To Choose Commander For War la Pacific

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1944, Page 4

To Choose Commander For War la Pacific

QUEBEC, September 13

Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt resumed their discussions yesterday. which was Mr. and Mrs. Churchill's 36th wedding anniversary. Mr. Churchill at breakfast presented his wife v/ith a large bouquet of Quebec roses. Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt were the first to congratulate the Churchills.

An elaborate system of communications has been set up within the Citadel. enabling Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill to be informed immediately of all important developments from all fronts. There is friendly rivalry between Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill regarding the speed of communications, and each delights in being the first to impart to the other a choice bit of military news. A major problem facing the leaders before they can choose an “Eisenhower of the Pacific" to direct the combined operations against Japan is which of two grand strategical concepts to accept. says the Quebec correspondent of the "New York Times.” The concept which Admiral C. W. Nimitz, Com-mander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet, is reported to espouse vigorously, would attempt a decisive knock-out blow against the Japanese homeland, forcing the enemy fleet into action. This would be a predominantly naval procedure, although air bases in China would be an imnortant accessory.

Alternative Plan

The alternative plan, which is believed to have General MacArthur’s support,’ involves the slower but less risky invasion of the Philippines, extensive land operations in China, and then two directional assaults on the Japanese islands. President Roosevelt obviously discussed the rival plans with the proponents at the recent Hawaiian conferences, and is thus now in a position to give the British staff a first-hand report on them. Once Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill decide the nature of the strategy, they can take up the question whether the Supreme Commander in the Pacific will be an army or navy officer. In any event, he will almost certainly be an American, since American forces will bear the major burden of the Pacific struggle.

Anzac Representatives Representatives of New , Zealand and Australia have been called to the Churchill-Roosevelt conference at Quebec, says a correspondent. Sir William Glasgow, Australian High Commissioner to Canada, and Mi R. M. Firth, acting New Zealand High Commissioner, are arriving at Quebec inter today to what, the British Ministry for Information representative described as "a very warm welcome from the leaders." Canada, as a major Pacific power, is already in direct contact with the conference through Mr Mackenzie King. A means of bringing the main Japanese fleci to battle is believed to have an important place in the deliberations ot Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt, states a Quebec coriesponden!. Perhaps before further stops being planned hencan be put into effect, a plan already shaped may be put into swift execution. It is believed that a schedule of operations tor the Bay of Bengal area. Burma and the Netherlands Indies is being worked out to co-ordinate witn the American ac.vance in the Pacific, which is swifter man was probably anticipated.

Mr A. Marsden Woods, of Whangarei. has been re-elected to the standing committee of the Auckland Anglican Synod.