CO-OPERATION IN FAR EAST

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 3

CO-OPERATION IN FAR EAST

Recall of Mr Duff Cooper DECISIONS ON POLICY (8.0. W.) RUGBY, January 12. It is pointed out in informed quarters in London, that the recall of Mr Duff Cooper from his temporary mission as co-ordinator at Singapore is a natural sequel to the appointment of General Sir Archibald Wavell as Allied Commander-in-Chief. “This development,” says “The Times,” “is evidently incidental to the new organisation of the Allied resources in the Far East. Mr Duff Cooper’s appointment belongs to a phase of the war that ended when the grand alliance took shape at Washington. Now that General Wavell commands on behalf of all the Allies in the south-western Pacific, it is an obvious anomaly that he should be responsible to a civil Minister representing one Government alone. “Mr Duff Cooper's return to Westminster leaves the way clear for setting up an alternative authority able to take, or at least advise on, decisions on Far Eastern policy with the full weight of the Allied counsel of the four indispensable participants, the United States, the Netherlands East Indies, Great Britain, and Australia, the last as the most directly involved of the British Dominions in Pacific affairs, but certainly not the least important. No doubt some scheme of allied cooperation in which all four are included and which will maintain at least the closest liaison with Chungking, will be found among the baggage to be brought home by Mr Churchill.