FIGHTING JAPAN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 154, 28 December 1942, Page 5

FIGHTING JAPAN

NEW APPROACH SEEN

AS NEEDED

(By Telegraph—Pres6 Association—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) « SYDNEY, December 27. The long-drawn nature of the fighting in Papua and the southeast Solomons indicates clearly that approach towards Japan from these areas is manifestly inadequate for an Allied offensive, declares the military editor of the "New York *,Times," Hanson Baldwin, discussing long-term strategy of the war against Japan.

"New fronts must be opened," he writes. "Additional drives may have to come eastward from the continent of Asia and westward from Hawaii.

"The reconquest of Burma, with the consequent reopening of the Burma Road, is a necessary prelude to assault on Japan's mainland forces in China, or seizure of air bases within easy operating range of the Japanese home islands.

"There are two sea approaches to Japan. First, there is the direct westward move from Pearl Harbour, Midway, and Johnson Islands towards Wake, Marcus, Guam, the • Marianas, and possibly some of the Bonins. "Such an advance would greatly simplify the American supply problem, shortening supply lines as compared with a major effort from Australia. Furthermore, it would obviate the necessity of reconquering many South Pacific islands now held by the Japanese, who would be outflanked and their communications with Japan either cut or severely impaired. "Secondly, Japan is approachable

from north-eastern bases in Alaska and the outer islands towards the Kurile the Aleutians, via stepping-stones of Islands. Such an advance would probably necessitate the use of the Russian base at Petropavlovsk or Kamchatka.

•'However, the prevailing weather is extremely adverse, making • victory in sea and air engagements largely a matter of luck. We would not be able to exert our superior power as effectively as in the clear, dependable weather further south."