BATTLE FOR SOLOMONS

Southland Times, Issue 24832, 26 August 1942, Page 5

BATTLE FOR SOLOMONS

IMPORTANCE TO NEW ZEALAND The Press Association’s respondent at a South Pacific port says that the few cautious but hope-producing official communiques which have been issued from Washington about the Solomon Islands operation should not encourage the peoples of the South Pacific countries to regard its outcome as being cut and dried. The period of anxious suspense, has by no means been ended. The importance of the operation to New Zealand could not be plainer. From the almost inpenetrable mist of silence imposed for security reasons, which surrounds what is now going on in the Solomons area, there can finally emerge only one of two things. If the Allied naval forces prevail in the anticipated counteroffensive, New Zealand’s security from attack will be guaranteed for a long period. If they fail and have to devote many months to a regrouping rf their strength, New Zealand will be placed in an incontestably more dangerous position than she has ever been in. Success for the Allies will mean that the base organization for the next stage of the offensive against the Pacific enemy can be advanced over 1000 miles from the present United States-Hawan-Fiji-New Zealand line. Failure will mean that the base organization will have to stand where it has been ana that the Fiji-New Zealand section will be in almost inconceivably worse position than it is now. EFFECT OF DISASTER An Allied naval disaster in the Solomons area will, says the correspondent, undoubtedly precipitate an enemy onrush against New Caledonia and Fiji. If that happens New Zealand’s peril will be complete. The correspondent says that this, in plain terms, is what the Solomons hold for New Zealand. The operation has more direct importance for the Dominion than it has for Australia. Official communiques about the progress achieved give no ground for pessimism, but the peoples of the South Pacific should nevertheless understand what the potentialities of possible failure might hold for them. Several weeks might elapse before the naval issue in the Solomons area is decided. Lack of action on the part of the Japanese since the capture of the south-eastern islands does not argue lack of intention. Until the die is cast and the outcome known the present period of suspense must continue; but it should not be regarded as indicating that the Japanese have decided to avoid a naval test.

Meanwhile, and until the crucial time has arrived, the correspondent considers that there continue to be good grounds for watchful optimism. The land operations have apparently gone extremely well, although he believes there is still daily fighting in the islands, and the naval forces have given a sufficient taste of their quality in battle to produce the hope that provided fortune is beneficent, the impending action will also go well. All eyes must therefore remain turned to the sea.