CHOICE FOR JAPAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 August 1942, Page 3

CHOICE FOR JAPAN

AS SEEN BY AMERICAN AUTHORITIES r 7 > —— PROTECTION OF HOMELAND OR OUTPOSTS. I EVIDENCE OF GROWING ENEMY CONCERN. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, August 18. The United States Navy’s release of details of the battle for the Solomons confirms the belief that considerable'early successes have been gained. The Japanese fleet has now withdrawn from the area and is believed by some observers to be regrouping for a big new counterAdmiral Yates Stirling, naval analyst for the United Press of America, and former chief of staff of the United States fleet, warns that the Japanese will try hard to recoup their losses. He says: “The Battle of the Solomons is .an offensive into which we must throw all our available resources of warships and aeroplanes, together with land ■forces.”

He believes that the final result of the Solomons battle narrows down to the question of how far Japan is willing to deplete her air forces in China, Manchukuo and the East Indies for concentration in the Solomons. Robert Bellaire, of the United Press of America, quoting the opinion of repatriated American newspapermen on board the liner Gripsholm, says the war against Japan can be won by a combination of mass air attacks against her home production centres and ceaseless attrition tactics against her far flung outposts. “Japan has not sufficient planes and anti-aircraft guns,” he said, “to protect both the homeland and her outposts. She can be put on the defensive by being made to. bare one for the sake of the other.” These observers do not, however, expect Japan to collapse after a few scattered defeats. The enemy’s morale is judged to be high. His forces are brave and persevering, and his supply of slave labour is mounting. Japan’s army and navy are estimated to possess 2000 first-line planes each, but lack of engineering staff is expected to prevent the Japanese from keeping pace with technical developments. ■Mr Bellaire relates that after the capture of Singapore Japan had hoped for a negotiated peace. The hope vanished with the reorganisation of the United Nations under General MacArthur. Japanese official releases show how on numerous occasions their forces barely broke through, indicating that any reasonable strengthening of the United Nations forces may confine Japan to her present positions. Growing concern is evident in Japan at the full implications of the Solomons offensive. Tokio radio is reported to have announced that the chief of staff of the Japanese armies in China has been recalled home to organise Japan’s defences. It is also reported to have stated that “already a steady supply of American planes is arriving in China.” Brigadier-Genexal C. L. Chennault, organiser of the American volunteer air force in China, has been reported as saying that the United States would send sufficient air strength to China to secure the defeat of the invaders. It is believed that General Chennault’s air campaign is certain to be stepped up to assist the Solomons action.