Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1942. THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 November 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1942. THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC.

rather disturbing statements regarding the progress oE the war in the Pacific were made by that well-known American correspondent, Air Joseph C. Harsch, in an article .in the “Christian Science Monitor,” extracts from which were cabled at the end of last week. In a. recent extended visit to Australia and in other ways, Mr Harsch has had exceptional opportunities of making himself familiar with the facts he discussed and on which he expressed very decided opinions. His leading contention was that the American defence line in the Pacific, covering the supply route to Australia, is not by any means as strong as it ought, to be. “We almost lost the naval battle in the Solomons and our land position as a corollary,” he said, adding that this would have meantthe loss of the supply line to Australia, exposed Australia and New Zealand to siege without any serious prospect of relief and exposed Hawaii to a flank as well as a frontal attack, freeing Japan for an attack against India. China, or Siberia. In other words, Japan was close to securing a firm grip on all Asia. Assuming that Mr Harsch is right so far, it may be agreed that, he outlined developments very necessary from the point of view of the total conduct of the war in observing that: —- The idea is now emerging that before we can concentrate on a big drive against Hitler we may have to take time to erect a defence line in the Pacific which can be held. A minimum defence line would include all New Guinea and the Bismarcks, with Rabaul firmly in our hands, the Gilberts and Wake Island. We also should have Borneo, from which to harry the enemy's supplies and communications. Although the position and outlook have been improved not a little by the defeat of three successive and powerful attempts by the Japanese to drive the Americans out of the bases they have occupied in the southern Solomons, and by the progress made by the Australians, now aided by American troops, in the reconquest of northern Papua, it remains an open question whether the United States, with whom decision in the matter chiefly rests, is able and prepared to take action in the immediate, future on the scale recommended by Mr Harsch. The Japanese certainly are showing no inclination to abandon the struggle in the Solomons. In spite of their naval and air losses in that region and the continued losses and local setbacks they have suffered since they landed additional troops on Guadalcanal, there is no indication yet that they have any idea of withdrawing. They hold strong bases in the northern Solomons and in more or less adjacent island groups. As to New Guinea, it was pointed out by a correspondent yesterday that although the position of the Japanese garrison at Buna is becoming precarious, there is not yet any immediate threat to the enemy’s main New Guinea bases of Lae and Salamau. Heavy American naval and air forces evidently must be brought to bear if the Japanese are to be driven completely out of New Guinea and the Solomons and the Allies are to establish themselves’ in the other islands mentioned by ?Jr Harsch. The most encouraging feature of the position in the South Pacific is the expansion and the demonstrated striking power of the Allied air forces, which in recent week's have been making increasingly destructive attacks on the Japanese land and sea forces. Much that has happened is reasonably regarded, however, as leading up to a decisive naval conflict. In any conflict of the kind air forces may be expected to play a great part, but so far as warship strength is concerned, taking account of the heavy demands made upon Allied resources in many war areas, it is not to be taken for granted that as powerful a force as could be desired is yet available in the South Pacific. The actual facts of relative and available naval strength of necessity aye hidden from view and until Allied superiority in this vital particular has been demonstrated finally and conclusively, the position and outlook in the South Pacific must be regarded as possibly critical. It is plainly a necessary contribution to the total Allied war effort that all the forces needed to open the way to powerful, offensive action in. the Pacific should be assembled as speedily as possible. Apart from that commanding aspect, it is as obviously a matter of ordinary prudence meantime that both Australia and New Zealand should raise their defences to the highest possible level of efficiency.