OFFENSIVE NEEDED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 138, 13 June 1942, Page 5

OFFENSIVE NEEDED

DR. EVATT ON PACIFIC POSITION

NEW YORK, June 11. "It is suicidal to tolerate any feeling of over-confidence or complacency," said Dr. H. V. Evatt, Australian Minister of External Affairs, in a broadcast. "Until we attack Japan we must be prepared to be attacked by Japan at almost any part of the Pacific." Dr. Evatt recalled a recent remark of General Stillwell about Burma, "We took one hell of a beating, but we will be back." "Of course we will be back," Dr. Evatt said. "We have a debt to redeem to our own men, to the Dutch, the Filipinos, the Javanese, the Malayans, and the Chinese. We cannot ourselves be free whilst there remain anywhere in the world people who should be free, but are not. "The essential ■ basis of the world of tomorrow must be the right to enjoy freedom everywhere. We had a chance in the last war which we missed. Yet, as though by a miracle, a second chance is offered to us. "For we shall achieve victory in this war. I have seen something of the immense effort of the British people and the great war drive within this country in the last few months. What is necessary is to banish for ever any thought of retreatism or defeatism and to act on the principle of developing an offensive. "We will be back. We must be back. And when we are back every citadel of freedom in the world must be guarded for ever." MUST NOT UNDER-ESTIMATE ENEMY. Dr. Evatt stressed the > danger of under-estimating Japan's strength. He said: "Both Australia and New Zealand have been gravely concerned at the march of events. In stressing the menace of Japan, Australia does not for a moment under-estimate the power of Hitler's Germany. Australia knows perfectly well that Hitler's theatres of war are crucial theatres. Our view of the three Axis Powers is that all three must be attacked and that they will go crashing down together. "Without being over-optimisiic, we are rapidly gathering material strength, and our organisation for co-operation with the United Nations has gradually improved. Through the consultations of the Pacific War Council the Pacific theatre has been brought into sharper focus and the joint plans made easier oi execution. "Today the Battle of Midway Island, following the Battle of the Coral Sea, has caused a feeling of jubilation and confidence. All this is good, but 1 rtn somewhat startled to find that people are inclined to interpret the Battle of Midway as deciding the war against Japan. This is a dangerous doctrine. The task of conquering Japan hasfeonly commenced." Dr. Evatt's mission, which all concerned characterise as extremely successful, has now ended.