CAMPAIGN IN MALAYA

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 5

CAMPAIGN IN MALAYA

“British People Humiliated” CRITICISM IN LONDON (Received January 13, 11.15 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, January 13. The “Daily Express” in a leading article says: “The British people, who were assured that all Malaya could be defended, have been humiliated by the tremendous sacrifices which our outnumbered forces are making in a delaying action, while aeroplanes are rushed out. “It becomes clearer every day that the Far East has produced a crop of incompetent windbags. Those who wanted to speak out about mismanagement were gagged, censored, obstructed. "Time is too short for ordinary methods of truth-telling publicity to relieve the situation. If General Sir Archibald Wavell sees fit to take drastic measures against slothful officialdom he will have the thanks of the whole alliance.” The “Daily Mail” complains that the British public is being told very little about the Malayan campaign, and what it is being told seems purposely vague. “We believe that Singapore can be held, but we fear that it will not be held unless the Government adequately understands its importance and the enemy’s strength," it states. “General Wavell must be given all reinforcements—adequate troops, ships, and aeroplanes—above all, aeroplanes. The British public is entitled to an immediate assurance that this will be done.” Referring to the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, Malaya, and now Borneo and Celebes in the Netherlands East Indies, “The Times” says: "The length of coastline to be defended is equivalent to the distance from Ireland to the Caucasus, and nothing can prevent the enemy from finding unguarded stretches in so extended a line. “There is only one thing that can put a stop to this locust-like swarming over the islands, and that is decisive seapower in the Pacific, of which, as everywhere in modern war. supremacy in the air is an essential component. Until that is recovered we can do no more than mitigate our inevitable losses.” It is reported from Chungking that the Chinese newspapers are demanding an Allied offensive against Japan. The "Sao Tang-pao” states that without carrying the war to Japan the Allies will continue to suffer losses in the Pacific. "It is all very well for

the Allies to speak of the scorched earth policy, but the things they destroyed could have been used against the aggressor. So far Japan’s munitions plants have not been disturbed,” it states All the Chinese papers bitterly criticise the Allied strategy, and they regent the refusal of an offer by Marshal Chiang Kai-shek to send Chinese troops into Malaya. Seremban Bombed Yesterday’s Singapore communique said: “A small party of nine Japanese, dressed as Malays, landed in the Burit Churang drea, south-east of Johore, from fishing sampans yesterday. The party (Sent out to deal with them captured all nine. "Seremban was bombed yesterday and slight damage was caused to road communications, which have been repaired. Enemy aircraft made a further raid on Muar yesterday, machine-gun-ning the town and sinking one small ship. Muar is on the west coast of Malaya, about 100 miles north of Singapore. . "There were a number of raids today on Singapore by enemy aircraft. Preliminary reports on the first raid indicate no damage but two casualties. The enemy aircraft were engaged by our fighters. Details of the combats are not yet available, No reports of damage or casualties from subsequent raids have so far been received." Seremban, to a position north of which the British forces in Malaya have withdrawn, is in Negri Scmbilan, 30 miles south of Kuala Lumpur. From the fact that enemy infantry closely followed (he retreat, it seems clear that Kuala Lumpur, the capture of Which has been claimed by the Japanese, has been evacuated. Confirmation is lacking in authoritative quarters in London of a Japanese claim, quoted by the Berlin radio, to have captured the Officer Commanding the Australians in Malaya. .Major-General H. Gordon Bennett, in the course of the fighting for Kuala Lumpur. It is stated In Singapore that the biggest action in which the A.IF. In Malaya has yet taken part Is understood to be imminent.

EARLY CLASH UNLIKELY

JAPANESE AND U.S. NAVIES STATEMENT BY COLONEL KNOX (Received January 13, 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January 12. An early clash between the American and Japanese navies is unlikely, said Colonel Frank Knox, Secretary of the United States Navy, addressing a conference of mayors. ‘T would not be frank with you," he said, ‘‘if I led 'you to believe that I expect the favourable and dramatic development of triumphant American full-scale naval engagements in the Pacific in the near future. The elements of distance and time and* the necessarily wide distribution of our naval forces preclude an early conclusive showdown with the Japanese Navy, but I do not mean to imply that the Pacific fleet is idle. ‘‘You will hear from it again and again when and where careful strategic considerations dictate. “We will suffer other reverses besides our severe losses at Pearl Harbour. The task of the British and American navies is the maintenance Of

their effective fighting strength in all the seas.” Colonel Knox emphasised that the chief enemy was Germany, and he added that as soon as Hitler s Germany was destroyed the whole Axis fabric would collapse.