The Press MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1944. Formosa And The Riukius

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24389, 16 October 1944, Page 4

The Press MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1944. Formosa And The Riukius

Barely seven months ago a single Liberator, based in the Aleutians, bombed Matsuwa, an island of the Kuriles 960 miles from Tokyo. This was, at the time, hailed as a notable event, the deepest thrust from the east towards Japan’s heart. Thousands of miles back in the central Pacific, Admiral Nimitz. was then reducing the Marshalls; and General Mac Arthur had just announced that all his objectives in the Admiralties had been taken. This is worth recalling, for it offers some sort of yardstick by which to measure Admiral Nimitz’s operations of the last few days against the Riukius, Formosa, and the Pescadores. His carrier-borne aircraft have struck in “great force": according to Tokyo radio, upwards of 1000 were used against Formosa. And though one road to Tokyo runs through the Kuriles, it has never seemed- the main road. When victory in the Marshalls had become sure Admiral Nimitz pointed to the main road. His objective, he then said, was to move ground and air forces into China as soon as possible. Formosa, the Pescadores, and the Riukius guard that road. Now, for the first time, they have come under fire from the east. The attack has been heavy and sustained, first against the Riukius, and then, on two successive days, against nearby Formosa, with the Pescadores an additional target on the second day. In its home waters the Japanese navy has again refused battle; and the enemy’s aircraft failed signally. Finally, Admiral Nimitz’s blows from the east have been supplemented from the west: as reported to-day, Superfortresses from western China have struck heavily at Formosa. Significantly, the day after Riukius were raided, Admiral Nimitz again said that the Allies must land on the China coast. It is too early to say, however, whether his operations against the last island barrier before the China coast promise swift aid to the hard-pressed Chinese. They could, of course, mean less than this. To the south and east of Mindanao, General Mac Arthur and Admiral Nimitz are in position to move against at least this southernmost of the Philippines. To the north-east, in the Marianas, Admiral Nimitz holds another base, from which he might , co-ordinate an assault against the northern Philippines. If the Philippines' are the next object i in American strategy, the* recent blows against Formosa and its neighbouring islands would fit into such a strategy. But a few months ago the naval view of" the A,llied strategy favoured a leap past the Philippines through Formosa and the Riukius to the China coast. It has still to become clear whether the naval view has prevailed. Until the doubt is removed. Admiral Nimitz’s recent operations can suggest that speedy aid will be brought direct to' China. Nevertheless, Admiral Nimitz seems to suggest otherwise.. The United States, he says, is strong enough in combatant ships to go anywhere; but more cargo vessels, transports, and landing craft are needed. “When we “have the means, we shall get the “bases in China we want”. Yet, heartening as has been the speed of the American advance across Pacific, it has been accompanied for the last seven months by substantial Japanese gains on the mainland of China; and Admiral Nimitz gives a prudent warning when he says that the task of winning the bases the Allies must have in China will become more difficult in the degree that the Japanese improve their position in China,