CLOSE SECRECY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 June 1942, Page 3

CLOSE SECRECY

MAINTAINED REGARDING VISIT A WASHINGTON TAKEN BY SURPRISE WAR & POST-WAR PROBLEMS. ANTICIPATED DECLARATIONS OF POLICY. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) WASHINGTON, June 18. Mr Early does not expect that statements will be made by Mr Churchill or President Roosevelt this week. He also did not disclose the way Mr Churchill arrived or his expected length of stay. Mr Churchill was accompanied by Sir Alan Brooke, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Major-General Sir Hastings Ismay, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Brigadier-General G. IVI. Stewart, Sir Charles Wilson, and .Mr Churchill’s private secretary, Mr John Martin. The secrecy surrounding Mr Churchill exceeds that of his last visit. While his last visit was foreshadowed by rumour, this time the best informed circles in Washington were taken by surprise, though the Congressmen expected some kind of big story’ this morning when the White House cancelled President Roosevelt's usual Friday Press conference without giving reasons. Mr Early refuses any comment, not even disclosing whether Mr Churchill is at present at the White House or elsewhere. Mr Early’s surprising Press conference illustrated how well guarded was the secret of Mi' Churchill’s arrival. A few minutes before 8 o'clock urgent telephone calls summoned pressmen to Mr Early, where all appeared breathless, some in dinner dress, one in bedroom slippers. Mr Early, facing a storm of questions, adamantly refused to comment. He only said, “Gentlemen, your Press is free, and I have never seen a story like this where free speculation did not follow.” ■ MAJOR DECISIONS EXPECTED. Mr Churchill’s visit was a reflection of the increasingly close co-ordination of the United Nations in the war effort, and he though major decisions would be reached. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Herald-Tribune” learns authoritatively that one topic for the discussions will be a plan for the United Nations to establish within a few days a committee for post-war reconstruction and relief. He adds that this committee is expected to have tremendous psychological importance, showing the occupied countries that the motives of the United Nations are entirely different from those of the Axis . The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says it is significant that Mr Churchill’s visit follows M. Molotov’s. Diplomatic circles think - the final policy regarding matters which were discussed by President Roosevelt and M Molotov might be determined in the

talks that began today. These diplomatic circles also point out that the fact that Mr Churchill and very important members left England when very vital events were taking place in the Libyan and other fronts indicates that major decisions of world importance will be taken in the discussions. The Associated Press of America says that there are five outstanding topics for discussion between Mr Churchill and President Roosevelt: First, the second front; secondly, the BritishRussian treaty; thirdly, the shipping situation; fourthly Allied strategy in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Australia; fifthly, American supplies to Britain, to Russia and to China. A London message says that Mr Churchill had an audience with the King on Tuesday.