ALLIED PLANS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21093, 13 May 1943, Page 3

ALLIED PLANS

TALKS IN AMERICA LEADERS - CONFER CHURCHILL'S VISIT MANY EXPERTS PRESENT (By Telegraph—Press Assn, —Copyright.) (10 u.m.) LONDON, May 12. It was officially stated in London to-day that the Prime Minister, Mr. Winston Churchill, was in Washington for the purpose of again conferring with President Roosevelt. He was met bv President Roosevelt on arrival and will be the guest of the President during his visit. Mr. Churchill is accompanied by a staff of military and naval experts. Mr. Churchill’s party includes highest officers from India, according to a White House announcement. These are Field-Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell, commander-in-chief in India, Admiral Somerville, commander-in-chief of the Eastern Fleet, and Air Marshall Sir Richard Pierse, air officer commanding-in-chief In India. General Sir Alan Brooke, chief of the Imperial General Staff, Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, First Sea Lord, Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal, chief of the air staff, Lord Leathers, Minister of War Transport, Lord Cherwell, the Paymaster-General, Lieu-tenant-General Sir Hastings Ismay, chief of staff to the Minister of Defence, and Brigadier E. I. C. Jacob, military assistant secretary to the War Cabinet, are also in the party. Mr. Stephen Early, President Roosevelt’s secretary, said that the British experts would meet the American staff chief while President Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill held conferences. Dr. Benes in America

President Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill conferred at length after dinner last night and resumed their talks today. Mr. Churchill will dine with Lord Halifax to-night, while President Roosevelt will be host to Dr. Benes, who is arriving at the White House this afternoon. General Stilwell, commander-in-chief of the American forces in China, has been in Washington and is still believed to be in the United States. General Chennault, commander of the American air forces in China, has also been in Washington, while Mr. William Phillips, President Roosevelt’s special envoy to India, has returned to America and had an interview with the President yesterday a few hours before Mr. Churchill arrived. Other high officers from the Pacific, South Pacific, and south-west Pacific commands were in Washington a few weeks ago. The Czechoslovak Government announced the arrival in Washington of Dr. Benes as the guest of President Roosevelt. Dr. Benes will confer with President Roosevelt and Mr. Cordell Hull. It is authoritatively stated that M. Stalin and Marshal Chiahg Kai-Shek will be kept fully informed of the British-American discussionsIt is authoritatively stated that Lord Beaverbrook is not a member of the official party, but probably will participate in the talks. “Things Going Well’’ More elaborate precautions were taken to guard tlxe secrecy of Mr. Churchill’s departure thau previously, lie motored from London to a suburban, station where he joined a special train in which military, naval, and other experts were already seated. Tie train stayed for some hours at a siding before pulling out. Mr. Churchill the previous day lunched with the King at Buckingham Palace. Rumours that Mr. Churchill was abroad began to circulate several days ago. Members of the House of Commons and many others guessed that the rumours were true when Major C. U. Attlee issued the statement regarding Tunisia, on which the newspapers had previously asserted that Mr. Churchill would speak. The Daily Express’ political correspondent says that Mr. Churchill has gone to America at President Roosevelt’s invitation. It was not intended to hold another meeting until the autumn. The sudden meeting was not called because things had gone wrong, but because things are going so well for the Allies. President Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill will follow the precedent of previous meetings to keep M. Stalin and Marshal C’hiang- Kai-shek fully informed. Subjects for Discussion The subjects for discussion include, first, the stepping up of supplies from all the United Nations .to meet the needs of the invading armies and air forces; secondly, methods for dealing with Italy should she seek an armistice; thirdly, the reply which might have to be made to a formal peace offer through neutrals, which is considered necessary' following the recent peace feelers from Spain and other smaller Powers; fourthly, the breach between Poland and Russia; and, fifthly, the anti-U-boat warfare. Messages from Washington say that Mr. Churchill will be the President’s guest during his visit. It is Mr. Churchill’s third visit to Washington since December, 1941, and the fifth meeting with President Roosevelt since August, 1941, when the Atlantic Charter was drafted. One of the chief decisions expected is the appointment of an Allied generalissimo and a possible combination of the European and African theatres of war in a single sphere. Speculation on the candidates centres around General C. Marshall and Gen oral Sir Harold Alexander. The pre sence of large numbers of military and naval advisers is regarded as evidence that the conference will be pre occupied with invasion plans.