MAIN DEFENCES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 102, 13 February 1950, Page 3

MAIN DEFENCES

PACIFIC AND FAR EAST ' REPORT TO PRESIDENT TRUMAN (N.Z.P.A.—Copyright) (Rec. 10.50) NEW YORK, Feb. 12. The United States Joint Chiefs-of-Staff yesterday gave President Truman a first-hand report on America’s main defences in the Pacific and the Far East The joint chiefs have just completed a 10-clay inspection tour of central and west Pacific areas. The “New York Herald-Tribune” says that President Truman discussed with the joint chiefs proposals to bolster Indo-China, Burma, Siam and Indonesia with American arms and ammunition. President Truman’s conference was held with much secrecy, and apparently far-reaching diplomatic as well as military significance. In addition to the heads of the army, navy and air departments and the Defence Secretary, Mr Louis Johnson, the Undersecretary of State, Mr James Webb, attended.

The “Herald-Tribune” says that present plans to help Indo-China, Burma, Siam and Indonesia are to use half the President’s Far Eastern fund (totalling about 75,000,000 dollars) to equip Government forces in those four key areas. Under this plan Indo-China would receive the biggest share. The paper adds that the White House and the State Department are still working on the proposals. A Teheran dispatch to the “New York Times” says that Persia, Afghanistan and Pakistan have begun negotiations for an agreement to resist any attack from the north. . The Shah of Afghanistan has visited Teheran and the Shah of Persia has visited Pakistan concerning negotiations. The correspondent says the three Governments do not want any relationship to appear hostile to Russia, and Persia wants an arrangement that would also operate on a co-operative friendly basis with India.