ALLIED PLAN

Evening Star, Issue 24082, 31 December 1941, Page 7

ALLIED PLAN

DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC AUSTRALIA’S SECURITY STRENGTHENED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, Dec. 30. A message of great importance as affecting the security of Australia was received by the Prime Minister (Mr Curtin) to-day from Mr Churchill. As a result, Mr Curtin was able to make a favourable report to the War Cabinet this afternoon. The message indicates that Mr Churchill and President Roosevelt have now decided on definite measures for the defence of British and American interests in the Pacific. Cabinet Ministers are gratified at this important turn of events, which they attribute largely to Mr Curtin’s intervention at the week-end, when he argued bluntly that the United States must be the keystone of Pacific strategy. A Government spokesman said the position had greatly improved strategically since Saturday. Details of the plan cannot bo revealed, but it can be said that it is heartening. At the same time the Government has not lost sight of the possibility of bombing raids on Australia, and insists that the public must be prepared to meet them. The Melbourne correspondent of the ‘Sun’ states that the plan will improve enormously Australia’s defensive capacity and the Allied striking force against the Japanese. According to Federal Ministers, great American aid for Australia will be forthcoming. Ministers are convinced that Mr Curtin’s blunt and direct presentation of Australia’s case has been a powerful factor in bringing latest decisions for the defence of the Pacific. Australia, and New Zealand. LONDON COMMENT ALLAYING DISQUIET (Rec. 8 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 30. The London ‘ Evening Standard ’ in a leader says that the high significance attributed to the talks of Washington. Moscow, and Chungking was more than justified. Examples multiply daily of the losses to our cause suffered through disunity in command. Some were inevitable, but all were remediable. Mr Curtin raised the issue in the sharpest form. It was clear that grave disquiet existed in Australia at the present inability of her Government to participate in decisions which must govern her part in the war. This disquiet must speedily he allayed, and Mr Churchill’s message to Mr Curtin doubtless contained suggestions whereby this desired end might be achieved. PLAIN SPEAKING A HINT TO AUSTRALIA LONDON, Dec. 30. The ‘Daily Mail,’ in a leader, says; “As Mr Curtin paid us the compliment of plain speaking, he will not_ object if we return it. Australia’s position is similar to Britain’s after the fall of France, when we stood alone with a powerful enemy at our froxit door. Australia is now for the first time directly menaced, although the Japanese bases are thousands of miles distant and the Allies are still holding Australia’s front door. The dominion’s succour, so freely given, is gratefully acknowledged, but the British know that only they themselves could secure their country as the last stronghold of freedom. “Is Mr Curtin satisfied that Australia is making a comparable effort to maintain its own integrity? Mr Curtin as recently as November 21 denounced conscription. British women are being drafted to the services. Australian women are still being recruited voluntarily. We suggest that Australia’s first” object should be to use all her resources, man power, and materials to secure herself as far as possible from attack.”