NAVAL THRUST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 March 1942, Page 4

NAVAL THRUST

ACROSS JAPANESE SUPPLY LINES REPORTED AMERICAN PREPARATIONS. FLOW OF REINFORCEMENTS / ON GREAT SCALE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 14. The Washington correspondent of the "Christian Science Monitor” says there is a significant indication that an important strategical decision has been made by the United States, with everything being prepared to smash a Japanese invasion of Australia by an imminent offensive against the weakly-held Japanese outposts. “It can now be stated authoritatively,” says the correspondent, “that the flow of reinforcements to the south-west Pacific exceeds anything the average layman imagines, and that it is going well beyond what even the most optimistic officials had thought possible.” The Australian Minister, Mr Casey, said today that he was concerned with “a matter of very considerable importance.” At Mr Roosevelt’s request Mr Casey later today conferred with the United States Army and Navy chiefs. American naval experts believe that when the United Nations take the offensive, the main thrust will probably be westward by way of the Japanesemandated islands and across Japan’s supply lines, rather than northward. They base this view on a statement by Admiral Hart pointing out that a flank attack was usually easier than a frontal attack. MR CURTIN’S SPEECH WELL RECEIVED BY PEOPLE OF AMERICA. NEED OF CO-OPERATION REALISED. NEW YORK, March 14. Mr Curtin’s sterling radio speech came in with forceful clarity, in spite of the seasonal static, which, indeed, seemed but to give electrical emphasis to his declaration that "the Australians are fighting mad.” As Mr Casey, the Australian Minister to Washington, said tonight, Mr Curtin’s inspiring message to the American people completely answered vicious and absurd rumours which have been carried by the Vichy and Ankara radios that Japan and Australia will arrange a separate peace or armistice. There could be no misunderstanding where Australia stands after hearing the Prime Minister’s assurance that Australia is stripped for the fight. It is already evident that the vast majority of the American people realise the importance to America that Mr Curtin’s fine affirmation on behalf of the Australian people must be met with the most effective practical response from the. fighting forces of the United States. All newspapers and Press services as well as the radio are giving wide publicity to Mr Curtin’s speech, and are emphasising his warning that if Australia falls the west coast of the United States would be the next invasion target of the Japanese. The “New York Times,” for example, prints the entire text of the speech. i