HELP FROM JAPAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 January 1943, Page 4

HELP FROM JAPAN

SOUGHT BY GERMANY POLICY OF ORIENTAL AXIS POWER. MOBILISING INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH. (Special P.A. Correspondent.) LONDON, January 24. “Germany is looking -to Japan for help,” remarks the “Observer” in an article: “Can Japan save the Germans?”, The paper says it is sometimes suggested that the Japanese do not care too much for their European partners, and adds: “That false conclusion is drawn from correct premises. “Japan’s policy will be not to do anything which might go against her own interests. She, therefore, will not embark on any venture merely to satisfy the demands of her allies, but on the other hand Japanese interests dictate very definitely that the two naval Powers and one land power which can challenge her hegemony in Asia shall not be triumphant in Europe. To that extent .therefore ,she is vitally interested in a German victory and will go to great lengths to prevent a German defeat. While doing so, Japanese policy pursues its own ends and the pattern of this .policy is now becoming recognisable.” The “Observer” points out that Japan has not increased her Army in any appreciable form since Pearl Harbour. There have been numerous reports of the Army being engaged in industrial, agricultural and road building work in Japanese-occupied territories. “Everything points to the single fact,” the “Observer” adds, “that the Japanese are utilising the pause in fighting to mobilise the greatest possible amount of industrial strength. For the next six months it will be the main Axis object to prevent the United Nations from concentrating shipping which would enable the building up of a great Allied striking force for an assault on Europe. Hitler’s urgent need is to create a second front against our shipping while U-boats maintain their damaging onslaughts. His one great hope is Japan. It is evident that the Allies have given priority—rightly—to the European war theatre. Such forces as are in the Pacific are maintained on ( a basis of strict economy of force. Only a major attack, either against Australia' or India, could lead to an alteration of the present distribution of Allied shipping and armed forces. Germany must tide over the next critical eight months. She needs time. Her hopes are staked on Tunisia and Japan. These alone can delay a great concentrated effort by the United Nations on the offensive.”