ALLIES' NEXT MOVE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23948, 15 May 1943, Page 5

ALLIES' NEXT MOVE

Discussions In Washington TALK OF PACIFIC ACTION (N.Z. Press Association — Copyright) WASHINGTON, May U. Allied action in the Pacific is widely forecast as one result of the talks among Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt and the Allied military, air. and naval leaders. Significance is attached to the conference, which the Australian Minister of External Affairs <Dr. H V. Evatt) had with Mr Churchill yesterday. Further talks are expected however, there is little doubt that Europe has been the main topic of the conversations. • „ . Observers believe that the Allies have more than one set of plans for attacks on Hitler’s European fortress and that the leaders will decide which to use. It is conjectured that attempts will be made to invade Europe at more than one point and the most popular choices are the Balkans and the western coast of Europe, which they can attack from well supplied bases and under cover of a strong air umbrella. In the case of the Balkans there are the big supply bases of Cairo. Alexandria and Eritrea, while Persian ou is also handy. These operations could be covered by air. Other operations from England against France and the Low Countries would be similarly favoured. Supplies For China Field-Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell’s presence at the conference is interpreted as being necessitated by the Allies’ sudden victory in Tunisia which has resulted in the imminent opening of the Mediterranean for comparatively safe traffic. This means a shorter route to India and China, which promises early and increased supplies to those theatres. The American land and air commanders in China, Lieutenant-General Joseph J. Stilwcll. and Major-General Claire L. Chennault, are still in Washington, and, with Field-Marshal Wavell, they are likely to be brought into the conference to co-ordinate future land activities against the Japanese in Asia and to fit such activities into the global grand strategy. , ; No immediate offensive against Japan’s western flanks is anticipated, but the opportunity is expected to be taken to build up supplies for India and China against the day when attacks may be launched against Japan from other quarters, possibly the Aleutians, or further south in the p ac ifi c The New York “Daily Mirror" states; “If the Pacific offensive is being considered, it is unfortunate that General Mac Arthur is not present, since General Mac Arthur knows more about the Japanese and how to beat them than anyone else on either the British or American staff.” The Washington columnist, states: “Japan cannot feel safe as the British and American leadefs get down to business The presence of American four-motored bombers in China is a sign of what is coming. There are other indications that Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt may not confine their discussions to the western hemisphere. Joint Command “Invasions are ' planned months ahead," states the New York “WorldTelegram." “and presumably the summer invasion preparations are now far advanced. There are immediately pressing problems, on the general policy requiring agreement. , A joint Allied command is needed, and something must be done quickly for desperate China. Neither can the Pacific be neglected much longer.” The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” notes that political commentators almost without exception- assume that some form Of Pacific offensive is among the topics being discussed by Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill. Mr Churchill to-day conferred with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, at the White House (Mr S. Rayburn), and accepted his invitation to address Congress next Wednesday. The address will be to a joint session of the Congress and Senate. Mr Churchill’s speech will probably be broadcast. To-day’s meeting of the Pacific War Council has been cancelled, as several of the members were unable to attend. The meeting will be held next week, when it is likely that Mr Churchill wiU be present. It was disclosed at the White House that Mr Churchill arrived in the United States by ship.