NO EXAGGERATION SEEN

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 107, 30 January 1943, Page 5

NO EXAGGERATION SEEN

Mr. Curtin’s Warning

(Received January 29, 9.20 p.m.) LONDON, January 29.

"Mr. Curtin did not speak as an alarmist, but as tlie man on the spot who can estimate the dangers close at hand,” comments “The Times” ou Mr. Curtin’s Australia Day broadcast giving warning of the Japanese threat in the South Pacific. "The Times” adds: “Australia’s Prime Minister did not mince Ills words, but he is not exaggerating any more now than in the past, when he foreshadowed witli deadly accuracy the development of the Japanese campaign. “In one respect only does the Japanese strength appear to have been weakened by the recent operations in shipping. The ground which has been recovered was held only by Japanese outposts, and behind them the enemy power remains immense. It is almost certain that among the offensive measures which General Tojo has described in the Diet as being ready is a plan for a renewal of the attempt to isolate Australia from tlie United States. ‘lt would be tlie height of imprudence for tlie Allies to risk another cracking of tlie Pacific front, which has been lightly sealed after terrible losses. As Mr. Curtin pointed out, this is not a matter of sentiment but of vital strategy.

“Whether is not victory in the Pacific is considered a first goal, a defeat in tlie Pacific would be catastrophic.” According to Tokio official radio, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Tani, told tlie Diet that Japan intends to respect the neutrality pact with Russia and assumes that the Soviet Union will do likewise, it added that Tokio’s attitude to the pact had not been modified. Statement by Tojo. "Japan’s attitude toward Australia is similar to her attitude toward Chungking,” tlie Japanese Premier, General Tojo, told the Diet on Thursday. "It is unavoidable, but, we must, inflict, severe blows on Australia so long as she is -m ally of the United States and Britain. Earlier in his speech Tojo said that the object of the war of Greater East Asia was to stabilize that area. In the first year of war Japan had consolidated her foothold in the conquered territories. Powerful bases won at suitable strategic points were being strengthened day by day, and these would be used both for offensive and defensive purposes. "In Malaya. Sumatra. Java, Celebes, and oilier places, peace has been oompieteiy restored,” declared Tojo. “A Burma for the Burmese is being constructed. This effort has so impressed our Government that it intends to recognize tlie independence of Burma this year. A great deal of sincere co-opera-tion by the Philippines in building a Greater East Asin eo-prosperity sphere indicates that tlie Filipinos will realize at the curliest opportunity the promised independence of their land. “Now that tlie republic of Chinn lias entered the war as an active participant Chungking beeotnes tilt enemy to the entire ('hines'e people. Japan will eonHnue to deal tolling blows to that regime.’