The Evening Star TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1942. CHECK TO JAPAN.

Evening Star, Issue 24288, 1 September 1942, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1942. CHECK TO JAPAN.

What is rightly called a sudden and dramatic change lias occurred in tho situation in the New Guinea area. Yesterday opinions from various sources verging on tho gloomy appeared, anil some observers regarded the position at Milne Bay, where the Japanese had been substantially reinforced, as “ grave.” To-day the outlook has been radically altered. Sydney reports that the enemy is being swept from the Milne Bay theatre by a tremendous Allied drive, and tho danger to Port Moresby, an important pivotal point in the Japanese operations in their southward drive, has been averted—in tho meantime, at any rate. Having been checked in three separate previous operations against Port Moresby—which, hy the way, possesses a magnificent harbour —the enemy tried to turn the right flank by a surprise attack at iMilne Bay. The Allied High Command in that section of tho Pacific anticipated the clanger, made secret plans to meet it, and these, from tho reports to hand, have been crowned with success. Great importance was attached at Allied headquarters in the Pacific to the Milne Bay development, one American observer remarking that, should ,the Japanese establish themselves there, it might go far to offset tho success in the Solomons. If what has been reported is confirmed it means that Japan " has suffered a serious reverse. Her losses were large in this latest engagement, and all her heavy supplies and equipment, including tanks, were captured or destroyed. There is reason for satisfaction at the latest developments in the Pacific, but no occasion for undue optimism. Since the treacherous - attack on Pearl Harbour the United Nations have won several important rounds, but they still face an enemy powerfully equipped and determined to proceed with his ambitious expansionist plans. The military party in Tokio is backed by a people fanatical in their devotion to the Emperor, and regarding the sacrifice of individual life, if considered necessary, as an imperative duty. Japan b.as lost “ face.” which is considered so important in the Orient, but there is no question of tho morale of the people being shaken. In China, too, the Japanese plans have gone awry, and much importance may be attached to a Tokio official radio announcement admitting that the Japanese forces are abandoning the entire field of operations in Chekiang and Kiangsi, “ having completely mastered the,enemy.” This is an admission of failure, for the importance of holding those places to check Allied air offensives against Japan itself has been frequently stressed. Viewing the war operations as a whole, what is happening in tho various theatres gives ground for encouragement. The .Russians are holding the Germans at bay at various key points, with winter fast approaching, the battle of the Atlantic has taken a favourable turn, and the Allied production plans are maturing with remarkable celerity. The bombing of German cities goes on with destructive intensity. Questions that naturally arise are: Will the German people continue to bear the sufferings imposed on them, and will tho army continue the struggle through another winter?