Evening star., 1941-12-24

defend Singapore and its approach
es, he said, until the situation be-
comes so favorable that the gen.
eral offensive can be resumed.
The Prime Minister would not say
however, that he considered Singa-
pore the strategical key to the war
in the Pacific.
The key to the situation. he as
serted, is the resolute manner in
which the British ard American
forces are throwing themselves into
battle.
Churchill's disclosure that there
was complete unitt of action ba-
tween American and British forces
in the Southwest Pacific received
quick approval from Senator 0eoExe
and other legislators who hAa bern
advocating Just such coordination
OF effort.
Unified Command Unlikely.
Senator George pointed out. bow
ever. that this cooperation was
likely to be limited to the estab-
lishment of a master plan OF STRAIT
egy to be carried out by individual
forces under the direction OF their
own national leaders. Churchill S
statement that it would be dif1cult
| to establish a unified command, be-
cause OF the widespread battle
| front, seemed to bear out this idea.
! Senator Norris. independent, OF
! Nebraska said he hoped there was
! the closest sort of cooperation be-
! tween American and British forces
! in the Far East. The United States
was Just as interested in beating
back japanese thrusts at Singapore
as it was in defending the Philip
pines. he said. and the British had
! lust as much at stake In both
| battles.
Senator George declared that for
mutation of an overall plan OF
Allied strategy was of supreme i'm
portance at this time and he pre-
dicted that carrying it out would
necessitate extensive American par
ticipation in the battle Of the At
lantic
ANA"Jo- A~ss>'
In this connection he pointed Out
that the route from South America
across the sea to Africa. thence tC
the Middle East and to China anc
India. might even become the ma1ol
supply line for Allied forces night
ing in the Far East.
I'VE ought not to permit our
selves to forget for one moment tina
the final battle will be in the AT
lanic" he admonished. That l.
where we will win or lose this war.
Senator George said he regarded
Churchill's dramatic visit to Wash
ington as visible and Tangible
demonstration that Anglo-Americal
naval and air forces have DONNA
ton of the Atlantic which ought u
be kept at all costs.
Farley Called Satisfactory.
It was understood that strictl,
naval and military activities, a
distinct from supply and economi
questions, have been commandin'
the most attention in the Anglo
American tdlkS W udto. AhS Aii
portance that Mr.. Churchill at
taches to naval matters was evl
denced by the fact that the Roya
Navy furnished "a of the AZ ex
perts from the armed services VIII
accompanied the Prime Ministe
here.
) President Roosevelt and MI
Churchill, together with the mem
bers Of the United States and Brit
ish high commands who make VI
the new Anglo-American war coun
Gil. were in session for an hou
and three quarters at the Whit
House yesterday. The result OF tn
conference was kept secret.
Would you call the conference
satisfactory" Navy Secretary Kno'
was asked as he departed.
mo comment" said Mr.. Knox.
II won't be so shy" volunteered
. Secretary of War Stimson. Il thinl
it was very satisfactory"