INTEND TO LAND IN CHINA

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 14, 11 October 1944, Page 6

INTEND TO LAND IN CHINA

American Aims PACIFIC FLEET’S TASK (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) PEARL HARBOUR, October 10. Admiral Nimltz at. a Press conference disclosed that the typhoon season was handicapping American operations iu the Pacific, particularly in the Palau Group, but reaffirmed that the Pacific Fleet would be at General Mac- \ Arthur’s disposal for moves against the Philippines. “We must make landings on the China coast to obtain a land mass close enough to the Japanese empire to enable us to employ the air forces at our disposal,” he said. “I assure you we are moving as rapidly as possible in the Pacific to extend our power westward. In due time that power will include China’s.east coast. “So Ion? as Formosa is in Japanese hands it will be a very strong point, as the enemy can continue to supply it with air power. “China coast cities such as Fobchow have not been of much influence in this war as yet, but the China situation is serious. To the extent that the Japanese improve this situation iu China, our task will become more difficult; hut when we have the means we shall get the bases in China we want.” Admiral Nimitz emphasized that logistics were the most important consideration in any operation to project United States power westward. “The fleet is strong enough in combatant types'to go anywhere, but; we need more cargo vessels, transports and landing-craft,” he said. “We want’ shipyard workers to stay on the job. .They have accomplished miracles and we want them to continue. We hope that victory in Europe will not result in a let down. We still have a considerable job to do here.” Elusive Japanese Fleet. He reaffirmed his desire to contact the" elusive Japanese fleet, because it would hasten victory, The British Eastern Fleet was already operating in the Sumatra-Burma area, also in the Bay of Bengal, and was greatly assisting against the Japanese, as were the Dutch, Australian and New Zealand units under General MacArthur. The equatorial belt of uncertain weather, from 50 to 200 miles wide, handicapped operations considerably early in the war, particularly iu the north coast of New Guinea and New Britain, but that problem was now solved. Admiral Nimitz said he believed the naval bombardment of Marcus Island rendered most of the abovte-ground installations useless; but the enemy probably bad considerable underground defences.

CHINA’S PLIGHT NOT HOPELESS

War Supplies Needed (Received October 10, 8.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 10. Mr. Donald Nelson, who recently returned from a mission to China, in a speech described China’s situation as serious but not hopeless. He added that he had actively undertaken to work out with the Chinese Government ways in which additional war supplies including all-important trucks could be brought to China as soon as possible. It was particularly important that war materials and equipment for war industry should reach China in a steady flow. It was also important that the existing industrial facilities should be used to full capacity and that new facilities should be added wherever practicable. A relatively small amount of American industrial equipment reaching Qhina in the near futufe could quickly make a profound difference to her fighting power. “It is to. the advantage of the United States and the world to see China emerge from the war as the leading industrial nation of the Orient, replacing Japan,” said Mr. Nelson.