ALLIES’ PACIFIC PLANS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23967, 7 June 1943, Page 6

ALLIES’ PACIFIC PLANS

BLOWS AT ENEMY BASES

RABAUL AS LIKELY OBJECTIVE

NEW YORK, June 4. The Allies are preparing to launch powerful blows against one or more of Japan’s bases, says the Washington correspondent of the British United Press. Some military observers believe that Rabaul, in New Britain, will be the objective. At least, they expect one major blow to fall “somewhere north of Australia and south of Hawaii.” “The United States Pacific Fleet has unquestionably been vastly strengthened in the last six months, especially the fleet air arm,” writes the correspondent. “The fleet may be marking time until the task of establishing American bases close to the Japanese defence perimeter is completed. As an example there has been the occupation of Russell Island in the Solomons, and the Ellice Islands, north-west of Samoa. Perhaps the occupation of Attu in the western Aleutians is part of that strategy. Further, American forces have undoubtedly seized other undisclosed islands.” The belief that Attu is a potential offensive base against Japan is strengthened by the statement of Brigadier William Lynd, United States Army Air Force, who has just returned from the island. He indicated that while operations would be difficult, Attu could be used as a base. Japan’s fears as the result of the Allied moves is made clear by General Tojo’s warning to the Japanese people, broadcast over the Tokyo radio, that “the present situation is increasingly serious.” He called for the unceasing determination for the destruction of Great Britain and America as a tribute to the Japanese garrison of Attu. The Associated Press correspondent at an advanced south Pacific base reports that Liberators this week sank a Japanese coastal vessel at Tinputs Harbour, Bougainville, and set fire to a second vessel in Teop Harbour, near Buka These actions have not yet been reported in an official communique. BUTTER RATIONING IN AUSTRALIA WEEKLY ALLOWANCE OF HALF A POUND (Rec. 12.45 a.m.) SYDNEY. June 6. An extension of rationing in food and clothing was announced by the Minister of Trade and Customs (Senator R. V. Keane) in a broadcast address to-night Every person in Australia will be rationed to half a pound of butter a week. Towels, towelling, sheets, sheeting, pillowslips, and certain types of tablecloths and soft furnishings have to be obtained with clothing coupons. Mr Keane said the average consumption of butter a head in Australia had been about 10 ounces a week, but the ration of half a pound would be ample for health and nutrition. Urgent demands were being made on Australia's butter at a time when output had dropped slightly because of the diversion of manpower to essential war production. The extension of clothes rationing was necessary because Australia was on a strict quota for cotton goods. EXPELLED BY LABOUR MOVEMENT MR J. T. LANG IN NEW SOUTH WALES (Rec. 0.30 pin.) SYDNEY. June 6. Amid hoots and cheers the New South Wales State Labour Party conference endorsed by a large majority the expulsion of Mr J. T. Lang, a former state Premier, from the Labour movement. Government supporters described Mr Lang as “Labour’s No. 1 Fascist” and “a Colossus with feet of observers estimated that the vote against Mr Lang was nearly three to one among 400 delegates. The endorsement of Mr Lang’s expulsion is expected to strengthen the Labour Party’s position in New South Wales in the forthcoming Federal elections. POSSIBLE TALKS ON STRATEGY ROOSEVELT AND STALIN WASHINGTON. June 4. Mr Roosevelt’s special envoy, Mr Joseph Davies, arrived in Washington from Moscow and went directly to the White House. Mr Roosevelt’s secretary (Mr Stephen Early) said that Mr Davies handed to the President a letter from Mr Stalin, after which they conferred for two hours. . .... The “New York Times” states that Washington circles think that the mission laid the basis of a strategy conference between Mr Roosevelt and Mr Stalin. It is believed that Mr Roosevelt’s letter proposed the place and time for the conference. The warmth of Mr Davies’s reception in Moscow and his speedy return suggest that Mr Stalin agreed.

SWEDISH PROTEST TO GERMANY

OFFER TO REMOVE MINES LONDON, June 4. Germany is backing down in the face of curt Swedish notes of protest and has offered to order the German Fleet to remove German mines found anchored in Swedish waters. The offer has been revealed through the publication of a polite, apologetic Note from Berlin in reply to Sweden’s strong protests against the action of a German merchantman firing on the submarine Draken and the presence of German mines in Swedish waters. Germany denied that the mines were actually laid in Swedish waters, asserting that they must have gradually drifted inside the territorial line. Authoritative Swedish circles point out that the polite tone of the German Note is considered interesting.