PACIFIC SHOWDOWN AT HAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 28 August 1942, Page 5

PACIFIC SHOWDOWN AT HAND

Campaign in the Solomons VIEW OF UNITED STATES OBSERVER (Rec. 10.50 a.m.) New York, Aug. 27. "A Pacific showdown seems at hand, ' says the New York Times” correspondent, Mr Hanson Baldwin, commenting on the Solomons campaign, "which may alter the finely drawn balance of power in the Pacific, thus affecting the entire course of the war in the Pacific theatre. Mr Baldwin explains it is clear that marines and the navy are tenaciously clinging to the footholds on Guadalcanar and the other southern Solomons, while the American Air Force is operating from one or more of the recently conquered fields. “This big asset is enhanced by the proximity of the Solomons to other Allied bases, Australia, the New Hebrides, New Caledonia and elsewhere, from where long-range bombers are sypporting our naval forces. The fact that both sides are throwing in considerable naval forces into the action stresses the strategic importance of the battle because the Solomons and Dieppe proved that invasion and occupation are possible only if naval superiority can be maintained. Therefore the Japanese attacks on Guadalcanar and the abortive Japanese landing attempts are considerably less important than a naval clash. Concluding, Mr Baldwin says: “The Solomons may be the preface to other action elsewhere. Since June, when Japan chose Midway and the Hawaiians as her objective, she has not struck anywhere until now, but the Japanese do not entertain a passive concept of war. The Coral Sea battle preceded Midway the Solomons may precede an attempt against Hawaii unless successive defeats have too greatly depleted the Japanese navy.” P.A.