JOINT PLANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1941, Page 3

JOINT PLANS

FOR DEFENCE OF SINGAPORE , ACCEPTED BY ALLIED WAR COUNCIL. QUESTION OF COMINION REPRESENTATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, December 27. The Anglo-American War Coun-

cil is reported to have accepted plans for the international defence of Singapore, particularly the air and naval fields, says the “New York Times” Washington correspondent. The council also agreed that Germany was at present the chief and most vulnerable enemy, while Japan, if checked at Singapore and _ its . approaches, including the Philippines, can be finished later. Greatly increased United States armament production in 1942, and the fulfilment of the lendlease commitments to Russia were also agreed upon by the council. After his speech Mr Churchill attended the war council’s supply conference along with Lord Beaverbrook and Mr Knudsen. Lord Beaverbrook made a strong appeal for a ' vast increase! in American war production, particularly tanks and planes. The conference is reported to have agreed on an American armament production goal in 1942 of about 40,000,000.000 dollars.

The question has been raised, says the correspondent, whether the Empire will act as one unit in a supreme war council, or whether the Dominions will be represented separately. The situation is roughly that Britain and the United States would prefer the Empire to act as one unit, though perhaps some representatives would be chosen for the Dominions, while Canada and Australia prefer separate representatives. Mr Roosevelt conferred with M. Litvinov, the Soviet Ambassador, and explained the nature and scope of the British-American consultations.

ANTFAXIS POWERS CAUSE IMMEASURABLY STRENGTHENED. STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. WASHINGTON, December 27. Mr Roosevelt tonight issued a statement that the Anglo-American War Council conference had thus far “immeasurably strengthened” the cause of the anti-Axis Powers and added: “We have advanced far along the road toward our ultimate objective—the crushing defeat of our attackers.” The conference, headed by President Roosevelt and Mr Churchill, was begun at the White House in Washington on December 26. Those present included Mr Stimson (U.S. Secretary of War), Colonel Knox (Secretary of the Navy), Lord Beaverbrook (British Minister of Supply), and leaders of the armed forces of the United States and Britain. Before the conference President Roosevelt held a Cabinet meeting, and this was followed by meetings of the special supply groups. He also conferred with the Soviet Minister, M. Litvinov, and saw the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Mackenzie King. . Representatives of 21 American republics have been invited to the White House to receive information about the, Anglo-American conference. Later,. Mr Roosevelt will receive representatives of Australia, New Zealand, China, and the Netherlands East Indies for a joint conference. MILITARY ACCORD LONDON, December 26. A Chungking report says that Britain and China have concluded a military accord, and that the United States, Britain, and China have formed an Allied Far East War Council.

WARM TRIBUTES PAID TO THE DEFENDERS OF HONG KONG. * MESSAGE FROM COLONIAL SECRETARY. (British Official Wireless.) , RUGBY, December 27. Tribute is paid in the Press today to the spirit of the > defenders of Hong Kong. The “Manchester Guardian” says: “For the first time in the 100 years we have held it, Ihe Crown colony of

Hong Kong has fallen into enemy hands.” In paying tribute to the defenders, it continues: “The small garrison was isolated without hope of relief, with water and supplies failing. It is by the behaviour of its men'in such conditions that the spirit of the Empire shows itself, and ours have done well.” . 1 The following message has been sent by the Colonial Secretary, Lord Moyne, to the Governor of the Straits Settlements for transmission by any available means to Sir Mark Young, Governor of Hong Kong: “It is the good fight you have fought, and I send you and all who held out so splendidly against overwhelming force the thanks of his Majesty’s Government. The defence of Hong Kong will live in the story of the Empire, to .which it adds yet another chapter of courage and endurance. But it is only for a time that the colony is lost. The day of reckoning will follow and all shall come right in the end.”