AUSTRALIA NOW SAFE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23973, 14 June 1943, Page 5

AUSTRALIA NOW SAFE

NO FEAR OF ENEMY INVASION MR CURTIN REPEATS ASSURANCE (Special Australian Corresp., ’N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 13. The belief that Japan could not conquer Australia either now or at any future time in the war, has again been voiced by the Prime Minister (Mr J. Curtin). He said this when defending his earlier assurance that he did not think the enemy could now invade Australia. His first optimistic statement was strongly criticised by the leader of the Federal Opposition parties, Mr A. W. Fadden and Mr W. M. Hughes. Mr Curtin added that his faith was “founded on the work that has already been done and on absolute confidence in the work before us which we will do.” While Mr Curtin's announcement that Australia was no longer in grave danger came rather like a shot out of the blue, it is ■ accepted by the majority of Australians at its full face v,alue. It is understood that Mr Curtin’s systematic practice of not initiating statements about operational matters unless with the knowledge of the South-West Pacific Commander-m-Chief (General Mac Arthur), was adhered to in this instance. "It must be assumed that Mr Curtin’s optimistic appraisal and forecast would not have been issued so soon after the stern warnings of only three months ago if the strategical position had not improved, and if preparations for a new stage of both limited and major offensives against Japan had not proceeded in the interim,” writes (he military correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald.” “Since the Japanese island arc remains as strong as ever and no major territorial. aerial, or naval gains have been reported in the meantime, the only deduction is that Allied strength has been greatly increased in preparation for an enlarged tactical offensive within a strategical defensive or even for an outright offensive on a broader strategical scale.” Impending Blows The likely nature of impending blows against the Japanese is being widely discussed by war commentators over the world. It is assumed that at least some of these blows will be delivered in the south and south-west Pacific areas. The recent acquisition by the United States forces of such islands as Funafuti, in the Ellice group, and the Russell Islands, in the Solomons group, as well as a number of other undisclosed bases, has given the Allies new “unsinkable carriers” from which to increase the tempo of bombing Japanese strongpoints. Air power must play a vital part in the Allied “leapfrog” strategy which is believed to have been substituted for the costly “island hopping” scheme of warfare. Many Japanese strongpoints can be by-passed on the theory that the enemy’s extended positions will be neutralised even if they are still garrisoned. Some American observers expect blows in the central Pacific to have a leading place in the Allied plans. It is thought, too, that the United States Fleet wall make every effort to force the Japanese Home Fleet into a decisive engagement. Attacks against Japanese sea power are accepted as an essential part of the Allies’ Pacific strategy. Indeed, the progressive decline of the enemy s mercantile marine is seen as an important factor accounting for Mr Curtin’s reassuring survey. The limitations imposed on the enemy’s strategical plans by shipping difficulties, together with great increases in America’s countering sea and air strengths, have at last seen the passing of the general initiative into the Allied hands. The position in the southern Pacific is summed up by the “New York Herald-Tribune" war correspondent in this theatre, who writes: “Japan, in failing to press on against Australia, has lost a chance she will never have again.” Statement Criticised “Just how a situation that a fortr night ago was grave and imminent has passed away has not been explained,” said the Leader of the United Australia Party (Mr W. M. Hughes) in a statement supporting criticism by the Leader of the Federal Opposition (Mr A. W. Fadden) of the declaration by the Prime Minister (Mr J. Curtin) that Australia is now free from the threat of invasion. “It certainly does not arise out of any change in the military situation, for the latest statement from General MacArthur’s Headquarters stresses the fact that no part of the Japanese forces has been weakened,” he continued. “We may be sure that the Japanese are massing their forces for some definite purpose and that purpose is an offensive.” Both Mr Fadden and Mr Hughes are members of the Australian War Council and Mr Hughes added that as a member of the council he knew of nothing to warrant Mr Curtin’s optimistic outlook. These suggestions that less than face value should be placed on the Prime Minister’s statements are reported to be much resented in quarters close to Mr Curtin. It is pointed out that his statement, being the outcome of his meeting with General Mac Arthur, would contain nothing that ran counter to the general’s view of the war. The publication of an over-optimistic view of the progress of the war in the Pacific could not be of political advantage to Mr Curtin, since it would leave the Government at the mercy of events occurring before the elections. Further, his optimistic statement is seen as tending to increase the unpopularity of the war-time control and disciplinary measures for which Mr Curtin must carry the political responsibility. “Over-optimism has never been one of Mr Curtin’s failings,” states “The Times.” in commenting editorially on the Australian Prime Minister’s announcement that the Japanese cannot now invade Australia. “Until recently Mr Curtin's military predictions have been marked by extreme caution—and not infrequently tinged with manifest anxiety,” it states. "This background makes his optimistic statement more impressive than ever. The inability of the Japanese fleet to intervene on behalf of the doomed garrison on Attu suggests that at sea the enemy is faced by a threatening growth of American strength and the accelerated decline of his own power. In the air the enemy also seems to have reverted to the defensive. In the land-studded areas of the southern Pacific the interdependence of air and sea power helps to explain the improvement in the Allied fortunes.” Increase in Strength Broadcasting from New York on the completion of his visit to the United States, the Australian Minister of External Affairs (Dr. H. V. Evatt) said that great increases in the Allied air strength in the south-west Pacific would soon permit of ceaseless pressure against enemy positions in that theatre. He gave a warning of the cost of warfare against the Japanese, and said that Australian-American casualties in the Now Guinea fighting were greater than the total of Allied casualties in the whole of the Tunisian campaign. Casualties from tropical diseases exceeded those in battle by four to one. Dr, Evatt emphasised (he plight of Australia and New Zealand in March of last year, when there were no modern fighter aeroplanes, only a handful of tanks, and very weak anti-aircraft defences with our forces, in the southern Pacific, Ho said that the immediate fate of New Zealand was largely dependent upon the fate of Australia, and added that neither country could be enthusiastic about a defensive which hardly accorded with the traditions of Anzac, Now. however, the Allied forces throughout the world were making ready to attack. Wherever the final shot was fired, whether in Eurone or the Pacific. Australian and New Zealand fighting forces would be present.