The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-06-25
BRITAIN FEELS
 VERY ASSURED
(Continued from Page D

canal.
 The legislative leaders also dis closed that the prime ministeh had offered encouragement on the Rus sian situation.
 Another conferee said that Chur- chill had been asked some critical" questions regarding Britain's req sons for keeping the bulk of its army at home on the British Isles. This conferee said that the prime minister fenced with his question CTS on that point but had assured them of Britain's ability to hold Egypt.
 Rayburn said that the 25-minute conversations had covered the general situation in Russia, North Africa and the Pacific.
 United Nations shipping losses and the prospects for keeping the sea lanes open were also discussed, Raybun said.
 The congressional leaders met with MT. Roosevelt and Churchill follow ing War Department announcement that a European theater for United States forces" mad been established in London, possibly as an important step In the eventual opening of sec- ond land front in Europe. The com mander of the new war theater is Major General Dwight D. Eisen- hover, top-flight strategist.
 Shortly after the congressional conference, Mir. Roosevelt and Churchill convened an extraordin- ary Pacific War Council meeting, with Canadian Prime Minister w. L. Mackenzie King attending.
 House Speaker Sam Rayburn, one of the legislative confereeS, said the meeting twas review of the world situation by the President and the Prime Minister and made in ( fashion that was very pleasing to all of us."
 All Seem Encouraged
 Recent British reverses in North Africa were discussed fin some de- tail," Rayburn said. He added that he though 1t was "safe to assume that the others in the meeting came away feeling very hopeful and very good"
 House Republican Leader Joseph w. Martin, Jr., of Massachusetts said the President and the Prime Minister presented "a very interest ing recital of the war situation as they see 1t to date"
 And 1t was very encouraging" ;" Martin added.
 Chairman Sol Bloom, D., N. r., Of the House foreign affairs com mittee, said he was "very much en- couraged. very enlightened" He de- scribed the recital by the two lead- CTS as "very satisfactory" Asked whether there had been any discussion of opening a second European front, Rayburn said mot specifically, but it always comes up"
 we received information we could not have had before, a great deal of it of military nature" Ray burn said. He explained that 1t would be up to the president to make public any specific details of the conference.
 A Pacific war council luncheon was arranged to follow the formal meeting. Secretary of State Cordell Hull and Undersecretary Sumner Welles were invited to the luncheon. Later, MT. Roosevelt and Churchill were scheduled to meet separately Hull and British Ambassador Lord Halifax.
 Churchill also announced meet. ings with Sir Girja Bajpai, Indian agent-general In this country, and South African Minister Ralph Close. Consulted Experts
 The president and Churchill have now and then called in high army, navy and air officers, and shipping experts. Churchill arrived in this country 6 week ago today and the conferences began last Friday. NorA of those summoned to the White House knew what was to be discussed, but the assumption was that in addition to decisions reached in the last week there would be a comprehensive appraisal of the war situation.
 The special war council meeting indicated that in addition to the problems of opening a second front in Europe, Mir. Roosevelt and Churchill have been discussing the Pacific situation. Chinese Foreign Minister T. v. Soong was called into the Roosevelt Churchill parleys last Monday. It also was consid- cred significant that Mackenzie King was eri route here to represent Canada at the meeting and to ate tend "later conferences, presum- ably with the President Mwd Churchill.
 Council members are the United | r,A . a- .------h Ta.it.t.. .sn