Manila, Apr. 2.
IR Marshal Sir Robert, Brooke-Popham, Commander-in-Chief of Britain's Far Eastern Forces, today called on Admiral Thomas C. Hart, Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet, and held-a conference, to which naval quarters attached extreme importance in view of the increasing Anglo-American collaboration in the Far East.
British officials, however, attempted to minimize the \importance of the conference and the unexpected visit. They said that the visit was "a routine and customary" call by the British Commander-in-Chief in the Far East on the American Far Eastern 'A four-motored British seaplane, the "Afra," Janded at Cavite today and brought the British Air Marshal. His chief of sta and other high British officers en route to Hongkong from Singapore, Tt was the first time in history that a British commercial or military plane landed at Manila, The British faffleers were expected to leave for Hongkong either Thursday or Frida United States Naval authorities arranged for permission for the fying-boat to land at Cavite.
Admiral Hart's Flag. Lieutenant met Sir Robert. at Batavia prior to his coming to Manila, Because of this factor, conferences between the American' and British Far Eastern Commanders-in-Chief were expected to cover the entire range of Far Eastern defences in view of Anglo-American and Dutch collaboration and the fact that Sir Robert was now completing a tour of the entire British defences in the Far East:
'Three Hours' Talk Air Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham and Admiral Hart eon: ferred for" three hour, Mr, Francis B. Sayre, US, High Commissioner (0 the Philippines, was understood to be speeding to. Mania fom 'Baguio' to parleipate. inthe Aller his long conference with Sie Robert, Admiral Hart told the United Press ihat the "Air. Marshal Ienot visiting me. 1 cannot comment on his areal or that of the omer visitors here sala that tye at wae "omelet he A Chief of Staff and often a's entourage, consisting of hi
well a8 U.S. comment on the conference, although sell they deprecated ts imports pointed out that "a halt "for Mamie Authoritative quarters, however,
Was not necessary "ina ight from Singapore to. Hongkong, which would ovthe next' port of call for the British military authorities, 'Some observers here' speculated that the visit might be a continuation the wat of nerves similar to the Us. Navy's "igoodwil tour to Australia vin connection with the Japanese Foreign Minister's Journey io" Europe. and fo Impress Japan of 'The fying boat. belongs to the tmperial" Aleways,, but was taken over by the Brin milty and there was a military pilot' at the controls, Prior to today the United. States had not permitted British aircraft to land at Manila because of the British refusal to permit Pan American Airways 10 operate its planes to Singapore, Pan American Airways, however," recently was faiven the right to land at Singapore, Although there is no outward Anglo-American agreement, the U, 8, Army recently despatched an ob-'Serve to Singapore and it was reported that the Navy would do Tikewise shorily,—United Uress, Morning Conference Manila, Apr. 3.
Twenty-seven United Siates Army pursuit planes flew in formation over Manila this morning as British and American Far Eastern Army and Navy chiefs conferred here.
Air Marshal Sir Robert Brooke: Popham, Commander-in-Chief of Bri. tain's Far Eastern Forces, conferred during "the morning with Major-General George Grunert. Commander of the US, Army's Philippine Department; Admiral Thomas \C. Hart, Commander-in-Chiet_ of the US. Asiatic Fleet, and General Douglas: MacArthur, Field Marshal of the Philippines Commonwealth Government.
Following the conferences Major General Grunert, Admiral Hart. Mr, Francis B. Sayre, High Commissioner of the Philippines, and other high United States' officials met tu the! commissioner's office.
The "Manila Bulletin" quoting informed sources, said the conferences were only in the'nature of reeapitulae tion of information previously given. to Britain, Sir Robert was due to continue his Flight to Hongkong on Friday. it was said, A' full dress army and navy conference was due to be held in Cavite this afternoon.
First Time in History was not Known, immediately, whether Sir Robert would attend the Cavite conference, Sir Robert arrived here yesterday by' aeroplane and conferred for three hours with Admiral 'Thomas Cc. Hart, Commander-In" Chict of the US.' Asiatic Fleet.
the frst time in history that a British commercial or military plane had landed at Manila, British aides to Sir Robert emphasized that the visit was entirely informal and unofficial. Atmerlean defence circles, however, did not attempt to minimize its importance, ide from Admiral Hart's terse Statement to the United Press last night that the "Air Marshal is not visiting me, I cannot comment, on arrival or that of the ethel visitors."
Navy circles unoMelally pointed out that Sir Robert is an expert in the alr service and said they believed his, comments would be invaluable in view of the recent strengthening of US. Army, Navy and Air arms in Manila and increased construction of air bases across the Pacific.
They sold that this was the frst actual contact of Anglo-American defence leaders in the Pacific, although they presumed that both had been exchanging information frequently for some tim Observers speculated on the poss sibility, that British and American authorities had discussed American Use of "Singapore plus co-ordinated AnglosAmerican-Dutch naval policies {in the event that the Japanese moved southward and the United States became involved in. war.
The Alr Marshal's entourage consisted of his Chief of Star and other high emeers. "A four-motored British, seaplane, the "Cleopatra" landed the British oMcors at Cavite, 'The party Is en route from Singapore, Hong kong. 'The flying boat belongs to Imperial Airways but was taken over by the British military and there was a military pilot at' the controls—United Press,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.