CAUTION BY GENERAL BLAMEY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23965, 4 June 1943, Page 5

CAUTION BY GENERAL BLAMEY

«PREVAILING OPTIMISM NOT JUSTIFIED ” SYDNEY, June 3. Australians should not be carried away by the, recent successes of the Allied armies, declared the Com-mander-in-Chief of the Allied Land Forces in the South-west Pacific Area (General Sir Thomas Blarney), in an interview. Although Australia’s immediate position was infinitely better than a year ago, the prevailing spirit of optimism was not justified by what so far had been attained in this theatre. However, to-day Australia was completely equipped to meet any emergency, whereas a year ago she did not have even enough rifles. "The Japanese are definitely going to make things difficult for us,” said General Blarney. "They are increasing their forces all along the outer edge of our Pacific defences and they are building strong bases. While in New Guinea we now hold the whole south-eastern’ area and our situation there is very much stronger than it was, so also is that of the enemy in those portions of the island which are still his. We face a long and difficult task in finally getting him out." General Blarney emphasised the good relations existing between the American and Australian troops, and the close co-operation of the American and Australian staffs.