INDIAN COMMANDERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 May 1943, Page 3

INDIAN COMMANDERS

WITH BRITISH PREMIER IN WASHINGTON WAR AGAINST JAPAN AS WELL AS ACTION IN EUROPE. ASSUMED TO BE UNDER DISCUSSION. , LONDON. May 12. Among f]ie British service chiefs in Washington with Mr Churchill is Field Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell, Command er-in-Chief, India. Admiral Sir J. Somerville, Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet is also present, besides the commander-in-chief of air operations, India. The presence of so many commanding officers from India confirms the view that the war against Japan will take an important place in the discussions in Washington. Mr Churchill and President Roosevelt have already had long talks. Another important arrival in Washington is President Benes, of Czechoslovakia. It is revealed in London that Marshal Wavell spent some time here before going to Washington. He was received in audience by the King. STRICT SECRECY OBSERVED. More elaborate precautions were taken to guard the secrecy of Mr Churchill’s departure than previously. He motored from London to a suburban station, where he joined a special train in which military, naval and other experts were already seated. The train stayed for some hours at a siding before pulling out. Mr Churchill on the previous day lunched with the King at Buckingham Palace. Rumours that Mr Churchill was abroad began to circulate several days ago. Members of the House of Commons and many others guessed that the rumours were true when the DeputyPrime Minister, Ma Attlee, issued a statement regarding Tunisia, on which the newspapers had previously asserted that Mr Churchill would speak. The political correspondent of the “Daily Express” says: “Mr Churchill has gone to America at President Roosevelt’s invitation. It was not intended to hold another meeting till the autumn. This sudden meeting was not called because things had gone wrong, but because things are going so well for the Allies.

“The President and Mr Churchill will follow the precedent of previous meetings’ and keep M. Stalin and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek fully informed.

“Subjects for discussion,” the correspondent says, include: First, the stepping up of supplies from all the United Nations to meet the needs of invading armies and air forces; secondly, methods of dealing with Italy should she seek an armistice; thirdly, the reply which might have to be made to a formal peace offer through neutrals (this is considered necessary following recent peace feelers from Spain and other' smaller Powers); fourthly, the breach between Poland and Russia; and, fifthly, the anti-U-boat warfare. Messages from Washington say that Mr Churchill will be the president’s guest during his visit. It is Mr Churchill’s third visit to Washington since December, 1941, and his fifth meeting with Mr Roosevelt since August, 1941, when the Atlantic Charter was drafted. ALLIED GENERALISSIMO. One of the chief decisions expected is the appointment of an Allied generalissimo and the possible combination of the European and African war theatres in a single sphere. Speculation on the candidates centres round General Marshall and General Alexander The presence of large numbers of military and naval advisers is regarded as evidence that the conference will be pre-occupied with invasion plans. The fact that Lord Beaverbrook is included has aroused speculation that perhaps Lord Beaverbrook may participate at some future conference between Mr Churchill, Mr Roosevelt and M. Stalin. (A 8.8. C. bulletin last evening stated that Lord Beaverbrook’s visit to Washington was not connected with the conference).