THE TURN TO AMERICA
John Curtin's decision to invite the Americans to use Australia as their Pacific base was a wise strategic move. He knew that Australia did not have the resources needed to fight the Japanese alone. He also knew that Britain was unable to come to Australia's defence. America was the strongest ally and already in the region. The strength of the Japanese and their conquest of the Philippines meant that Australia was the last remaining nation in the Pacific from which a counter attack could be made. The alliance between America and Australia was thus essential to both countries.

While General MacArthur's arrival was the subject of intense public interest, Australia's new alliance with the United States of America received a more formal acknowledgment with the visit of President Roosevelt's wife in 1943, in her role as President of the American Red Cross. She was given a formal state

banquet at which Curtin expressed deep admiration for America and its principles. Curtin also offered a symbol of the friendship between Australia and America by giving Mrs Roosevelt a copy of Captain's Cook Journal.