AUSTRALIA’S WAR POSITION

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23972, 12 June 1943, Page 5

AUSTRALIA’S WAR POSITION

Curtin’s Statement Discussed

“MOST OPTIMISTIC YET MADE”- . (Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.PA.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 11. General Mac Arthur had not issued any statement about his meeting at Sydney with Mr Curtin, said an official spokesman at South-west Pacific Headquarters, who also declined to interpret the statement issued by Mr Curtin. . . This statement is the most optimistic Mr Curtin has yet made, and it establishes the official Government belief that the intensified Japanese preparations north of Australia are primarily for defence purposes. Such an opinion has long been held by many of the overseas war correspondents in this theatre. Three vitally significant points made in Mr Curtin’s statement, which was front-page news in the British and American press, are:— (1) “I feel that the pressure on Australia is about to be . thrown back on the enemy.” (2) “I do not think the enemy can now invade Australia, although Australia is not yet immune from marauding raids.” (3) “I believe we can hold Australia as the base from which to launch both limited and major offensives.” The war correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald” says that some military observers may disagree with the opinion that the Japanese cannot now invade Australia, although all must concede that such a large-scale aggressive move would hold serious risks for Japan. "The decision rests with the enemy, who hold a strong line of garrisons and airfields above Australia,” writes the correspondent, “This line might easily be switched from a defensive to an offensive purpose, if Tokyo chose to make a gamble.” Earlier Warning Recalled The latest official announcement from South-west Pacific Headquarters on Australia’s strategic position was made on March 1, when General MacArthur’s communique gave a warning of the constant and growing reinforcement of enemy strength in the island perimeter enveloping the upper half of Australia. The communique added that this assemblage of major force indicated that the Japanese were taking up a position in readiness. A week after this warning the Japanese met disaster in the Battle of , the Bismarck Sea. Their strength has not decreased since that battle.

"Since March 1, 78 new targets, extending from Sumba Island, in the Dutch East Indies, to New Britain, have been added to the chart of Allied air attacks. Any advance of Allied strategy beyond the holding war stage must be carefully weighed in relation to these extremely' formidable enemy concentrations,” says the military writer of the “Daily Telegraph," Sydney. » “The transformation in the southern Pacific outlook would appear to have been no less rapid than gratifying,” comments the “Sydney Morning Herald" in a leading article. ‘“Less than two months ago, Australians were being given one of their periodic invasion warnings. The commotion excited then is too recent for the public not to feel a little bewilderment, mingled with its relief, at the present turn of events. However, the Prime Minister's assurance, based presumably on General MacArthur’s latest review of the strategical situation, that the invasion peril has passed, lifts the remnants of the grim shadow that long hung over Australia. Our leaders should no longer find it necessary to issue those reiterated appeals for aid, which, whatever their justification, did at times create the impression abroad that we were being more importunate than risks in this theatre, relative to the strain on the Allies’ limited resources, actually warranted." Possible Allied Offensive

A heightened significance is given to Mr Curtin’s reassuring statements when it is fitted into the background of the talks of Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt in Washington last month. After the talks Mr Churchill announced that the war in the Pacific would be prosecuted as vigorously as the war in Europe.

A further pointer to the Allied plans in the Pacific was given by Colonel Frank Knox when he revealed the presence of large American fleet concentrations in this area. These announcements suggest coming Allied offensive moves in the Pacific and indicate the general increasing confidence of the Allied leaders. However, all observers join in the warnings of the tremendous task ahead of the Allies.

Australia’s acute manpower problems are known to have been discussed between Mr Curtin and General MacArthqr at their meeting this week. It is believed that the discussion centred in the possibility of withdrawing men from the services for work in primary and secondary industries. Mr Curtin is understood to be opposed to any step involving Army personnel without General MacArthur’s full approval. The Government has been eager to obtain men from the Army because of the need for increased production, especially of dairy products. “Some readjustment of our national effort is necessary,” says the “Sydney Morning Herald,” "but any relaxation is unthinkable. Mr Curtin has often warned against complacency in the past. He must now make it clear that Australia has a full part to play in the offensive war which the Allies are preparing to wage in the Pacific.”

Mr Curtin's declaration that Australia cannot now be invaded was criticised to-day by the Opposition Leader (Mr A. W. Fadden). Asking to what degree Mr Curtin’s optimism was supported by General McArthur, Mr Fadden said it was significant that the south-west Pacific Commander-in-Chief was silent on the subject, ‘‘For my part I think it a bold statement to make.” said Mr Fadden, who pointed out that it came from the Prime Minister at a time when general elections are contemplated. ‘‘My advice to Australians is to stick to their arms, their machines, and their jobs,” he said.

RATION POINTS REQUIRED

GOODS SENT HOME BY U.S. FORCES NEW YORK. June 10. American troops have been mailing butter home from New Zealand, but the Collector of Customs points out that this does net save the recipient rationing points, as apparently is intended. Soldiers in all parts of the world have been sending bacon, shoes, coffee, and other rationed goods to their parents, wives, and sweethearts. In every case the appropriate ration points must be yielded before delivery, but duty is not collected except on packets exceeding 50 dollars in value. CURTIN GOVERNMENT’S RECORD

(Rec. 11.10 p.m.) CANBERRA, June 11. To-day the Curtin Government established a record—6l2 days in Federal office without a change in Cabinet personnel. The record was previously held by the second Fisher Government which, after a change on October 8, 1911, remained intact until the elections of June 24, 1913s a total of 611 days. The Curtin Government was ■worn in on October 7, 1941.