WARNING BY TO JO

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 309, 24 September 1943, Page 7

WARNING BY TO JO

Gravity Of Japan’s

Position

FRESH OFFENSIVES (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received September 23, 30.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 23.

Japan’s general position is grave according to a warning given by the Prime Minister, General Tojo, who said that the British and Americans were attempting, regardless of their own high losses, to force lhe Japanese Empire to irs knees by fresh offensives. Heavy battles were in progress and otlicrs were expected. All classes of the Japanese people must realize the seriousness of the position, both at home and abroad, and the difficulties of their tasks. The nations whole strength must lie concentrated in the production of armaments, specially aircraft. Mobilization of the nations manpower must be completed, the employment of women extended and taxation increased. . ' , , Japan, with Manchukuo, must be made independent of imported food supplies. Plans must also be worked out unmediateli’ for strengthening the defence ot the Japanese motherland. All administrative measures not essential, for the production of war at this decisive stage must ibc eliminated. The Saturday haltholiday was abolished and Government offices would work on Sundays and weekdays. all day and all right Air defences, particularly in industrial zones, must be expanded, and preparations made for transferring Government buildings and industries and shifting sections of the population from I.okio elsewhere, in the interests of national defence. 'The commander of the Eleieuth United 'States Air Force in Alaska, General Johnson, said that Tokio is now within reach of Allied bombers based on the Aleutians.

SOUTH-EAST ASIA Mountbatten’s Area Defined (Received September 23, 7 p.m.) LONDON, September 22. Admiral Mountbatten’s South-east Asia Command, says Reuter iu the first disclosure of its boundaries, extends over French Indo-China, Thailand, Malaya, Sumatra and Burma. It excludes India and Persia. The sea regions extend from the south-eastern coast of Sumatra, exeluding the Sunda Straits, southward along a line entirely excluding Australia, and take in the Bay of Bengal,,the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea to its western boundary, cutting the Persian coast 340 miles east of the Jask line, and then just, misses the tip of Arabia and runs south to Albatross Island, thence south-eastward, avoiding Rodriguez Island and thus excluding Madagascar, Reunion and the Mauritius Group. 'The eastern boundary goes due south from Singapore to the north coast ot Sumatra and thence round .the east coast of Sumatra to a point 304 degrees east on the coast of Sumatra, then south to latitude .OS degrees south, thence southeast toward Onslow and, when longitude 330 is reached, due south along that meridian.

SUGGESTED UNWISE MacArthur’s Statement

SYDNEY, September 22. “It seems* a pity that General MaeArthur has seen tit to comment publicly on rumours recently circulated in the United States regarding the future strategy in the Pacific,” says the Sydney Morning Herald” in an editorial. However near to or far from the mark these rumours may ultimately prove to be, it cannot be overlooked that they emanate almost wholly from sources which have been consistently hostile to the present American administration, critical in tneir attitude toward Mr. Churchill, and assiduous in their efforts to use General MacArthur as a political weapon against both Mr. Roosevelt and those who are directing the higher strategy of the war. “Knowledge of this should surely dictated greater caution on General MacArthur's part than to issue a statement which, however well-intended, gives countenance to rumours which are politically suspect, and cannot fail to give the impression that he believes himself to be at odds with those whose duty it.is to determine the broad strategy ot tnc Pacific war. , „ • “To say this is not to challenge in any wav the correctness of the viewpoint, ■which General MacArthur expresses, out to proclaim it so bluntly and m suen circumstances can hardly make for co-operation with either the Governments o? the combined Chiefs of Staff in whose hands lie the ultimate decisions ou such there has been no indication, unless General MacArthur is speaking from special knowledge deniel 10 ‘he public, that his command will not enjoy tlic opportunities which he seeks for it , certainly there is no inherent reason wn.) Admiral Mountbatten’s appointment should be deemed to preclude such opportunities. As President Rooseicll. s. id . his broadcast on February 34, th- c a >• many roads leading to lokio, none or which, he promised, would be neglected.