Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1943. THE WAR AGAINST JAPAN.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 July 1943, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1943. THE WAR AGAINST JAPAN.

■! « A STATEMENT by the Federal Prime Minister (Mr Curtin) last month that Australia was no longer under the threat of invasion, though the danger of marauding raids by the enemy still existed, was hotly criticised and challenged at the time/particularly by leading members of the Federal Opposition. . 11l the United States, on the other hand, the federal 1 rune Minister’s stateinent appears to have been received with unqualified approval. Cabling from Washington on June 11 last, the staff correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald” (Mr A. I). Kothman) said: — The statement by the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, that Australia is now safe from invasion and his intimations that heavy blows against the Japanese are impending are supported m authoritative quarters here. It is believed that the South Pacific theatre will soon become active on a large scale. Going on to deal with the decisions believed to have been reached and the expectations entertained in Washington, Mr Eothman said the island to island strategy had been dropped in favour of a “leap-frog” strategy, under which the most strongly-held Japanese positions wotdd be outflanked and others attacked in force ’‘on the theory that the most extended positions of the enemy will be neutralised, even if they are still garrisoned.” It was believed that it was still being debated, the correspondent added, whether an attempt to take Rabaul was advisable, but it was blows aimed at Japan from Midway which were said to have a leading place in Allied plans. It was thought that by the end of August the United States would have in the Pacific a number of. large new aircraft-carriers far in excess of its strength in that division before Pearl. Harbour—vessels far less vulnerable than the old types and carrying new types of planes of exceptional striking power. These carriers, it was suggested, would form part .of American naval forces possessed as a whole of an offensive power which Japan cannot hope to duplicate and which will make every effort to force a decisive sea engagement. As much confirmation as these suggestions are likely to be given officially is indicated in a statement made on Wednesday last by the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester Nimitz, that ships, aircraft and troops were now reaching the Pacific in big enough numbers to ensure that the Allies would keep the initiative. Taking account of the measure of success lately gained by the Allies in the South Pacific —in the drive on Munda, in New Georgia and in the capture of Mubo, the southern bastion of the Japanese stronghold of Salamaua, in New Guinea —and also of the large-scale preparations afoot on the eastern frontiers of India, the conclusion perhaps may be warranted that the Federal Prime Minister was not unduly optimistic in the statement he made last month.