OPPOSED ESTIMATES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 October 1942, Page 3

OPPOSED ESTIMATES

OF RELATIVE STRENGTH NEW YORK PAPERS GLOOMY VIEW.

IMPORTANCE OF AIR FORCES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, October 18. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that though nothing can be announced of the American movements to meet the Japanese threat, observers have been encouraged by the latest communique, reporting that after two days’ silence United States planes were operating over Guadalcanar on Friday. So long as the defenders’ air strength is not seriously impaired they have a great

advantage. . The fact that the United States Navy is not likely to have been caught unprepared for a situation “which it must have anticipated, and, indeed, desired to bring about” is stressed by the “Sydney Morning Herald” in a leading article. The paper says that effective aid can and will be sent io the besieged United States forces in the Solomons. The New York paper “P.M.’ ’declares that the Japanese forces on Guadalcanar, including troops which were pulled out from New Guinea, probably outnumber the reinforced American troops at least 10 to one. “Furthermore, the latest reports indicate that the Japanese have command of the sea as well as air supremacy,” it says. “P.M.” warns that the only cheering notes are the statements of Colonel Knox, Secretary of the Navy, who expected the island could be held, and Admiral Nimitz, who was optimistic, “even in face of an enemy who outguns us to a dangerous extent.” “P.M.” says that America is in considerable danger of losing one of the greatest actions in the Pacific because Japan has temporarily shelved all other activities in this theatre. Not only have the Japanese concentrateci the greatest naval force they have ever risked (probably the full battle fleet), but they also hold overwhelming superiority in other departments.