The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-06-26
GERMANY FIRST

President Roosevelt and Prime
Minister Winston Churchill are al.
tempting to convince the Pacific
Allies, especially China, that the
first objective OF the United Ma.
tions must be TO stop Hitler in
Europe and Africa this year.
At a specially summoned meet.
ing OF the Pacific War Council at
the White House the President and
the Prime Minister explained to
representatives OF Canada. China,
Australia and the Netherlands the
decisions which have been reached
concerning offensive strategy TO be
employed against the AXIS during
the next six months.
Four top-ranking Democratic
congressional leaders invited in
were Vice President wallace,
Speaker Rayburn. Sen. Connslly
CD) Tex, chairman OF the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, and
House Majority Leader McCor-
mack Then there were Prime
Minister W. L. Mackenzie King o.
Canada. Foreign Minister Van
Kletfans of the Netherlands, For
eign Minister T. V. Soong of China
and Sir owen Dixon. newly ap-
pointed Australian minister.
The meeting OF the Pacific rep
resentatives comes al time when
China is showing signs OF tncreas-
ing discomfort over the failure OF
the United Nations 10 devote great
or attention 10 the Far Eastern
situation. but the Netherlands,
Canada and Australia are disposed
10 accept the view OF the Ameri.
can and British governments that
stopping Hitler should be the 1rst
objective OF the United Nations.
The Chinese take the position
that the United Nations are run
ming a grave risk in attempting to
wage purely defensive war
against Japan while they try to
eliminate Germany.
China further feels that its posi-
ton has become worse instead OF
better since the United States ana
Great Britain became involved in
the Pacific conflict. The situa-
ton is regarded as particularly
grave at present, with the Jspa-
nese attacking on 10 different
fronts in China.
The Chinese also feel that ia
pan remains the most immediate
threat to the United States as weh
as TO China. and that It should not
be given an opportunity TO recover
from the blow dealt II recentlv by
the American Navy and air force
in the Midway and Coral Sea bat
ties.
In reply, President Roosevelt ana
Prime Minister Churchill stress the
vital importance OF preventing Hit
Ter from crushing Russia this year.
and gaining control OF the Middle
East by his threatened pincers
movement through the Caucasus
and Egypt.
The leaders OF the two big Eng
lith speaking nations assure repre-
sentatives OF the Pacific powers
that there is no intention 10 lose
sight OF the importance OF the Far
Eastern situation. The President
pledges more aid 10 China and
an intensifcation Of the American
,ubmarine and air war agains,
Japanese forces in the Pacific. but
here is no promise Of an all on,
attempt 10 defeat Japan before
next year.
Roughly the plan seems to be all
out against Germany this year all
out against Japan next year. Mean.
time the rumor persists that some
thing is going to happen 10 enn
the war this year. This Is pleas
ant dream We hope 1t isn't based
on the same kind Of reasoning that
led some people to shout so loud
~ about our being able 10 crush
Japan within very few weeks.