Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1943. AN ATTACK ON AUSTRALIA?

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 March 1943, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1943. AN ATTACK ON AUSTRALIA?

THERE have been some extremely diverse interpretations of the statement made by General MacArthur in a recent communique regarding a “constant, and growing reinforcement In all categories of enemy strength in the island perimeter enveloping Australia” and of his added observation that: The enemy seems to be concentrating his main effoit in Preparation on this front. Such an assemblage of major forces indicates that he is taking up a position in readiness. In some quarters both in Australia and in Britain, this has been read as a warning of an impending Japanese attack on the Commonwealth, but on the other hand it has been stated that the military phrase “position in readiness” used by General MacArthur' might be taken to mean enemy preparation for either attack or defence. Information generally available at the moment is quite insufficient to permit the formation of a confident opinion as to whether Japan is intent on an attempt to invade Australia or has resigned herself to a defensive policy in the 1,500-mile chain of island bases extending from Celebes to the northern Solomons. Tn addition to their disastrous local defeats in eastern New Guinea and in Guadalcanal, however, the Japanese have suffered severe continuing losses of ships and aircraft and at the moment substantial additions to these losses are being made in Allied air attacks on the enemy convoy recently reported to be making for northern New Guinea. The broad facts of the war in the Pacific, in the extent to which they are known, hardly support the idea that the Japanese war lords are likely to launch any new offensive on a considerable scale. Writing in the “Christian Science Monitor” some time ago, Mr Guenther Stein observed that the signal failure and tremendous cost of Hitler’s campaign in Russia appeared to have made an exceedingly deep impression in Tokio—so much so he added, “that some Japanese seem to be wondering now whether their High Command would actually have gone to war against the United States and Britain had they suspected that the second German drive in Russia would yield even less result than the first and that the Axis timetable would be so fatally upset.” Experienced Chinese observers, according to Mr Stein, believe that the Japanese are doubtful, in. view of the shipping situation, of their ability to maintain the lines of communication that would be needed “in connection with the tempting projects of attacking Australia or India.” A great deal of course must depend on the strength of the forces —.not least air and naval forces —which the Allies have now assembled in the Pacific. The opinion has been expressed freely by some American commentators that up to a comparatively recent date the Allies were taking risks by relying on relatively small forces in the Pacific. So well have these forces acquitted themselves, however, that not only has the lifeline from the United States to the British South Pacific Dominions been safeguarded, but a strain has been imposed on the enemy which probably prevented the Japanese from launching an offensive against Siberia at a time when it would have added very seriously to Russia’s burdens. It was contended by these commentators that additions to the Allied strength in the Pacific would be not least important in making it possible to give continued and valuable aid to Russia and as a step, also, towards giving China the aid she greatly needs. How far the Allied forces have in fact- been built up remains undisclosed, but as they bear on the prospects of an extension of Allied offensive action in the Pacific, statements made within the last few days by Admiral Nimitz, and by General Chennault, the United* States Air Commander in China, are distinctly encouraging.