped may be put into swift execution. It is believed also that a schedule of operations for the Bay of Bengal area. Burma and the Netherlands Indies is being worked out to coordinate with the American advance in the Pacific, which has. been swifter than was probably anticipated. Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt resumed their discussions today, which is Mr. and Mrs. Churchill's 36th wedding anniversary. Mr. Churchill at breakfast presented his wife with a large bouquet of Quebec roses. Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt were the first to congratulate the Churchills. An elaborate system of communications has been set up within the Citadel, enabling Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill to be informed immediately of all important developments from all fronts. There is friendly rivalry between Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill regarding the speed of communications, and each delights in being the first to impart to the other a choice bit of military news. A major problem facing the leaders before they can choose an ""Eisenhower of the" Pacific" to direct the combined operations against Japan is which of two grand strategical concepts to accept, says the Quebec correspondent of the New York Times. The concept which Admiral C. W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet, is reported to espouse vigorously, would attempt a decisive knock-out blow against the Japanese homeland, forcing the enemy fleet into action. This would be a predominantly naval procedure, although air bases in China would be an important accessory. The alternative plan, which is believed to have General MacArthur's support, involves the slower but ' less risky invasion of the Philippines, extensive land operations in China, and then two directional assaults on the Japanese islands. President Roosevelt obviously discussed the rival plans with the proponents at the recent Hawaiian conferences, and is thus now in a position to give the British staff a first-hand report on them. Once Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill decide the nature of the strategy, they can take up the question whether the Supreme Commander in the Pacific will be an Army or Navy officer. In any event •he will almost certainly be an American, since American forces will bear the major burden of the Pacific struggle.