New Guinea’s Great Strategic Importance

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 61, 15 March 1944, Page 5

New Guinea’s Great Strategic Importance

Received Tuesday, 9.25 p.m. NEW YORK, March 13. “It doe 3 not seem to be realised so far that the Allies have reconquerea only about one-sixth ol New Guinea,’ says the New York Times in an editorial. General MacArthur’s troops have cut a wide swath along the northeastern coast, but the Japanese still hold or at least control the great bulk of the country. This remains one of the basic facts of the Pacific war. “New Guinea is Japan’s main defence for her stolen empire and the Japanese occupy the entire Dutch hall of New Guinea and most of the two British territories. As long as they are there they imperil the base corridor we are opening up through the Admiralty Islands to the Philippines. Japan’s richest spoils, including her main oil supply, Lie westward of New Guinea. That is why tho enemy, expelled from one base after another on the northeast coast, hurries to fortify another. We must capture Wewak before we are able to clear the threat to our flank and launch a new campaign in any direction. The New Guinea fighting, which often seems obscure, is thoroughly worth watching. Great issues hang on it.”