PACIFIC WAR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 188, 11 August 1941, Page 8

PACIFIC WAR

JAPAN DESPERATE

THAILAND POSITION

POSSIBLE BRITISH ACTION

The opinion that if the Japanese moved into Thailand Britain would oppose them, the result being total war in the Pacific, was expressed to-day by Mr. Marc T. Greene, internationally known traveller and writer, who is visiting Auckland after 18 months spent in the Far East, including several months in Thailand.

Mr. oreene said that he was in Thailand in March and April, but had known the Thais for 12 years. They were an honest people and wanted to be left alone. But if they were attacked they ' would fight. They realised, however, that they would have no chance alone against a first-class Power and the strength of their resistance would depend upon the measure of the support they were given. They were looking especially to Great Britain for that support. "In my opinion the United States should co-operate, even if it means total war in the Pacific," said Mr. Greene. "In any case, if the Japanese were to occupy Thailand the result would be all-out war. Both Britain and the United States should go in now. The Japanese do not think that the democracies will fight. They think that the preparations and action taken are another bluff.

"There are many loopholes in the embargoes that have been imposed on Japan as the result of her occupation of Indo-China. In the past a total embargo would have stopped the Japanese aggression, but it may be too late now. Total embargoes would have meant the severing of the Japanese lifeline. They are desperate at the effect of the present measures and may do anything."

The most likely Japanese move now would be into Thailand, said Mr. Greene. It would be possible to cross the border and establish a fait accompli. In his opinion, as soon as the Japanese moved the British

would move also, but it might then be too late for effective control of strategic bases. With these in Japanese hands Britain's answer would be effective now, and could be aided by the United States Navy. Threat to Singapore If Japan took control of Thailand it would be more for strategic than economic reasons. Japan would then be a direct threat to British Malaya, and only a few hours' flight from Singapore. It was essential for British security that she should be stopped. Mr. Greene said that Japanese occupation of Indo-China was not of great importance from a strategic viewpoint, though it would mean a great deal to Japanese economy, which was feeling the strain of the years of warfare. Actually the Japanese had to take some action or starve, and Indo-China's rice was now going to feed her millions. If she was content to stay in IndoChina it would not be worth a Pacific war to eject her. However, faced with the economic sanctions recently imposed, and the action taken by the Dutch East Indies and the United States regarding oil, the Japanese were facing a desperate situation; and desperate men were likely to take desperate action.