a.    Outline plan proposed for peaceful occupation of North Africa.
 
b_.    Program of priorities in the Atlantic.
 
It was anticipated that they would be ready for presentation shortly.
 
          2.        DISPOSITION OF THE MOUNT VERNON.-
 
                   GENERAL MARSHALL said that he had been given to
understand that it was desired to alter the destination of the MOUNT
VERNON.
 
                   ADMIRAL STARK stated that orders had been issued for
the MOUNT VERNON to proceed to Singapore or any other place the British
Admiralty desired, but statedthatthese instructions did not involve
escort being furnished for the MOUNT VERNON by the United States.
ADMIRAL POUND indicatedthat the British had no intention Of asking the
United States to furnish escort, and stated that he regarded such
escort as being a responsibility of the Royal Navy.
 
          3.        DIVERSION OF REINFORCEMENTS.-
 
                  GENERAL MARSHALL discussed the possible diversion of
reinforcements. to the .Philippines. He stated that up to the present
moment, he had had. no opportunity to consult with Admiral Stark on the
matter ,'but he had been called on to submit a list of troop and
equipment departures and anticipation of arrivals in Australia. He read
this data, a copy of which was furnished to the British Chiefs of
Staff) (See .Annex 1). tie also stated that General Brett had been
ordered to proceed immediately to Australia and place himself underthe
direction of General MacArthur, and to forward his recommendations as
to the situation in the Philippine Islands. Ite stated that the
question'of his (General Brett's) continued subordination to General
MaoArthur would be determined later,
 
                  AIR CHIEF MARSHAL PORTAL mentioned that the
Australian representa-rives in Washington had stated that unless ten
mill. ion gallons of 100-octane gasoline could be forwarded to
Australia immediately, the planes there would shortly be immobilized.
GENERAL ARNOLD said that this is no problem so long as we can keep
contact with Sumatra). as Sumatra furnishes thais gasoline. AIR CHIEF
MARSltAL PORTAL said that, it was his understanding that the Sumatra
gasoline was not satisfaotory and that American-produced gasoline was
involved.
 
                 GENERAL ARNOLD said that the only difficulty, involved
in tile Sumatra gasoline was the aromatics in it, which affected
adversely the self-sealing tanks. This difficulty had been anticipated
and extra tanks for replacements were being forwarded to Australia. The
new tanks would not be so affected by aromatics.
 
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