Conference Highly Desirable

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 209, 3 September 1943, Page 5

Conference Highly Desirable

Received Thursday, 9.40 p.m. WASHINGTON, Sept. 2. A Rritish-American-Russian conference to discuss urgent problems is highly desirable, said Mr. Cordell Hull when addressing a press conference. Asked if he was prepared to go to London for a parley, he replied that he did not know yet whether the conference would be held. Later the State Department issued a statement that the Soviet Government had be«D consulted and kept fully informed by the British and American Governments regarding

all aspects of the military situation as it developed, in connection with opera tions against Italy and other operations in the European theatre; also respecting political situations arising directly from military operations. Mr. Harry Hopkins, writing in an American magazine, predicts that Germany and Japan will both be crushed by 1945, but warned that the loss of Russia from the Allied side would lengthen the war immeasurably. Mr. Hopkins emphasised that the Allies will not rely on bombings only, but will mount great coordinated land, sea and air offensives, including a huge land assault via France. Mr. Hopkins said that for a long time the air had been vibrant with the hope of a quick victory. “We will not get it,” he said. “Germany and Japan are not a pushover. We have had two years of hard fighting and an increasing sacrifice lies ahead. ’ ’