HISTORIC MEETING OF ALLIED LEADERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 22, 28 January 1943, Page 5

HISTORIC MEETING OF ALLIED LEADERS

AGREEMENT ON WAR PLANS FOR CURRENT YEAR

UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” TERMS FOR AXIS POWERS (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Reed. 8.15 p.m.) London, Jan. 26. Complete agreement on war plans for 1943 to bring about the “unconditional surrender” of the Germans, Italians and Japanese, was announced after a 10-day conference at Casablanca (French Morocco) between Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt. M. Stalin was invited, but was unable to attend because of the necessity of remaining in Russia during the present offensive. M. Stalin and Marshal Chiang Kaishek were kept informed of the conference decisions. Mr. Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt met Generals de Gaulle and Giraud, who expressed agreement with the decisions, and also agreement between themselves. Mr. Churchill’s party included Sir Dudley Pound, Chief of Naval Staff. General Sir A. Brooke, Air-Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal, Lord Louis Mountbatten and Field-Marshal Sir John Dill. Mr. Roosevelt’s party included General Marshall, Admiral King, Mr. Harry Hopkins. Others participating at various meetings were Generals Alexander and Montgomery, Air Marshal Tedder, and General Eisenhower. Mr. Roosevelt flew to Africa. It was the first time since the days of Lincoln that an American President had visited an active war front. Mr. Roosevelt told correspondents that they had reached the conclusion that world peace was attainable only by the total elimination of German and Japanese power, which meant unconditional surrender from the Axis. This did not mean the destruction of the population of the Axis countries, but the destruction of their philosophy of hate, fear and subjugation of others. The chiefs of the staff, he said, had kept two primary considerations before them: Firstly, the principle of pooling Allied resources on a world-wide basis; secondly, maintaining the Allies’ initiative throughout the world. Mr. Roosevelt added that a world-wide offensive would be vigorously prosecuted and all possible aid given to Russia and China. Mr. Churchill said it was the most important war conference he had ever witnessed or attended. Nothing which had happened throughout the war would come between him and Mr. Roosevelt. They were linked by friendship, which was one of the Allies’ itrongest sinews of war, making possible things which otherwise would be impossible between the heads of the Allied nations. Mr. Churchill praised the great enterprise of the African attack, in which he was Mr. Roosevelt’s willing lieutenant and which had altered the whole strategic outlook. It had placed the initiative in the Allies’ hands, and now they had that precious sovereign treasure in their hands they must labour hard to keep it

Mr. Churchill emphasised the throughness of the professional discussions accompanying the conference, and expressed the Allies’ unconquerable will to pursue the var to “unconditional surrenler.” Both Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill flew to Casablanca for the conferences. Mr. Roosevelt, who is the first United States President to leave his country during a war. arrived a fewhours before Mr. Churchill. The President had flown by Clipper to a point in South Africa, where he transferred to a four-engined bomber. He arrived near Casablanca iate in the afternoon and motored to his villa, where he met his son. Colonel Elliott Roosevelt. After Mr. Churchill’s arrival the procedure was discussed and a series of meetings began. Informality characterised the talks between the 1 two leaders, whether at the confer-1 ences or at meals. The Press conference following the I momentous meetings was held on the I lawn at a lovely villa, with Mr. Churchill, Mr. Roosevelt, General ds Gaulle and General Giraud sitting in a semi-circle surrounded by about 60 British and American war correspondents and photographers. The four posed for the photographers. Then, as Generals de Gaulle and Giraud were snapped shaking hands. Mr. Roosevelt remarked- "It is a historic moment.” The two generals then withdrew. The Germans thought Mr. Churchill was in Washington. Berlin radio for the past few days had been saying that the visit show-ed how burning the British and American differences had become. The Voeikischer Beobachter said Mr. Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt were discussing Premier Stalin’s intention to provoke a Bolshevik world revolution. Elaborate precautions were taken to guard Mr. Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt during their stay at the small holiday resort where the conferences were held. Guards were stationed everywhere. Scores of antiaircraft guns had been brought to the area, and the blackout was perfect. Mr. Roosevelt’s presence in Africa was not even suspected by a regiment of United States soldiers when they saw a convoy of limousines escorted by scout cars armed with heavy machine-guns approaching. "Another bunch of brass hats.” some growled. Then the man with the famous smile, Mr. Roosevelt, passed, tiding in a Jeep, and the whole regiment, who could hardly believe their own eyes, smiled back. Scores of fighters formed an umbrella over the convoy. Roads and br'dges were especially guarded. The French population and soldiers wore most surprised when they learn-I ed of the arrival of the distinguished I visitors. Mr. Rooseveit gave a dinner for the Sultan of Morocco and his son. and found them whole-heartedly for the Allies.

