Evening star., 1942-07-16
Pacific Council Sees
United Nations Gainino
In Mediterranean
Juncture Of Germans
And Jops in Middle Eost
Discounted by Envoy

Tne united Nations pOSlt1on
in the Mediterranean area was
described as improved" today
by members of the Pacific War
Council following q Commute
conference with President
Roosevelt at the White House.
Walter Nash, New Zealand Min
lister. pointed out. however, that the
difficulties and obstacles" on that
and other fronts Of the war still are
real"
There is no use boasting," he
added, lit is just improved"
Mr.. Nash explained that the coun-
Gil, composed Of representatives Of
those United Nations actively en-
gagged In the war against Japan,
considered the Mediterranean area
particularly important because of
the profound effect" fighting there
might have on the Pacific front.
Nazis May Be "Surprised."
He discounted the possibility Of
the Germans and Japanese affecting
juncture through the Middle East,
however, as a dream" Of the Axis.
II think the Germans themselves
were surprised that they got as Tar
as they did, he remarked, "and they
may Be = ja1st as surprised at what
happens iri q week or two-and we
hope in the other direction"
DR.. Eelco Van Kleffens, Neither
land foreign minister, described to-
days session Of the council as q
general g,lrvey'' of the war situa-
ton with nothing very startlins9'
to report. = s#
Dr., Van Kleffens said he did not
believe reports that the Japanese
had been able to get oil wells work.
ing again In the Netherlands Indies,
explaining that In view Of the way
they were destroyed by the Dutch
in the face of the Japanese inva-
sion made it virtually impossible for
the wells to produce anything worth
while as yet.
Hopes for Aid to China.
DR.. T. v. Soong, Chinese foreign
minister said he hoped the current
visit to Chungking of L,auchlin Cur
rie, administrative assistant to
President Roosevelt, would result in
some benefit to the Chinese front.
THE fundamental problems of
China remain the same" he re-
marked. DR.. Soong has been press
ing for additional air support for
China.
DR.. Van Kleffens and DR.. Alex
ander Loudon, Netherlands Ambas-
sador here remained for a few
moments after the council meeting
to discuss with Mr.. Roosevelt ar
rangements for the impending visit
to Washington OF Queen Wilhelmina
Of The Netherlands.
The Queen, who is staying tenn
porarily at the Lee (Mass.) sum-
mer home of her daughter. Crown
Princess Juliana, paid an informal
visit to the President at Hyde Park
N. Y, last week end, and is ex-
pected to come to Washington some
time in the future.
Queen Sees Roosevelt.
DR.. Van Kleffens said arrange
ments were being worked out now
for the Queens visit here, but that
he could not disclose any details
as yet.
He described the Queens visit
with the President at Hyde Park as
friendly" meeting arranged be-
cause the Queen was anxious to gel
to know Mr.. Roosevelt personally
now that the United States and Th'
Netherlands are associates" in tn,
war effort.
The Foreign Minister recalled that
his country and the United States
were allies once before in 1882. 1--WE
r were the second power to recognize
the United States" he recalled, "anc
shortly afterward we formed &
!, formal partnership that worked out
, to our mutual satisfaction"