WAR CONFERENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1943, Page 3

WAR CONFERENCE

THE ALLIED LEADERS IN CANADA PLANNING TOTAL DEFEAT OF AXIS. ACCORDING TO HIGH OFFICIAL IN QUEBEC. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, August 10. “lii this conference we are planning the total defeat of the Axis Powers,” stated a high official in Quebec. “Here we have the instruments for victory, and, as a result of this conference, success in Europe may come soon —sooner than anyone realises—but the .Japanese arc not left out of our offensive strategy.”

Though it is taken for granted that the Churchill-Roosevelt conference will be mainly concerned with military problems, the leaders will also discuss political strategy of the highest order,” says the Canadian Press representative in Quebec. “There are indications,” this correspondent continues, “that the Un fled Nations are beginning to be confronted with a political crisis of vast dimensions. It is possible that the Balkans, particularly Bulgaria, will be the scene of the next political upheaval, and the Allies may wish to discuss in advance all related aspects m order to be able to act quickly and in unison, which was found impossible in the case of the sudden transfer of power from Mussolini to Badoglio. REVIEW OF STRATEGY.

“Furthermore, observers consider that in view of the Russian advance, the successful bombings of Italy and Germany, and the Sicilian conquest the Allies require a new blueprint for a concerted campaign in Europe proper, where the Germans are attempting to strengthen their inner fortress, perhaps expecting that they can in time gain a negotiated peace. All of these developments call for a review of the Allied strategy involving such profound questions as whether Europe will be invaded via the Balkans or across the English Channel.”

The Quebec correspondent of the "New York Times” says: “As far as the evidence goes—and the rules are that one must stick to the evidence — this is a war-making and not a peacemaking conference, and the Chinese and Russia are apparently only remotely concerned with what the other United Nations decide.”

It is believed that the Russian military attache in Ottawa will attend the conference as an observer.