Among Mr. Roosevelt’s visitors were General Nogues and Admiral Michelier, commander of the French Fleet which opposed the Allies’ landing in North Africa. Mr. Churchill, before setting out for Casablanca, saw King George, who gave him formal permission to leave the country and wished him good luck. It is understood the King gave him a special message for Mr. Roosevelt. Mr. Churchill left London by car on the evening of January 12 for an aerodrome and travelled to Africa in the same Liberator in which he went to Cairo and Moscow in August. The machine had the same pilot, Commander Fanderk Doot, and the same crew. Mr. Churchill spent some hours in his bunk, fitted on the flight deck, but frequently visited the pilot’s cockpit. ACTIONCOMING SMASHING A WAY TO BERLIN (Recd. 5.5 p.m.) London, Jan. 26. “Things have greatly changed in these twelve months. We think no longer of defence. That is past. Now and henceforth we think of attack determined, unrelenting, smashing attack. This broad idea of the intentions of the United Nations was given to-day by President Roosevelt in a message read to the Britsih and American troops at Belfast to commemorate the landing of the first United States troops in Northern Ireland a year ago. ‘‘Our troops and those of the United Kingdom, Canada, and the other Dominions ana Allies have chafed at enaction,” he continued. “They will get, action. The road to Berlin is long and ; hard, but it is very sure.” A message from New York says that a highly impercant announcement on ‘ Allied war strategy is expected hour- I ly. The New York radio says. “We are on the eve of great military and ! political events which will alter the whole strategy ot the war. Some American newspapers say the announcement which will be made simultaneously in Washington and London will be the most dramatic of the war.” According to the New York Sun’s Washington correspondent, complete understanding on Allied leadership has been reached. Changes in the North African political situation are also expected. Mr. Hanson Baldwin, writing in the New York Times, says: “The sweeping Russian victories and reports from London and Washington of strategic conversations on the highest levels demonstrate that the course, perhaps the duration of the war, is now being determined. The reported Allied conferences may remedy the present lack of global strategy and solve several problems, the most important ot which are: (1) The creation of a Supreme War Council in which Britain. the United States, and China would be represented; (2) resumption of the offensive in the Pacific; (3) allocation of supplies to China and Russia; (4) the creation of i a second front in Europe.”

CHURCHILL AND ROOSEVELT CONFER

UNITED FRANCE DE GAULLE AND GIRAUD IN CONFERENCE (Recd. 9.15 p.m.) Rugby, Jan. 27. General de Gaulle and General Giraud made the following joint statement at the conclusion of their first conference in French North Africa: We have met. We have talked. We have registered entire agreement on the end to be achieved, which is the liberation of France and the triumph of human liberties by the total defeat of the enemy. This end will be attained by the union in war of all Frenchmen fighting side by side with all their allies.” | On his return to London General de Gaulle made the following statement: “I was very honoured and happy to meet President Roosevelt in Africa. His friendship for France is a particularly comforting factor in the struggle the French people are waging against the enemy within and without their own territory. It was of equal satisfaction to me to be able to renew conversations on this occasion with Mr. Churchill.” The French National Committee issued the following statement: “On the occasion of the inter-Allied conference in Africa General de Gaulle, accompanied by General Catroux and Admiral d’Argenlleu, met General Giraud in French North Africa. With the view of assuring unification of the war efforts of the Empire and ot forces on land and sea and in the air, it was decided that the necessary liaisons should he established immediately. Moreover, in the course of

conversations, a preliminary examination was made of the conditions under which the French effort in the war of liberation could be developed, taking into account the new situation in French North and West Africa. Interchanges of views on this subject will be continued. Complete union of the Empire and all forces ih conjunction with the movement of resistance in France, to be accomplished under conditions consonant with the dignity of the French people, remains the immutable aim of General de Gaulle and the National Committee.” TANGIBLE RESULTS FRENCH MILITARY UNITY (Recd. 10.50 p.m.) New York. Jan. 26. Officials declare that the Casablanca meeting produced at least two tangible results: (1) Decisions to launch great Allied offensives in 1943; (2) military if not political unity between the various French factions. Military decisions of such magnitude dwarfed any political considerations. This was evidenced not only by the joint statement but by the fact that the foremost military advisers were present while diplomatic troublemakers were absent. Observers express the opinion that this indicates that Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill concentrated on the uni conditional surrender of the Axis and I the liberation of the conquered countries rather than determining the future of France and other subjugated lands. Members of the conference therefore approached the French | problem purely from the military [viewpoint and conceivably warned factional leaders that France cannot be resurrected by political bickering. Quarrelling over future leadership is futile if there is no France to lead. It appeared that the Frenchmen agreed to pigeon-hole political differences and aspirations and prosecute the main task of freeing France. I Mr. Roosevelt at Casablanca said 1 the Allies’ main object in the Ta ific was to stop Japan forever from dominating the Pacific.