MR CHURCHILL IN WASHINGTON

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23946, 13 May 1943, Page 5

MR CHURCHILL IN WASHINGTON

Conference With Mr Roosevelt

INVASION PLANS SAID TO BE A TOPIC

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 12. Mr Churchill arrived in Washington yesterday for further talks with Mr Roosevelt. He and the President conferred at the White House, behind closed doors, until the early hours of to-day. Mr Churchill is accompanied by a staff of military and naval experts, whose names have not been revealed. The 8.8.C.’s reporter in Washington says it is assumed that on the American side General George Marshall, Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and Admiral E. J. King, Commander-in-Chief of the United State? Fleet, will be taking part in the discussions, and it is natural to suppose that British officers of comparable rank will be there. It is considered that the talks will be concerned with the war against Japan, as well as with the war against Germany and Italy. Another message from Washington says that one of the chief decisions expected is the appointment of an Allied Generalissimo and the possible combination of the European and African war theatres in a single sphere. Speculation on the candidates centres on General Marshall and General Sir Harold Alexander, Deputy-Supreme Commander in North Africa. The presence of large numbers of military and naval advisers is regarded as evidence that the conference will be preoccupied with invasion plans.

The President met Mr Churchill on his arrival. Mr Churchill will be Mr Roosevelt’s guest for the duration of his stay. , . • The political correspondent of the ‘‘Daily Express” says: ‘‘Mr Churchill has gone to America at Mr Roosevelt’s invitation. It was not intended to hold another meeting until the autumn, but the sudden meeting was not called because things had gone wrong, but because things are going so well for the Allies. Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill will follow the precedent of previous meetings and keep M. Stalin and Marshal Chiang Kai-shek fully informed. "Subjects for discussion include: (1) The stepping-up of supplies from all the United Nations to meet the needs of invading armies and air forces; (2) methods of dealing with Italy should she seek an armistice; (3) the reply which might have to be made to a formal peace offer through neutrals, for this is considered necessary following recent peace feelers from Spain and other smaller Powers;' (4) the breach between Poland and Russia; (5) the warfare against Üboats.” The Columbia Broadcasting Service says that Lord Beaverbrook is also in Washington. The fact that Lord Beaverbrook is included has aroused speculation that Lord Beaverbrook may participate in some future conference among Mr Churchill, Mr Roosevelt, and M. Stalin. This is the fifth meeting between the two Allied leaders, the last taking place at Casablanca, The first meeting

took place in August, 1941, when th« Atlantic Charter was drawn up. The second was in December. 1941, the third in June, 1942, and then came the meeting at Casablanca. In February this year Mr Churchill gave some indication that he would again meet Mr Roosevelt, when he said that plans had been made for the nine months after Casablanca, and that an* other meeting would be held as soon as necessary. The precautions taken to guard the secrecy of Mr Churchill's departure .were more elaborate than on any other occasion. He motored f"om London to a suburban station, where he joined a special train in which military, naval, and other experts were already seated. The train stayed some hours at a siding before pulling out. Mr Churchill the previous day lunched with the King at Bucking' ham Palace. Rumours that Mr Churchill was abroad began to circulate several days ago. Members of the House of Commons and many others guessed the rumours were true when the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr C. R. Attlee) issued his statement on Tunisia, on which newspapers had previously asserted Mr Churchill would speak. Shortly after the news of rlr Churchill’s visit was given over the radio to the people of Great Britain the people of Germany were told of it in the 8.8.C. European service. The Germans would be startled* by the broadcast news, as they had been told by the German wireless that Mr Churchill was at Cairo, where he was attending the meeting of service chiefs.