Elation and Caution

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 208, 1 September 1942, Page 5

Elation and Caution

AMERICAN COMMENT ON SOLOMONS SUCCESSES Received Monday, 11.35 p.m. NEW YORK, Aug. 31. The New York Time*, In a leader, says: “The details of our conquest of the South-west Solomons show that this firs. American offensive of the war is one o» the most cleanout, efficient and gallant Operations In our history. The insignificant toll of prisoners taken reveals the fanatical courage with which the enemy resisted, but no courage could overcome the brilliant co-ordination of our sea ano land forces or the plan ot attack. “The battle of the Soiomons is thworst deieat the Japanese have suTfereo In the Pacific, not perhaps in naval tonnage sent to the bottom but in prestigana position. They have lost a bast which was essential to their plan o. Pac.tic conquest and lie exposed to attac.. at many points. The Japanese know they were drive., from Tuiagi by a superior force and the wools Far East knows It. Tokio canno. accept this humiliation. The determines Japanese aesauit on the Milne Bay region snows tnat they will contest every foot of our auvance eitner by counter attack or diversional operations." The New York Herald-Tribute says: “Tne Solomons is an inspiring story, Du. it is also confusing in its strategic implications. The Navy believes the Tulag. and Guadalcanar position is ‘well established* and has released glimpses o. subsequent aerial and naval encounter;, which seem to indicate that our forces have successfully repelled major Japanese efforts to retake the base, yet at the same time a high authority at Washing ton insists that those are all mino. affairs and is still in doubt as to whethe. a real counter-attack may not yet come. The Herald-Tribune auds: "The situation is fifrther obscured by the Japanese landing at Milne Bay. The latest reports from tnere are good but should the Japanese establish themselves tnere it might go far to offset the success in the Solomons. Certainly one operation cannot be fully assessed until the results of the other are definitive and the higher authority may only be trying to issue a warning against taking too literally the Navy’s enthusiasm for its achievements. “However, what can be said is that here in miniature is a picture of what the Far Eastern war is going to be. It will be grim. It will be bloody. And it will be fought for keeps.” Commenting on a broadcast by Mr Grew (U.S. Ambassador to Japan before the war>, the New York Times says: "The grave tone of his appraisal of Japanese strength is considered highly significant by Washington observers since the contents of the speech were necessarily submitted to the highest Government authorities. Mr Grew’s emphasis on the long difficult road ahead of the United Nations conforms with the statement on Friday by the high Government official cautioning the country against over emphasising the importance of the Solomons actions.”

“Influential members of the Government said they felt that the American people who for years under estimated Japansse strength do not yet realise what we are confronting. “The Times adds: “Mr Grew’s warning is the beginning of a new Government effort to arouse the United States to accept the sacrifices necessary to overcome a powerful and dangerous foe.” General Somervell, Supplies Chief, writing in the September issue of the m *B***ne “Factory Management,” warns industry that it must forget its peact time rivalry but must not forget that wi> are losing the war and will continue *o lose it until the home front is unseifishlv united with every thought and action and the same spirit which inspires our soldiers dying on ths bsttlefront.

Admiral King, speaking at a patriotic celebrftion of workers In his horns town of Lorain (Ohio) said: “The Battle of the Solomons is only a hint of what will untimately happen to the enemy, but we need every killing tool you can make. Our greatest difficulty i 8 implementing eight fronts simultaneously. We should hit our best stride on the home front within a year. Then we will proceed to victory. But the war will be long and hard.” He called the eight fronts: the British, Middle East, India, China, Alaska, Hawaii, the South-West Pacific and Russia.