Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1942. THE THREAT TO AUSTRALIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 January 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1942. THE THREAT TO AUSTRALIA

+_ doubts as to the seriousness o£ the immediate outlook in the Pacific are resolved, for this country as well as for Australia, by the Japanese attacks on Babaul and the evidence now offered Hint the enemy operations arc organised on a considerable scale and are directed not only against the mandated territory of New Guinea, but definitely menace the mainland of Australia. The position is summed up in the statement of the Federal Prime Minister (Mr Curtin) that: “Anybody in Australia who fails to perceive the immediate menace to Australia that the attack on Kabaul constitutes must be Jost to all reality.” The Japanese are said to be employing three aircraft-carriers, with the apparent aim of establishing 1 island bases from which to attack the mainland of Australia.

It may be thought that in undertaking a campaign of this character, dependent on long and vulnerable lines of sea communication, the Japanese are taking insane risks. Not unreasonably, indeed, it may be hoped that it will be demonstrated eventually and in a conclusive fashion that the enemy has over-reached himself in venturing so far afield. Presumably, however, the adventure would not have been undertaken unless there had been some grounds for assuming that the forces engaged in it and their communications will be immune for a time from full-powered naval and air attack. The immediate ■position to be faced is one in which New Guinea and Australia itself are menaced bv invasion on a formidable scale.

In such an emergency as has now developed, our own national fortunes-of course are identified completely with those of Australia and if any spur were needed to impel both Dominions to make the most of their defensive resources it certainly has now been provided. While we must be prepared to cope with attack on our own territory should it come, it is to be taken for granted that New Zealand will act at once on any opportunity for assisting or co-operating with Australia.

Against the immediate menace to Australia .there is of course to be set the fact that the South Pacific Dominions are unlikely to be called upon to ■withstand unaided, for any greatlength of time, the Japanese onslaught now developing., President Roosevelt has said that very excellent progress is being made in strengthening the position of the united nations in the south-western Pacific and the American Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) has spoken in similar terms. It may be assumed, too, that Britain is doing everything in her power to redress the naval and air balance in the Pacific.

There can be no thought, however, of looking with easy optimism on the situation as it stands. For the time being the enemy has made and is making damaging headway, not only in the Philippines, but in his converging attacks on Singapore and invasion of the Netherlands East Indies. Stoutly as it is being defended in land and air fighting, Singapore obviously is threatened very seriously. The enemy lias made considerable progress towards isolating and surrounding the great naval and air base. The Straits of Malacca presumably must be regarded as closed and the Allied command of Sunda Strait, be!ween Java and Sumatra, cannot be regarded as very secure.

When the full strength of the united nations is brought to bear, the enormous extension of the enemy’s aggressive thrusts no doubt will tell against him heavily. For the time being, however, he has the initiative and stern demands are made on courage and resolution, nowhere more imperatively than in the attack now imminently threatened on Australia, in setting the narrowest limits that are possible to his temporary gains.