PACIFIC WAR COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 30 October 1942, Page 5

PACIFIC WAR COUNCIL

[Aust. A N.Z. Cable Assn.] WASHINGTON, Oct. 28. At the Pacific Council . meeting, President Roosevelt realistically reviewed the whole South-west Pacific situation. , Reporters a'sked Mr. Nash if the Council was at all optimistic. He replied, no, with emphasis. The meeting was on realism rather than optimism. .The Council also discussed . the Middle East. Lord Halifax remained at lunch with Mr. Roosevelt, therefore was not available to the Press. The New York “Post’s” Washington correspondent quoted authoritait've dispatches from London saying th'at the heavily outnumbered American naval forces in the Solomons, now fighting desperately, would be equalised before long. He also said that if the United Nations did not possess air superiority in the South west Pacific unquestionably they would have the same shortly. LONDON, Oct. 21.

Mr Churchill presided over a meeting of the Pacific War Council here. It was attended by General Smuts. Messrs Jordan, Bruce, Waterson, Massey, Attlee and Amery. A meeting of the Pacific War Council at Washington was also held. At this Lord Halifax said, Mr Roosevelt gave the Council a full factual review and analysis of the situation in the Solomons. He also surveyed war production in September and October which was promising and encouraging. Lord Halifax added that many developments are occurring. Hon. W. Nash said there was nothing to add to the press reports about the Solomons. Production was coming along splendidly. Figures concerning production were the most promisingthing at the meeting.