Evening star., 1943-05-19

public discussion would be useful
upon the method or sequence in
events which should be pursued in
order to achieve it. Let me make it
plain. however, that the British will
participate in this air attack on
Japan in harmonious accord with
the major strategy of the war.
That is our desire and the cruelties
of the, Japanese enemy will make
our airmen all the more ready to
bear the perils and s,lfferings OF
their American comrades.
At the present time, speaking more
generally, the prime problem which
is before the United States and, to
a lesser extent, before Great Britain
is not 50 much the creation of armies
or the vast output of munitions and
aircraft. These are already In full
swing and immense progress and
prodigious results have been
achieved. The problem is rather the
application of those forces to the
enemy In the teeth of U-boat resist
ance across the great ocean spaces
and across the narrow seas or on
land through the swamps, noun
tains and jungles in various quarters
of the globe. That Is our problem.
Must Pick Our Place
To Meet the Enemy.
All our war plans must therefore
be inspired. pervaded and even DOM
mated by the supreme object Of com
ing to grips with the enemy under
favorable conditions or, at any rate
tolerable conditions. We cannot
pick and choose too much in en-
gaging on the largest possible scale
at the earliest possible moment that
enemy wherever it is profitable and
indeed. might say. wherever it is
possible to do so. Thus in this way
shall we make our enemies in
Europe and in Asia burn and con-
sumo their strength on land. on sea
and in the air with the maximum
rapidity.
Now you will readily understand
that the complex part of finding the
maximum opening for the employ
ment OF our vast forces is selection
of the point at which to strike to
the greatest advantage to those
forces and the emphasis and priority
to be assigned to all the various
enterprises which are desirable, but
that is a task requiring the constant
supervision and adjustment of Our
combined STATS and of the heads
Of government.
1t is a vast, complicated process
especially when two countries are
involved directly in council together
and when the interests OF 50 many
other countries have to be consid-
cred.
Think for Common Cause
OF All United Nations.
And the utmost goodwill and read
mess to think for the common cause
the cause Of all the United Nations
is required from everyone partici-
pating in our discussions.
The intricate adjustments and ar.
rangements can only be made by
discussion between men who know
all the facts and who are and can
be held accountable for success OF
failure.
Lots OF people can make good
plans for winning the war If they
have not got to carry them out.
I dare say If I had not been in 3
responsible position. I should have
made lot Of excellent plans and
very likely. should have brought
them in one way or another to the
notice Of the executive authorities
But it is not possible to have such
full open argument about these mat
ters and that Is an additional hard
ship for these in charge that the
questions cannot be argued out and
debated in public except with enor-
nous reticence and even then with
very great danger that the watching
and listening enemy may derive
some profits from what he overhears
In these circumstances, I give YOU
my opinion that the American and
British press and public have treated
their executive authorities with 4
wise and indulgent consideration.
Scene Changing Constantly
And fer the Better.
Recent events have. I think, vindi-
Gated their self-restraint. Mr.
President. it Is thus that we are able
to meet here today in all faithful
ness, sincerity and friendship
Geography imposes insuperable OBJ
stacles to the continuous session OF
the combined stats and executive
chiefs.
But the scene is constantly chang
ing and lately. think ! may say
constantly changing for the better
Repeated conferences are indispensa-
BILE il the sacrifices Of the fightins