BLUNT AUSTRALIAN

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 157, 30 March 1943, Page 5

BLUNT AUSTRALIAN

United Nations’ Duty To Dominions STATEMENT BY DR. EVATT (Received March 29, 10 50 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 29. “An invasion of Australia or New Zealand would be an unspeakable disgrace to all the United Nations after what the Dominions have done in this war.” declared the Australian Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Evatt, today. “The United Nations have duties to Australia and New Zealand, as we have to them.”

Dr. Evatt, who has been selected by the Federal Government to put the case for an increased flow of war equipment to this area to Washington, aud London, was speaking at a luncheon given by the Australian Natives’ Association. “That Australia and New Zealand have never pursued a selfish policy is proved by facts mid deeds' in almost every theatre of war,” continued Dr. Evatt. “Within the framework of the overriding strategy there is plenty of room to ensure that these countries get the wherewithal to keep the Japanese from, their shores.” While there had been a substantial improvement in the defence position in Australia aud New Guinea under General MacArthur, he said, this security was relative only. It was’fatal to rest on the present position aud develop a spirit of complacency.

DECLARED UNLIKELY

Much Aid For MacArthur SYDNEY, March 28. In an official United States Government broadcast on Saturday night, the head of the Office of War Information, Mr. Elmer Davis, admitted that the purpose of General Kenney’s current visit to Washington was to seek more heavy bombers. But he offered little prospect of substantial reinforcements. “They have done well in the southwest Pacific with what they have,” said Mr. Davis, “but they face increasing concentrations of enemy forces in the islands north of Australia. “Even if the concentrations are defensive, which seems probable, they could do with more bombers. But it is no easy matter to apportion the bombers. All the war fronts arc calling for them.”

Meanwhile Tokio radio is lighting retrospectively a smashingly successful war iu the southern Pacific. On Saturday night it broadcast an official Imperial Navy claim to have sunk a cruiser and damaged a 31,000-ton battleship in the submarine raid on Sydney harbour on May 31 last. Actually the sole damage inflicted on shipping in the harbour was the loss of one old ferry steamer of about 150 tons, which was being used as a naval dormitory. Tokio radio said that “explosions caused when a torpedo hit the stern of a battleship of the Warspite class could be heard for miles,” and announced “citations for great gallantry” to 10 officers of the special submarine flotilla which made the attack. Australia’s Minister of Information, Senator Ashley, commented on the Japanese claims as “fantastic.” The facts were known to the world, he said. It was n good sign that the Japanese authorities felt obliged to put out propaganda of this sort. It showed they were trying to reassure their people.

LONG STRUGGLE WITH JAPAN

Mr. Curtin’s Prediction (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received March 29, 7 p.m.) » SYDNEY, March 29. “The truth is we face a long struggle which will outlast the struggle for Europe.” declared the Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, speaking at a rally for Australia’s third Liberty Loan' of £100,000,000. which closes on April 20. Mr. Curtin acknowledged that the full strength of the United Nations’ resources could not be swung against Japan till Hitler was beaten. This realization, entailing continuation of the “holding” war policy in the Pacific, is the subject for editorial reveiw by the “Sydney Morning Herald” today. The paper says Mr. Churchill's recent reference to partial demobilization following the defeat of Hitler which has been severely criticized in some quarters in the United States need not in itself cause dubiety or misgiving. “It. is the intention to prosecute the war in the Pacific with full vigour and to an absolute conclusion that matters,” declares the “Herald.” “Mr. Churchill’s word that Britain would continue to fight with the utmost energy till the unconditional surrender of Japan was good enough for President Roosevelt, as it is for all of us who are fighting the Japanese. “If any doubts exist today, they concern not the will of Britain or

America to wage war in the Pacific to a finish, but the degree of realiza-

tion by the Allied leaders in London and Washington of what the task of crushing Japan will involve, particularly if no major effort can be made to discharge it till after the defeat

of Germany. “No change can be made now in the basic global strategy. 'The policy of ‘beating Hitler first’ has never been seriously contested and, in any case, the United Nations are committed to it beyond recall. But what sometimes appears overlooked is that the Japanese will not remain passive till the Allies are ready to deal with them. The longer and harder the job of destroying Hitler, the more necessary will it become to make due provision for keeping Japan engaged and preventing her from digging in so deeply that her dislodgement may tax the Allied strength beyond endurance. “What is sought within the framework of the ‘holding’ war is the means of really holding Japan's power in check, of wearing down her resources, and of preparing the ground for the ultimate combined attack on her.”

THREE YEARS MORE? (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 28. Mr. Curtin warned Australians today that the war would probably last three more years. "We must face a continuous war of attrition in the Pacific,” he said. “The Japanese know that if they cannot win this time it will be impossible for them to win even after centuries,” he said.

JAPAN BUILDING UP AIR FORCE

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—-Convrlght.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY. March 29.

The Army Minister, Mr. Forde, states that nt present Japan is building up a force of 2000 planes in her island arc north of Australia. He predicts that these planes will be used for heavier attacks on Allied shipping.