BATTLE OF AUSTRALIA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1942, Page 5

BATTLE OF AUSTRALIA

BEING FOUGHT BY THE DUTCH

RUGBY, February 23

; Sympathetic understanding of the grave danger which now confronts Australia following the fall of Singapore is shown by "The Times" in a leading article which ■ analyses the Pacific position. "Japanese ambitions extend far beyond Java and the Netherlands East Indies," says the article. "It did not need the Japanese raids on Darwin to bring home to/ Australians the danger threatening the Commonwealth. "The overwhelming, if temporary, preponderance secured by the Japanese at sea and in the air ten weeks ago over the whole south-western area of the Pacific would leave no Australian in doubt about its consequences. Every | new success of the Japanese has made them plainer. "Whatever illusions might have been left vanished with the fall of Singapore, the British stronghold in the Far East in which for a generation past Australians put their faith as a sure shield against Japanese encroachment and a guarantee of the freedom of their communications with India, the Middle East, and Great' Britain. "With the Japanese in Singapore and Penang, in Sumatra, and threatening Java, in Rabaul and threatening New Guinea, in Timor and threatening the north-west coast of Australia, as well as occupying the naval base of Ambo s ina, within easy striking distance of Darwin, every Australian knew that the peril had reached the threshold of the Commonwealth. WAR ON'AUSTRALIAN SOIL. "Darwin has now been x*aided twice by Japanese bombers and the war has reached Australian soil." "The Times" says it may seem well worth while to the Japanese to make a considerable sacrifice to gain a foothold in Australian territory, thus the better to interfere with * Australian communications, to defend their own lines against Allied attack, and to carry ! out air raids against Australian ports. "Australia, however, is thoroughly aware of the danger," it adds. "The land and air forces available for the defence of their northern and northwest ports may be trusted to offer resistance which would foil any attempt at an, occupation which was not made in considerable strength, such as Japan may not be able to spare for the purpose so long as the stubborn Dutch maintain their resistance.

"The Battle of Australia is now being fought in the Netherlands East Indies."