CHURCHILL IN U.S.

Grey River Argus, 14 May 1943, Page 5

CHURCHILL IN U.S.

TALKS BEGUN Many Delegates Present < Aust. & N.Z- Cable Assn.l LONDON, May 12. Mi- Chui-chill arrived in Washington yesterday for further talks with Mr Roosevelt. He and the President conferred at the White House, behind closed doors, until the early hours of to-day. It is considered that the talks will be concerned with the war against Japan, as well as with the war against Germany and Italy Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill conferred at length after dinner Last night, and resumed the talks to-day. Mr Churchill -will dine with Lord Halifax to-night, while Mr Roosevelt will be host to Dr Benes, who is arriving at the White House this afternoon. His arrival as the guest of the President was announced by .the Czechoslovak Government. He will confer with Mr Roosevelt and Mr Cordell Hull.

PERSONNEL OF PARTY RUGBY, May 12. Mr Churchill’s party to Washington includes the highest officers from India, according to a White House announcement. They are: Field Marshal Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India; Admiral Somerville, Com-mander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet; AirMarshal Sir Richard Pierse, Air Officer Commander-in-Chief, 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, Lotd Cherwell, Paymaster-General, Lieutenant-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. The 8.8.C.’s reporter in Washington says it is assumed that on the American side General George Marshall, Chief of Staff of the United States Army and Admiral E. J. King, Commander-in-Chief’ of the United

States Fleet, will be taking part in the discussions Genera! 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 India, has also been in Washington, while Mr William Phillips, Mr Roosevelt’s special envoy to India, has returned 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. Mr Stephen Early. Mr Roosevelt’s Secretary, said the British experts would meet American Staff Chiefs, while Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill held conferences.

PACIFIC WAR TO BE DISCUSSED WASHINGTON, May 12: The Roosevelt-Churchill conference will be concerned chiefly with the Pacific, says the United Press. The meeting will cover all phases of the war, including l the invasion of Europe but the principal purpose is to plot an early Allied offensive against Japan. . ... A military observer points out that the plans for invading Europe were settled at the Casablanca conference and thal now the leaders must place the flesh on the bones of the Allied Pacific strategy formulated there. The American Press says that the presence of Generals Wavell, Somerville and Pierse indicates that Britain and America are planning new [moves to assist China, possibly an attempt to open the Burma Road. With Generals Stilwell and Chennault also now in Washington there is a possibility that some sort of joint sea, land and air offensive against the Japanese may result from Mr Churchill’s visit. A White House spokesman said that the British service chiefs will confer with American staff chiefs while Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill hold a series of intensive conferences. However, Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill will occasionally participate in joint staff meetings.

CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER TO PARTICI PATE.-

(Rec. 7.40) WAS'HNGTON, May 13 Mr. Mackenzie- King announced that he is coming to Washington next week to participate in the conference between Mr. Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt. Dr. Evatt has postponed his trip to London to participate m the conferences. DR. EVATT CONFERS WITH MR. CHURCHILL. (Rec. 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 13 Dr. Evatt conferred i with Mr. Churchill at the White House and discussed matters of importance to the prosecution of the war, particularly affecting Australia’ and the Pacific. CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND U.S. (Rec. 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 13 Simultaneously with Dr. Benes arrival in the White House it is disclosed that the United States and Czechoslovakia are raising their legations to embassies. Dr. Benes will confer with President Roosevelt on post-war plans, calling for close collaboration between Russia and the Federation of European Nations.