FAR EAST STRATEGY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24827, 29 January 1942, Page 5

FAR EAST STRATEGY

THE UNITED NATIONS CLOSEST COOPERATION COMMON WORKING CENTRE RUGBY, Jan. 27. Speaking of Malaya, Mr Churchill merely said the troops had been considerably reinforced, and since December quite a lot had been going on. Together with America, steps had been taken to move from many directions everything a ship could carry and air power fly to suitable points. " We must, however, not indulge in light and extravagant hopes or suppose the advantage which the enemy has gained can soon be easily taken from him," he said. "In spite of the many tragedies of the past and the future, and with all pity for those who have suffered, I must profess profound thankfulness for what has happened throughout the world in the last few months."

Turning to the organisation of the united nations, Mr Churchill said: "Action, to be successful, must rest in the fewest number of hands possible. Nevertheless, the system must become far more complex. The physical and geographical difficulties of finding a common working centre for the leaders of the nations and the great staffs which cover the whole world are inseparable. Whatever plan is made will be open to criticism and many valid objections. I have, however, made arrangements with President Roosevelt. There will be a body in, Washington called the Combined Chiefs of Staffs Committee, consisting of three United States chiefs of staff, men of the highest distinction, and three high officers representing and acting under the general instructions of the Chiefs of Staffs Committee in London. This body will advise the President, and, in the event of a divergence of view between the British and American chiefs of staffs or their representatives, the difference must be adjusted between him and rr.e, representing our respective Governments.

A Pacific Council

"We must also concert together in closest possible association with M. Stalin, Chiang Kai-shek and the rest of the Allied and associated Powers. It was agreed that I should propose the setting up of a Pacific Council in London comprising Britain. Australia, New Zealand and the Dutch East .Indies. This would enable the British Commonwealth to act as a whole, and forms part of plans which are far advanced for collaboration at appropriate levels in the sphere of defence and foreign affairs supply. It is necessary for everyone to reach an agreement because no one can compel anyone else. The Dutch Government may be willing to agree, but the Australians desire and New Zealand prefers that a Council of Pacific Defence should meet in Washington, where it would work alongside the combined Chiefs of Staffs Committee. I have transmitted the views of the dominions to the President, but have not yet received a reply, and therefore I am not in a position to announce a final decision about the council. "The Supreme Commander has assumed control of the fighting in the south-west Pacific. We do not propose to pursue Him with frequent instructions. The manner in which General Wavell took up the task, the speed with which he was flown from place to place, and the telegrams he sent describing the methods by which he was grappling with the situation, forming the central organisation which was so needed, all made a most favourable impression on the high officers in the United States.

"In order to extend, the system of unified command which had been set up in the A.B.C.D. Pacific —to all areas in ...which the forces of more than one of the united nations will be operating, the eastern approaches to Australia and New Zealand had been styled 'Anzac area,* and are under United States command. Communications between the -Anzac area and North America are United States responsibility, whilst communications across the Indian Ocean remain a British responsibility."