FLEET ACTION MUST COME

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 121, 17 February 1944, Page 5

FLEET ACTION MUST COME

Corresporident’s View (Received February 16. 11.55 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 16. In spite of the enormous preparations for the invasion of Europe, the -bulk. of the United States Fleet is in the Pacific with its air arm, says Frank Kluckohn an a dispatch to the. “New York Times’ from the South Pacific. Unless events are halted by higher authority, it looks as though either a .battle capable of deciding the Pacific war is going to be fought in the next several months, or big gains are going to be made, tearing Japan's new empire apart. ?Tt would certainly be amazing but far jirom impossible if for. a time faster progress was made against the Mikado's empire 'than Germany. Every recent move, even the taking of unimportant islands, offers an invitation to the Japanese Fleet to emerge and risk ja major engagement. Every time that is declined, the way is cleared for the Alpied forces to take greater strides for'ward toward the heart of Japan, Defeat of the Japanese Fleet is capable of bringing a much quicker end to the war than <was previously contemplated. ~ > The Japanese policy of fighting long delaying actions is breaking down Every ( action gives indications that Japans .cuter defences are crumbling faster than jwas expected. Therefore, it would be sheer stupidity if the American services are not thinking already beyond Truk land Rabaul. Recent events indicate that Japan is not strong enough to protect per outer reaches and therefore ,it may be easier than is widely thought to break (the intermediate defences now being approached.