Wairarapa Times-Age MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1942. THE LOSS OF SINGAPORE.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 February 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1942. THE LOSS OF SINGAPORE.

O : r piIERE can be no <j nest ion ol regarding the loss of Singapore as anything else than a heavy defeat, seriously damaging in its immediate material effect and likely to have unfortunate moral repercussions in Asiatic and oilier countries. 'The British and Imperial troops of the garrison have surrendered only after a most gallant and desperate struggle against overwhelming odds, and the losses they have suffered in their heroic but unavailing sacrifice cannot but occasion the bitterest regret. The position brought about by the fall of Singapore is at once made more critical by the news of enemy landings in force in Sumatra, and of Dutch preparations to destroy the factory and other equipment of the rich oil-bearing region around Palembang. A great deal evidently must depend on the outcome of the efforts of the Allies to retain essential strategic positions and areas in the Dutch Indies still remaining in their hands.

The immediate outlook is dark, but account has to he taken not only of visible events, but of the reported flow of British and United States troops into the Netherlands islands and of the naval dispositions in which the Allies may be supposed to be engaged west and east of the Japanese thrust into the South Pacific. Demands clearly are made upon the United Nations for a spirit of stern resolution and for redoubled effort. Obviously, too, it becomes more than ever urgent and imperative that New Zealand and Australia should make every practicable preparation to cope with possible enemy attacks.