STRONG BARRIERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1942, Page 3

STRONG BARRIERS

AGAINST JAPANESE INVASION OF INDIA & AUSTRALIA. OPINION IN CHUNGKING. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, April 23. Military circles in Chungking are of the opinion that attempts by the Japanese to invade .Australia or India are highly unlikely, unless Burma or New Guinea is completely conquered, says the United Press of America. ' They explain that the Japanese have at the most six divisions in Burma, which would be insufficient for an invasion of India before the monsoon season, while the rapidly-growing reinforcements in Australia and the Allied initiative in this theatre have created barriers which the Japanese will not attempt to hurdle at present. The “New York Times,” under the headline, “Australian Front,” says in an editorial: “General MacArthur’s first communique as of the commander United Nations’ forces in the southwest Pacific, marks the change that has taken place since his arrival there. Five weeks ago the Allies were clinging precariously to the northern fringe of the continent, expecting an invasion at any moment, while now it is the Japanese who are busily defending their own bases.

“All this has been solely achieved by air power, and MacArthur has clearly proved that he is able to hold the initiative and to strike from the air; but he cannot win decisions with the air arm alone. Henceforth he commands all the ground and naval forces in that theatre of war, under the definite directive to carry the offensive against the enemy.”

ADMIRAL GHORMLEY LIKELY TO BE SELECTED. FOR SOUTH PACIFIC COMMAND. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 23. When asked tonight if there was any official notification of the appointment of Vice-Admiral Ghormley to the South Pacific area command, the Prime Minister stated that he had no definite information. “I have had an indication from Mr Nash that it is most likely that ViceAdmiral Ghormley will be selected for the command,” he a'dded.

STILL FIGHTING AMERICANS & FILIPINOS IN IBATAN. DEFENCE OF HIGH PEAK. (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, April 23. The Tokio official radio reported that 500 American and Filipino troops ara still fighting in the jungles round Mount Baloy, Batan’s highest peak. The Tokio “Asahi Shimbun” reported that the Japanese had completed the occupation of Panay.