ATTACK ON SOLOMONS

Southland Times, Issue 24837, 1 September 1942, Page 5

ATTACK ON SOLOMONS

AMERICAN FEAT PRAISED (Rec. 11.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 31. The New York Times, in a leading article, says: “Details of our conquest of the south-west Solomons show that this, the first American offensive of the war, was one of the most cleancut, efficient and gallant operations in 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 and land forces or the plan of attack. “The Battle of the Solomons is the worst defeat the Japanese have suffered in the Pacific, not perhaps in naval tonnage sent to the bottom, but in prestige and position. They have lost a base which is essential to their plan of Pacific conquest and lie exposed to attack at many points.

The Japanese know they have been driven from Tulagi by a superior force and the whole Far East knows it. Tokyo cannot accept this humiliation. The determined Japanese assault on the Milne Bay region shows they will contest every foot of our advance, either by counter-attack or diversional operations.”

The New York Herald Tribune says: “The Solomons Battle is an inspiring story, but it is also confusing in its strategic implications. The Navy believes the Tulagi and Guadalcanal position is ‘well established,’ and has released glimpses of subsequent aerial and naval encounters which seem to indicate that our forces successfully repelled major Japanese efforts to retake the base, yet at the same time a high authority in Washington insists that these are all minor affairs and are still in doubt whether the real counterattack may not be yet to come.” The New York Herald Tribune adds that the situation is further obscured by the Japanese landing at Milne Bay. Latest reports from there are good, but should the Japanese establish themselves there 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 definite 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. JAPANESE LOSE SEVEN PLANES Guadalcanal Raided WASHINGTON, August 30. A Navy Department communique states that the Japanese twice raided our positions at Guadalcanar on Saturday. The first attack was made by six planes, while the second, eight hours later, was carried out by 18 bombers. Three enemy bombers and four Zeros were shot down, while no American planes were lost. The damage to our positions was only of a minor nature. JAPANESE STRENGTH Mr Grew’s Grave Warning (Rec. 11.45 p.m.) NEW YORK; Aug. 31. Commenting on a broadcast by Mr J. C. Grew, former United States Ambassador to Japan, The New York Times says that the grave tone of his appraisal of Japanese strength is considered highly significant by Washington observers as the contents of the speech were necessarily submitted to the highest Government authorities. Mr Grew’s emphasis on the long and difficult road ahead of the United Nations conforms with the statement on Friday by a high Government official cautioning the country against over-emphasiz-ing the importance of the Solomons actions. Influential members of the Government are said to feel that the American people, who for years have under-estimated Japanese strength, do not yet realize what we are confronting. The New York Times adds that 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. DEPRESSION IN ASIA Effect of Japanese Rule (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, August 30. Information reaching India from south-east Asia, says the Delhi correspondent of The Times, indicates that the Japanese co-prosperity regime, far from being the promised economic millenium, is synonymous with the most acute depression. This is not merely an aftermath of the hostilities on the soil of south-east Asian countries, but the result of the fact that they are cut off from markets for raw materials. Japan is unable either to offer alternative markets or to provide transport to such limited markets as are available. Accordingly, products are piling up. The Philippines sugar industry is doomed and the Burma rice industry is hard hit. Millions of growers arc facing ruin.