AMERICAN CRITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25364, 23 October 1943, Page 6

AMERICAN CRITICS

DISTURBING CONSEQUENCES SYDNEY, Oct. 16. The whole question of the charges by the five American senators is now under consideration in London, and the dominions are to be consulted, says the London correspondent of the Melbourne Herald. One charge is that the Australian press, like the British, in reporting the war, has given credit to British and Australian forces for American victories.

The senators raise other issues directly affecting the dominions generally, and Australia particularly, by demanding that the United States, after the war, must hold Pacifid outposts. The most damaging charges, in sensational language, are made against Britons. One charge is that “ vast reserves of British forces are idle in India.”

There is no longer a disposition in London to treat the situation with silent tolerance or to believe that all will be right in the end. It is realised that much is at stake, and that it is imperative to face the situation, both in the interests of British and American relations and the war effort. Britain’s effective prosecution of the war depends vitally on lease-lend supplies, particularly raw materials and food. Britain, even: with greatly expanded home production, imports from the dominions and lease-lend supplies, is still on a minimum food, standard. Indeed, the diet of heavy 1 workers is inadequate, and any reduction of American food supplies might have appalling consequences. Heavy workers are already asking the Government for additional rations. It is similarly imperative that Britain should continue to receive certain raw materials from America for armaments, besides the finished article.

Politically, the situation is equally disturbing. There is a universal desire here for, the closest possible relations with America. Indeed, nothing would give greater joy than a lasting understanding, for which Mr Churchill has so often strive. The American senators’ charges, however, Imperil all this and disturb and anger the public gravely. American newspaper correspondents in London have been quick to realise this and, noting that the unhappy business has occurred on the eve of the conferences in Russia, they are warning America that nothing is more calculated to drive Britain into Russia’s arms.