NO SPECIAL FAVOURS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 105, 28 January 1943, Page 5

NO SPECIAL FAVOURS

Australian Support Of Appeal (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received January 27, 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 2i. "Mr. Curtin did not plead lor special favours, but for u broader conception of the danger which threatens all - Die democracies. It. was the Prime Minister’s frankest appeal for more American help in the war against the Japanese,’’ savs flic Sydney "Daily Telegraph” iu editorial comment on Mr. Curtin's world-wide broadcast. Tlie newspaper agrees with the clear strategy of the United Nations that Australia is not the best base lor a direct attack against Japan, but says there is no doubt, that if Australia goes the whole Pacific would be "wide open to the Japanese and that America would then have to defend her western shores. "This is the point which .Mr. Curtin tried to drive home in the bluntest words with which he has so far talked to our ally,” it adds. "Greater American as sista nee in ships, men am! machines is, therefore, essential not. only for Australia’s sake but for lhe sake ot tin American people ns well. Public’s Attitude. 'l’he view expressed by Mr. t'iurtin OU lhe conduct of the war in lhe 1 untie fairly reflect the opinions ot the great bulk of Australians. Their hopes that a greater proportion of the I nited strength may he. allocated to this theatre have been raised by persistent Washington reports Hint important announcements to lie made, on the direction of global strategy will mean that more attention ndl be given io the war m the I aci11c. ’ A great champion for closer Al m‘rican attention to Urn struggle against Japan and for increased Allied striking power in Hie South Pacific has been the t • tian Science Monitor’s” nubtary w it , Joseph Harsch, author of I nttn " Com st,” who Ims had wide expel line, of both the war in Europe and Hie in the Pacific. Mr. Harsch has recently pointed mil. to Americans the iimdequiu les of lhe Pacific War Council, which lb contends was "instituted by 1 resident Roosevelt as a superlieiul concession io Australia under extreme pressure. "Il was never regarded as more Ilian a son in 'ollicinl American eyes, ami a grudging sop nt that,” adds Mr. Harsch,

"and it has suffered the inevitable fate of a mechanism formed in such circumstances. H's meetings have became less frequent, and lhe President informs the members of the broad outlines of decisions reached elsewhere.” . Emphasizing tlie desirability of Lliiuii and I lie Smith I’acilic democracies (Australia and New Zealand) having a gieater voice in decisions on global strategy, Mr. Harsch points for the benefit of ids American readers that the Pacific Council is nol a deliberative or deciding bodv hut gathers to learn the decisions reached by the American and British chiefs of staffs.