OVER PACIFIC WAR

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1943, Page 5

OVER PACIFIC WAR

Washington Decision [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 9.50 j SYDNEY, June 3. “One of the greatest successes of the war for Australia,” was the description given to-day by Australia’s Prime Minister, Mr. John Curtin, of the Washington Conference talks between Mr. Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt. The news that the war in the Pacific would be prosecuted with the same vigour as the war in Europe was good news for Australians, declared Mr. Curtin.

The plan of defeating Germany first, he said, might have menaced the very basis of global strategy itself, bv failing to provide an adequate force to prevent Japan from consolidating her conquests. It would have been possible for Japan to use Germany’s fight as a delaying action, while she acquired an invincible defensive position. “Because of her key position. In the Pacific,” added the Prime Minister, “Australia sought to arouse public opinion, to the dangers of its own drift, and to show the dangerous falacy of the hostile opposition to vigorous prosecution of the war in the Pacific.” i .

Mr. Curtin: “The discussions In Washington have completely supported the contentions of the Australian Government. The conclusions reached by Mr. Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt show their true appreciation of the position.”