THREAT TO SINGAPORE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 December 1941, Page 5

THREAT TO SINGAPORE

DANGER OF NEUTRALISATION. PROBLEM FOR THE ALLIES. LONDON, December 17. “The Times,” in a leading article, says: “There is no doubt that our forces in Malaya are operating under considerable difficulties. If it is asked how Japanese superiority has arisen’ so near Singapore, the answer must be that the defence of Singapore by the troops was planned on the assumption of our sea superiority and at least air

equality, neither of which at present exists. “The present situation is due not only to the loss of the Prince of Wales and Repulse, but also to the attack against Pearl Harbour and the American bases and fuelling stations farther west. An immediate danger is not the capture of Singapore but its comparative neutralisation as a naval base and a great commercial port. That alone represents a serious peril, because a successful British and American coun-ter-offensive against Japan will largely depend on its power to use Singapore freely and effectively. “The Japanese are exploiting to the utmost {heir early advantages, and thus the time factor has become of immense importance.”