WAR REVIEW BY MR. STIMSON

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 65, 11 December 1943, Page 7

WAR REVIEW BY MR. STIMSON

Biggest Tasks Still Ahead

EUROPE AND PACIFIC (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received December 10, 7.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 9. The U.S. Secretary of War, Mr. Stimson, reviewing the progress achieved in two years of war, said: Not till the European continent is invaded and we have met face to face the rcmiiining masses of Gorman troops—not til our naw grapples with the powerful Japanese home fleet-can we say we are passing through the period of the war’s drag and approaching its finish Mr. Stimson explained that after Pearl Harbour he was of the opinion th. t.the war would be divided into three plias-es, namely, onset, drag and finish, e. access so far had been achieved on what might be termed the perimeter of the enemy s defences. , “We have been trimming off the enemy s outer defences, but neither in Europe nor in the Pacific have our ground forces contacted the main masses of enemy troops. Today the overwhelming mass of the American army is still within the United States. Tribute to Red Army.

“The only one of the Allies which has encountered the main German force is Russia. Fortunately for us those Russian armies have (shown themselves more than equal to the Axis troops encountered. Similarly, the United Stales Navy has not yet grappled with Japan s home fleet. It is only in the air over Europe that we can say our forces have met the main enemy forces and bested them “Even there, because of Germany’s immense industrial power and recuperative strength, it is impossible to say she may not again face us with very powerful air forces, “On the home front, where our people are submitted to restrictions of food and movement which seem to them drastic, we cannot say we have even reached a period of drag or its danger to our morale. We have not yet been willing to impose adequate controls against inflation of prices and wages, which is the only fair and efficient way of dealing with this problem.” Mr. Stimson paid a tribute to Marshal Stalin's mighty contribution to the success of the Teheran conference., Stalin’s power of lucid analysis and his fairness strongly helped the solution of several long outstanding problems.

JAPANESE' ADMIRAL CONFIDENT

Naval Clash Awaited

(Received December 10, 8 p.m.)

LONDON, December 9. Berlin radio has released the text of the speech by the Japanese Ambassador, Admiral Oshima. at the reception at the Japanese Embassy in Berlin on December 7 to mark the anniversary of Pearl Harbour.

“Britain and America can never shake our position in the South Pacific. Nevertheless, Japan does not doubt: that the military enforcement of her policy in China will be subjected to a severe test in 1944,” he said.

Referring to recent battles in the Pacific, Admiral Oshima said the Americans were, mistakenly using only part of their forces, thus enabling the Japanese to shatter them individually. lie estimated the British naval strength in the Pacific at present as being as great as at the outbreak of the war, whereas American strength was less than before Pearl Harbour.

In view of the recent Japanese successes, lie reckoned on parity in the two navnl forces, and said the Americana would be unable to challenge the Japanese fleet before the arrival of replacement ships. “We are prepared for the naval battle for which we arc waiting.” Guests wore overcoats because the Embassy was damaged by R.A.F. bombs.