WAR AGAINST JAPAN

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24365, 18 September 1944, Page 5

WAR AGAINST JAPAN

Full Allied Strength To Be Used QUEBEC CONFERENCE DECISIONS (N.2. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8.30 p.ra.) QUEBEC, Sept. 18. At the conclusion of their conference at Quebec, Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill issued the following joint statement; — “The President and the Prime Minister and the Combined Chiefs of Staff held a series of meetings during which they discussed all aspects of the war against Japan and Germany. In a very short space of time they reached decisions on all points, both with regard to the completion of the war in Europe, now approaching its final stages, and the destruction of the barbarians in the Pacific. “The most serious difficulty with which the Quebec conference has been confronted has been to find room and opportunity for the marshalling against Japan of the massive force# which each and all of the nations concerned are ardent to engage against the enemy.” After issuing the statement the two leaders told a press conference that'the United States and the British Empire had decided to marshal all the available forces against Japan. They also disclosed that the problem of a joint Pacific command had not been discussed.

Mr Churchill said that quasi-military problems following the Nazis’ defection had been discussed with the same unanimity as strictly .military questions, and the war against Japan would be fought to bend that evil, barbarous nation to the will of those they had outraged and at whose feat they would very,soon be prostrate. “I have read in the newspapers that the British wish to shirk their obligations in the war against Japan, and throw the full burden on the' United States,” added Mr Churchill. “This astonished me very much because in fact the conference has been marked by the opposite tendency.' The only difference, between me and the President Is over the United States' desire to

was being asked who could command the pacific war. Vast distances must be considered. Lord Louis Mountbattcn commanded the section from Ceylon, General Mac Arthur commanded the south Pacific, and Admiral Nimitt commanded the forces afloat. It was not a question of one person running the whole show. , ' . .. Commenting on speculation in the press about the nomination of supreme Pacific commanderat me Quebec conference,' Mr Roosevelt . said that the problem of command hadjiot been considered. The problems which had been considered bad to do wim finding room and opportunity to shal sufficient forces of the Army, Navyt and Air Force to crush the enemy. The Allies had the, poWer. It was only* question Of chopsing the point of con-_ tact. : .. "Army men conferring at Quebec no ’the problem of defeating Japan are not optimistic about an early and complete victory. On the contrary they seem to, believe that the war may endure for a very long time and devejop/through many phases," says respondent of the Ttfew Times. “Naval and air chiefs and their staff!. do not share this view. They calcumte that Japan can be knocked out within: a measurable number ofyears even - months once the whole weight of _the Allied fleets and air forces is turned to . the task. They have past to which to point with Mtistactiwv but the soldiers argue that this is only half the problem. ■ ■ “According to Information given currency in Quebec the Japanese Army Js now estimated at 113, divisions.of 20,000 men each, distributed .as followa! South-west Pacific, 22 divisions; Thai* - land and Burma,ls; China, 374; Man 21i; Japanesema Wanfi.l7. . “Army offlcials.particularJy the Bri - tish with their historic social and ecu- r nomic interest in India and China, are firmly of the opinion that naval fight- * ; ing and bombing will not be enough to • liberate China and Asia from Japanesedomination. The war must be 1 /continued by land, even If it takes year*,’ until Japanese military .power is de- ■ stroyed. ■ * ’ ■ ' ■ i “However, this doernct conflict witi»>. the naval view that the immediate task ‘is to attack the Japanese homeland. ’' That has been agreed ,to by this con-, ference with the added decision that ; ; the attack will be co-ordinated on all existing fronts, particularly China." Mr Roosevelt’s secretary (Mr .Stephen Early) told: a 4 press conference that the military staffs, at Quebec would continue discussions. Mr Early replied that he. was unable to answer when asked if talks ■. between Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt may be continued elsewhere. : : Tbh Associated' Press says that there are official indications of further in* formal conversations before. Mf Churchill’s return to. England.

Pacific fighting. . , , ift . "That trouble will'all iron out,” he added with a smile. "They just cannot have all the fun. They must share it. Everything of the British Army, Air Force, and Navy that can move to the Pacific will be applied against Japan.” Mr Roosevelt said the conference had taken less time, had produced fewer arguments, and had brought more comRlete unanimity than any which he and Ir Churchill had ever conducted. Indeed it had produced plans to- focus with the utmost rapidity all the. forces of the grand alliance to accomplish the complete defeat of Japan. Within the limits of space and shipping - all the forces of the United States and the British Empire would be thrown against Japan to end barbarism in the PscifiCi Mr Roosevelt said that the question