The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, September 12, 1944. CHURCHILL-ROOSEVELT MEETING.

Grey River Argus, 12 September 1944, Page 4

The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, September 12, 1944. CHURCHILL-ROOSEVELT MEETING.

The present Quebec Conference is said to be. more of a mystery 1 than the earlier one, with greater secrecy, hut American papers conjecture that Poland and the Pacific will be leading topics, and that possibly a European armistice may occur before it is overThe present West European offensive is said to have been planned at Quebec, and it is reasonable to assume, that what now will occur there will be the ratification of further plans already almost, finalised as between Britain and the United States. Naval operations against the Japanese are especially said to involve much greater British cooperation than heretofore in the campaign in the Pacific. The Americans having so far monopolised the oceanic operations, may incorporate British squadrons in their commands, but the British Navy doubtless would be no less qualified to undertake a share of the campaign . separately. The Americans are said not to have been convinced that the British have hitherto been all out in the Pacific, and there is no reason to wonder were they still too greatly preoccupied in Europe, but good work has been done in Burma, the proof of which has been the excessive enemy losses there. It is obvious, however, that the United States will be expecting substantia] British assistance to overcome Japan, because the worst of the task yet remains to be done, and it may take mera than another year to complete it. The Japanese, like the Germans have latterly been conserving what resources they may have for home defence, relying, no doubt, on the same idea that the Allies may tire of the long war and negotiate to cut further losses. The Quebec agenda may, among other things, be designed to scotch such a hope, and lienee the likelihood of an early spurt. The Americans are ready to go for the Philippines, and when they do, the Japanese will not long remain. As previously, there are no Russian or Chinese delegates at Quebec, the Soviet not being at Avar with Japan, and China not really ranking as a great Power. The conference has a psychological value, coming when the Germans are on tlieir last legs, but there is a host of problematical consequences of their defeat to be considered before the Allies can come to lasting decisions. These, especially as regards Eastern Europe, arc sure to come up at Quebec. Though the Staff Chiefs may have military plans ready to be finalised there, it may be otherwise as regards political plans. The Russians will be kept informed, and, not being in the Pacific Avar, would not he likely to demur at any military decision in that direction. They, however, are particularly interested in territorial and other decisions to. be taken as regards Eastern Europe, and merely to inform them of the Anglo-American attitude regarding these questions may nob nearly be the same thing as finalising them. Poland is one instance, and there may be others, whilst it is conceivable that the Americans and the British may not yet see entirely eye to eye regarding Western Europe, . and perhaps South America. The plan will obviously be that of leaving differences off the record so long as hostilities continue, since the latter have priority. Viewed in retrospect, these conferences have on the whole, been successful, marking on each occasion the inauguration of effective new moves, and there is every reason to regard the present one in the light of that fact. The scope is not being indicated in advance, and therefore there will be left little room for criticism whatever the outcome.