ALLIED STRATEGY

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1943, Page 5

ALLIED STRATEGY

MR. CHURCHILL'S SPEECH

“CASABLANCA” UPHELD

(X.Z.I’.A. Special Australian Correspondent) (Rec. 1.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 21. The chief reaction among Australian observers to the speech to the American Congress by Mr. Churchill was that he addressed himself to those who regard war against Japan as being more important than that against the European Axis. Prominence is given by all commentators to the fact that Mr. Churchill promised great intensification of the war in the Pacific. Nevertheless, it is accepted as quite definite there can be no major change in the strategy agreed upon, at Casablanca. “The strategy is irrefutable,” says the Sydney “Herald” editorially, today. “If Mr. Churchill, forebore to press it too bluntly, it was because he recognised the strength of the swing in America towards giving the Japanese war priority, and because also circumstances have made possible a diversion of greater resources to the Pacific. He did not and could not promise any reversal of the grand strategy, but he did demolish the idea that Japan was being left to develop her plans unchecked.” Observers regard Mr. Churchill’s Jong, detailed report on the war as intended to answer those Americans who are critical of the strategy, and those who wanted further information. Some commentators find in Mr. Churchill’s statement that all the Allies must fight the common enemy aggression an intimation that Russia’s participation in the war against one enemy and not another is not acceptable to the degree that an effort may eventually be made to persuade her to become an active combatant against Japan. Australian correspondents writing from Washington lay stress upon the fact that a great majority of Americans regard Japan as their principal enemy. In addressing Congress as a sounding board of American opinion, Mr. Churchill, while making clear that defeat of Japan and Germany was equally important, pointed out that critics of the Casablanca strategy first lacked adequate information to be able to see the whole situation; second, the men to whom they entrusted the war have done splendidly, and third, anyone can advocate radical conceptions for victory, but does not have to assume the responsibility for failure.

USE OF RUSSIAN BASES

LONDON, May 20

Comment from America on Mr. Churchill's speech is generally favourable. The United Press says: “Mr. Churchill played on the emotions ol his audience in his usual skilful manner. He had them cheering, chuckling, and grimly tense by turns. “The New York morning newspapers almost universally approved Mr. Churchill's statements. The speech evoked gratifying comment from most members of Congress. It has also apparently found considerable favour with followers of the bond market, where prices spurted smartly, net gains ranging as high as four points. "Some diplomatic observers in. Washington believe Britain and America may try to prevail on M. Stalin to grant the use of Russian air bases for an onslaught on the Japanese. These sources say that this may well be the purpose of the proposed meeting of Mr. Roosevlt. Mr. Churchill, M. Stalin, and Marshal Chiang Kai-shek. The same sources also emphasise Mr. Churchill's statement that the bombing of Japan ‘holds a high place’ in the current talks. “Mr. Churchill yesterday engaged in a 90 minutes’ secret discussion with members of the Senate and House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committees, and also with, party leaders. The discussion is reported to have covered a great many subjects, with Mr. Churchill frankly answering all the questions put to him. ’